The Mo Mo Tour: Day 12 – Draper to Whytheville

I had another good Warmshowers experience with my hosts Curtis and Jennifer in Draper. They own and operate the Spinning Jenny Vineyard. At dinner they served me some of their red wine. It was really, really good so I chugged a whole bottle.

Just kidding but not about the quality of the wine.

After coffee and Cheerios I hit the road. It poured yesterday after I stopped riding so my decision to do a short day was a wise one.

Today’s ride on rolling country roads featured a strong, constant headwind with gusts well above 20 mph.

After 5 miles I stopped and ate a banana. It had no effect on my speed or attitude. At 10 miles I stopped for second breakfast at a McDonalds. It helped a little but soon the beat down continued.

Today’s plan was to ride 50 or 60 over a mountain ridge to Troutdale. I didn’t come close. I struggled mightily on even the smallest hills.

At least the scenery was good

All the while the skies threatened to let loose with a downpour.

On prior tours, after about a week, I got stronger. This time I seem to be getting weaker. It was so discouraging that I stopped at a city park and checked to see if my brakes were dragging on the rims. Nope.

Interesting sign in downtown Whytheville

After lunch in Whytheville I knew I was done for the day. I ate hot dogs in an eatery in the first floor of an historic building; Woodrow Wilson’s wife was born on the second floor.

The last two days have been a constant struggle on even the shortest climbs. I am not having fun.

I checked out the possibility of renting a car and going home. The understaffed rental agency in town had nothing available so I rode across town and up yet another monster hill to a hotel.

I checked in and took a nap.

Tomorrow I’ll decide whether I’ll continue. The incessant climbing has worn my ass out.

Miles today: 29 (felt like 129)

Tour miles: 609.5

Update: The nap did me good. After dinner, I read a bunch of online journals about the part of the TransAm I’ve been riding. Nearly all say the hills are much steeper than the elevation profile on my maps indicate. I probably climbed 4,000 feet the last couple of days in short bursts.

They all agree that the big climb tomorrow isn’t nearly as bad as they thought.

I’m thinking of ditching a spare water bottle that I haven’t touched in 300 miles.

20 thoughts on “The Mo Mo Tour: Day 12 – Draper to Whytheville”

      1. A big mantra with the long distance thru hiking community is not to quit your hike on a bad day. Maybe it fits for cycle touring too?

  4. I have aged out of long tours although I did many. The biggest thing I learned was to travel light. I brought one pair of clothes to sweat in and one not to sweat in. Looking back on my tours posted on crazyguyonabike shows that I am wearing the same shirt and shorts every day.

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    1. I have been reading the Crazyguy journals this evening. From what I can tell the elevation profiles I’ve been relying on are very inaccurate. It’s no wonder I’ve been walking so many. I should probably ditch my extra water bottle and eat some of the “emergency” food that keeps falling to the bottom of my panniers.

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  6. Finally caught up. These country roads speak to my soul in ways I cannot put into words. I would give anything to be close to roads like this for biking. Beautiful scenery.

    I’m sorry to hear you aren’t having a good time though. I definitely third what’s been said about switching up your fueling, though I suppose it might be a bit difficult at times to find better fuel. At the end of the day if it ain’t fun, it ain’t worth it. I see the nap helped, but no matter what you do I’m along for the ride!

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