For those interested in the technical detail of our trip, we have provided links to various files containing information which would be useful to plan your own trip, or just get more detail about ours.
The following table shows elevation gain and lose and mileage for each day, as well as totals and averages.
Table.
The following link provides elevation profiles for each day of the trip and for the total trip
Profiles
Files containing GPS routes and tracks for each day's ride. There is one file for each day. The file contains both our planned ride (route) and our actual ride (track).
Day 1 - Pikeville to Wise
Day 2 - Wise to Kingsport
Day 3 - Kingsport to Damascus
Day 4 - Damscus to Galax
Day 5 - Galax to Stuart
Day 6 - Stuart to Floyd
Day 7 - Floyd to Roanoke
Some additional facts about day 2, our hardest climbing day - the one with the steep mud road from Wise to Kingsport:
After some work calculating slope or percent grade I noticed something interesting. There was actually a short section toward the start on the way up, about 360 foot long, that was over 20% grade! From the bottom of our climb to just short of the top the average grade was 10.45%. The first mile or so on the down hill side had a grade of 9.34%, the road then flattened out (relatively speaking) for a short distance before resuming down at an average grade of 10.92%. No wonder we had to replace our brake pads that night!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Roanoke
Yesterday we were disappointed that we did not get a good downhill ride into Floyd. Today, we were glad that we did not have that downhill and could easily get onto the Blue Ridge Parkway to head 50 miles north to Roanoke. The Parkway is scenic with minimal traffic and no commercial vehicles. We cycled lots of rolling hills and generally climbed until we got near Roanoke. The Parkway has many scenic overlooks but our most exciting thing to see were 2 black bears crossing the highway not more than 25 feet in front of us. Once again that old saying comes true: “where is the camera when you really need it.” That’s correct we have no pictures of the bears to share. In fact I don’t think that we took any pictures today.
About 8 miles from where we were to get off the Parkway, the down hill from heaven started. We cruised down at 25-35 mph. After getting off the Parkway we experienced about a half mile of very heavy traffic before getting on some city streets for our trip across town to our hotel. Later in the day our friend Jenny, who was part of a 2002 trip across the United States, picked us up and took us to her home for dinner. Andrew, her husband grilled for us and their children Jessica and Xander entertained us most of the evening. It was great to catch up and remember some of our TransAm cycling journey. Our wonderful trip ended with a wonderful time with them. Tomorrow we pick up our rental car and head home.
No Photos Today ;-(
Map
Overall Map
About 8 miles from where we were to get off the Parkway, the down hill from heaven started. We cruised down at 25-35 mph. After getting off the Parkway we experienced about a half mile of very heavy traffic before getting on some city streets for our trip across town to our hotel. Later in the day our friend Jenny, who was part of a 2002 trip across the United States, picked us up and took us to her home for dinner. Andrew, her husband grilled for us and their children Jessica and Xander entertained us most of the evening. It was great to catch up and remember some of our TransAm cycling journey. Our wonderful trip ended with a wonderful time with them. Tomorrow we pick up our rental car and head home.
No Photos Today ;-(
Map
Overall Map
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Floyd
Our morning started with an early breakfast at a café in Stuart. It was the kind of café that our friend HP loves and always finds when he cycles with us. We walked into its tiny dinning room and were greeted by several local men who spent several minutes checking us out. It wasn’t long before they warmed up and started asking questions about our trip.
From Stuart, Floyd is only 26 miles away. Since it was a short day we decided to cycle to Fairy Stone State Park. According to local literature, fair stone crosses are only found here. Joe being a “rock hound” could not miss this stop. Jeff’s wife has had a fairy stone cross “forever” and Jeff has always been skeptical that these crosses are found in nature. After we got to the park, we saw a sign that directed us to a digging site 3 miles further off our route. Back on our bikes we cycled on to our new destination. We searched the site for about half an hour but did not receive instant gratification. We went into the nearby rock shop and saw a craftsman transforming the crystals into the crosses. While we could see the crosses in the rough stone, it looked nothing like the stone crosses being sold in local shops.
To get back on route our GPSs directed us to short cut route that soon turned into a poor man’s gravel driveway. We ended up back tracking to the main highway which made our 26 mile short day into a 50 mile day. To get to Floyd we had to cross the Blue Ride Parkway which meant a 6 mile climb that at times was12 percent. Once we conquered this climb we looked forward to a great down hill. However, there was none! We dropped some but had 6 miles of rolling hills to get to Floyd.
We are staying at the Hotel Floyd. It is fantastic hotel that did not cost us much more than some of the less desirable hotels we stayed in. The rooms are spacious and have natural oak doors and trim. Each room was individually decorated by a different community group—i.e. a winery, music store, and the Crooked Road. All furnishings and art are local. Our room is the “holistic room”. Inside the room we found lotus blossom paintings, yoga pads, books, and other amenities that convey peacefulness. Check out their web page for more details (www.hotelfloyd.com).
The hotel is shaped like an “L” with an open air amphitheater inside the L. At 5 p.m. we were able to purchase our dinner from a barbeque vendor set up in the parking lot and sit outside our room eating and listening to a local blue grass group. They played until 8 p.m. which was about the time our beer ran out. What a great climax to our day! Tomorrow, we cycle the last leg of our Crook Road Tour and will end up in Roanoke.
Photos and Videos
Today's Map
Overall Map
From Stuart, Floyd is only 26 miles away. Since it was a short day we decided to cycle to Fairy Stone State Park. According to local literature, fair stone crosses are only found here. Joe being a “rock hound” could not miss this stop. Jeff’s wife has had a fairy stone cross “forever” and Jeff has always been skeptical that these crosses are found in nature. After we got to the park, we saw a sign that directed us to a digging site 3 miles further off our route. Back on our bikes we cycled on to our new destination. We searched the site for about half an hour but did not receive instant gratification. We went into the nearby rock shop and saw a craftsman transforming the crystals into the crosses. While we could see the crosses in the rough stone, it looked nothing like the stone crosses being sold in local shops.
To get back on route our GPSs directed us to short cut route that soon turned into a poor man’s gravel driveway. We ended up back tracking to the main highway which made our 26 mile short day into a 50 mile day. To get to Floyd we had to cross the Blue Ride Parkway which meant a 6 mile climb that at times was12 percent. Once we conquered this climb we looked forward to a great down hill. However, there was none! We dropped some but had 6 miles of rolling hills to get to Floyd.
We are staying at the Hotel Floyd. It is fantastic hotel that did not cost us much more than some of the less desirable hotels we stayed in. The rooms are spacious and have natural oak doors and trim. Each room was individually decorated by a different community group—i.e. a winery, music store, and the Crooked Road. All furnishings and art are local. Our room is the “holistic room”. Inside the room we found lotus blossom paintings, yoga pads, books, and other amenities that convey peacefulness. Check out their web page for more details (www.hotelfloyd.com).
The hotel is shaped like an “L” with an open air amphitheater inside the L. At 5 p.m. we were able to purchase our dinner from a barbeque vendor set up in the parking lot and sit outside our room eating and listening to a local blue grass group. They played until 8 p.m. which was about the time our beer ran out. What a great climax to our day! Tomorrow, we cycle the last leg of our Crook Road Tour and will end up in Roanoke.
Photos and Videos
Today's Map
Overall Map
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Stuart
Joe was back in true form this morning and was ready to leave before it got light. Jeff only agreed to go after a breakfast stop. Cycling out of Galax took us on major roads with shoulders; essential because of the heavy traffic. We were heading to Stuart, 50 miles northeast. When routes US 221 and US 58 split we took route 58 and lost the shoulders and most of the traffic. We climbed for about 36 miles until we got to the top. There, a sign informed us that we were about to experience a cyclist’s ecstasy, a 9 percent down grade over the next 6 miles. Joe flew down recording a maximum of 44mph. Jeff, the more timid, only hit 37 mph. While the downhill became less steep, it continued almost 6 more miles into Stuart. Neither of us can wait to climb back up part of this grand descent as we retrace part of today’s route to leave town tomorrow and head to Floyd.
Todays Map
Entire Trip Map
Photos
Todays Map
Entire Trip Map
Photos
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Galax
We made it to Galax but are exhausted after cycling 75 miles and lots of hills. We were doing well until we got to within 8 miles of Galax when we hit the wall during our ride up a never ending hill. The good news is that it did not rain on us. Well, actually, that may not have been bad, as the temperatures got into the 90s. Not to sound to contradictory, our ride was very scenic with no traffic until we got near Galax.
We cycled some on the 76 Bike Centennial route that we used in 2002 when we crossed the United States. Along the way we met 2 brothers that were bicycling across the country. In Troutville, we met 2 men that were heading north on the Appalachian Trail.
Our day changed after a hardy dinner at a pit barbeque place and a stroll down the street to the Stringbean Café. Every Tuesday, the Stringbean hosts a country music jam. Between 6 and 7 pm the sleepy café was transformed into a very lively place. They have 2 stages. One stage shares room with the café and the second is in an adjacent room with a dance floor. The café stage had about a dozen musicians and the other stage had nearly 20. The dance floor was crowded with folks flat footin’. When a group of children from fiddle camp arrived at the café a third area was set up for them. With 3 areas playing music the place was hopping. We had an incredible evening that deserves more elegant narrative but this writer is too pooped to go on. Goodnight.
Photos
Map
We cycled some on the 76 Bike Centennial route that we used in 2002 when we crossed the United States. Along the way we met 2 brothers that were bicycling across the country. In Troutville, we met 2 men that were heading north on the Appalachian Trail.
Our day changed after a hardy dinner at a pit barbeque place and a stroll down the street to the Stringbean Café. Every Tuesday, the Stringbean hosts a country music jam. Between 6 and 7 pm the sleepy café was transformed into a very lively place. They have 2 stages. One stage shares room with the café and the second is in an adjacent room with a dance floor. The café stage had about a dozen musicians and the other stage had nearly 20. The dance floor was crowded with folks flat footin’. When a group of children from fiddle camp arrived at the café a third area was set up for them. With 3 areas playing music the place was hopping. We had an incredible evening that deserves more elegant narrative but this writer is too pooped to go on. Goodnight.
Photos
Map
Monday, June 14, 2010
Damascus—Day 2
We stayed in Damascus for a second day just to cycle the rest of the Creeper Trail. While our morning started with thoughts of the weather and anticipation of the ride, our thoughts quickly changed at breakfast. Our hosts served a nice hot breakfast that we enjoyed with the 2 couples we met last night—Carol & Tom and Jim & Anita. As we were winding down with our second cup of coffee, our host (another Jim) turned up the volume on the CD player. We all looked at each other wondering why this sudden change in atmosphere. Then Jim began singing to the music. He entertained us with 2 songs. His singing is great! So much so that this facility should no longer be called a B&B but rather a BB&E (Bed, Breakfast & Entertainment).
Shortly thereafter we said goodbye to the 2 couples and headed to the bike shop for our shuttle ride to the top of the mountain. As mentioned yesterday, Damascus is a long, but gradual down hill from Abingdon. Well, Damascus is also downhill from the other end of the trail but a much steeper downhill. It took the van 45 minutes to get to the top of the mountain for the start of our ride. Before heading down we toured the restored train station and the volunteers told us about its history.
Our ride down was great. We probably could have done it with out pedaling and still had a fast ride. The only thing that slowed us down was the large mud puddles that dotted the trail. As we reentered Damascus, we spotted the café that we stopped at in 2002 as we came through here on our cross country bike ride. This café is very special. In 2002 we spent a wet and cold nigh on top of the mountain in a Forest Service camp ground (meaning very rustic). In the morning we had to pack in the rain and gave up trying to have breakfast. As we dropped down the mountain we got colder and wetter but the first thing we saw was this café. We often reminisce about the hot breakfast we had and how that breakfast stop brightened our day and that it will forever be a wonderful memory for us.
After lunch, you guessed it, it started to rain. By the time we got back to our lodging, torrential rains fell, forcing us inside for most of the remaining afternoon.
Photos and Videos
Maps
Shortly thereafter we said goodbye to the 2 couples and headed to the bike shop for our shuttle ride to the top of the mountain. As mentioned yesterday, Damascus is a long, but gradual down hill from Abingdon. Well, Damascus is also downhill from the other end of the trail but a much steeper downhill. It took the van 45 minutes to get to the top of the mountain for the start of our ride. Before heading down we toured the restored train station and the volunteers told us about its history.
Our ride down was great. We probably could have done it with out pedaling and still had a fast ride. The only thing that slowed us down was the large mud puddles that dotted the trail. As we reentered Damascus, we spotted the café that we stopped at in 2002 as we came through here on our cross country bike ride. This café is very special. In 2002 we spent a wet and cold nigh on top of the mountain in a Forest Service camp ground (meaning very rustic). In the morning we had to pack in the rain and gave up trying to have breakfast. As we dropped down the mountain we got colder and wetter but the first thing we saw was this café. We often reminisce about the hot breakfast we had and how that breakfast stop brightened our day and that it will forever be a wonderful memory for us.
After lunch, you guessed it, it started to rain. By the time we got back to our lodging, torrential rains fell, forcing us inside for most of the remaining afternoon.
Photos and Videos
Maps
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Damascus, VA
Today exceeded all expectations (all positive). Our62mile ride was wonderful, we had a great lunch in Abingdon, and we met some very nice folks at our B&B. All this was not dampened (pun intended) by the ever present thunder showers.
We left Kingsport early and headed toward a country road that took us eastward to Damascus. The first 36 miles were relatively flat with some minor rolling hills, nice down hill rides, and NO traffic (we saw only a handfull of cars/trucks during this time). We averaged 14 mph under cloudy, but dry skies. After this we had an 8 mile trek on a 4 lane highway with a shoulder (small but adequate) as we climbed 700 feet to the town of Abingdon. This is when we experienced our first rain shower of the day.
Cycling down the main street in Abingdon, it appeared that everything was closed. We expected to go without lunch and headed for the Virginia Creeper Trail that would take us on our final leg to Damascus. However, near the trail head, we found the Trail Café and it was opened. Joe had a red skinned potato soup and Jeff had a tuna wrap. The food was excellent and the folks that ran the place took excellent care of us.
The final leg of our trip on the Creeper Trail was about 17 miles with a slight downhill grade. While we had several showers during this section of the ride and we did get dirty from going through mud puddles that inundated the trail, it was traffic free and very enjoyable. Near Damascus we saw a sign for a winery and decided on a side trip. The tasting was fine and Joe purchased a bottle of wine for “later”. If you are wondering, the Virginia Creeper Trail began as a Native American foot path and by 1900 it became a railroad right-of-way. Today we cycled just half of the trail. The trail extends 34 miles to the North Carolina border. We are cycling the second half tomorrow.
We are staying at the Mountain Laurel Inn, a historic B&B that was built in the early 1900s. Since the intermittent thunder showers continued another guest and her husband offered to take us to a local restaurant. Before leaving we decided to sit on the front porch and share a bottle of wine and get to know each other. Our conversation was only interrupted by the birds chirping. Even though we had no choice of where to eat since only one place was opened, we had a great dinner with our new friends. After dinner we returned to the front porch to finish off another bottle of wine, watch the fireflies and enjoy the night air and good company.
Photos
Map
We left Kingsport early and headed toward a country road that took us eastward to Damascus. The first 36 miles were relatively flat with some minor rolling hills, nice down hill rides, and NO traffic (we saw only a handfull of cars/trucks during this time). We averaged 14 mph under cloudy, but dry skies. After this we had an 8 mile trek on a 4 lane highway with a shoulder (small but adequate) as we climbed 700 feet to the town of Abingdon. This is when we experienced our first rain shower of the day.
Cycling down the main street in Abingdon, it appeared that everything was closed. We expected to go without lunch and headed for the Virginia Creeper Trail that would take us on our final leg to Damascus. However, near the trail head, we found the Trail Café and it was opened. Joe had a red skinned potato soup and Jeff had a tuna wrap. The food was excellent and the folks that ran the place took excellent care of us.
The final leg of our trip on the Creeper Trail was about 17 miles with a slight downhill grade. While we had several showers during this section of the ride and we did get dirty from going through mud puddles that inundated the trail, it was traffic free and very enjoyable. Near Damascus we saw a sign for a winery and decided on a side trip. The tasting was fine and Joe purchased a bottle of wine for “later”. If you are wondering, the Virginia Creeper Trail began as a Native American foot path and by 1900 it became a railroad right-of-way. Today we cycled just half of the trail. The trail extends 34 miles to the North Carolina border. We are cycling the second half tomorrow.
We are staying at the Mountain Laurel Inn, a historic B&B that was built in the early 1900s. Since the intermittent thunder showers continued another guest and her husband offered to take us to a local restaurant. Before leaving we decided to sit on the front porch and share a bottle of wine and get to know each other. Our conversation was only interrupted by the birds chirping. Even though we had no choice of where to eat since only one place was opened, we had a great dinner with our new friends. After dinner we returned to the front porch to finish off another bottle of wine, watch the fireflies and enjoy the night air and good company.
Photos
Map
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Gate City & the Clinch Mountain Music Festival
Today started with a choice; kind of like real life. We could cycle 47 miles on route US 23 directly from Wise to Gate City and put up with the traffic and lack of a shoulder or we could cycle 39 miles on country roads. We chose the country roads. The first few miles out of Wise we had a nice downhill and averaged 25 mph. In the town of Norton we got on route 619 which turned into a climb of 2,000 feet over 4 miles. Yes, that was one steep climb. Once we got to the top of “Knob Hill” we looked forward to a wonderful and long down hill. However, the asphalt road ended and we had to traverse down a steep gravel road. While that may not have been so bad, a torrential downpour with thunder and lightening started and the gravel turned to mud and then the mud turned into a river. We were “white water biking” as our brake pads deteriorated and our rims got to hot to touch.
Surviving that down hill, we arrived at a smooth asphalt road where we were cycling at 20 mph for about 7 miles. Eventually we had to climb 3 more hills (all 10% grades) but with adequate shoulders and minimal traffic.
Arriving in Gate City we had a quick descent but came to a quick stop as town folks lined the road to cheer us. They thought that we were the winners in the Clinch Mountain Challenge Bike Race. After declining the trophies, we explained that we were just bicycle tourist. However, we did accept some offered bananas.
Despite being soaked to the bone we were cheered to be in Gate City as they celebrated the 5th annual Clinch Mountain Music Festival. We spent the afternoon listening to numerous country groups (including Papa Joe Smiddy and the Scott County Boys), talking to locals, eating excellent food (and getting rained on several more times). The bike shop provided us new brake pads and Tom and Martha offered to put us up for the night. We were amazed that the town was focused on the music festival and yet took time to greet us and make us feel welcome. Check out the link to our photos and watch the video of some of the performers. The older gentleman, Carl Wooten, danced (called Flat Footin’)during many of the songs and than befriended Joe after pulling his bike backwards when Joe tried to go forward.
Since Gate City did not have lodging we had to cycle to Kingsport, TN to our hotel. If we had not had guaranteed reservations we would have accepted the offer to stay in Gate City.
Daily Map
Photos and Video
Surviving that down hill, we arrived at a smooth asphalt road where we were cycling at 20 mph for about 7 miles. Eventually we had to climb 3 more hills (all 10% grades) but with adequate shoulders and minimal traffic.
Arriving in Gate City we had a quick descent but came to a quick stop as town folks lined the road to cheer us. They thought that we were the winners in the Clinch Mountain Challenge Bike Race. After declining the trophies, we explained that we were just bicycle tourist. However, we did accept some offered bananas.
Despite being soaked to the bone we were cheered to be in Gate City as they celebrated the 5th annual Clinch Mountain Music Festival. We spent the afternoon listening to numerous country groups (including Papa Joe Smiddy and the Scott County Boys), talking to locals, eating excellent food (and getting rained on several more times). The bike shop provided us new brake pads and Tom and Martha offered to put us up for the night. We were amazed that the town was focused on the music festival and yet took time to greet us and make us feel welcome. Check out the link to our photos and watch the video of some of the performers. The older gentleman, Carl Wooten, danced (called Flat Footin’)during many of the songs and than befriended Joe after pulling his bike backwards when Joe tried to go forward.
Since Gate City did not have lodging we had to cycle to Kingsport, TN to our hotel. If we had not had guaranteed reservations we would have accepted the offer to stay in Gate City.
Daily Map
Photos and Video
Friday, June 11, 2010
Wise, VA
We chose the shorter route for today and cycled "only" 47 miles and climbed "only" 5,000 feet. We are tired and thankful that we did not follow the original route which would have had us stranded somewhere out there. Yes, we are tired. Today's climbing was done in temperatures that exceeded 90 degrees and as I write this we are having severe thunderstorms. Yes, the day's work is done and we are safe in our hotel.
Leaving Pikeville early we missed their morning traffic. Just outside of town we got on a one lane country road where only one car passed us during our 7 mile trip. After this we got on a major highway with a wide shoulder that lasted us until we got to Virginia (30 miles into our day). While the highway continued the shoulder ended. Virginia needs to follow Kentucky's lead and provide good shoulders for cyclists. During the day we had some great down hill rides and several serious climbs. However, the only one that was challenging was the one up to Wise. We were tired and the climb seemed like it would not end. We got to our hotel on the outskirts of Wise at about 1:30 pm with the intention of going "downtown" for dinner. However, the desk clerk told us that Wise did not have a taxi service and we did not want to get back on our bikes so we ate near the hotel.
Today's photos
Route Map
Leaving Pikeville early we missed their morning traffic. Just outside of town we got on a one lane country road where only one car passed us during our 7 mile trip. After this we got on a major highway with a wide shoulder that lasted us until we got to Virginia (30 miles into our day). While the highway continued the shoulder ended. Virginia needs to follow Kentucky's lead and provide good shoulders for cyclists. During the day we had some great down hill rides and several serious climbs. However, the only one that was challenging was the one up to Wise. We were tired and the climb seemed like it would not end. We got to our hotel on the outskirts of Wise at about 1:30 pm with the intention of going "downtown" for dinner. However, the desk clerk told us that Wise did not have a taxi service and we did not want to get back on our bikes so we ate near the hotel.
Today's photos
Route Map
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Pikeville, KY
We arrived at Pikeville via rental car and are wondering what we have gotten ourselves into. Needless to say we have lots of climbing tomorrow. Joe tells me it is not 5,000 feet but closer to 10,000 feet of climbing over 76 miles. If we have a blog tomorrow you will know that we made it to Wise, VA. Otherwise...
Being a city and college town we expected to have a choice of restaurants for dinner. The hotel desk clerk responded to our inquiry about places to eat with "there is only ONE place to eat within walking distance of the hotel. While the food was adequate, the beer was cold.
After getting back to our room we started to reflect on the tomorrow's cycling. Beer is good for putting you in a reflective mood. Since we drove over some of the same roads that we need to cycle we were getting nervous and decided to look for an alternative route to Wise. We found a route that was 30 miles shorter so we opted for it and decided to forgo seeing Breaks park again. We camped there when we crossed the United States in 2002 and decided fond memories were just fine.
Getting ready ... Some Photos
Being a city and college town we expected to have a choice of restaurants for dinner. The hotel desk clerk responded to our inquiry about places to eat with "there is only ONE place to eat within walking distance of the hotel. While the food was adequate, the beer was cold.
After getting back to our room we started to reflect on the tomorrow's cycling. Beer is good for putting you in a reflective mood. Since we drove over some of the same roads that we need to cycle we were getting nervous and decided to look for an alternative route to Wise. We found a route that was 30 miles shorter so we opted for it and decided to forgo seeing Breaks park again. We camped there when we crossed the United States in 2002 and decided fond memories were just fine.
Getting ready ... Some Photos
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Planning
We have taken many cycling trips together over the past 8 years and have become good friends. Joe lives in New York State and Jeff lives in Virginia. Even though we found cycling southwest Virginia difficult when we crossed the United States in 2002 we wanted to do it again. However, this time we will be cycling for a much shorter time period, carrying less gear, sleeping in hotels, and eating in restaurants. Thus we believe our cycling will be more enjoyable and we will have more energy to enjoy the cultural, historical, and social aspects of the region.
Our biggest planning challenge was trying to figure out how to get home after the trip. Initally,we thought we would cycle from Rocky Mount, Virginia to Pikeville, Kentucky. We soon found out that the only way home would be to return by bicycle. Pikeville does have an Enterprise Rental Car but it does not offer a one-way rental. However, the Enterprise at the Roanoke airport does have one-way rental. Therefore, we are driving to Roanoke to get a oneway rental car. While expensive, it allows us to start in Pikeville and cycle norhteast to Roanoke. This change however, is not without consequence. Our longest cycling day and the day with the greatest climbs moves from our last day to our first day.
Our biggest planning challenge was trying to figure out how to get home after the trip. Initally,we thought we would cycle from Rocky Mount, Virginia to Pikeville, Kentucky. We soon found out that the only way home would be to return by bicycle. Pikeville does have an Enterprise Rental Car but it does not offer a one-way rental. However, the Enterprise at the Roanoke airport does have one-way rental. Therefore, we are driving to Roanoke to get a oneway rental car. While expensive, it allows us to start in Pikeville and cycle norhteast to Roanoke. This change however, is not without consequence. Our longest cycling day and the day with the greatest climbs moves from our last day to our first day.
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