Sunday, June 26, 2005

Roanoke to Lexington, VA

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We finally left our depressing room at the Ramada riverside in Roanoke today. I drove our car across the street to long-term parking, then walked back and brought the bikes down from our room. Breakfast was cereal in the room from our own supplies.

All morning streams of cyclists passed, as the route to Lexington went by the front of the Ramada. We joined the tail-end again and rode out of town with the help of the local police.

There was another tough climb on our way to the first rest stop at Troutville Town Park. At the park we ran into my friend Penny. As we were waiting in the port-o-john line, she took our picture.

There was more rolling terrain on the way to the second rest stop at the Fincastle Courthouse, an old complex of municipal buildings. Dennis was at the center of town trying to keep the cyclists and the motorists apart. We spent some time browsing through the blue katt art gallery.

Just before the longest, hardest climb of the day was lunch, an un-appetizing broccoli lasagne. Everyone was huddled under the shady areas trying to avoid the beating sun. The day was mostly overcast and relatively mild, but when the sun was out it felt very hot. Several recumbents passed through was we sat on a bank eating our lunch, including a young, long-legged couple on matching Volae high wheel, short wheelbase recumnbents.

It was probably good that we didn't eat much lunch given that the climb started right after we crossed the James River leaving Buchanan. Unlike the steep climb yesterday, this was more manageable but lasted for 10 miles. It was very gradual in parts, but nearly constantly uphill. Toward the end it seemed to kick up and several people were walking.

After the peak, we coasted down to the next rest stop at mile 52 at Rapps Church, a quaint old church where we were treated to whole bananas (as opposed to the cut up pieces usually served) and homemade cookies. Took a picture of 4 tandems parked next to each other in front of the church. As we were about to leave, one of the mechanics was marveling at the improvised patch of a tire using a dollar bill, that had a hole worn through it. It worked long enough to reach help. I had recently heard of this trick, since the paper of a dollar is relatively durable.

The route up to and over the peak was on a very narrow road with no services. One must be very self sufficient in this stretch, either that or ride with Bike Virginia.

At the rest stop I ran into the weatherman, a doctor who predicted the weather for our group during the Pedal Pennsylvania tour several years ago. I asked his opinion of the source of the constant haze we were seeing in the air. He said it was humid air from the Gulf that had settled in when the low pressure area descended.

We continued downhill to the last rest stop of the day at the Ettinger VFD, just before the last climb of the day. Had a couple of excellent homemade oatmeal cookies while listening to a local bluegrass band in the fire station.

Outside the station Kerie spotted a Longbike Slipstream with S&S couplings. She had heard that it was an option for someone wanting to pack a LWB recumbent.

We passed a few more people on the last climb, making our way to about the top 1/3 of the group. We've rarely been in the top 1/3 due to our late starts, but we usually pass enough people so that we aren't dead last.

It was a pretty ride, with several rocky gorges hidden in the trees. It was a long 71 mile day, and we were glad to see the Hampton Inn, an excellent motel worth every penny of the $90, especially after the Ramada inn fiasco. The rooms were very clean, the receptionists were pleasant, warm cookies were served in the lobby, and local restaurant menus were available. The lobby and some of the rooms are located in an old historic mansion, and most of the rooms were in a modern brick extension. There are large elm and oak trees in the huge front yard, a swimming pool and jacuzzi in front. What a difference compared to the Ramada.

Dinner was at the Livery restaurant, pecan-crusted mahi mahi and Bass ale. ($70 with tip). We ate early, before the 7 o'clock crowd and subsequent hour plus wait for a table. For once it was good planning on our part. We walked around town, sat in the local park, then walked back to our room.

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