Traveling at Mach 0.012

Start – Yorktown VA
Destination – Glen Allen VA
Day total miles – 85
Journey total – 85 miles

After many months of planning and hours on a bike, we are off. Early rise and down to the water for the customary dipping of the tires in the water. It was great to have friends and family to see us off. Thanks to Carol, Alejandro, Mom and MB.

So, the three crazy old men are loose and pedaling across country.

What a perfect day to start. The sun was out, temperature warm and not much of a breeze to speak of. Went from the fabulous Yorktown Motor Lodge (reasonable price, ok rooms and convenient) to water street in historic Yorktown. Beautiful morning; about 65 degrees and the sun coming up over the horizon. Have lots of send off pictures that will add later when i figure out how to download them. Starting out in coastal VA was the right move. The terrain is flat, and some long stretches of road right from the start to let you settle into the routine. Good thing too. Reprogrammed the garmin to be able to track the miles and did not get the cadence to work. At the waterfront, turned on cadence and took off down the road. Looked at the mileage and speed – wow going 32 MPH and already at 14 miles. Wait, we did not go a mile yet… Ugh. Now I am pedaling down the road, reprogramming the garmin and watching for cars. Reverted back to the old setting, now the garmin is set, but my mileage is way off. I guess the mental math will help keep me straight.

Riding out of Yorktown, we were on the Colonial National Historic Parkway. Interesting road. No lines, about 3 lanes wide and cars zipping by with plenty of space clearance. Nice!

Took the parkway into Williamsburg and was looking for N England St. Missed it. Not marked? Ugh. Got to drive thru this great tunnel and off into the hinterlands of Williamsburg. Not having the mileage or garmin to help me (loaded the routes into the garmin but today’s route was corrupted or something — oh no!) made for interesting navigating today. Thanks to the iphone, got the directions straight. Backtracked a bit and then found the way.

Made our way to the John Tyler Highway/New Market Rd, and rt 5 – take your pick. Spent many miles on old VA 5 today. Interesting terrain. wide open farm land, forests, developments, and lots of wide open road to pedal. First stop was Charles City at a gas station/convenience shop/ fried chicken joint. Think they also dabble in bait. Should have got the picture of the sign. Now I know where to get pigs ears. Oh yeah, got on the VA Capitol Trail on and off as we rode along rt 5. Great way to ride. Hope they finish it soon.

Put in lots of miles and no more lost children. Stopped outside of Richmond near the 95 bypass. Deli, gas station, and lottery store. Lots of fired food in this part of the world. Settled for a Dr Pepper and bag of chips. Sugar, caffeine, and salt. the perfect combo of food groups. Talked to our new friend the tour bus driver. His reaction pretty much summed up the reactions we got – wow, you are really riding across country? Are you kidding?

Left the rest stop and finished our journey on Rt 5. Turned a corner and hit the Richmond downtown. Interesting and fun ride thru the city. A little turned around at times, but found the route and made it out of town. Finished on a crazy road – Parnham Rd – that was a bit interesting. Lots of traffic and no shoulder. We made it to Rt 1 – never knew it was called Brook Rd.

Dinner at the dugout. Forgot that smoking was allowed in restaurants. But the food was great and beer cold.

My day is done.