Yes, I know, it’s been a while.

To explain, we have traversing mountains for the past few days, outside of cell service (at least for my terrible coverage) and internet access. My apologies for the lack of connectivity here in the sticks.

Of course, the sticks are in TENNESSEE!! We crossed over the Great Smokey Mountains into Tennessee from North Carolina yesterday! An epic moment for many….though not for me. I was sadly not riding. The bruise that has been amateurly diagnosed as a super deep bruise? a hairline fracture? A muscle strain? whatever… has been acting up much as I try to rest it. Here’s the recap for the past few days in terms of mileage and climbing and basically, it’s been BIG.

After our two days of building in Chapel Hill and Durham (during which I caught the plague being passed around our trip), we rode out in the Tropical Depression across some rolling hills. Into Winston-Salem we went which for some turned out to be their first century day!! But 12ish hours of riding later everyone arrived safe and sound into Winston-Salem. I only rode about 30 or so of the miles in the rain (which was actually kinda fun, especially because you can see your reflection in the road below… it looks pretty cool) before my leg started throbbing so I called it quits. In Winston-Salem we had the greatest welcome from Marylynn, a former B&Ber (hence the last post extolling her virtues) and Paceline Bicycles, a group of rockstars who tuned up lots of peoples’ bikes.

Out of Winston-Salem we rode toward Taylorsville. I rode “Sweep” (meaning I rode out last with someone else and followed the whole pack in case someone needs help) with Vandy therefore I made it the whole 65+ miles (mostly because I had no option not to finish). En route we found my next car, a red, 1940 Buick with white wall tires…. It was so pretty. But the ride was fine, some fairly steep hills, but all it took was a photo shoot on a painted U.S., a break in a vineyard, a steady pace, great conversation, and an afternoon thunderstorm for us to make it. It was a pretty cool day. The day before at night and in the morning we were featured on the news so people would honk as they drove by and wave or stop and to say nice things and that they knew who we were!! It was awesome.

Leaving Taylorsville we headed for Linville Falls (I made it about 30 miles again before I had to sop again, more leg throbbing.) but Linville was fantastic because my mom was there waiting for me when we got there!! She and Pattie Tennille saw us as we were pulling in the van and watched many people ride in from 181, apparently the most challenging 14 mile stretch of highway in North Carolina…. Yikes. It was a tough day for many. But once they arrived, elation! Lee Anne, Jen and I peaced out for a real dinner and a soft bed at the Tennilles for the night. It was perhaps one of the best steaks I’ve ever had.

We left Linville Falls early and hit the Blue Ridge Parkway to make it down to Asheville. It was quite a day of insane uphill grades, really long downhills, and GORGEOUS views off the mountains. Unbelievable. I made it 25 miles before I just couldn’t make it. It was a tough day for sure. My leg, that before was feeling better, was no longer doing so well. I could barely walk by the end of the day. It was a rough one for a lot of people, so many ups and downs. Ugh. But almost everybody still made it! It really has been amazing to see everyone in their highs once they roll into our night locations from the day’s ride. These new friends are absolutely unbelievable and are doing so many amazing things. Every day I am struck by the people around me and what they are capable of doing.

The ride then went from Asheville to Gatlinburg, another series of awesome downhills and killer uphills, but we made it to the state line!!! And Gatlinburg is perhaps one of the most surreal places ever. It’s like Disney World in the Mountains with no overhead admission…. Weird. But I got to make dinner too!!! I’d been itchin’ to bake/cook/do something culinary and was able to make dinner. It was awesome. I made me so happy after another long day in the van.

35 miles later and we are now in Maryville, TN. We built today on a Habitat house which was fun… I got to play with a nailgun…yeah…. Good times getting out some frustration.

So a bit on the personal journey now. It’s been quite the experience already. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten so close and so comfortable to a group of people this quickly before. We’ve only been at this for 2 weeks (out of 9) and I’ve already had some of the highest highs and lowest lows probably than I’ve had for a really long time. Having to give in to my body and ride in the van so much has been pretty trying, but at the same time, has allowed me to be able to learn more about what the leaders have had to do to prepare for this trip for us and about what it takes to make it cross country on a bike. They are amazing people.

That’s all for now. Hopefully we’ll be able to get to internet more frequently while we’re here in Maryville, but no promises.

Happy days ahead I hope! Ciao ciao
CVH