Virginia Photos

Yesterday we cycled approximately 50 miles from Williamsburg to Glendale and stayed in a church, which meant that I had to sleep in a big room with 10 guys, all of which were smelling (we had no showering facilities last night)...

Here's a few photos (of photos!)...

Wheel dipping in the 'Atlantic' in Yorktown:


Reaching the summit!

Williamsburg & Yorktown

We have just finished a short 30 miler today from Williamsburg to Yorktown and back again. We arrived at Williamsburg yesterday (21st) and met with the rest of the group. Following a 2 hour 'group meeting' to establish how we eat, sleep and read maps, we had a lovely dinner cooked for us by our leaders Michael and Steve in the motel car park (or 'parking lot' as the American's say!). Everyone was very friendly, getting to know one another and trying to work out why the hell they were doing this crazy thing!!

This morning, we all met for the first time in the car park of our motel in our full cycling gear with bikes-so funny watching everyone checking out each others bikes, gadgets, Lycra and leg muscles! There are some impressive calf muscles amongst us!!

We set off to Yorktown (the official start line of the TransAm route) for the 'dipping of the wheels in the ocean' ceremony. It was glorious-sunny weather, beachy, small town with whole foods market.



I really enjoyed today. I was so worried about actually starting but now feel better...yes there are proper cyclists amongst the group, including one guy that is using this trip as part of his Ironman training (will I join him in his swims and runs I wonder? Maybe when I get a bit stronger!). Its funny because to look at, this guy is the most incapable, clumsy, incompetent person, and I know he doesn't mind me saying as he's already commented himself that he looks like Lawrence of Arabia (he is clothed from head to toe as he's worried about getting sunburn!), but his bike weighs as much as a feather and he flies along the road (most of the time in the wrong direction) but hey he can afford to go wrong with his carbon!

Roads here are sooo made for cycling-smooth and straight (ish). I didn't have to 'unclip' for 15 miles today and that was only because we were turning around to come back!!! We can do so much more distance in less time it seems on these roads, which is a great thing!

So many things to tell, such little time...we are very busy you know, must get back to camp for 6pm for dinner and have to do laundry before that-this is all we have to worry about!!

Miss you all ...but actually really having fun at the moment. I'm sure that will change in probably ooh 3 days but until then....

oh and I took a fall today as well, about 100 yards from our motel-trying to turn left and forgetting I had to watch out for cars...not enough time to unclip! I'm fine though, taken worse falls!

Tomorrow is our first day of the tour where we cover are officially, on our way across the country-49 miles tomorrow. Will let you know how we get on when we next have access to the Internet...Bye for now x

Photos - Virgina

Washington - Done. 20th May 2010

Hey everyone! This morning we are preparing to leave our little cosy guest house in Washington and meet with Jeff (another adventure cyclist on our tour!). Jeff has kindly offered his and his family's hospitalty and home to us for 1 night (tonight) before we travel together along with another adventure cyclist Hugh, down to Williamsburg tomorrow.

Our room looks like we've been burgled, its that messy, so I don't know how were going to manage in a tent! Better still, I don't know how I fitted everything into my bag, as I can't fit it back in now!! We had great fun exploring in Washington...saw the White House and Capitol Hill (of course!), visited the Natural History Museum (where we turned ourselves into neanderthals!) and saw a 44 carat diamond (now thats what I'm talking about Robin!), visited the archives where we saw (or robin saw whilst I sat on a bench waiting for him) the original documents of Magna Carta, Constitution and bill of rights. Very exciting!

Yesterday we decided to go for a run, not knowing where we were going, getting caught up in all sorts of fast roads!! In the end, we ditched Robin's attempt at navigating and went with my plan....follow the other runners!! Well, it worked didn't it?? Although there appear to be alot of fast runners in Washington, so after about 10 minutes of sprinting after some guy, we landed up in a lovely park...great.

Last night we enjoyed a lovely Italian at Dupont Circle, our last indulgence before the big ride and 83 days of camping! Dupont circle is very French looking, just like being in Paris. I had to remind myself I was in America!

Anyway enough for now...probably won't be posting for some time now as we have no idea where our next internet access will be or when that will be.

All take care and lots of love x

18th May-Washington DC!

Well we have arrived at the Nation's capital-Washington DC. After a fab sunday before leaving (we celebrated Iola Belle's christening, Dewi and Louvain's birthday and us leaving!), we had an unsettled night of wondering whether the volcanic ash would prevent us from flying as many of the UK airports closed and with our track record of natural disasters (remember our honeymoon!!). But to our shock, we were the only airline still flying. I guess Richard Branson didn't want to lose any more money! I did wonder whether it was safe to fly mind!! Better still we had half hour knocked off our journey time (due to lack of traffic in the air I think!!).

So after a relaxing, pain free, 2 films, lunch and afternoon tea flight, we arrived at Dulles International. Our luck was in, 2 bikes awaited us in one piece!! But our luck run out...well Robin's luck run out...his bag didn't turn up, so he is currently on the phone (hair fluff ball thanks to no hair gel!) trying to find a way to get it back!! I think were both glad it was his bag and not mine because there would have been major drama if it had have been mine!! As it happens, I've got clean underwear on, and Robin hasn't, but I did offer him a spare pair of mine! I'm being supportive.

The guest house were in is cosy and very nice. We are off to sight see now. Not sure what were going to do or where we are going to go (apart from getting robin some underwear and a razor) because we havn't really planned this bit but we have 2 days to relax (and probably do a bit of running) before heading to meet with Jeff and Hugh (2 other cyclists in Washington) to travel down to Williamsburg, our start line.

The time for training is over...

Time for training is over. Our bikes are packed up in boxes. House full of bags and it's beginning to sink in. Virginia is a long way from Oregon. 83 days is a long time. The Rockies are not small. What about bears?! After what will be an amazing family weekend of Christenings and Birthdays... it'll be a just few days and then we'll be on the Atlantic knowing that we've got to get to the Pacific on our puff alone.

Thanks for all support (via www.justgiving.com/bikeamerica) of RedR, who save and rebuild the lives of people affected by disasters worldwide. Really appreciated.

Some campsites wont have running water, so don't expect daily updates but this blog will be our way of capturing and sharing some of our adventure. We've got an itinerary - injuries and cougars permitting...

Next post and we'll be on our way! Ash clouds permitting.