Click below to review today's route and ride profile:
(the Garmin understated actual climbing which was about 15,500 ft today)
OUCH!!!
Today was one of the toughest I have spent on a bike and certainly the hardest in my book on this expedition. The eastern mountains are way more tough than the Rockies because of much harsher grades and one tough climb after another.
We began at daybreak in Elkins to mild temperatures and fog. Susan reminded us in the parking lot that some of the mountain descents can be pretty chilly so I quickly rifled through my bag and grabbed a wind shell. This proved to be great advice.
Climbing began immediately as we departed Elkins. Because of the fog, everyone had thier red flashing tail lights on. There was heavy industrial truck traffic leaving town so we made sure we were seen. As we cleared the city, we continued climbing in the Monongahela National Forest which was lush and green and kind of spooky looking through the fog. As we reached the first rest stop at mile 19 the sun was out on top of the mountain and as soon as we began to descend, it was right back into fog.
As the sun rose and burned off the fog, it was time to ditch the wind breaker as things were starting to get steamy. We had four major climbs today, each had about 2,000 ft of elevation gain with lots of intermediate climbs in between. Some of these climbs were in the neighborhood of 2.5 to 4 miles in length. So what do you do when you are half way up the mountain and are feeling tired? Keep pedaling or you stop quickly!
We maintained a slow, but steady pace throughout the day. I was amazed at how beat up I felt just after 50 miles, with 110 still to go! Too early to start thinking about the finish. Lunch has always been a high point of PAC Tour days, and today, we finished a beast of a climb and took a quiclk descent into the George Washington National Forest. There was a really cool stretch of straight tree-lined roadway which fell at a gentle slope, with a river following one side and dozens of small cut-outs along the road for picnicing or hiking. We had lunch along the roadway with the sounds of flowing water and birds chirping in the background. Very cool.
After lunch, we had some rolling terrain for the next 30 miles or so which was welcome rest for tired legs, and then it was on to the last big climb of the day, up to Skyline road and the Shennandoah National Park.
By the time we rolled in, it was nearly 13 hours from the start, just before 7 pm. Fantastic day, but needless to say, I'm beat so I must take my leave and get some rest. Tomorrow will be an exciting day as we finally reach our destination of Williamsburg. I believe we will be landing on Yorktown beach. See you then!
Here are a few photos I took today:
Foggy this morning.
Top of first climb this morning.
On top of ol smokey.
Speedy descents.
Seneca Rock
Entering Virginia on top of a booger of a climb!
Pedaling through George Washington National Forest. Nice!
Almost home Jonny B.
ReplyDeleteCan you smell the barn?
Keep peddling, see ya soon.
jim h
Epic ride - breathtaking scenery! I'm kind of jealous, but happy to be enjoying it from my computer chair. Finish strong!
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