Day 16...1,000 miles and goin'

This morning was warm and dry. We headed out eager to finally get out of Virginia and break the 1,000 mile mark! With the help of google maps + a road atlas, we changed our bike route slightly to bypass Kentucky and, instead, we passed into Tennessee.

State: Tennessee
Capital: Nashville
Nickname: Volunteer State
Population 5.6 million.

Cherokee Lake
Mooresburg, TN

About 20 miles into our ride and just shy of the 1,000 mile mark....BAM, my front wheel popped and I got my fist flat of the ride. Hey, no big deal. I would be thrilled if I only got a flat every 1,000 miles! After a quick inner tube change and tire check we were back on the road. It was warm today and, by mile 60, the sun and heat had definitely fatigued me.

Jim greeted us on his bike at mile 65 and, together, we all road into Mooresburg, TN. After a good stretch and a shower (in the RV) we had a nice meal at a local restaurant called The Country Corner.

Dinner with a view in Mooresburg, TN

83 miles in the saddle today. 1,060 miles down! Tomorrow we will pass through Knoxville, home to The University of Tennessee. Another hot + sunny day is expected. Time to hydrate!

Day 15...Let it Roll

Foggy Morning in Damascus, VA

I never thought I’d say this, but today’s 60 mile ride was a breeze. I woke up sore and very apprehensive about how I would perform today after feeling so beat up yesterday.  The day started off quite cool with a dense fog hovering over Wytheville.  We took off up Route 11 and shivered our way for the next 60 minutes until the sun finally burned her way through the fog. Arm warmers off then shortly leg warmers came off.  Surprisingly, we both felt great.

We made a quick stop for lunch and took off again and, before we knew it, rolled into Damascus, VA. We took our bikes directly to a local bike shop for a tune up. We met some great characters in the store who were kind, funny and generous. Jim met us there. He had found a campground a few miles out of town and brought the jeep, a change of clothes and the laundry.

We ate a fantastic meal at the Whistle Pig Café, got the laundry done and shot back to the RV at  Mount Rogers camp ground for a shower and a look at the maps.  977 miles down. Tomorrow, we will leave the state of VA and enter Tennessee! Yee Haw!

Close up of 1 brick

Brick side walk in Damascus
Part of the Appalachian Trail!

Bike Store in Damascus

Post delay. We are fine just no gps service in Damascus!!