Day 12: Lexington VA to Waynesboro VA

We knew it was going to be a big day.  What we didn't predict were the chilly temperatures and the headwinds adding to our challenge.  A little bit of climbing in the first four miles, and then a gradual uphill for the next fifteen.  Once again we were in a railroad and creek corridor, so the grade was pretty gradual.  And - our first sustained noticeable headwind of the trip.  It wasn't a busy road, but neither was it particularly scenic.  

At 18 miles we had our first SAG stop and then "the climb" up to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  It was only four miles, but we gained almost 2000 feet in that distance.  I walked probably close to a mile of it where the grades were well into the double digits.  A few of the women rode the whole thing, and my hat is off to them!  We were in the trees the whole way, which probably helped to cut the wind.  I was happy to be wearing a helmet, though, as nuts (walnuts, acorns, chestnuts, etc.) were falling to the ground all around us.  Luckily I don't think any of us took one on the head.

We rode about 27 miles north on the Parkway.  We accumulated almost another 3000 feet in that distance.  The grades were manageable, though, and lots of downhills in the mix.  There were about a dozen pullouts/overlooks along the way, often with views down to the valley on one side or the other.  A good reminder that this road really is set on the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Nice views, and by the time we were done the sun had come out and was starting to warm the air.  

Crossed the Appalachian Trail one more time............

And a view off to the right just before starting the descent off the Parkway.

We left the Parkway at mile 49, and continued the descent pretty much into the city of Waynesboro.  Waynesboro is a city of about 22,000 but WomanTours found us a circuitous but quiet and safe route into and through the city to our Holiday Inn Express.  A great pork tenderloin dinner with lots of veggies and salad.  I'm pooped.  Early to bed to be ready to do it all again tomorrow.  We're anticipating some rain, so will try to get on early-ish start.

Oh - one more sign that we're getting back into civilization.  Saw my first Amazon Prime truck today.

Still wondering how we'll be affected by Hurricane Ian....................

Stats for the day:

Distance:  57.7 miles / 92.8 km

Elevation (Garmin) 6195' up, 5339' down / 1888m up, 1627m down

Elevation (RWGPS):  1694m up, 1592m down

Weather:  8C to 21C.  It started out overcast with a bit of a headwind that stayed with us pretty much all day.  Thankfully it wasn't very apparent on the big climb up to the Parkway.  The temperature was about 10C to start, but was down to 8C by the top of the climb.  The temp was about 10-11C for much of the day.  The sun finally came out in the afternoon, but we still rode in the shade for a while.  After we descended from the Parkway and the sun was more prominent, the temperature went up to about 21C for the tail end of the ride.  Lots of folks were pretty chilly all day.  I was cool but comfortable.  Moisture management.