The day dawned clear in Abingdon, but the mountains to the East looked dark and stormy. I wanted to get ahead of the weather so I was moving early. The two bikers I met last night, with their smooth tires and light suits, still hadnt stirred. Damascus was not far, a small and very cute town, right up against Mount Rogers. The mountain remained shrouded in fog the whole time I was there. I eventually found the very small waterfall which serves as the symbolic start to the Route. I wasnt very impressed and forgot to take a photo. The road through Stone and Iron Mountains was pretty amazing though, throwing one immediately onto narrow forest ledges and a road cut through raw rock. The dampness and mud added to the challenge. The road soon dropped down to the valley and Marion VA.
The town brought back memories of our false start to the MABDR a year before, and I swore not to make the same mistakes twice. The days run, a mix of narrow paved country roads, and rocky tracks through huge forests, set the stage for the first third of the trip. Riding NE through farm country I
met the a group of ducks trying to decide who was to venture first on onto the asphalt. I made way for them. Completed the first test, the Wyrick Trail, without mishap, and crossed the Appalachian Trail at a gap in the ridge. This is also the location of the Brushy Mountain Outpost, providing sustenance to walkers, riders and drivers alike, or not. Got some lunch to keep him in business. The rest of the ride up to Newport VA was a fun mix of gravel forest road and narrow pavement.
Chugging up a section of forest track I caught up with a couple of well equipped riders on big bikes, doing the same route. We followed each other for a while, exchanging stories and watching each other deal with the muddy switchbacks. Eventually the time I wasted taking photos was too much for them, and at Eggleston WV (where the route crosses the New River), they roared off to the North and I didnt see them again. I did ask them where they were spending the night. The answer was something I loved, but have never been able to live with: .... we will ride until
we can go no more. Then well stop and camp, and carry on the next day... I on the other hand am driven by destination. I have to be going somewhere, preferably warm with internet. In this case, it was the Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke County VA, in the hills West of Blacksburg. It was like entering another world. Comfort. Food. Except that the room wasnt ready so they fed me ice cream while I waited... shucks !
