I slept in a little in hopes that the day would warm up before I got started. I had checked the weather before I left and things looked good. Turns out they can get the weather wrong occasionally. :) I left at 11:00 and was feeling pretty good. I had layered up more and doubled up on my socks. I was almost warm. Remember the miles I had to climb to get to the hotel? Well, I got to start the day going downhill! That's the good stuff! :)
About the time I got to the other side of Wytheville, it had started to rain. At least I thought it was rain...turns out it was sleet. About 10 minutes after that the snow started. I texted a friend saying that it had just started to sleet and snow and she asked if I need her to come get me. I told her I was ok right then and would let her know. Had I know that it was going to get as bad as it did, I would have asked her to come right then. I was on a back road about 10 miles outside of Rural Retreat and I realized that the snow was beginning to stick so I called for backup. I STILL didn't imagine that it would be as bad as it was, and I almost didn't call. About 3 miles from Rural Retreat the roads started getting bad. A truck passed me on an old country road and as soon as he got around me he slid and almost went in a ditch. I'm glad I wasn't a few feet further along...he would have gotten me for sure.
I called my friend back to set up a meeting place and she was on her way. I only had three miles to go to get to the meeting spot, but it took forever! I kept stopping and pulling off the road every time a car came so they wouldn't have to move over. I did this because I was hopeful that the cars would just drive by instead of moving over. I know that they were trying to be helpful and safe by moving over, but they were actually only moving out of the clear tracks on the road into the slush. So every time a car, truck or school bus went by, they splashed a ton of ice, slush and snow on me. I must say that being drenched in icy water is not my favorite. :) By the time I got to the McDonald's where we met, I couldn't feel my hands or feet and it was hard to walk because my legs were so cold. I hadn't been that cold since...well...since yesterday. lol :)
My rescuer was 3 miles away and stuck in a wreck. I got some dry socks and my shoes from my bike bag and was so very happy to get them on! It was fantastic to get on dry clothes and I was thrilled when she got there and I was able to get in the heated vehicle! :)
She took me on to Abingdon where I was able to check into the hotel and get a hot meal. The worst was that once she got about 20 miles from her home her car broke down! I felt awful! I was so grateful that it didn't break down while she was in that traffic for the wreck, or while she was on that icy interstate. But after all that she had done, I hated that it happened. Anyone wishing to donate a vehicle to the cause...please see me. :)
I crashed early and was feeling hopeful that the last day of the trip was going to be great!
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