Permission to Coast: Trans Virginia Route (Day 2)

On the first night there was some kind of hunt going on further up the mountain. HOWLS of hound dogs went on for a few hours, but eventually settled down. A couple pickup trucks rattled down German River Road by my campsite.

The dogs quieted down by 10 pm. A few bumps in the night but overall it was very good. I got a little chilly and used both my lightweight CoolMax sleep sack then added the quilt.

This was a crazy hard day. The first 5 miles were exceptionally difficult. Rocky, downhill, muddy, stream crossings. After 5 miles the road became a beautiful country road and pavement began.

Stopped at Bergton Grocery around 10 am for some hot breakfast and picked up a few snacks, refilled water, etc. Nice little place where everyone is on a first-name basis. It seems they’re accustomed to lycra-clad cyclists stopping in.

Next 20 miles were beautiful and pretty easy. Paved, rolling, country roads. Overcast skies. Cool weather.

Serious climbing began at about mile 25. Still paved, but long climbs and steeper than yesterday. Average 7% or so with kicks about 10. The long climb that began at mile 31 took an hour and 15 minutes. Long and steep, up to 3500’ again. Pavement ended about 2/3 up that climb. Descent was terrifying. Steep and sometimes loose stones, rode the brakes to keep it under 30 mph.

After that descent was more climbing,

From mile 40 to about 51. Again, steep. Forest road 92 was beautiful though! Good road for the first portion and climbs weren’t quite as steep early on.

Hiking began at about mile 51. Brutal. Like hiking the AT while pushing a loaded bike. Finally got through that after about an hour and a half. I had been warned about the “hike a bike” section, and it was for real. This was a very rocky, overgrown hiking trail and seemed to go on forever at the end of a hard day.