I needed an early start to catch the others for they we already 23 miles ahead of me. I knew that it could be done and a start at 7:10 am made it easier. The first part of today’s ride I had already ridden twice in the past 8 months so I was familiar with the terrain, the hills, the railroad tracks, and the traffic. What I did miss was a sign that told me to turn left. I kept going straight and it wasn’t until I was already a few miles off route that I realized this. Crossing the same road twice clued me in. Once I figured out where I was and got my myself back on track I was in Bumpass (what a great name for a town. Is it Bum Pass or Bump Ass?) then around Lake Anna and to points further west. Greg and I were texting throughout the day I could see myself getting closer to them.
Finally at a mini-mart outside of Palmyra, VA I found them eating lunch in the shade. Once I figured out what happened and how I pointed them to a mouse infested church to spend the night we made a decision to carry on to Charlottesville. When we left the mini-mart it was already 3:30 and we still had 20 miles to go. The roads became narrower and hiller with more traffic. I like to stay as close to the white line as possible when there is no shoulder but some of the others not so much.
Getting into Charlottesville include a steep incline, poorly marked streets and a little mis-direction on my part. The others don’t know any better so they follow me. Thankful I do have the Adventure Cycling TransAmerican bike route on a phone app which got me back on the route near Bumpass and again in Charlottesville.
Tonight was a night in a hotel because of the lack of camping sites in the vicinity. It was needed because the next day we tackle the Blueridge Parkway.
Today’s states: 104.8 miles (the others did 20 miles less); average speed 12.5 mph; elevation gain 4721 feet; descent 4514 feet; max speed 36.1 mph