Riding the Blue Ridge Parkway with Friends 53 miles· 4200feet

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Another wonderful day!

I was joined by bicycle friends from San Diego, Bruce Tipton and Jim Robinson. Bruce’s brother Bernie, ( who drove Bruce up from his home at Smith Mountain Lake), joined us as well.

We rode the first 28 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway which is closed to all commercial vehicles. We saw a few cars and motorcycles along the way but it was mostly us on our bicycles riding smooth pavement with panoramic views of the valleys far below us. To the north is the Virginia Piedmont region and to the south the Shenandoah Valley. Both sides of the Parkway are lined by thick forest!

It must have been daunting for those early settlers who contemplated moving west. It must have taken incredibly hearty souls to climb up over those mountains.



After saying goodbye to Jim and Bernie at the 28 mile post, we did a screaming downhill into Vesuvius. The brakes were barely adequate. We were gripping them until our arms were exhausted trying to slow our plummet downhill.

I’m sure glade we didn’t have to go up that hill!

We had a great BBQ sandwich at a little grocery restaurant in that tiny town called “ Gerdies”.

Then we rode 20 of the last 25 miles along River in a scene right out of “ A river runs through it”

The accommodations are superb thanks to Bruce and we had a classic Southern Dinner, sat in the jacuzzi and enjoyed discussing out great day.



See you tomorrow!

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Photos

Bruce, Jim and Bernie
Today I was extremely grateful to have three others join me. Bruce Tipton will ride with me for five days, Jim Robinson and Bruce’s brother Bernie rode with us for the first 28 miles and returned to the start.

Saying goodbye to Jim
This is where Jim and Bernie,( already up the road) turned around and headed back to their cars.

We finally left the South River
As we turned to ride the last five miles we finally left the South River and did some more climbing up to Lexington.

Virginia Military Institution
The first thing we saw entering Lexington were the stunning buildings of VMI.

Lunch at Gerdies
We had a great BBQ sandwich at Gerdies Market in Vesuvius Virginia after coming down off the Perkway.

The Hampton Inn
This was the most impressive Hampton we have ever seen. Apparently it was a Mansion at one time that they converted into a Hampton. It appeared to be newly remodeled

Comments

[Kathryn Lau]

Your trip
So fun to travel with you via your Blog!

[Breanna]

Looks Beauitful!
Looks like a great ride!! I can't even imagine how steep the downhill must have been for even YOU to be nervous going down - I am reminded of Pacific Island Drive rides when I was younger, watching you scream by me racing the cars :) Have a great day tomorrow! <3 Bre