Day 8: 11/13/23: New Castle to Lexington, VA

It wasn't as hard to get going this morning since I didn't have to mess with rolling up a damp tent.  That is what really gets your hands cold starting a day, getting your hands wet from the tent and then hopping on a bike and getting the chill of the cold air.

I went by a little restaurant about 7 miles outside of New Castle and had breakfast.  An 80 year old man named Chuck was sitting in the booth next to mine and he was quite interested in my trip.  We also discussed his bikes and the simple joys of cycling.  When I was almost ready to leave, I ordered an egg sandwich to go for lunch.  I went to pay and the cashier said my total was $3.83 for the sandwich.  I reminded her of my breakfast plate, and she said a couple sitting near me paid for that when they left.  I asked her to please thank them for me the next time she sees them.  

As has been this entire trip, today's ride was challenging.  I was on a gravel road climbing mountains for many miles.  The gentleman at the restaurant warned me that I would probably get on some gravel roads if I went the way Google Maps directed me and he recommended I stay on the paved road.  When I got to the turn for the gravel road, it didn't look that bad so I took a chance and went down that road. It turned out being a very good biking road.  I have ridden on blacktop roads that were rougher that these gravel roads were.

Below are some pics.

 

On the first gravel road I came to a point where I had to make a decision.  Either try to ride or push through this...

...or go over this...

...no brainer, I chose door #2.

A couple more scenery pics from today.

Tonight I'm staying at the home of another Warm Showers host couple, Dave and Tasha (pic below).  Dave opened up a bike shop in Lexington, but the Covid pandemic hurt his ability to get supplies so he had to close it permanently.  His basement at his home looks like a bike mechanic's dream with all the bike tools.  Dave cooked some delicious lentil soup for supper and we also had homemade sourdough bread he purchased.  Tasha was at band practice a couple of hours after I got to their house.  She is in a band with 4 other women who are practicing to play at a wedding in Texas in the near future.  The band consists of 4 women and they are called "Betty and the Hot Flashes."

Total miles today: 65.9