Day 1 my good friend Tate drove us from Virginia Beach to Yorktown, VA. Heavy rain over Norfolk on the way had us killing time at breakfast so we didn’t get there till noon. Another buddy from college, Shiloh, who’s stationed in Yorktown and his buddy showed up to send me off as well at the beach. My old engineering supervisor from Aerostar, Derek and his wife Amy met up with us the day before in VB and we had a great time catching up over oysters and crab! Back to it I took off in overcast weather waving goodbye to my buddies thinking to myself, it’s really here, it’s go time! I was excited! The main route road
I also met Marty, a man who’d done the TransAm in 1988 in Williamsburg and he gave me some advice and we exchanged numbers. I had a shorter ride (40 miles ish) to Chickahominy River Park campground and tented it there.
Day 2 Marty came to meet me at 7am to ride with me but heavy rain started. Thankfully he brought us coffee so we drank that till it cleared up around 830am. Marty hooked me up with another bottle cage and a sweet 20th anniversary Bicentennial TransAmerica Trail riders jersey. We ran into Coach (rideordieerica.com) who currently is still breaking the Guinness world record for most miles on a bicycle in one country at around 45,000 miles! Also met another older couple who was on the same route and schedule as I and connected with them. Pretty cool to already meet so many people who’ve done the route! We had a nice ride to Charles City where we ate at a nice little diner for lunch.
Marty departed not long after and I had a great ride into Mechancsville just north of Richmond. I was hosted by the lovely Young family after Michael picked me up from a gas station I was lucky enough to stop at just as it started raining sideways! I can’t thank them enough for the cozy bed, great dinner, and awesome company.
Day 3 (40ish miles) I shared coffee with Michael and Grace and went on my way towards Beaverdam, VA. I stayed in a nice church and was given access to the whole hall downstairs with kitchen and shower. I relaxed at the church on a beautiful sunny evening.
Day 4 (40ish miles) another great weather day for riding through the countryside of Virginia. Lots of wheat fields, forests and older style homes. I’m hosted in the backyard of Abi and James, another sweet family just south of Mineral, VA. I am now roughly 160 miles along the route, a little behind pace but I’m doing my best to let my legs get used to being in the saddle and peddling everyday. I know the miles will get easier and start piling on soon!
Big shoutout to everyone who’s donated! We are way past what I thought we’d be by now at $2,963!!! This is going to such a great cause I’m stoked to have raised this now, I appreciate you all and remember, it’s a 501(c)(3) organization so it is tax deductible! Happy trails y’all.
Westbound and Down 