Day 20- Spartanburg, SC to Anderson, SC

Today was a nice ride. Went on some low-traffic roads again. Topography is getting flatter which is nice. I also noticed the dirt is much sandier. It's starting to feel like the South.

It was abundantly obvious to me that I was in he South today when I heard a commercial that said "When you buy a new car from us, you get your choice of a shotgun or rifle plus a free concealed weapons permit class. Also, get a free day pass to the new shooting range when you come in to test drive. This is how we show support for the Constitution and your 2nd Amendment rights." No joke!


The best part of today was my hosts. Steve and Jeanne were awesome. They have a home on a great little lake. 

Steve has Parkinson's Disease and has pedaled across the U.S. twice while raising money for the Davis Phinney Foundation (who was the first American to win a stage of the Tour de France before being diagnosed with Parkinson's. Check out his trip diary. Steve Quam's Pedal for Parkinson's 

Me and Steve

Day 19- Montreat, NC to Spartanburg, SC

You may have noticed that the stopping point for the previous day is not the same as the starting point for today. I was going to have Lauren drive me back to the exact same spot, as is usually my custom. But I looked at the mileage and it was actually 2 miles further to my destination starting from her campus. So I thought I'd save her the time and gas and start in Montreat.

This morning started out freezing. Lauren showed me around her campus and her outdoor education classrooms. Lauren joined me for the first part of my 80 mile day.

My sister Lauren and I on the Black Mountain Bike Path

Burb (her newest nickname)

The awesome view

10 miles of all downhill. It was glorious.

The next 70 miles were pretty good too. Almost all flat. My Google Maps took me on some awesome back roads with almost no cars. The only lame part was that there was no "Welcome to South Carolina" sign. I'm assuming it was supposed to be here one these posts below.

Welcome to South Carolina?

I stayed the evening with an awesome couple originally from Wisconsin. Their dog was awesome too. 

Day 18- Clemmons, NC to Conover, NC & Rest Day

Today started out with a huge wonderful breakfast from my host, Kathleen. Plus a packed lunch to boot. Today was no exception to Virginia, all hills and headwinds. I had somebeautiful views though. Here's a few from the road.

Not sure what kind of field this is, but it's beautiful

The coolest looking cows I've seen all trip. I had to stop.

 

My sister, Lauren, picked me up in Conover, NC and we had dinner together and camped out at her friend's house. We got up early and headed to the summer camp she worked at two summers ago so she could help facilitate the high ropes course for a retreat group. I helped too ;)

Lauren, the belayer

Everett Street, Bryson City

Awesome Bike Shop!

 

We fell in love with Everett Street, being Everetts and all.

Day 17- Martinsville, VA to Clemmons, NC

I started early today, but it was cold, so I hid out at a restaurant and waited for it to warm up a little more. I finally crossed into North Carolina and over the 1,000 mile mark for this trip. Today was a little flatter. Tomorrow I'm meeting up with my sister Lauren.

It looked like it was going to rain today and started to spit, but held out! 

Day 16- Roanoke, VA to Martinsville, VA

I got a late start to the day, because the previous night was spent sleeping in the rental car and needless to say, I didn't sleep well. This day was full of hills, again. You know how the Eskimos have 21 classifications of snow, well I think I'll have at least that many for hills when I get done.

I tried to find the Blue Ridge Parkway to ride a little bit of it, but I went on a super hilly 8 mile wild parkway chase. Anyway, I abandoned the search and rode the main route to Martinsburg.

I stayed with Andy and Laura and their baby. We had pizza! Their extra bedroom was awesome and even had cable. I watch the Crossfit Championships, something to think about when I'm done this challenge. 

Day 15- Lexington, VA to Roanoke, VA

I got a small rental car, a Fiat, and was able to fit my bike into it for transport to the bike shop. When I got to the shop, the mechanic told me he wasn't too sure about the back wheel.



After getting my bike back fresh from the shop, another spoke broke at mile 12. Learning from last time, I just rode on it. I brought it up East Coasters in Lexington and they replaced my wheel. I also took off the aero bars I wasn't using.

After getting my wheel replaced, I stayed with Rob and Lisa and they were the coolest. They took me to the Roanoke Star, the largest manmade star in the world, apparently. And we got homemade ice cream.

Day 14- Mt. Crawford, VA to Lexington, VA

I called a bike shop and asked if he knew anyone willing to host me because there were no Warmshowers hosts in that area. He suggested I call the local churches, so I did. The Lutheran church in Lexington offered to put me up at the local hotel. Very generous of them.
I noticed my back wheel was wobbly and investigated to find a broken spoke. I called Jonathon to see how critical it was. He didn't answer. So I called Chris from my night in Shippensburg and he said I should put the replacement spoke on.
Amidst my tinkering a cyclist in his 50s, an engineer, pulled up and asked if he could help. What a relief.
After too much time, we had it all fixed and ready to go and released my back brake.
I pulled up to the hotel way after dark.


After dealing with the wheel.


Thank you emergency spoke.