MAY 26 (MON) 63.5 MILES  11.1 mph  (mxsp 38.5) 5 hrs 42 min biking time

Up before Armand-leave room at 7:00-Whitney gone.  Go in for bkft-donut is so old & hard-need hammer to break it.  Go past J & W where we had bkft before-old people still there.  Go up hill-find Armand talking to Chuck-another old biker-wants to invite us to his house for coffee.  Go pet his dog in truck & say good bye.  30 m to Paint Bank-hilly but pretty ride-no one on rd.  Armand is waiting at store-going ahead to get car.  I eat pancakes on porch-meet couple from San Antonio-visit grist mill on property.  1:45 min later decide it’s time-slow going-wind in face-gradual uphill-10 mph for 15 m.  Now the 2 m of uphill starts-3-4 mph-stop & rest several times-few cars pass-more motorcycles.  Long downhill-can’t believe I biked this before & didn’t remember how difficult it was.  Rest stop on side of rd-then steeper uphill-walk several times-it’s much easier & faster.  Turn on busy rd to Penbroke-stop at 1st store I see-get Dr. Pepper.  A mirage-Armand is WALKING towards me–saw me from the rd.  WHERE’S THE CAR?  tried to get a ride-exhausted when I got here.  WHERE”S THE CAR & YOUR BIKE?  Blacksburg & bike is at store where we were going to meet-don’t you remember?  YOU KNOW I HAVE NO MEMORY.  Man drives up-Armand asks if he’s going to Blacksburg-said he could take us but had no room for bikes.  That’s OK-my wife will stay w/bikes.  He drives away w/Scott-a married librarian-works at VTech. No cell service here-miracle Armand saw me or I’d still be waiting on the curb-Scott is a bike angel-neither of us could have biked the 25 m-no motel in town. I walk down the street-now I remember the store-ate fried pie.  Armand is back in an hr-so happy to pack up bikes & drive-listen to Charlie Pride.  Only customers at Red Carpet Inn.  Have golf reservations tomorrow at 8:30 & then we will drive until it’s dark.  I’m not sure that we have to do every ride that Jean does-but I’m glad we came.  VA & WVA are beautiful & challenging for bikers like us-Whitney did much better-maybe because he practices.  Rds were good, people were friendly-drivers were fantastic.  We are very grateful to God that we have our health & able to see America by BIKE.  But without Jean doing it-we would still be in Austin playing bridge, tennis & golf.

MAY 25 (SUN) 65 MILES  10.7 MPH (MXsp 35 mph) 6 hr biking time (8:00-4:00)

Bed at 11:30-up at 3:30 am to go to bathrm down the hall.  Armand is dressed-don’t want to get up.  Look at clock-it’s 6:00 am-he thought it was 7:00-gets back in bed w/biking clothes on.  Go down to bkfast at 7:45-Whit is gone.  Eat waffles-leave at 8:00.  Street is empty-climb to leave.  1st 45 miles are wonderful-one of our most scenic rides ever!  I LOVE BIKING AGAIN.  Covered w/trees-river most of the way-perfect weather.  Have rd to myself-Armand is out of sight-as usual.  He stops at Mt Grove 1 store-found a new friend-Rick.  Store has no bathrm-invites us to his house down a dirt rd.  Has a really friendly dog-Mollie.  Biked same route I crashed on in KY-mentioned all the trash along the rd.  KY was disgusting w/litter along rd.  Tells us we have climb ahead & gravel rd.  Stop at Lake Moomaw for pictures.  Also stop in little park-area big for kayaks.  Go up big hill-decide to turn around & go on rd.  Now I’m getting tired-have to walk bike a couple of times-neck is killing me.  Getting close-stop for sandwich.  See trail-meet Sue from San Antonio-Ed bikes up.  Leads us into town & to motel the back way.  Quality Inn-newly remodeled-4 pillows-nicest motel yet-only 2 cars in lot.  Bike to Applebees.  Plan for tomorrow-I will bike to Penbroke-Armand bikes to Blacksburg (90 miles)-get Rendezvous-comes back & picks me up.  No internet-too tired-go to bed early-will try to bike 1 more day!