I had the chance to do laundry yesterday and took it. Wow, I felt like a king. I've been hand washing my clothes but they only get half clean and mostly dry.

Maybe beer is a symbol for something greater than a tasty beverage to quench my thirst after nine hours on a bike. All will become clear in time. I hope...

Planning on a shorter ride for Day 10. Most likely it will conclude at the first store that's open and sells beer!

If as Ben Franklin said, "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants use to be happy," then why can't I get a cold beer? Fourth night in a row without beer!

Day 9 recap: Began in KY and ended in Cave In Rock, IL. It was a determined 136 miles ride as I was ready for a new state.

Oh how I love an Ohio River boat ride! Goodbye Ol' Kentucky, hello the Land of Lincoln!

How is it that people can smoke in restaurants but I can't get a cold beer? I had to self-edit my response. I don't want any bad juju the last 53 miles!

Only one dog has chased me today and he was fat. I said "Com'on, Pudgey Com'on!" But he couldn't. He should eat less or maybe start chasing cars.

1000 miles down! Near Utica, KY. The weather is splendid for the first time in a week.

Goal for Day 9: Get the hell out of Kentucky! With a strong day of riding I think I can make Illinois. And something tells me there's a six pack waiting for me!

Day 8:began in Harrodsburg and ended in another damn dry county at a place called McDaniels. How can I ride by the Jim Beam distillery and still not get a beer?

Roadkill thoughts: It stinks. But why does it smell worse in the rain?

More roadkill: It was snakes in lowland VA, squirrels by the 100s in the mountains and now it's possum in western KY. Deer have been sprinkled throughout.

Pickup trucks here are only red. Unless it's a dualie and then it's white or you're a UK fan and then it's blue.

Status update: the goal was to ride 3500 miles in 30 days. That's an avg of 116 per day. After one week I'm averaging 116. Fingers are crossed!

That's it! My travel planner is fired! Second day in a row that we end the day in a dry county. Good thing Illinois is only a couple days away.

Ended the day in Harrodsburg, KY after 110 miles. Glad to be in the rolling pastures of western Kentucky.

Appalachian dogs mean business. Today was ridiculous - 9 dog chasings. That's more than all other days combined. BB hates dogs that can run faster than 20 mph!

When I passed through Berea, KY, I thought I had arrived in Nirvana! Gone were the mountains, the rain, thecoal trucks and the majority of dogs.

"Who'll Stop the Rain" was the song of the day. After thunder, lightning and tremendous rain last night, it decided to continue this morning. Grrr.....

Day 7 - stared out in a downpour in Booneville. Was chased by dogs six times as I finally got the hell out of the mountains. They're a unique breed! Dogs too.

Goodbye middle of nowhere Virginia, hello middle of nowhere Kentucky! And if you're wondering, I can give you directions to Squalor, KY.

Boy Blunder has been saved! Well probably not but he did attend a bit of a wednesday baptist service in exchange for sleeping on the floor.

And those 6 climbs? Holy mother of pearl! Add that to the two flat tires and you've got yourself a long day. 123 miles at an average of 12.9 mph. 611 miles down

Well, it was only 2 miles before the heavens opened up and sent forth their life giving essence. But only for a couple hours.

End of Day 6 - I'm still alive!

It's been a bit crazy lately. I went from middle of nowhere Virginia to less than middle of nowhere Kentucky. I mean you can practically here the music from Deliverance! I've ridden through over a hundred miles of "Coal Country." I'll have to admit that it won't make my Top 10 places to vacation list. This place is rural, one syllable pronunciation rural.

I haven't been able to update the blog in several days as my phone hasn't had a data connection since day 3. And I haven't been able to text since day 4. I tried to make a cell phone call and an automated voice said "Welcome to Appalachian Wireless." Ah crap!!!

I'm staying in Booneville tonight. No kidding. I'm at the Booneville library now and it closes in five minutes. So not much time for details.

I passed the 700 mile mark today - 20%.

I slept on the floor of a Baptist church last night in Bypro.

The dogs are getting faster and more determined.

This lousy county is dry!@@##!@#!@ I ride all day thinking of the ice cold beer that I'm going to enjoy and then I end up in a bloody dry county!

I didn't rain today for the first time since Day 1.

I fell of White Lightnin' yesterday. A classic Boy Blunder move. I was riding up hill and it was time to flip the map so I pulled it out of the holder and then dropped it. I stopped to turn around to get it and the couldn't get my shoe upclipped from the pedal. And over I tumbled onto the gravel shoulder. Dumbass!

Tonight I think that I'll be camping behind the Presbyterian church. I like to spread myself amongst the different religious sects. In fact, I stayed at a hostel run by a Methodist church two nights ago in Damascus, Virginia.

I do not like coal trucks. I do not like them in the rain, I do not like them is my refrain. I hear them coming and want to hide, but soon I'll be gone and all they'll see is my backside.

Ciao for now. Library is closing

Day 4 agenda: head west through more middle of nowhere VA. Rain has stopped, clouds linger. 6 major climbs today...when do I get to Kansas?

Day 4 recap: rode 97 miles from Radford to Damascus, VA mostly in a downpour. Rolling terrain with steep climbs. More of the same for days to come, ah crap!

Just saw a unique menu item: Fried Bologna, thick cut bologna, spiced and fried to your liking...$3.29. I went with the Original Fattie burger instead.

How long do hotdogs last at room (outdoor VA) temp last? What if they're Hebrew National? Any longer?

Dear God, I stink! Even after a shower, I still smell. Well, the clothes that I put back on after the shower are the culprits.

Just took a gander at the map - I may not have full blogging powers for days! This is via text msg. But I'm in middle of nowhere VA. Booneville, anyone?

Cell coverage is poor so no email service. Day 4 was wet, very wet. Staying in Damascus, VA for the night. 487 miles down, 3008 to go!

Things I've seen today

A rifle hanging in the rear window of a truck.

A bear skin tacked to the side of a shed.

A bearded woman working at a convenience store.

All this and it's only lunch time!
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Blueridge profile

The final descent yesterday was the steepest, curviest and meanest three miles I've ever ridden. It's the vertical line on the left side of the profile. I couldn't have climbed that yesterday. I was riding the brakes so hard my hands were cramping.
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Observations, Part 1

They grow some really big snakes in VA. I've seen plenty of 3 to 4 foot snakes dead on the road. And I just about ran over a 3 footer.

I've seen way too many plastic geese as yard art. Or are they decoys? I'm just not sure.
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Day 2 recap

The day started in Mineral and ended in Lexington (VA not KY). My legs were mad about the day before and made it known that they weren't going fast. Add to that two flat tires in the middle of the day and a long, steep 25 mile climb and it makes for a long day. I meant to stay in a campground near Vesuvius but it being the sunday of Memorial Day weekend and the confederate flag flying I thought it a good idea to keep riding. So all told, it was a 127 mile day. I plan a shorter ride tomorrow that should put me just into Kentucky.

One last note: I had a guy call me "boy" today. And it had nothing to do with BB.
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Jacques stands tall

M. Jacques Couteau earned his pay today. Not only did he fend off not one but two dog chases but when BB ran out of gas on the Blueridge Pkwy he hoped off the bike and pushed! Now that's a true sidekick.
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Blueridge Parkway

I wasn't sure if I was going to tackle the Blueridge Parkway today. But as is far too common when it comes to Boy Blunder's decision making process, common sense takes a holiday. So starting at mile 80 for the day I started climbing. It was spectacular. At least when I could raise my head.
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Go Cavaliers

This is for all my UVA friends.
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Roads of the Presidents

Yesterday, I was on John Tyler Hwy and today I've been on Monroe and Jefferson Parkways. You think they could be a little more creative with the names. Oh, that's right. Those dudes really were from around these here parts.

Speaking of signs, my maps are good but they list the roads by number such as SR 618. Only problem is when you ask for directions noboby knows the road numbers they just know the common name.
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Fragrant Virginia

I finally figured out why it smells so good here. There's honeysuckle (or something like that) growing everywhere. However, there never seems to be any where there's road kill! The highway department should work on that.
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Day 2

Departed Mineral at 6:30 feeling a bit sore but glad to be on the road. After Day 1's foolishness my legs set the pace - slow.

In Palmyra, I stopped for a coke and to use the WC. Well, I managed to drop the bathroom keys into the toilet. I couldn't convince WL nor Jacques to take one for the team. Luckily there was lots of soap!!!
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Day 1 recap

Had a great beginning to the journey as I rode from Yorktown to Jamestown. Good roads, splendid scenery. Made the acquaintance of a friendly sheriff when I considered ignoring a road closed sign. I jad already turned back towards the detour when he came rolling up. I'd seen him about a half mile back. He must have known that I would consider it. Do I always look that guilty? I managed to loose my way a couple of times but nothing big. I'm riding on country roads and there are a lot of turns. Some odd things happened in Charles City which is really just a gas station: I got to talking to a guy and he asked that I call him when I get to SF so he knows that I made it. And then a guy took a picture of me with his cell phone. Hmm...I don't think they get out much in Charles City. To celebrate rolling 100 miles, WL decided to break a front spoke. I think he just wanted attention. It was at mile 99.8. Grrr! The afternoon was hot and I was so glad to arrive in Mineral, VA. I'm camping in a field behind the fire dept. The firemen are great. They let me shower and use their kitchen. Big love coming from me! The sun has set and I'm beat after 150 miles today. I don't think I want to do that again anytime soon! Depending on how I feel, I may climb the Blueridge mtns tomorrow. We'll see.
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1st Amendment

It should have been Country Roads. Of course I knew the right word but my brain tricked me. Must be the humidity!
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Country boy

Luckily for me today is a good song day so far - John Denver's "Country Boy." Here's an image from a section of the Capital Trail.
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Second breakfast

One word: pizza
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Colonial Parkway

What a gorgeous first 15 miles! The sun is streaming through the trees, the birds are singing and the air is sweetly scented. The only minor problem is that someone left the sauna on last night. It's a bit humid.
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Day 1

Jacques and White Lightnin woke me with a stirring rendition on Yankee Doodle Dandy on the drum and fife. I was just glad that there was no one to play the bugle! The ride began in historic Yorktown at 6:30am and headed towards Williamsburg.
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Yorktown.3GP

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History lesson revised

Boy Blunder quickly learned that most old brick buildings look very similar. But he may have discovered why the original settlement at Yorktown was founded. Who knew that there was a lovely beach here? When was the bikini invented? For some reason I'm thinking it wasn't in the 1600s. Maybe the beach isn't part of the historical reinactment. What an advertising pitch "Yorktown. Come for the history. Stay for the beach party!"

Ps. A woman just called me darlin'. Something tells me that I'm not in SF anymore!
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History lesson

I thought it a good idea to immerse myself in a bit of colonial American history before I plunge into the manifest destiny chapter. So I'm wandering around Williamsburg and William and Mary looking for ghosts of our forefathers.
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Leavin' on a jet plane

Mmmm...redeye flight to Philly. Cocktail? Check. Advil PM? Check? Window seat? Check. Earplugs? Check. Three empty seats? Negative Boy Blunder the pattern is full. Well fingers are crossed for a 90 pound mute in the center seat.
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Final prep

Okay. I'm ready. The mail has been put on hold, rent paid, apartment cleaned, car washed...What? Car washed? I'm not sure where the impulse came from but I got the car washed today. Must be nervous energy. Flight leaves tonight so there's not much time left to wimp out.
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Sidekick Extraordinaire

It is with great fanfare, pomp and circumstance that I announce that the renowned Jacques Couteau has joined the quest. The nephew of Mac the Knife, Monsieur Couteau has dedicated his life to protecting the innocent, drinking fine wines and engaging in hopeless acts of bravery. While not accustomed to playing second fiddle, he has pledged to fulfill the obligations of the Sidekick post to the best of his abilities. These include overseeing the distribution of daily rations, navigation, fending off car-emitted projectiles, beating back rabid dogs (also squirrels, badgers & hyenas), telling gap-toothed Missouri sisters that Boy Blunder just isn’t that in to them and most importantly letting BB use him as a pillow.

In response to Why

“Sometimes a kind of glory lights up the mind of a man. It happens to nearly everyone. You can feel it growing or preparing like a fuse burning toward dynamite. It is a feeling in the stomach, a delight of the nerves, of the forearms. The skin tastes the air, and every deep-drawn breath is sweet. Its beginning has the pleasure of a great stretching yawn; it flashes in the brain and the whole world glows outside your eyes. A man may have lived all his life in the gray, and the land and trees of him dark and somber. The events, even the important ones, may have trooped by faceless and pale. And then — the glory — so that a cricket song sweetens the ears, the smell of the earth rises chanting to his nose, and dappling light under a tree blesses his eyes. Then a man pours outward, a torrent of him, and yet he is not diminished…” - Steinbeck

More weather

But on a positive note, Monarch Pass is free of snow. This wasn't the case last friday when I checked. In fact, I was considering packing skis to hit the slopes in the background. Let's just hope that the highest point of my journey at 11,300 feet is dry when I get there!

Weather...

I made the mistake of looking at the weather forecast for this weekend in Virginia. I might as well start it all off with a bang!!!

The Packing List

For the stake of posterity, here's the packing list that I've been dreading over. I'll have to see how many items are lost, stolen or thrown in a ditch by the end of the ride. Likewise, it will be interesting to note what I omitted from the list.

On the bike:
Light, front & rear, bike computer, water bottles (2), helmet, pump & shoes

Gear:
Dry Bag(9lbs): Tent, tarp, sleeping bag & pad

Pannier 1 (12 lbs):
Bag liner, bibs (2), jerseys (2), socks (2), cycling vest, arm & knee warmers, tights, foot booties, gloves (2), sleeveless dryfit, fleece jacket, pants (1), shorts (1), underwear, shirts (1 short, 1 long), rain gear, bike cap, hat, water bladder & book

Pannier 2 (12 lbs):
Stove, fuel, pot, wrench & tools, spare tubes (3), spare spokes, patch kit, cable lock, chain lube, rags, solvent, spare tire, tire levers, bungee cords, zip ties, electrical tape, razor, shaving cream, nail clippers, toilet paper, ear plugs, Ziploc bags, skin lube, first aid kit w/ Epi pen, water filter, head lamp, sponge & soap, small towel, flip-flops, sunblock, journal, batteries, camera battery charger & phone charger

Handlebar bag (4 lbs)
Maps, lighter, small sunblock, flashlight, camera, watch, chapstick spf 30+, wallet, toothbrush & paste, pens, sunglasses, knife, stamps, superglue & pepper spray

All I can say is that I'm going to be one really stinky boy by about the third day!!!

Enjoy the Silence

My good friend in the Peace Corp in Lesotho had a great question. “What are you doing about music?” Well, this is a sans ipod trip. I don’t ride with music anyway. I like to be attuned to what’s going on around me and behind me in particular. And then there’s the issue of having to find places to charge the battery. So, I’m not taking music with me. Or rather no external music. There is always something bopping through my melon for better or worse. I once suffered through the opening lines of Don’t Worry, Be Happy for several hours. Which brings me to several key points. The first of which is that I know (or think I know) at least one line from most songs. My friends or more specifically ex-girlfriends can attest to this. From what I’ve been told by the aforementioned ladies, I have a tendency to make up words. And I’m willing to concede that it might be a bit annoying to listen to someone who constantly sings under his breath while driving especially if you know the correct words. So JS, if you’re out there - sorry about that. Now the second point. Only knowing a line or two from a song is great for making a pop culture reference but it makes for a real lousy time when you’re sitting on a bike. I mean how many times can one sing, hum or beat box “Here’s a little song I wrote. You might want to learn it note for note. Don’t worry, be happy?”

SC was kind enough to put together her options for theme songs. Muchas gracias! I'm committed to learning all of the words to one of these songs before I go! If you have ideas, feel free to comment.

So I've come up with a couple of options for your theme song:
1. Bicycle Race by Queen, this one might be a little too obvious though.
2. Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie
3. Don't Stop Believing by Journey
4. Forever Young by Alphaville
5. Roam by the B-52s
6. I'll Follow the Sun by the Beatles
7. Wanderer by Dion
8. Time of Your Life by Green Day
9. A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall by Bob Dylan, this might be my favorite, at least it seems like it might fit the best.

Now WL's theme song....
The Weight by Aretha Franklin

Theme song of BB and WL combined
1. You Can Be My Yoko Ono by Barenaked Ladies, this one would also work as a good song if you happen to meet a fair maiden on your journey.
2. Stand By Me by Ben E. King

And a couple that I would add for consideration for the soundtrack (because we all know where this is headed - a made for television movie shown on the Hallmark channel):
Rawhide (the version by the Dead Kennedys)
Dust in the Wind by Kansas
A Horse with No Name by America (not entirely accurate but I know that it will be rambling through my head more than once during the trip)
Greased Lightning (for WL)

The Joys of PE

No, I’m not talking about gym class. It’s back to the physics department for a lesson in Potential Energy. It’s the one redeeming factor for dragging all my gear up hills. At the top, Mr. Newton’s laws of gravity pull it back towards the center of the Earth and BB along with it. That really gets the handlebar streamers fluttering! And not just steep hills. Even declines of only a couple degrees offer the chance to coast. What’s that? Coasting? What kind of a geriatric pansy coasts? Well, after this weekend’s big ride, I’m learning the value of taking mini-breaks whenever possible.

Saturday brought BB and WL together for a trek north; the first with full gear. After 108 miles of wind, sun and a few decent climbs, we are still on speaking terms. More than likely, this is due to my effusive compliments regarding his physique. He was very body conscious at the beginning of the ride. Who wouldn’t be with 35 pounds of gear strapped to your rear? And a handlebar bag that a friend called a bike fannypack. That hurt, really CP, did you have to go there? In all honesty, under the grit and grime, Lightnin’ has the sinuous fortitude of a 100 year old oak tree. He attacked hills with vigor, putting to shame those brightly adorned weekend cyclists as he cruised by. However, he’s not the speediest on the take-off, nor the stop. We’ll have to work on this during the trip for either fleeing a slobbering rabble of mangy hounds or for stopping at a roadside varmint jerky stand (for photographic documentation purposes of course)!

On a completely unrelated note, White Lightnin’ has a nose for pork product: the black and white variety. On two different occasions, he alerted me to police cars lurking near intersections. Between his nose for bacon and my nose for the “magical animal” in Homer J Simpson parlance, this could be a match made in heaven.

On a silly note, I set up the tent in my apartment last night. I thought that I’d make sure I knew how to put it up before I hit the road. I have a suspicion that I’ll be doing it in the dark and/or rain on the first night of the trip. And no, I didn’t sleep in it.

Street sign commentary

SurferGirl added her own unique perspective on the previous post.

I'm thinking that this is her way of suggesting that I stay away from the sauce while riding. That's too bad because I was really looking forward to rolling along with a 32 ounce mint julep purchased from a drive-up liquor store.

T-Minus 2 weeks

All systems are go.  I think.  Yes, they are.  Most definitely.  A friend emailed me this image.  Hopefully, there's nothing prophetic about it!  But one has to appreciate the clarity of meaning.  If only all things were that clear.

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White Lightnin' rides again

After a decade long estrangement, the dynamic duo of Boy Blunder and White Lightnin’ has reunited for a perilous journey across the continent: a quest for valor, honor and faire maidens.

It was a foggy, gray evening as our intrepid dynamos rolled across the Golden Gate Bridge on their inaugural ride of the 21st century. The sonorous fog horn bellowed forth announcing to all that the greatest combination since peanut butter and jelly was cruising north to the headlands. As BB grew accustomed to the new mount, White Lightnin’ charged into the hills with giddy excitement, snickering with delight while passing lesser steeds. Yes, this 24 pound steel-framed wonder knows how to get the lead out. WL insists that it’s all muscle, that he’s in fighting shape even after his long retirement. But what a change from BB’s other bike that weighs in at 18 pounds. Fully loaded, we’ll be like a freight train barreling down the highway (Queue the music “Freight train kept a rollin’ all night long”). I fully except to stop pedaling at the California border and coast all the way home, weeeee….. Of course, it will take the entire length of Virginia just to get up to speed!

Thank you to all the Superheros who submitted applications for the Sidekick position. While many of you had excellent qualifications, the position has been filled. An official announcement of the new Boy Blunder sidekick will be made soon. Your resume will be kept on file should a position become available in the future that matches your qualifications.