So I got back in the saddle full force. We left Marlinton, WV and had some intense hills, but I did not catch a ride and we worked together to make it up and down several passes. Three of our flat tires in KY and WV were due to our brakes over heating on hair pin steep curves. Thus, our new strategy when we have a heavy grade down hill with lots of curves that puts a lot of strain on the brakes is to stop every half to three fourths mile to let the rims cool down. It definitely makes the down hill take longer (although it keeps us from changing tubes), but the new strategy seems to be working as we have had not new flats (two whole days with out one).
Yesterday we put in 54 hard miles crossing into the open mountain valleys of VA. It is very different country from KY and WV where mountains are right on top of each other and communities squeeze in the little hollers. Here the rolling mountains are nestled next to big valleys. The contrasts are not j
ust the terrain. Grazing cattle, fancy bed and breakfasts and elegant old court houses greet us as we come around a bend. There was no room for cattle where we have been, instead home gardens filled most flat land areas, and no sheeshe spas anywhere to be found. Instead most people are struggling to make ends meet in place where their natural environment has been extensively extracted to maintain the resource intersive lifestyles we all live.
After a glorious and grueling ride, we ended our day at Gristmill b&b in Warm Springs, VA to celebrate Jim's b-day with an elegant dinne
r and bottle of wine (yes, Jim was tipsy after one glass). While poverty and struggle are hidden in these mountain valleys, not around each curve and ascent as in Harlan County, KY and Logan County, WV, the whispers of the voices of the many generous people we have met in that rugged environment ride with us as we continue our journey.
Today we've climbed more mountains and are using a computer at a cafe in Goshen, VA, but I wanted to let you know that I'm doing the mountains again. We've got lots of great photos we'll post when we have chance. As we decended into Goshen, Jim hollered "Laaaaaaaaaaaaand a goshen" in honor of Grandma Billie.
Yesterday we put in 54 hard miles crossing into the open mountain valleys of VA. It is very different country from KY and WV where mountains are right on top of each other and communities squeeze in the little hollers. Here the rolling mountains are nestled next to big valleys. The contrasts are not j
ust the terrain. Grazing cattle, fancy bed and breakfasts and elegant old court houses greet us as we come around a bend. There was no room for cattle where we have been, instead home gardens filled most flat land areas, and no sheeshe spas anywhere to be found. Instead most people are struggling to make ends meet in place where their natural environment has been extensively extracted to maintain the resource intersive lifestyles we all live.After a glorious and grueling ride, we ended our day at Gristmill b&b in Warm Springs, VA to celebrate Jim's b-day with an elegant dinne
r and bottle of wine (yes, Jim was tipsy after one glass). While poverty and struggle are hidden in these mountain valleys, not around each curve and ascent as in Harlan County, KY and Logan County, WV, the whispers of the voices of the many generous people we have met in that rugged environment ride with us as we continue our journey.
Today we've climbed more mountains and are using a computer at a cafe in Goshen, VA, but I wanted to let you know that I'm doing the mountains again. We've got lots of great photos we'll post when we have chance. As we decended into Goshen, Jim hollered "Laaaaaaaaaaaaand a goshen" in honor of Grandma Billie.
In Goshen, VA with our new found friends of the Crazy 8s motorcycle club comparing bikes.
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