We are in summer full swing now...temps in mid 90's daily and regular thunderstorms every afternoon. We do not fuss about the heat and humidity--- we chose to live in Florida. We adjust by riding early, doing outdoor work early and a lot of use of the pool.
We wear sleeveless jersey's and dream of trips to cooler places. We are riding now 4 days a week. Shorter 20 mile rides on Monday and Wednesday, and longer rides of 40 -60 miles on Friday and Saturday mornings.
This is our riding partner for Wed and Sat rides. He is our family doctor so I guess that makes our rides safer (grin). Actually a couple years ago when Derek took a serious spill it was nice to have him there to examine him and coordinate things at the hospital and that got him in quickly and treated is short order. Thank Doctor Don
We have had a good deal of wind primarily from the South lately; this means rides generally head south because it is better when you have the choice it is better head out into the wind than to finish with it in your face.
One nice thing about riding the road instead of in the woods off road is the spiders you see on the road are on jerseys not webs waiting to pounce on you.
Happy Birthday to a good friend and fellow cyclist Jen from Delaware. Her birthday is tomorrow. She did the ride across America with us last year. She is the smiley one in the front (click for a bigger view)
We just got back from camping in the mountains of Virginia
We left Ocala on Thursday am about 4:30 and arrived here about 3:30 pm . We got a great site (number 23). The site is on the right side with a nice view down into pretty woods – we are at 4300’ elevation.
After setting up Derek and I headed out on a bicycle ride. We rode down the mountain to the rangers station and then back up to the top about a 4 mile climb with some 9% grades.
Later that evening our friends from Pennsylvania got there and set up.
The next morning we climbed up Massey gap and went up the bluffs to the right --- nice free climbing. In the afternoon we headed down Wilson creek and climbed up the rapids and swam in the mountain stream water. Like my friend Jeff says once you are numb you hardly notice it is cold water.
Today Saturday we hiked up two of the peaks on Wilburn ridge. Great hikes and scenery All the flowers were in bloom and the wild horses were friendly.
Sunday AM it rained so we hung around camp and read a bit. We then went up to the visitor center which has a nice store with lots of mountain made things- Bern likes to buy their pot holders as the price is right, they look good and they last a long time.
In the afternoon Josiah came in on a bicycle. He is on a trip to Colorado via the bicycle. We helped him out with some ground cover, food and tips. He was a vet (26 years old) had been to Iraq and just graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. We did a hike to Cabin Creek and climbed up the rapids in the water. We also hiked twice that day to Little Pinnacle from the visitor center (very short hike with a GREAT view.
Monday AM we hiked with the Aikens on a trail from the picnic area Rock Ridge trail. Nice trail but not spectacular. Then we bid farewell to the Aikens as they had to head back to Pennsylvania. Shortly after they left we saddled up the bicycles and rode about 13 miles west with Josiah before wishing him Godspeed on the rest of his journey. The trouble was it was 13 miles down hill which meant 13 miles back up to the campground.
The neat thing is after riding across the country nothing seems too difficult – it is funny how much that trip affected all of us regarding our perspective on life.
Tuesday, we hiked a trail called Listening rock – nice trail along the edge of a mountain and it had several scenic overlooks and some Huge boulders to climb on. When we got back we had lunch and then Derek and I both went on a bicycle ride separately. It was kind of funny cause all there is to do here riding wise is up or down which translates into 45 + mph or 6-7 mph. --- seems kinds of funny to ride and only average 11- 12 mph.
Wednesday we hiked up the AT (Appalachian Trail) then split off onto Wilburn Ridge we climbed 3 peaks in succession heading up the trail. There is a fair amount of scrambling on the peaks. This basically involves some hands and feet but no need for ropes. Derek had an interesting time with one of the wild horses. He fed it an apple then it would not leave him alone – to the point of chasing him and cutting him off from his intended path. It was fun to watch although Derek may tell it differently.
The weather here has been chilly the last two nights it was in the 40’s but then it gets up to near 70 in the afternoons. The last two evenings I sat in a circle of bluegrass pickers and played the harmonica whenever they played in the key of C or G – I should have brought my other ones.
after a 11.5 hour drive we are home again. here are some pics :
more photos here just click one and you can scroll thru them larger and quick
Officially Summer does not start till June 21st but someone forgot to tell the weather. Summer came in full force this week with temps climbing into the mod 90's. Sun Screen is flowing and pool water splashing as we get into our summer routines.
We missed this first bit of summer the last two years with our San Fran to Salt lake trip in 2006 and the cross country ride last summer.
We are getting lots of use of the pool though... which is nice. Derek is 6'5" but still a little kid who enjoys BIG jumps and SPLASHES.
Later this week (Thursday) we will head to Grayson Highlands State Park in the mountains of southern Virginia for some camping. Pepper likes this trip because she gets to go and while there gets to hike off lead in the high country. The campground is at 4,300 feet (approx) and is situated on the Appalachian Trail.
Even with the heat we have still been getting our cycling in Mon Wed Fri & Sat mornings. It is warm but oh well we live in FL -- as I write this it is 84 here and also 84 in my hometown of Johnstown... so I can not complain.
I left last Thursday and returned today Monday June 1st --- covered over 1800 miles hit a total of 5 states (FL GA NC SC TN)
Thursday -- Rode to Toccoa GA and stayed with the infamous Uncle Bob from our cross country ride. He, Sherry, and Buck (the dog)were great hosts and it was excellent to catch up with Uncle Bob
Friday Am I said goodbye to Buck and his "parents" and rode to Robbinsville NC and met up with some guys from the Motorcycle Forum. We headed out to Fontana Dam and the Dragon (318 turns in 11 miles)
I peeled of from the group and went on a 165 mile loop hitting the Dragon, the Foothills Parkway and the top of the Smokies( near Clingmanns Dome)
Saturday we went to the Crossroads of Time, then hit the Hellbender and on to Franklin and Highlands (via 28) then down into SC and back to Warwoman Road to Clayton GA. Then on to Suches, Blue Ridge, route 60 & 68 to Tellico Plains then over the Cherahola Skyway to the cabin at the RIdge.
On Sunday it was raining in the AM then it let up and Steve,Franco and I headed out for a nice ride and some sight seeing.
We had Franco's R6 it is the pretty Yellow one
Steve took us to an incredible waterfall. (look at the guy in the middle -- double click to blow it up) this was a big set of falls - near the TN end of the Cherahola Skyway
As the light faded we headed back up and over the skyway.
Today (Monday) I rode home --- all 540 miles of it
Whew great trip ----lots of great people, scenery and riding
We are in summer full swing now...temps in mid 90's daily and regular thunderstorms every afternoon. We do not fuss about the heat and humidity--- we chose to live in Florida. We adjust by riding early, doing outdoor work early and a lot of use of the pool. 
We wear sleeveless jersey's and dream of trips to cooler places. We are riding now 4 days a week. Shorter 20 mile rides on Monday and Wednesday, and longer rides of 40 -60 miles on Friday and Saturday mornings.
This is our riding partner for Wed and Sat rides. He is our family doctor so I guess that makes our rides safer (grin). Actually a couple years ago when Derek took a serious spill it was nice to have him there to examine him and coordinate things at the hospital and that got him in quickly and treated is short order. Thank Doctor Don 
We have had a good deal of wind primarily from the South lately; this means rides generally head south because it is better when you have the choice it is better head out into the wind than to finish with it in your face.
One nice thing about riding the road instead of in the woods off road is the spiders you see on the road are on jerseys not webs waiting to pounce on you.
