Author: mmbowden60

Blue Ridge Parkway – Day 5

Rode my bike the mile to H&H in Big Island, VA for a big breakfast of veggie omelet, grits, biscuit, pancake, and coffee. I am writing this entry while laying in my hammock by the lake at Otter Peaks after a Veggie plate lunch (mostly startches). In between I found wild strawberries on the side of the parkway. The highlight so far was 12 miles straight of climbing that took me from 650 ft elev to 3950 ft elevation. That is from the lowest poit on the Parkway to the highest point on the Parkway in Virginia (Apple Orchard Mountain).

Since Waynesboro I have been coughing up phlegm from my lungs. My head is congested and nose runs at times. Maybe allergies?

Saw a turkey and a deer thus morning. The Peaks of Otter Lodge is in a beautiful setting. I think I will nap a while here in my hammock.

Only 5 cars passed me in the first hour.

It was very hot today. Forecast is for tomorrow to be hotter with highs in 90’s.

Supper was fresh pineapple and a baked veggie sandwich. Camped just off the Parkway. Nice spot, but got lazy and took it even though my survey revealed a dirt road running just behind it. Well I got caught by a couple taking a walk on the dirt road. The man thought that I was dumped trash. He said to his partner, ” oh no, someone dumped a load of trash here. I waved my hand and said that it wasn’t trash rather it was me. I explained that I was bicycling the Parkway and that I hoped I was on public land . He told me that I was indeed on public right of way and seemed okay with it. The lady asked if I was planning to be here a number of days. She must have taken me for a hobo that had permanently moved into her backyard. I assured her that I would be gone before the sun rises.

I am laying just outside my tarp and it has become dark. Large bugs are dropping out of the trees and occasionally landing on me. Don’t know what they are. Could they be Cicadias? They look more like roaches with wings.

Blue Ridge Parkway – Day 4

Today I am at the low point of my ride. No, I am not depressed. I am at the lowest point of the Blue Ridge Parkway at the James River, elevation 668 feet. Tomorrow I start of the day by a climb to the highest point on the Parkway in Virginia.

Grace Lutheran Church hostel provided breakfast with plenty of coffee. I had 2 bowls of nut and granola cereal with whole milk. I haven’t had whole milk in years and I enjoyed it. Bicycle tourers can’t be choosy. I was sure to leave a very generous donation. This hostel is top notch. I enjoyed breakfast with the bunch of AT thru-hikers that stayed the night. Here are the photos. The grey bearded one is Swift. He thru-hiked 3 times. Another is called Hot Sauce. He is packing a giant glass bottle of hot sauce to Maine and eating it along the way. Other names I picked up were Sprout and Triton. Enjoyed Santiago de Compostello Pilgrimage photos of one of the Germans.

Trail Angel gave my bike and I a ride to Rockfish Gap. The day was day of comparisons with Skyline Drive. Less traffic, wood railings and split rail fences with only an occasional rock wall. Slightly steeper grades. No gas stations, grills, etc right on the Parkway. Overlooks aren’t always pull throughs or pull overs. Overlook signs have elevation of both the overlook and the valley below or mountain in view, pavement is in much worse shape.

Clouds continued to blow in with gusting winds and a few raindrops of threatening storm. It kept things cool for most if the ride but by the time i finished, it was mostly clear and broiling hot (90 degrees).

Stopped and had lunch of sardines and granola bar.

Planned to stay at Otter Creek campground, but it was closed. Another 3 easy miles plus a mile off the Parkway brought me to H&H grocery and restaurant. I will camp in the woods nearby off Parkway and come back for breakfast.

Found a nice camping spot across a creek on the Parkway south of Hwy 501. Washed my clothes by filling my dry sack with creek water and squirting in woolite. hung bag in tree to let soak after I agitated. Wore my rain pants and extra shirt. Concealed in woods, but nice field on other side of creek between my spot and Parkway. Large Black Walnut trees had excellent limbs for hanging a bear bag, but without rope I chance it and keep the food just a few feet from my tarp. Food is just close enough to me to be a deterrent for less aggressive bears. Warm night, but mosquitoes didn’t bother me after I soaked my entire body in Deet. The itching wasn’t as bad as the last couple of nights. I have some Camphonic for the bites now.

Blue Ridge Parkway Bike Ride – More Day 2

Leeds Manor Road skirting Naked Mountain on the ride to Front Royal easily had the steepest climbs of the day. The slopes on Skyline drive were easily
conquered. I rode through two downpours on Skyline Drive; one soon after the start and one toward the end. Two more deer on Skyline bringing the day’s total to 18. The best wildlife sighting happened near SD mile marker 25. I was silently cruising down a mountain when a black bear ran into the road about a 150 ft in front of me. Since I was going fast, I was quickly closing the gap between myself and the bear. The bear stopped just as he crossed into the opposite lane. Just enough time to wonder whether I should brake or just keep going. The bear finally noticed me and ran off the other side of the road just before I zipped by. I rode nearly 68 miles and climbed over 18,600 feet today. It didn’t seem like that much climbing. Maybe my GPS lied. I heard a loud springy sounding pop in my wheel. A spoke had broken. I called the nearest bike shop which was about 100 miles away. He was out of town on Tuesday so I would have to get there tomorrow. With the extra miles today, I will need to do a 75-80 mile day tomorrow. This means I have to finish Skyline Drive tomorrow. At Elk Bottoms there is a grill. I had A grilled Portobello sandwich and sweet potatoe fries.

Near the end of the day a screw popped out of my pannier rack causing it to move freely and rub against the wheel. This appeared to be a show stopper (hitchhike time), but I took off one of my water bottle holders and was able to use that screw to make the repair. By then it was getting late. Again i was having trouble finding a suitable place to camp. I wasted energy pushing my bike up a steep trail in search of a campsite. I rode on and eventually found a spot that works okay. A little slope and some undergrowth, but my tarp squeezes in. No signal to call home. Too bad. I had a signal most of the day and didn’t call.

It rained during the night. More lightening than rain and I stayed dry. I was up at 5 AM. A tame dear stalked my camp looking for a handout. Shortly after 6 AM I had finished oatmeal and coffee and was on my bike. By 8:30 AM I was eating my 2nd breakfast of 2 eggs and French toast. Met several a thru hikers including Curmudgeon during my tuna salad lunch. Wildlife included a beautiful turkey gobble. On the bike you hear all of the birds. Early morning the drive has very light traffic making the ride peaceful. Blooming flowers includes Trillium, Wild Azaela, Mt Laurel, Foxglove, Buttercups, and Virginia Cornflower. Rode 75 miles and finished up Skyline Dr.. Tonight I am staying at the Lutheran Church hostel in Waynesboro. The bike spoke has been repaired and I have a new rear tire. The 2nd water bottle holder has been put back onto the bike. My stomach is bulging with AYCE Chinese food, salmon, and sushi. Ready to go.

Photos : Gas price on Skyline Drive
My Chinese Fortune
Riding Skyline Drive