Day 15: Zion Crossroads VA to Ashland VA

With the rain in our rearview mirror, we set out on a long ride today.  It was cool and overcast all day, but a pretty easy ride and no big climbs.  Quite a bit of wind, but our route was once again quite winding so sometimes we had a tailwind but more often a headwind.  Not too bad, though.  And some of the fall colours are starting to show.  

The route took us on a long series of country roads - pretty but unremarkable.  Lots of rural houses, some farms, some forest (hardwood trees, well spaced, with little underbrush), and some newer subdivisions (some newly developing).  I didn't stop to take any pictures (didn't want to get shot at), but lots of signs supporting Trump.  One big sign boldly declared "Trump Won".  Some yards still had Trump/Pence signs up from 2020 and still others were supporting Trump in 2024.  Lordy, lordy..........  

A few interesting animals here and there........

MP upped the ante on SAG stop floral arrangements.

Apparently there was a fox that ran through the second SAG stop; missed it.......

At about 35 miles we crossed one small arm of the multi-armed Lake Anna.  It is one of the largest freshwater inland reservoirs in Virginia, covering an area of 53 square km, and is one of the most popular recreational lakes in the state.  

We're basically making our way around Richmond VA, the capital, today and tomorrow.  No direct routes for us!

A few lawn decorations as well...............

Lots of fields of this crop throughout the day.  I don't know what it is, but I've been told it is soybeans.

And finally - in to Ashland.  Home of Randolph-Macon College (no pictures) and known for railway tracks running down the middle of the main street.  Ashland is named after the Lexington, Kentucky estate of Hanover County native Henry Clay (Clay County in Kentucky is also named after him).

We're staying at an older Holiday Inn Express tonight.  Ate too much again - over to McDonald's upon arrival, then my PB&J and packed lunch, then dinner (Brunswick Stew & salad and pecan pie).  Stuffed!  Not sure what tomorrow holds.  Might be rain in the forecast, and wind again.  We'll see....

Stats for the day:

Distance:  72.53 miles / 116.7 km

Elevation (Garmin):  3364' up, 3689' down / 1025m up, 1125m down

Elevation (RWGPS):  998m up, 1098m down

Weather:  7C - 12C.  Overcast and breezy.  Comfortable temps to ride in, but could have done with a little less wind.