The last few days

Internet access is kinda spotty out in the hinterlands of western VA.  Here's what's been going on the last few days:

SUN 5/30 -- Christiansburg to Wytheville VA

MON 5/31 -- Wytheville to Damascus VA.  This 56-mile ride -- some of which was in the rain (*) -- ended with a FANTASTIC 20+ mile fairly gentle downhill ride into town, that just went on and on and on ("seemingly endless" is how the guidebook describes it, which is spot-on).  As an added plus, the rain ended and it was a beautiful, sunny, not-too-hot day for that part of the ride.  I stopped by the side of the road next to a beautiful little stream for lunch -- pictures to follow at a later date.

TUES 6/1 -- A much-needed layover day after almost 500 miles of riding w/o a break.  Damascus is a funky little town that's kind of a hub for bikers (due to the VA Creeper trail and the Trans-Am route) and hikers (due to the Appalachian Trail).  Stayed in a beautiful little campsite right in town next to the river, where we could watch the ducks/ducklings and the birds and the swimmers and the fisherman.  Did some laundry, bought some beer (**) and ice, had lunch with my Mom and my Aunt Mary, who were on their way back from DC to Asheville.  It was GREAT to see them (and Mom PAID for my lunch -- woo-hooo!), but I've got to admit that seeing them made me a little homesick.  I had planned to spend the layover day catching up on things electronic, but was thwarted due to no AT&T service.  (Service has been very spotty -- very frustrating.  Here's the sort of generosity we've encountered along the way, though:  there's a guy in Damascus who keeps a phone out on his front porch just for no-service (or no-phone) hikers and bikers to use, which I did so I could call Kris.  Also, while I was doing laundry, a guy gave me a dose of his detergent so I wouldn't have to buy any.)  There was a huge afternoon downpour, which I was very glad we weren't biking in.  So far (knock on wood) my little tent is holding up very well.

WED 6/2 -- A very short (33 mile) but VERY hilly ride from Damscus to a Methodist Church near Rosedale VA, another of the many churches we've encountered which opens its doors for bikers to use the kitchen facilities and spend the night.  Not sure why the ride was so short, except (a) a lavk of places to stay, (b) the HUGE uphill climb (***) -- 3-1/2 miles, very steep grade, lots of switchbacks -- and (c) some substantial climbs coming up on the next day's ride as well.  This was the first day of real riding where I really wanted to put in more miles -- I was done riding by 10 am.  I think the rest day really helped, but I think I'm also getting stronger and more acclimated to being on the road every day.

FOOTNOTES:
(*) Brother Rob, please note -- this activates your additional 1 cent per mile bonus for Wheels for Africa if ever I encounter rain while riding.  And speaking of WfA -- thank you THANK YOU everyone for your extremely generous pledges and contributions, which at last count were up to almost a buck-and-a-half per mile.  Which means that essentially every day I ride I/we buy a bike for a kid in Malawi.  Thank you!

(**) How the beer system works:  At our get acquainted meeting, I was sitting there wondering how we were going to provide adult beverages to those who wanted them, but a little shy about bringing up the subject.  No need, it turns out -- EVERYONE is very interested in a tasy drink after a long, hot (or even short and not-so-hot) ride.  Jerry has been our main beer guy, and we use the syetm he suggested -- he makes sure the coolers are full, and when you grab a beer you put a dollar in the kitty.  Easy.  Jerry is our most valuable team member.

(***) Brother Rob -- there's another cent per mile, in the event I ever encountered an uphill.