Would you like to join me on part of the trip: hcand@daks.dk
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Susan lives near Norfolk |
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These are the towns I pass in Virginia
Norfolk - Yorktown
- Williamsburg - Charles City - Glendale - Mechanicsville - Ashland
- Scotchtown - Bumpass - Buckner - Mineral - Tabscott - Palmyra - Cunningham
- Woodridge - Charlottesville
- Whitehall - Greenwood - Afton - Rockfish Gap - Vesuvius - Lexington
- Buchanan - Troutville - Catawba - Ellett Christiansburg - Radford
- Draper - Max meadows - Wytheville
- Rural Retreat - Sugar Grove - Troutdale - (Mount
Rogers) - Konnarock Damascus - Ketron Corner - Meadowview - Hayters
Gap - Rosedale - Honaker - Council - Davenport - Bee - Birchleaf - Haysi
- Breaks - Elkhorn City - Ashcamp - Hellier - Lookout - Virgie - Melvie
- Bypro - Bevinsville - Dema - Pippa Passes - Mallie - Hindman -Mount Rogers,
Virginia, 5,729 feetCarrie - Emmalena.
| MY STAY IN NORFOLK IS SPONSORED BY |  |
| Interesting Virginia links: | Norfolk weather | Mount
Rogers, Virginia, 5,729 feet |
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www.shentel.net/wfcedc
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www.alleghanyhighlands.com | www.virginiablueridge.org |
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| Riding Conditions Most of the roads trough the old Appalachians of central Virgina are narrow and have no shoulders. After the town of Vesuvius, there is a very steep, four mile long climb onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are lots of switchbacks, so expect to spend some time climbing. The hills continue along the Blue Ridge Parkway, which ranges in elevation from 3.000 to 5.000 feet. No commercial traffic is allowed on the parkway, and the speed linit is very strictly enforced 45 mph. There are, however, no shoulders and a great number of recreational vehicles, so be cautious. The descent from the the Blue Ridge Parkway to the small town of Afton follows a very steep road with switchbacks. The Piedmont contains some stretches with short, steep hills, but for the most part, the terrain uis gentle. The route sticks mostly to narrow, backkcountry roads with poor surfaces and no shoulders. Traffic is very light, except around the larger cities such as Charlottesville, Mechanicsville, and Ashland. There is also a lot of truck traffic near the town of Richmond. The gently rolling hills of the Tidewater are well-suited for cycling, although there are a few problems. First, traffic is heavy throughout much of this area, particularly in the historic triangle. Second, the rolling nature of this terrain creates short "valleys" in the road. Motorists often won't see cyclists until they are almost on top of them. In these situations, ride in single file and use bike flags or safety triangles. Be very careful on SR5 between the Richmond area and Williamsburg. The road is narrow with no shoulders, and carries a large amount of truck traffic. Visitors to plantations along that stretch also add to the amount of traffic. |
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The Cookie lady Countless cyclists have stayed over in Charlottesville to have their
bike's gearing widened for the assault on the mountains as well as to see
the historic sights. Once atop the first climb in Afton, it is essential
to stop and see June Curry, the "Cookie Lady". More than 11.000
bicyclists have stopped at June's since she and her father first noticed
a string of cyclists struggling past their house in 1976 and began posting
a sign in their yard offering water in the summer heat. Many have since
spent the night before pedalling on down the Blue Ridge Parkway. In time,
June began baking cookies and leaving sandwich makings out for the riders.
Now a whole section of her house is opened in the summer months for trans-contintal
bicyclists to spend the night and enjoy the comforts of a home away from
home. More comforting than anything else, especially for the riders that
have survived their first real mountain climb of the Trans-America trail,
is the collection of thousands of letters June has received thanking her
for her hospitality. They often credit her for keeping them going in what
would become a true adventure for a lifetime. These days, there is hardly
room left on her walls for all of the pictures, postcards and memorabilia.
Stop by and see for yourself one of the best reasons to bicycle Virginia
- our people. |