Appalachia

Day 1 - Winston-Salem to Wilkesboro, NC. 58 miles. Camped for free at the Wilkes County Waste Water Treatment Facility. Within sight of treatment tanks, but as long as the wind didnt change it was great. Bathrooms and showers were available as they rent out campsites for Merlefest and let people stay there throughout the year.


Day 2 - Wilkesboro to Boone, NC. 55 miles, straight uphill. Extremely difficult. The day started easily through winding roads. After a few hours we hit a huge hill. After about 10 minutes of pedaling straight uphill Cody got off his bike and walked. I pressed on for another 10 minutes as hard as I could thinking I would wait for Cody at the top. The top never came and I eventually got off the bike only to find Cody about 10 yards behind me. After that we had a system where if we ever dipped below 4 mph on the bike computer, then we got off and walked. Hours later, after eating all of the power bars in sight, one can of beef stew and even a 2 mile lift from a sympathetic truck driver, we made it to the top of the hill we named 'Soulcrusher'. Still had 30 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Boone. Totally exhausted and broken walking around Boone trying to figure out a place to sleep, through blind luck we met a guy who had just done a bike tour last year. After a few phone calls he helped us find a vacant apartment that was unlocked which meant carpeted floors and a shower. Knowing about cycle touring, his first question was 'where are you going', his second was 'do you need a place to stay?' The answer to both was 'we dont know.'

Day 3 - Boone to Johnson City, TN 52 miles. Easy day spent winding around Watauga Lake before meeting a friend in Johnson City. BBQ chicken, cold beer and vegetables. Shower again and and hearty discussion about best routes northwest.

Day 4 - Johnson City to Rogersville, TN - 62 miles (92 degree heat). Currently sitting in the Rogersville Library. Except for the heat the ride wasnt too bad. Took a detour to visit the birthplace of Davy Crockett, a childhood hero of mine as portrayed by Fess Parker. The birthplace turned out to be only a replica cabin and the detour helped to completely break our rhythm and made for a painful ride into Greeneville, TN where we ate bagels and cheese in the aisles of Food Lion. We also had our first cup of ice thrown at us.

Tomorrow we head northwest through the Cumberland Gap to meet up with the Transamerica Trail at either Berea, KY or Mammoth Cave, KY.

Photos uploaded as soon as I can figure out how to do it on the public library computer. Also a special bonus video of a descent. Top speed so far is 38 mph. Turkeys, deer, goats, cows, horses, chickens and beavers have all been spotted alive. Many more animals seen as roadkill, including a surprising number of snakes. Off to find a suitable camping spot.