and then there were four...

The past few days since my last post have been a blur. Yesterday wound up being a 70 mile day with an immense climb up Clinch Mountain reserved for the end. I stopped for a rest a few switchbacks from the top and a bear cub crossed the road about 20 yards in front of me, just moseying along. I'd never seen a bear before and boy was he cute! I stealthily reached for my camera, but a car surprised him and he took off.

Needless to say, what had been a 5mph climb for me quickly became a 7-8mph climb, as I didn't want to run into mama bear. I shouted around every switchback, so as not to be too much of a surprise for any other ursas around, major or minor. I cruised into Elk Garden United Methodist Church around 8:00 in the evening, where I weathered the night. There, I met up with Irv and Barb Robinson, who I had been riding mostly parallel with for a few days.

The three of us set out this morning to climb up (the humorously and aptly-named) Big A Mountain. We lunched in Haysi, Virginia, where we met up with Mike Allen, a naturalized British school teacher. He and I will reunite with Irv and Barb around Elkhorn City, Kentucky tonight, but for now are beating the 90-plus heat at the library.

I've been making good time, but the bike is not operating in tip-top shape and I will likely get it tuned when I arrive in Lexington. Prior to the bear and the climb, not a lot of noteworthy riding had taken place for me the past few days. I will see many of you soon at Matt and Becca's wedding.

Cheers,
John Z.