Last night's camping spot was undoubtedly the best of the trip. The combination of the creek and 4200 foot elevation kept it cool. It had access by trail: no pushing through undergrowth like many others. The whole issue of finding a suitable and level campsite where I would not be disturbed has been a continuing issue on this trip. Although many people bicycle tour the Parkway, rustic camping provisions are non-existent. Compare campsites on the Silver Comet Trail and the Appalachian trail. Bike campers are left to fend...

Today I blasted through the 5000 ft elevation barrier having three long climbs along the way. The first big climb started at the Burger King in Spruce Pine. I was up early having camped on a steep slope near the Spruce Pine exit. I used the uphill side of a large oak tree to give myself about 3 feet of flat space under the tarp. I had camped in a rhododendron thicket. I sped down to the BK and had a couple of egg and cheese croissants and...

I woke up weak and hungry. Only a can of sardines for supper last night and now I was enjoying a couple of fig newtons and a dry granola bar for breakfast. With 12 miles to Blowing Rock and breakfast, I felt like a dead man on wheels. There were repeated short ascents with annoyingly tough grades. It seems like the hills are worse than the long mountain climbs. I finally reached town and ordered a veggie omelet with grits and biscuits. They put an entire coffee pot carafe...

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...

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....