Day 11...The grind before the grind

I hit some sort of wall today. Unsure if I'm just fatigued,  dehydrated or undernourished. Or all of the above. I certainly didn't sleep well last night - we were parked at a fire house which was near the train tracks...and lucky for us, the train ran EVERY 3 HOURS ALL NIGHT! So, needless-to-say, after 11 days straight of riding, tired muscles and lack of sleep, I understand why I am fatigued. However, I'm not sure about the hydration/nutrition aspects. I am definitely drinking but perhaps not enough? And I am eating more than I've EVER eaten, but maybe I need more?

Riding past UVA

Today we road from Mineral, VA to Greenwood, VA which is just at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It rained on us all day and there were quite a few hills once we neared Charlottesville. We road right past The University of Virginia campus where a few of my friends attended college and my cousin's daughter does now. I get nostalgic when it comes to college campuses. Maybe I'm just a nerd, but I LOVE to be surrounded by academia.

UVA

We stopped for lunch in Charlottesville at Fox's Cafe. A much needed break after 53 miles grinding the gears in the rain. I was feeling really fatigued and was desperately hoping that a good meal would help me get my groove back. Then I checked my phone and found a picture message from my friend Mollie.

She sent a photo of one of her twins, Mia, sitting on a tricycle with posters around her, cheering me on. It was EXACTLY what I needed to get inspired and finish the last 16 miles of today's ride. Thanks Mollie, Mia, (Rob and Bob)!

Precious little Mia!