Easy Rider

These two fancy themselves as Dennis Hopper from Easy Rider.   What do you think?

Low calorie snack

Fried cheese sandwich and crisps .

Day 13

On the road.  Just stopped in Buchanan in a fabulous old diner.  

Day 13

Started as we left the cookie lady at 7am, very long climb into the blue ridge mountains 50miles plus, not bad for such long climbing. Very hot, finally arrive in Lexington. Hotel tonight, what a contrast to our previous night with the cookie lady.

Day 12

"Howdy y'owl, how u al doin"
Today started with a bike shop, "please Mr mechanic I've got a funny noise". Two hours later and a little lighter in the purse, we are off. cycling towards the blue ridge mountains. Temperature in the 90's,certainly makes for harder cycling, particularly up hills with a fully loaded bike.
Finally we arrive in Afton after a 1500 ft climb, to stay at the cookie lady's house. This is an empty house that used to be owned by a lady who offered help to cyclist since the 70's (cookies, water and eventually accommodation). A bit basic, but fine, below is a picture of my shower facilities, a cold hose out in the yard and the veranda.
The cookie lady died last year but left the house for cyclists still to use. So here I am sleeping on the floor of a museum to cyclists, loads of cycling memorabilia and postcards from previous visitors, dinner on the veranda then off to bed.
Tomorrow we are going to set off at 7 to try to beat the heat and get up on to the ridge, 3280ft. Before sleep we have a visit from two fire flies buzzing at the window, followed by a giant bug falling from the light on to me below. Anyone who knows me well, will know the response that created. After a bit of screaming and jumping about, (kielo has just stopped laughing) I am back in my sleeping bag to settle down for a nights sleep. That's of cause if the cookie lady doesn't visit!!

tomorrow's ride

Heading up into the Appalachians tomorrow. Scary on several levels, distance and height with a loaded bike and yes we have all seen that movie!!!

Day 11

Long day cycling, 77 miles, and very hot. Arrived in Charlottesville just after 8pm. Time enough for a shower and bite to eat and to get to know our new companion Kielo from Finland.  

Bugs along the way!!

These we're everywhere today!!!!
Particularly attracted to Martin's HiVi colours.

Susan, Daniel, one of their ducks

Meet the wildlife

Day ten

Good days cycling, another 60 miles, just starting to develop a few more lumps and bumps.
By 5.30 we were not sure where we were going to stay ( had not seen a campsite or motel all day) then out of the blue came Susan. Panic had not set in quite yet, but maybe not far off. Susan stopped us in the road asking if we were looking for somewhere to stay? She was offering a big garden for us to pitch our tents, food and hospitality thrown in. I don't think we could quite believe our luck, meeting up with her along the road at just the point we needed to. The cyclists version of a desert mirage!
Susan, her husband John and their 7 children welcomed us to their beautiful Virginia home. They have land where they try to grow enough for most of their needs. Susan and John also homeschool their children, have ducks (and duck eggs), plans for sheep and an orchard to go alongside the many projects they already have on the go. We shared a very investing evening hearing abut their lives over a glass or two of wine and an offer of breakfast to send us on our way.

An unusual bedroom

Day nine

65 miles through the Virginia countryside.

Very historic area, related to the civil and independence wars. 

Followed by a nights accommodation in Willis   Methodist church near Glendale henrico county. 

The church allows cyclists to stay the night and use facilities.  

We are sharing the accommodation with two other cyclists from Vancouver 

Williamsburg

20 miles into the ride and a stop at Williamsburg. A bit like a theme park, with lots of tourists, but good coffee and a white chocolate and raspberry scone. 

Day nine.

Off we go!!! Christopher, Martin and I arrive at Yorktown for the official start to the cross country route. 

Day eight

Update on not so good previous day.  Christine my companion hit a pothole, resulting in an afternoon in hospital and 12 stitches.  Not a great end to get week.  Pictured here with her uncle who came to the rescue.  

Day Seven

Not quite as expected, very bad weather.
Eventually found our way to Newport News to meet with Martin and Christopher. Day off tomorrow, to do some washing and have some rest then Sunday to start heading west across country.
Chesapeake bay bridge was quite an experience, 19 miles long!

Day Six

In Virginia. Today we managed to get going just after 7am, to try and get the best of the weather but unfortunately the rain was with us by 10 and continued on and off for most of the day. Having managed 65miles we decided on a motel for the night.
Here is our lunch stop, a diner right out of the movies, and lunch.
Drum, some sort of white fish caught locally, sweet potato fries(sprinkled with brown sugar), collard ( a bit like spinach ) and corn bread. Very tasty!!!

More photos.

Day Five

Last nights accommodation, great fun.
Cycling into a strong headwind for 50 miles after a late start. Very warm temperatures, hard work!!
Storm expected tomorrow, which might alter our plans a little, but we are planning to set off at 6.30am to try and beat it.
Apparently the storm is the fading embers of the hurricane in Oklahoma- but no panic please it really has lost it's force.

Dangerous dogs.

The scariest to date. Meet 'Curly Sue', pink ribbons in her hair. 

Day Four

Great day cycling through Delaware to Maryland. Stayed on Assateague island national park. Camped on the beach and had visit from two of the wild horses at 11pm looking for food. They only managed to get an apple but were trying to get in the panniers, a bit scary, but also quite funny. Setting off today towards another WS host called 'bear'

About to set off on day four, temperatures are expected to be in the 80's.

I know, before any of you clever so and so's correct me - Delaware

Day Three

Much better weather, cycled on down to Cape May, then the ferry over to Lewes in Deleware. Staying with Jack and Betty on Harbeson, another WS host. They have made us very welcome.  Tomorrow we carry on through to Deleware and Assteague island. 

Day two

Rained most of the day, but still managed 65 miles.  Wild camped in a bird sanctuary, weird!!!

Meet my new companion. Not the one in the background. 

My first encounter with the law.

Meet Tommy he's going to follows blog. 

Not quite Richmond

Day One. On my way

Set off at 7am.  Eric joined me for the first   20, then on my own heading down through New Jersey for to meet my next companion for lunch. 

Meeting at the airport

The sign greeting me at the airport. 

The four of us

Warm shower hosts

Eric and his family who have

generously welcomed me into their home on my first nights in the US.

Putting together the vehicle

In the lounge of my warm shower host. 

USA

I've arrived.
First morning in the USA.
Next job, put the bike back together again.

Here I go!!

Finally at Heathrow, bag and bike checked in, I'm on my way. 

Last Morning

Last morning at work and last minute packing before a bonvoyage and birthday meal with my daughter Clare.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLARE XXXXX

Packing

Bike stuff everywhere, will I ever get sorted!

Countdown 5 days to go!

Need to get packing. Now where did I put that bike??