Day 1 Shakedown Day

Today was the first day of cycling as a group before the long journey ahead. We cycled the relati ely short distance to Yorktown, the official start of the TransAmerica trail where it is customary to dip the rear wheel in the Atlantic ocean. Yorktown if you remember your history is where the American war of independence came to an end after7 years of fighting when the British finally surrendered to General Benjamin Lincoln thanks to a little help from the French!
Today we reenacte the final battle with water bottles and against all odds the outnumbered British forces valiantly defeated the American troops despite their assistance from the Canadians French and Dutch.
But the highlight of today was lunch provided by the lovely people of the Grace episcopal church in Yorktown. Once again another example of this wo derful American hospitality.
Tomorrow we leave the hotel in Williamsburg for Glendale and the camping begins.
Miles today 30
Total            87

Images of Williamsburg

First cycling day

Today I cycled 56 miles from Richmond to Williamsburg. With my body clock still all over the place I was wide awake at 4AM and raring to go but with breakfast not till 7 CNN news bridged the gap. I had intended to take a fairly direct route courtesy of google maps but today I had my first taste of the legendary American hospitality.
Dick and Sue, who I bumped into just before Williamsburg invited me to join them for lunch and took me on an interesting detour to Jamestown whi,h was the first British colonial settlement in America. I know this as Dick brought me up to speed on local history on the way. After a fine lunch and and interesting conversation they set me on the way to WIlliamsburg via the Colonial Parkway with magnificent coastal scenery all the way.

Miles Today 56
Total so far   56

Good Morning America

After a great nights sleep in the biggest bed lve ever seen. This hotel is superb. The room is  nearly as big as my flat. Americans must be so disappointed when they come to the UK compared to the standards over here.
Put the bike back together this morning and everything is working fine. Had a bit of a wander this afternoon to the local shopping mall. This pla,e is not designed for pedestrians. Everybody drives around in cars so ctrossing roads on foot is quite scary. Shall have to keep my wits about me on the bike!
Tomorrow I shall be having my first cycle on American roads. 50 miles to Williamsburgh wbere we all meet up on tuesday.

On my way

After a flying start from York at 6am this morning I arrived at Manchester airport and everything ground to a halt.

All the computer systems were down so check in had to be done manually. This meant that instead of having a leisurely breakfast with ken and Irene I spent 3 hours queuing and then straight onto the plane. They also tried to charge me extra for the bike which was supposed to be included in the flight. However by the time I reached thr check-in desk they seemed to have forgotten about it.

A smooth fairly uneventful flight, no problems with immigration and an easy transfer to Richmond. Most importantly bike and luggage made it too and finally arrived at the hotel about 12 30 am UK time.

So the adventure begins!

Didn"t see anything of the Royal wedding. Did I miss anything?

Not long to go now!

All of a sudden this trip that has always been in the dim and distant future is suddenly upon me. I shall do one more training ride and that's it. If I am not ready now I never will be. Was probably a mistake though to go out walking in the Dales on Easter monday. Can hardly walk today. There has clearly been some interference with my finely honed cycling muscles!

Training Log

Rides                   28
Miles                   1307
Average               47
Tea Stops            48

And now something completely different

This lovely group of ladies are known as The White Rosettes. They are currently the European Barbershop singing champions and I had the pleasure of seeing them on Saturday night. As far as I know they have nothing to do with barbershops but if you ever get the chance to see them do so. They are brilliant!
If you know my friend Ken Guest, see if you can spot his wife Irene. she's in there somewhere.