Day 7 Charlottesville to Afton

Today was the start of the tough stuff even though we only did 27 miles. Tonight we are staying at the homeof the cookie lady 'June Currie' who has been hosting TransAmerica cyclists since the late seventies. It was also my turn to cook for 16 with Frank. We had intendedon doing my speciiality Thai red fish curry but we ended up doing tinned stew and instant mashed potatoe. Its a long story why. Tomorrow we are up on the Virginia Blue Ridge parkway in the Appalachian mountains.

Miles today 27
Total             312

And by popular demand

Here are Jason and David weari.g their short skirts but I suspect they forgot to shave their legs!

Jason and David

The two other English chaps e.joying a Starbucks.

Day 6 Layover day in Charlottesville

With the luxury of a sleep in until 7AM. Home of the University of Virginia and its beautiful campus. Today was mainly a shopping day and the posti.g of a few items home in anticipation of the ascent up to the Blue Ridge mountai.s of Virginia.

Day 5 Mineral to Charlottesville

Phew it was a hot one today. Temperatures approaching 90F , lots  of hills and my first encounter with local dogs. Tomorrow we have our first rest day in Charlottesville whi,h bei.g a university town is full of girls in exceedingly short skirts a.d also the home of Thomas Jefferson for thoseof you are intersted in these things. Watch this space for the 'fig newton shuffle'

Miles today 49
Total             285

Day 4 Ashland to Mineral

A longer 60 miles today and a gentle introduction to the hills before we hit the tougher stuff in a few days time.  The cycling groups are starting to take shape and after a couple of days at the faster end I've chosen to team up with the 'stop and stare'  group. Today we have been joined by Dolores, a remarkable 68 years young New Yorker who is doing the trip on a Bike Friday towing a suitcase on wheels. And at the end of the day just before reachi.g camp we came across a vineyard and enjoyed a fine wine tasting session for 5 dollars a head. I am sure you will appro e Mr Hill.

Miles Today 62
Total             236

Day 3 Glendale to Ashdale

Today was a short one distance wise through the flat green countryside of Virginia passing through the seven days battlefields of the civil war. So we are still pretty much in confederate country. Perhaps the highlight of today was meeting Tony the barber in Mechanicsville who treated me to an 'Eccles cake'.
Or perhaps it was Greg our San Fransiscan 'Stephen Stills' Liverpool supporting  lookalike and Ellie the kooky Canadian scalingl the campsite water tower. Oh and it was nice to have a hot shower.

Miles today 32
Total           175