The day dawned clear in Abingdon, but the mountains to the East looked dark and stormy. I wanted to get ahead of the weather so I was moving early. The two bikers I met last night, with their smooth tires and light suits, still hadn't stirred. Damascus was not far, a small and very cute town, right up against Mount Rogers. The mountain remained shrouded in fog the whole time I was there. I eventually found the very small waterfall which serves as the symbolic start to the Route. I wasn't very impressed and forgot to take a photo. The road through Stone and Iron Mountains was pretty amazing though, throwing one immediately onto narrow forest ledges and a road cut through raw rock. The dampness and mud added to the challenge. The road soon dropped
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