RAIN.

In Virginia, it rains. A lot. I got caught in a thunder storm yesterday, then two more during the night, then once more in the morning. It’s rained once today already, and what’s the forecast for tonight? RAIN.

Hopefully Tennessee will be a little drier.

After riding for eight consecutive days, I’ve decided to take today “off.” I did ride 20 miles this morning, but that was only to get myself back into civilization. I’ve finally made it to Wytheville, VA and will be staying in a hotel for the night. My clothes are in the wash, my stomach is full of southern fried chicken, and I’m camped out in the library. What more could one ask for?

In my travels through Virginia though, I have decided three things. First, southerners don’t believe in money. Second, there are two main reasons why obesity is running rampant:
1. Pizza Inn
2. Shoney’s

Lastly, there are two things that anyone biking across the country should partake in:
1. Pizza Inn
2. Shoney’s

Allow me to explain. Pizza Inn is a very fine establishment in Christiansburg, VA – home to an all you can eat pizza buffet…for six dollars. Needless to say, I ate more than I should have and had to lie down for 45 minutes before I could even think about getting back on my bike.

Shoney’s on the other hand is apparently all over the south, however I had never heard of it. Being an all you can eat southern fried buffet though, it’s probably best I haven’t found it until now. How much for all the fried deliciousness you heart desires? 7 bucks.
I’d post pictures, but right now I can’t look at food…

Day 16 (part II):

The rest of day 16 was pretty uneventful. There was a little farmland, a few rolling hills, and not much in the way of company. I think I even passed through a ghost town, which was a bit creepy to say the least. At night I hung my hammock precariously between two tree without trunks (don’t ask how, because I really don’t know) in the front yard of family home in the middle of nowhere. They had six goats, five chickens, two dogs, and a lost cat. After some chili and pasta I turned in for the night, only to be jolted awake at 5:00 AM by a blast of thunder. And so begins the trend…

Miles covered: 65

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Day 17:
This was Pizza Buffet day. Nothing else matters, just the pizza. I think I put my body in shock, but it was too delicious to stop…

Anyway, I ended up getting caught in the middle of a lightning storm around 7:00 PM and desperately went door to door trying to find some shelter. After being invited in by a family with two very energetic children, I waited out the storm before pitching my hammock. The only problem? No Trees! Being grounded for the night, I set up a bivy on the ground.

Before falling asleep another thunder storm rolled in and pelted me with rain. I was woken up once more in the middle of the night by rain, and then woke up at 7:00 AM to yet more thunder. At least I’ll have a roof over my head tonight…

Miles covered: 80

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Day 18:

Only 20 miles today, taking me in to the town of Wytheville, VA. Pretty busy town, but the people are very friendly. Hopefully I’ll get a good night sleep tonight, and will be off towards Tennessee in the morning. The upside of shelling out for a hotel? Free breakfast (well, and some other stuff too).

Miles Covered: 20...

God speed.