I woke up just before dawn cracked at 5:45. I had packed up everything but my sleeping gear before I went to bed, because I wanted to secure as much of it as I could from any animal or other visitors. I was out of the campground before 6. I still couldn’t find anyone to check in with, so I dropped off a couple singles in the slot near the closed sign, which I felt was far more than the accommodations were worth.
Before willing myself out of my warm sleeping bag, I snapped a picture of my view. I rose into the cold and decided on a cold breakfast to keep with the theme. I finished off my first pack of Fig Newtons and had a mug of Gatorade (my morning drink of choice for that last few days.) The early Gatorade seems to give my muscles what they need to start out. I knew I would be having an early lunch, as I planned to go into Ashland today.
I didn’t get a chance to finish typing up my journal and answer emails before bed yesterday. While eating and writing, the temperature dove off a cliff. The food from my cook stove was warming for a while, but with the food and hot tea gone, night’s chill started winning the battle. Last night was cooler than my first night on tour. Not being near a big city might have been a factor.
Berkley Plantation is the second of two I visited today. The 1/2 mile road into this location is an authentic colonial road. This was the most difficult surface I have ever ridden while attempted to keep my bike upright. This is the site of the first Thanksgiving.
Sherwood Forest was the first plantation I visited today along Hwy 5. It holds a few distinctions, such as the only private residence having been owned by two unrelated presidents. William Henry Harrison inherited the property in 1790 and sold it in 1793 without having every lived in the house. This is where John Tyler, the tenth (1841-1845) President of the United States retired, after purchasing the property in 1842. Sherwood Forest Plantation …
Unseasonably cold temperatures seep into my tent and steal warmth from me. Animals steal food from me. I ride my first full day of touring, after a cold start.
In this post, I'm flying out to Virginia to start my trip. A little bit of hypoxia. A little bit of breaking things. And only a little bit of day to get the tour started. But I am on my way. I hope you enjoy following along.
My first official post in the Trans-Am series. I final completed a loaded test ride of my RANS Rocket. Your first chance to see photos of the entire system put together. If all goes well, we are off to Viriginia tomorrow for the start of this adventure.
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