Today’s Date: August 1, 2024

Today’s Start Point: Fredericksburg, Virginia

Today’s End Point: Richmond, Virginia

Today’s Miles: 72.61 Miles

Cumulative Miles: 4,540.6 Miles

Today I was planning a 72 mile jaunt to Richmond, Virginia, my original planned destination before I travel the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I hoped that the route today would not be like yesterday- narrow country roads with no shoulder and lots of traffic. I wasn’t sure my adrenal glands could take it.

The weather for today was going to be much like yesterday-mid-90s with muggy conditions. Leaving early was a defensive move to try and beat as much of the heat as possible.

The first five or ten miles were an exact replica of yesterday, even with the early morning departure. Cars and dump trucks (how many darn dump trucks do the collective governments in Virginia own?) were coming fast and furious.

I am happy to report that after the rough start for the first 10 miles, I turned onto the promised quiet country roads. I was usually covered by a canopy of trees, notably lowering the temperature with very little traffic.

For the next 40 miles, I rode on these lightly traveled roads through peanut and corn fields. The road was rolling so there was some climbing, but for the most part they were mild with more descents than climbs. Some of the country homes were quite grand, with long driveways leading to a stately residence.

I thought when I looked at the route map that there would be more places to stop to resupply, but after I left Fredericksburg the only place came after 60 miles of riding. I began to get worried about liquids (due to the heat and number of miles), but luckily as in the past a convenience store popped up.

As I approached Richmond, the traffic increased and the directions provided by my Garmin were either confusing or just plain wrong. By the time I made it to Richmond, there was no shade and the temperature was in the 90’s. A mischievous Garmin was not what I was looking for.

I passed through some areas with beautiful antebellum homes, both single family and townhouses. At one point I cruised down Monument Avenue, a grand avenue with houses lining each side of the street (Monument Avenue was in the news the last few years but I will let you Google that since this is an apolitical blog).

At last I made it to my hotel in downtown Richmond. After a mid-trip detour that took me from Owensboro and Louisville, Kentucky, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio, Wheeling, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Cumberland, Maryland, and Alexandria, Virginia, I am back on my original path. I have to admit that the decision to make the detour and add 242 miles to the trip was a difficult one, but in the end I am glad I did. As I have stated before, much of the detour was on bike paths. In particular, the natural beauty around Cincinnati and along the Greater Allegheny Passage and C&O Bike trail were fabulous. I was able to see relatives in Ohio that I have not been able to see in a few years, Tim Radcliff and Paul Kirsch were able to help me and kept me moving, and I was able to see Les and her cousin Kristin and her family in Virginia. Oh and let’s not forget, no dogs.

I continued downtown to my hotel to wait for a friend that I knew was coming to Richmond. As I alluded to in my post yesterday, I was expecting a great friend from law school to fly into Richmond, Virginia just to have dinner with me. I have known Matt since our schooldays and he has always been there for me. Those of you who know Matt have probably experienced his thoughtfulness and generosity. He is one of the great people in my life.

Matt arrived about an hour after I made it to the hotel. I went down to meet him in the lobby and gave him a big hug. All of a sudden, someone also gave me a hug. I turned around and it was another friend of mine from law school, Tom Evans. I knew Tom was very busy at work (we all can’t be retired) so it was a tremendous surprise when he show up.

I met Tom at the beginning of law school and we have been close ever since. A true Kentucky boy and southern gentlemen (believe it or not that is not an oxymoron) I knew Tom would be in his element in Richmond. The three of us have been through a lot together, and I would like to say I can’t believe they came to Richmond just for dinner, but with these two I knew they would eventually make an appearance.

Once together, after a quick lunch Matt hired an Uber driver to take us on a tour of Richmond (and preserving my legs in the process). We saw some of the surrounding environs with their stately homes. A highlight was driving through the University of Richmond, a gorgeous campus nestled among stately trees.

After the tour, the boys helped me resupply at a local grocery store and then it was off to have a drink or two at a couple of local establishments. We went to dinner at a restaurant housed in an old tobacco manufacturing facility built in 1866. For me, it was a wonderful time with old friends and a chance to unwind before the final week of pedaling down the North Carolina coast.

Thank you Matt and Tom, both of you always bring a smile on my face and a drink to my lips. I appreciate both of you not only today, but also for your years of friendship.