Day 12: Summary of What We’ve Accomplished So Far & Our Intrepid Team

• Virginia done, in the bag
• Miles rode from Yorktown VA to Elkhorn City KY: 612 miles
• Elevation Climbed: 38,605 ft
• Average Speed: 10.3 mph
• We have spent the night in 3 Warmshowers, 2 hotels, 4 camping sites, 1 hostel, 1 fire station, 1 City Hall

We have fallen into a comfortable rhythm, operating as a cohesive and supportive team. On Day 6 we had a minor blip when it looked like Eric was going to have to abandon the mission and head back and help with an issue on the homefront. We had said our goodbyes, but after sleeping on it and talking it out, his people encouraged him they had it covered and he should continue the ride. We were so glad to get the call the morning of Day 7 that Eric was back on! 

At first we were trying to figure out our pace. Bill tends to power ahead with Leisa and Eric not far behind. Angie is further back. Bill tried to even things about by carrying more and more of Angie’s stuff which helped a little. Somewhere around Troutville VA he had an epiphany that this was not a timed event with a push to the destination, but a TOUR where the journey is the point. So now he has slowed down a bit, is taking more photos and talking to more people and happy for the change.

We get up early, make coffee and instant oatmeal. We have a sort of “morning huddle” to talk about the next destination or options. We break down our tents, pack up our gear and are on the road between 5:30a to 8a depending on the day ahead and the heat. We have a “second breakfast” at the next coffee shop, restaurant or grocery store. We regroup often, snack often and reach our destination well before dusk. We make and eat dinner, we try to blog and we are in bed by 8pm, pretty wiped out. 

We are perfecting the art of gourmet cooking with stuff you can buy at the Dollar Store. Typical ingredients include a base of ramen or microwave rice with a pouch of tuna or can of chicken, canned greens beans, frozen broccoli, fried chicken from a truck stop, maybe some olives or whatever we can scrounge. Heat it all up in a Jet Boil and jazz it up with things like packets of salt, dollop of peanut butter, some cashews, individual pats of butter, maybe some catsup, red chili flakes. Everything tastes so damn good! We have been really lucky lately with kindly strangers feeding us or giving us coffee.

We are together all day, everyday and totally enjoy each other. No complainers here! It is so nice to be around like minded people that are positive, enthusiastic and full of gratitude.