Today made me very glad I am taking this trip. Started off in Jefferson Nat. Forest with a climb of 1,000 feet, my highest point in the east at about 3,700 feet. At the top, after a chat with some Appalachian Trail hikers, I entered Grayson County, named after one of Virginia's first senators.
As I came closer to Damascus the landscape and upkeep of the houses made the ride spectacular. I coasted for miles with rivers to one side and sheer rock faces to the other. My path took me only a few miles from both the Tennessee and South Carolina borders.
I veered off the road a few miles after Konnarock to ride a four mile section of the Old Virginia Creeper Trail of packed gravel. Maybe a bit dangerous for the tires, but I could not resist what I had until today only heard about in the Old Crow Medicine Show song of the same name. Seeing stacks of ancient railroad pilons and crossing once vital steel bridges made the ride well worth the risk.
The challenge of the day came with Hayter Gap, a climb of 1,500 feet in less than 3 miles. I was relieved to find a beautiful church surrounded by dogwood trees welcoming transamerica cyclists to spend the night.
Howdy,
ReplyDeleteYour ride sounds great. I wish I was with you. Had a fun ride this Saturday with the Mild Ones. My cousin Don in Bardstown could give you a place to sleep and shower. He is very open to having you there and will take good care of you unless it just doesn't fit your schedule. I will get his number for you.
I also did a sweat lodge with a Lakota Indian last Thursday.
May your Spirit Guides protect you.
George