The sun was just peeking over the horizon when I started down the road. It was cold, 33 degrees, but there is something about starting out on a long trip that helps mask the weather...initially. I knew when I couldn't feel my feet at 4 miles in, it was going to be a long day. I stopped at a little country store a few miles further down the road until I could feel my toes again and headed back out.
I had put my Camelbak in the freezer on Thursday night so it would freeze. I figured it would thaw as I biked and I could just drink it as I went. Well, at the top of Christiansburg mountain (about 18 miles into the trip) I had to stop for water because it was still frozen solid! I got the water and swiped my card to pay. The woman behind the counter said something about calling the police and I was thoroughly confused! I said, "Well, I was just assaulted by Christiansburg mountain and I would like to press charges...so go ahead and call them." She gave me an odd look and said, "Enter your pin number puleeze." Oh, please! Well, that makes more sense. I thought you said something about calling the police. :)
Typically on these trips I spend a lot of time just thinking and relaxing. I feel like I have this hole in my heart shaped like a bicycle, and when I have the opportunity to take a long ride, I feel like I'm complete again. I take in all the sights, sounds and smells of the journey and there is something magical about it. This time though...it was difficult to focus on much of anything but the cold! I was grateful for the sunshine, but it didn't hold much warmth.
I'm always amazed at the people I meet along the way. There really is a lot of good still out there. People often tell me that they would never take a trip like this because people are crazy and scary. Well...some people are, and I'm probably one of them. :) But I have had the best conversations with people who are truly good.
It took me 13 hours to get the 76 miles to Wytheville. I stopped so many times to warm up and take breaks from the cold. At about 15 miles from the hotel I really felt a little panicked...like I wasn't sure I could make it. I had to break it down in to increments of a mile or two to get through. Most of the last 8 miles were up hill. Not steep crazy climbing hills, but hills none the less. At about 2 miles out I crossed a bridge and considered tossing the bike over.
I had never been so happy to see a hotel in my entire life! I was only sad that my room was on the second floor and there was no elevator. I was cold...and hungry...and tired. And would you believe that the water in the Camelbak was still frozen! lol I showered, called some friends to help undo what the day had done and crashed. Thank God for my friends! You are all so incredible! After a day like this, I really wasn't sure if I could, or even wanted to go on. But with the encouragement and support that I get from you all, how could I not keep going. :)
Thank you all. Much love.
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