Definitely Finished for 2006 at the Blue Ridge Parkway

Miles Today 2.5; This Section 224.5 (9 days); Trans-Am Miles 1066.6 (32 days)

We returned to the starting point by 8:30 AM. It had rained all night but was now stopped. The wind was out of the West at 15 but I was to start on the Leeward side of the Blue Ridge and climb to the top about 1000 feet of elevation gain. The TB was fearful of driving the truck up the steepness and I wasn’t too confident myself. We got unloaded and I pedaled about 50 yards and then got off to push, as it was too steep. I pushed about a mile and then was able to pedal a quarter mile. The switchbacks were so sharp as my Dad used to say, “you could look out the window and kiss your own ass as you went around!”

We passed through the city of Afton, VA, population about 10, and soon out onto Highway 50 the old road over the mountain before I-64. Route 10 is a four lane and more gently switched. I pushed about a half mile and pedaled a half-mile to the Rock Fish Gap, elevation 1850’ sign. The wind was howling at the gap and I was glad to get into the visitor center and have a cup of Coffee. The attendants were very informative and showed me a stature of Robert E. Lee. We discussed the Appalachian Trail that comes through the gap and that Millie and I walked in 2000. The Afton Hotel on top of the mountain is still a dump they say. It was a dump in 2000 also when we stayed there, but a pleasant stop on a rainy trail day. Apparently one man owns everything on the top of the mountain and would rather see it deteriorate than sell it.

It was so cold and windy that I had no interest in riding any down the Blue Ridge Parkway. Rock Fish Gap was my destination on this section and I wanted time to go to Monticello and the Lake Ann Nuclear Power site on the way to my daughter’s in Fredericksburg, VA. Cimarron had already called his wife and promised he’d be 1000 miles home faster than physically possible so now we had time constraints.

We drove the truck some 12 miles down the parkway and picked up a hiker who had been injured and was walking the road out to the Gap. We had no room in the front so the TB gave him a blanket and he road in the bed of the pickup almost freezing but glad to save 10 miles of walking that day. He knew a lot of our hiker friends and so we had much pleasant conversation at the visitor center.

So, the Trans-Am riding for 2006 is finished. My good buddy Cimarron the Trail Boss did a fabulous job in taking care of me for 1066.5 miles across America. We have covered Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and half of Montana and Virginia. It’s been much fun and adventure and will be continued next spring, summer, and fall. We’ve completed 28% of the Trans-Am ride.