Severe storms swept through the area last night dropping inches of rain on the area and flooding many of the creeks and rivers.  The W&OD Trail was covered with tree debris and downed limbs as I cycled to its western terminus in Purcellville.  There I dined at the grocery store and dried some wet gear on a bench out front while a shower passed.  My options were to take Hwy 50 or Rt.7 over the Blue Ridge and after a wrong turn and some rough rutted gravel roads, the decision of 7 was made for me. The rain began to fall as I climbed up Rt. 7 hugging the white line until that disappeared altogether.   Cars and trucks soared past in a whirl of spray as I ducked and bobbed with each pedal stroke.   I paused at a driveway but soon found it too cold to stop for long and pressed on to the top.  The reward for the wet and sweaty struggle up to 1000 ft was the descent to the Shenandoah River where the speedometer registered 42 mph! 

In Berryville, I stopped at the library to charge my phone and check the weather when the sun came out!  Back on the bike, I ambled through the farmland of the Shenandoah so familiar in sight and smell. It has been too long.  I sang out loud and smiled wide as the sun peeked from fast moving clouds.   The miles ticked by and I finally received a text from my buddy in Stephen's City who could put me up in his empty house for as long as I want.  That's where I headed after a stop at Dinosaurland and an Arby's Milkshake.  Now indoors , I was able to do some laundry,  make a pot of garlic turkey pasta and organize my gear. 55 MI down, what a day.

The first day of cycling was along the Washington Old Dominion Bike Trail which travels west from Arlington to Purcellville. The day was humid and warm as the miles rolled past. Mindful to take it easy, I kept a 10mph pace and took many breaks along the way.  I knew rain was on the way but had no idea what I was in store for. Reaching the Two Creeks Trail Area by 2pm, I made a cup of coffee and snacked as the rain began.   Once the hammock was up, it began to pour!  2-3" overnight and the roaring sound of Goose Creek below me sounded through the night.  Wind whipped the mist soaking my sleeping bag and gear. Wet, humid, warm and uncomfortable are all appropriate descriptors.

The night before big adventure is often accompanied by restless sleep and anticipation.  Fortunately I slept well and fueled up on a huge bowl of Oatmeal and strawberries this AM.  The bike is loaded, all my possessions are back in storage and there's little holding me back from the open road (or trail for today).  With the whirlwind of preparation and anticipation behind me, it's time to finally start peddaling. 

My starting weight - 150lb.

Following two years of commuting and minor maintenance, the bicycle needed a thorough tuning before tackling the open road.  Taking the opportunity to improve upon my somewhat limited knowledge of bicycle maintenance, I did as much as I could in the garage without specialized tools.  This included cleaning and inspection of components, cleaning and greasing the front wheel bearings and steering head bearings on the front fork.  Jim Haugan, the father of my former bandmate, Greg, invited me to his shop in Woodbridge to get some work done.  Over the course of three hours we installed a new Shimano sealed bottom bracket, Z50 chain, 6 speed cassette, greased the rear wheel bearings, new cables and trued the wheels.  It was nearly ready for the big ride but still needed fresh rubber and lights attached.

Years ago when I heard they were opening a bicycle shop in Arlington, VA specializing in antique and used bicycles, I was quite excited.  I stumbled into the appropriately named Old Bike Shop on their first day and met Larry, the affable and knowledgeable owner.  When I wrecked my bicycle a few winters back, Larry was there to inspect the bike and suggest which components I needed to bring it back into riding condition.  He's a mechanic's mechanic and the guys at the shop, shout out to Sway and Marshall, are super helpful and fun.  When I stopped by the shop for tires and tubes, Sway hooked it up with some 27" Panaracer Pasela  touring tires and new tubes. Once installed I could finally take the bike out for a shakedown ride and after some fender adjustment and tuning of brakes, things were feeling great!  Yesterday I returned to The Old Bike Shop for some friendly chit-chat and to say "goodbye' before the journey began.  Much to my surprise, Larry loaded me up with a ton of spare parts including some NOS Suntour derailleurs (Front and Back) and downtube shifters with new cables.  What a guy!  I mentioned having a few spare spokes and before I knew it, he came out front with a handful of spokes fitting my wheel with fresh nipples and a spoke wrench.   The kindness and support from these guys makes me miss living in Arlington.  I'd be over there all the time!  When I arrived home after the 32 miles of cycling around the area, the legs were feeling strong and the body hungry for more.  

Nearly a year and a half ago I left my job behind and began travelling North America on my Honda Ruckus scooter.  The slow means of travel allowed me to see the landscape and experience the world in a new light after years of motorcycling.  I saw the remote destinations more accessible by scooter in the short term but always hoped for a future of travel involving a bicycle.  After returning to the Northern VA area in September, focus was shifted from a motorized scooter to a pedal powered bicycle.  Roughly 8 years ago, my friend Mike gave me a 1980 Panasonic DX-3000 road bike for free.  Since then I have used it for commuting and the odd overnight bike-camping trip as well as testing the limits of double butted steel in two wrecks.  It is with greasy fingers I type now, actively lubing, tuning and spooning on tires to prepare for the new challenge this fall.  My intended goal is to experience the landscape through a new lens by bicycling almost 900 miles from Alexandria, VA to  my friends at Common Ground in Blountsville, AL.  I will be making time to visit with friends and family along the route included below.  By the end of this week, the bicycle should be ready...now I'm the weakest link.