Yesterday we left Lexington, Virginia to ride 18 miles to the town of Vesuvius. At Vesuvius we planned to begin the three mile, last serious climb of the trip. 32 years ago I approached this climb with a fully loaded bike. I did the steep climb standing on the pedals the whole way.
This time I came to the climb with no load and a light weight bike. Pat and I started up together but he quickly pulled away. Almost immediately the climb went to13%. We have a readout on our bike computers that shows the grade. When it hit 16% I took a break. I started up again but finally had to admit that I needed to get off and push the bike.
On a relatively flat area, I remounted and made it about a quarter mile before getting off and pushing. The van was waiting for me. I pushed the bike to the van and told them that I was going to the top under my own power.
I got back and silently vowed to go a half mile before getting off again. In about 3/10 of mile the grade hit 19% for a short spell. Fortunately, two younger bikers came up past me. I couldn't get off with them there so I kept pedaling. I made the half mile and was able to keep going. The grade dropped to 10% and I was relieved(funny because Pat and I feel an 8% grade is tough). I forced my self to stay on as long as possible and was surprised when I turned a bend and discovered that I was on top. Pat was there with Sal and Rod.
We had ridden up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which we rode for another 20 miles. The parkway had many spectacular views and a few more climbs but nothing like the ride up from Vesuvius.
Pat kindly said in his blog that we had ridden up without much problem. I know I struggled but I wouldn't have missed that climb for anything. Along the Parkway, I thanked America for giving me this challenge.
We rode down from the Parkway and into Charlottesville for a motel, a shower and a trip to Jefferson's home at Monticello.
Since it was Rod's birthday we treated him to the Monticello visit and dinner at The Outback Steakhouse.
This morning we drove a short distance to Palmyra for brunch with Pat's cousin. We started our ride from there. With a late start we still made 76 miles to Ashland. Pat and I rode separately the whole day. Afterward, we agreed that the ride had been just a job. We didn't notice much of the scenery. Tomorrow we ride about 80 miles to Williamsburg. That will set us up for a short ride Tuesday morning to Yorktown and the end of our journey.