Sad News Interrupts the ride

I just want to let everyone know that I am on my way back to Delaware for about a week, as my sister passed away unexpectedly last night.   The good people here at the church have allowed me to store  my bike, have given me a ride to Evansville Indiana and I am getting a plane early tomorrow morning.  I will be returning to Evansville on June 2nd, and will be back on the trail next Friday, June 3rd.

Thanks to everyone who has supported and helped me today making arrangements and helping me.  Your kindness is so appreciated.

1000 Miles

Today I passed  with 1000 miles on my ride!  It was a tough 54 miles today, because it was very windy 30 - 40 mph winds all day.  Also had to ride through rain and found some shelter at a company plant that let me hang out and stay dry.  Kristina at CPS was very kind, and also spread the word at the plant about my ride - thank you.

Last night the town I was staying in was put under a tornado warning; lots of folks in that town do not have basements, so most of those people came to the church where I was staying and stayed in a safe shelter there until the threat was passed.

May 25 - Ride to Fordsville, KY

It is very nice to be back 'in the saddle' again for a normal day of riding.  Well, 85 miles yesterday and 75 miles today.  It was quite windy today - 3/4 of the time in my face, the other 1/4 of the time coming from my left...

The roads were hilly today, and seemed harder than yesterday (maybe because I did 85 miles yesterday and we kind of tired!).   I have caught back up with Dan and Russell the dog...and we are camping tonight at the Fordsville Baptist Church, in Fordsville KY, thanks to the generous hospitality of Rev. Alex Loginow. 

Pretty countryside along the route today

Rough River Lake

Fordsville Baptist Church...Home for the night!

It's All Good In Delaware Tuesday

Back on the road today - finally.... did 45 miles by lunchtime, including a stop at the Lincoln Homestead State Park and now in Bardstown, KY.   Weather is raining and calling for thunderstorms all afternoon.  May ride on, may not.

Today is Tuesday  - recognizing It's All Good in Delaware for their support.   http://www.itsallgood.de/

Lincoln Homestead State Park

So much rain lately...creeks are very muddy and high

Always a BUFFALO fan! 

Repair Day

An eventful and busy day even though I did no miles.  Got a ride from a nice guy down to Danville KY early this morning.  Danville bike shop did not have my part, so a rental car and a ride to Lexington KY for me.  Got the part, drove back to Danville, and they replaced the shifter and gave my bike a tuneup.   

Bike is now safe and sound at Danville PD, and I am safe and sound at the Comfort Inn.  I have a ride in the morning back to Harrodsburg so I can be on my way back on the trail in the morning.

Could not have found nicer folks to help me today.  Chief Newell @ Danville PD and Ernest Crown-Weber at Danville Bike and Footwear - thank you for all the help!

Back on the road again in the AM....

Sunday My 22 - Harrodsburg, KY

A little ductape did me just fine today getting up and down the rolling hills.  Still plan on getting a new shifter in the morning.

Pretty countryside as we rode today.  Arrived in Harrodsburg and went right to the police station to see if a brother could help me out getting a place to stay and a ride to Danville in the morning.   As always, people are willing to help!  I am staying at the Economy Inn here in Harrodsburg, thanks to the good will of my fellow officers.    Hopefully that good will can get me a ride to Danville in the morning!

A check of my odometer has me having completed 800+ miles  of my ride!

Mechanical Difficulties: May 21 2011

Today started out great - sunny skies, warm, riding with Dan and  his dog, Russell.  ...we packed up and were out of here around 8 this morning.

But...I realized toward the end of the day that I was having some problems shifting..turns out my gear shifter cover was busted...then missing...then realized a small piece and spring were broken inside it.  No bike shops any where nearby, and the next closest one is closed on Sunday.

So my plan is to rough it tomorrow, riding without shifting my back gear ...will be no fun on these hills.  Hoping I can make it to Harrodsburg tomorrow and find someone to ride me down to the bike show in Danville on Monday morning, get the shifter replaced and move on...hope I don't lose more than one day with this. 

Urgh - frustrating when equipment breaks down. 

New riding Friend (Russell)

Russell and Dan - Russell rides along in his own trailer!

Beautiful country here...



My tent (and me!)



Sunny skies!

Today was a good riding day, weather wise.  Still very tough going up and down these steep hills.  Also, this is coal-mining country and the ride is kind of dirty.  Lots of coal trucks passing by so lots of coal dirt.  My bike and my clothes and myself...all need to be cleaned!
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The dogs still continue to chase me...chased 7  times today...and outran them all! 

Tonight I am in Booneville, KY, camping at the First Presbyterian Church (cyclists welcomed)!   Have met up with two other riders we are also here.

Please click on the "Benefiting Livestrong" link above to contribute to a good cause and thank you!

Roadside Coal Mine Operation

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Rode over this mountain today

Kentucky - Thursday May 19

Yesterday it was cold - rained all day, and I stayed inside warm and dry.  It was a needed rest though, cause my legs are feeling these hills and needed a day off too.  Today I woke up and it was still raining.  But I had to get off that mountain and out of that fog and rain.  It was too foggy to go early, it would have been dangerous, so I waited till about 9 to leave.

Not far after I started I reached my first state line - and into Kentucky.  This portion of the trail is infamous for the dogs - that chase bike riders.  All the guys who I started out with had pepper spray. 

And today I was chased by at least seven dogs.  On the down hill it's not bad cause they can't run as fast as I ride, but on the uphill it gets very annoying.  At one point, there was one on either side of me and they get close and nip at my feet.  I just use my voice to scare them away - and for those of you who know me or worked with me - you understand how that works!

So tonight I am in Hindman Kentucky, staying in a warm room at the First Baptist Church of Hindman.  So many hospitable, welcoming people who look out and help us on this trail.  My riding buddies are about one day ahead of me, so I am hoping before too long we meet up again.

Due to rain on Tuesday, I have made today 'IT'S ALL GOOD IN DELAWARE' Thursday - thank you to my supporters back home!

It's All Good In Delaware!  I wear this shirt while riding - Thank you!

The Kentucky Border

Rain...rain...rain...

And yet another day of rain.  I got up this morning and debated (and debated) should I ride or should I stay?  So,  okay, I ride.  Well,  I ride for only 10 miles.  Because as soon as I ride, it pours rain.  It is cold (45 degrees), and it is POURING.  In my face pouring rain.

Okay, so I didn't go too far.  But, when I can see through the fog and the rain, I can see that it is beautiful country here.  I am at Breaks Interstate Park...the "Grand Canyon of the South" right on the Virginia/Kentucky border.   This is the location of the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi River, 1650' deep.  A beautiful lake and lots of hiking trails. There is lots to do and I will definitely put this on my list of places to return to for a nice long weekend visit.   You can check out the website:  http://www.breakspark.com/.

If I wake up tomorrow and the forecast is more rain and more cold weather,  I am staying put.  Face it, I'm 51 years old and I don't need to ride in this nasty weather!  I can handle the heat, but I hate this cold!  Here are some pictures (through the rain and fog) of the beautiful landscape I am riding through.

Breaks Point Lodge overlooking the State Park (Grand Canyon of the South)

A rainy rainy Monday

Today was a very miserable and tough ride.  It rained - poured rain - all day.  It was cold.  And the mountains were steep.  So, putting on my arm and leg warmers, and working (riding and walking) my way up the mountains I worked up a sweat.  Coming down the mountains - I was really cold.   By the time I stopped for lunch, my arm warmers were literally dripping water.

I passed some tornado damage today; you could easily see the path of the tornado up over the hillside..and everything in it's path snapped about 10' up.  Pretty incredible.

I did 71 miles today, and find myself staying in a nice quiet dry place - Dickinson First Presbyterian Church in Haysi, Virginia.  Thank you to Teaching Elder Daniel Jarstfer for his hospitality this evening. 

The guys I've been riding with - who have nicknamed me Grampa - go figure - rode on ahead to the next town, and hopefully we will catch up again tomorrow.  They asked if I minded them calling me Grampa - I told them no - cause I sure felt like one today!  Looking for some warm sunny days...hopefully soon.

tornado damage

Sunday, May 15 - Damascus, Virginia

Well, yesterday was a nice rest day, spent in Wytheville, Virginia.  Even got a haircut - even though I said I wasn't going to for the whole ride.  Ha - changed my mind.  I am sure my girlfriend will be glad I did!

Again, I want to thank Chief Goodman of the Radford Police Department, and Rev. Allan Wilder and his Kim for their gracious hospitality.  The guys I've been riding with arrived yesterday as well , and we all were hosted by the Wilders last night. 

Today I got up and got started early.  I was eager to reach Damascus.  This weekend in Damascus, Virginia is 'trail days 2011'.  It is basically a reunion of sorts for those (me included!) who completed a through hike of the Appalachian Trail.  Lots of things to do, lots of folks here.  I arrived here, after 61 miles, around 1:00, so I was able to enjoy some of the festivities  (including an awesome banana split!).   Nice bike shop here who kindly checked out my bike and adjusted a few things for me. 

I am staying at the same hostel here tonight where I stayed back in 2007 when I came through.  New owners, though, and enjoyed a nice visit with them this evening.   So, we are back on the road tomorrow, headed toward Kentucky -- should be arriving there early this week.

Thank you all for your interest; please help me raise funds for Livestrong by clicking on the 'benefitting livestrong ' logo at the top of this page.  Every small donation helps and is greatly appreciated.

Thank you Rev and Mrs. Wilder!

Mt. Rogers, Virginia

MMMM....Banana Split

Yes, I ate the whole thing! 

Friday 5/13

Wow, yesterday I did 92 miles, and today another 58 miles.  Last night, the guys I've been riding with headed up to Blacksburg, Virginia, but I headed to the Days Inn in Christianburg.  Got a good rest, and headed out this morning.  In Radford, I stopped into the police station, where the chief hooked me up with a pastor friend down in Wytheville.   Rev. and Mrs. Wilder have opened their home up to me for the next two nights.   Since it is supposed to rain tomorrow, I think tomorrow will be my first 'zero' day.

I want to thank the police in Radford - they took several of my flyers and let lots of folks know of my trek.

I've gone up and down alot of hills over the last few days.  I am now in Wytheville, Virginia -- Southwest of Radford VA, and NW of Greensboro, NC.  Completed about 430 miles (whooohoooo 10% done!)

Alot of turtles on the road, including this guy which I almost ran over.

Wildflowers along the road

The New River, Radford, Virginia

I've uploaded a few photos from the last couple of days.

Blue Ridge Mountains

Today is Day 6 - and the last few days have been some tough mountain riding!  These mountains are the hardest climbs on the whole trail, because the roads are so steep.  Today, coming down off the Blue Ridge Parkway into Vesuvius, Virginia - the steepest downhill on the trip.  And it was curvy, steep and there was a lot of braking going on!    The hills have been difficult riding, and my muscles are letting me know!

Yesterday we rode the Blue Ridge Parkway, spending the night last night near the southern entrance to Skyline Drive  (near Rockfish Gap).

I also wanted to remind everyone ...Tuesdays on this trip are "ITS ALL GOOD IN DELAWARE" Tuesdays!  I wore my All Good (IAG) riding jersey and remember this incredible group of folks back home who not only have supported me on this trip, but do so much good for so many people in Delaware.

Today, I also crossed over the Appalachian Trail...where I walked 4 years ago. 

I am meeting some great folks along the way...cancer survivors who encourage me, and others who are just good friendly people. 

So, tonight...a rest in Lexington, Virginia motel with a hot shower and a good meal.  Good night all!

It's All Good in Delaware!!

The Cookie Lady is legendary on the Trans Am

Theresa, Cancer Survivor - Whitehall, VA

The Appalachian Trail - Hey I've been here before!

Sandra, who donated to Livestrong in honor of her daughter.

Today was day 3 of my ride.  We have completed approximately 146 miles, and we find ourselves camping in the back yard of the Mineral Fire Company Firehouse in Mineral, Virginia.    Starting to find the foothillls of the mountains, and today was definitely the toughest day for me physically.   I am trying to keep up with these young kids I am riding with!  They have been great waiting for me and encouraging me too!

I have uploaded a couple of pictures, one of the guys I am riding with, and the other of our 'home' for the night.  Thank you Mineral Firefighters for your hospitality!

 The group of 6 riders who all left together...

Starting Time:  11:15 am.   A ride through Colonial Williamsburg, and after 45 miles, camping in the yard of Memorial United Methodist Church, Charles City, VA. 

Dipping the rear wheels into the York River, the traditional start of the Transamerica Route!

Arriving in Yorktown, Virginia

Arrived in Yorktown, Virginia.  I met with fellow riders at the Grace Episcopal Church in Historic Yorktown, Virginia.  This church has a nice home overlooking the beautiful James River, and its doors are open to riders who are beginning the TransAm trail.

Met several riders who are starting the trail tomorrow - Fred (retired police officer from New Zealand), Perry (student from Utah), Patrick (student from CA, also riding for a cause - Wounded Warriors), Corey from Las Vegas, and Graham and Matt, from the UK.  

We will be dipping our wheels in the James River tomorrow morning and heading  off...a short day tomorrow to get used to the bikes...pictures of the start will be posted tomorrow.  Can't wait to get started!