June 24, 2007, Sunday
Hopewell to Williamsburg, VA
We were on the move today, from Hopewell to Williamsburg with a century option for the foolhardy. Actually the route was an ideal century for those so inclined, given the mostly flat terrain. We chose to do the 78 mile option, so with the added miles of the ride from the motel to the route start, it made for a long, 80+ mile day. We made good time to the first rest stop after our slow morning on Saturday. Once again the rest stop had minimal food which included Twinkies, which ran out while we were there, at the Newville United Methodist Church.
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| First rest stop | Claremont FD | Lunch at Claremont FD |
We continued to make good time, getting to the second rest stop at the Claremmont Volunteer Fire Dept. with what we estimated was the peak of cyclists. The lines for the port-a-johns and snacks wound around the parking lot. This was an unusual crowd, forming an orderly queue to wait for food. Usually the food table is a free for all, which has it's merits in that one can usually grab a snack and be on your way rather quickly. With a line, those in front feel entitled to slowly select just the right snacks.
We had a decent lunch in Surry, at the Claremont Fire Dept.; a veggie burger, potato salad, beans, fruit, and lemonade-flavored water, before we started the loop on the 78-mile route that would take us past Bacon's Castle, the oldest surviving house in Virginia. The ice-cold spring water was delicious, although it was being rationed at the time. Tour guides were available to give the riders a brief tour of the house and an explanation of the ongoing renovations underway. The sand/gravel road leading to the house managed to derail a couple of riders.
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| Bacon's Castle | Outbuildings at Bacon's Castle |
The day's route included a ferry ride across the James River to Jamestown. I feared a long line, but by the time we arrived a ferry was just starting to load and we had no problems. That is, after I was frisked by the security person as I boarded the ferry. I assume it was because of my dual panniers. I suppose I could have been packing a bomb instead of the tools, jacket, food, etc. that I carry. It was a short ride from the ferry to Williamsburg, and some of the riders could "smell the barn" and rode hard to the finish. It took some convincing to get Kerie to stop and spend some time walking through Williamsburg before we headed to the motel.
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| Awaiting the James River ferry | James River ferry |
We were in luck at the motel, getting a rare ground level room allowing us to avoid the elevator and wheel the bikes in unhindered. After showers and a change of clothes we walked across the street for an excellent vegetarian pasta dinner at the Black Angus Grille. The evening entertainment was in New Town, a faux downtown on the outskirts of the real town. It had the feel of a nearly empty movie set. We walked around for a while then caught the shuttle back to our motel.