2004 BIKE SKYLINE DRIVE

Monday May 17, 2004 Drive to Front Royal Virginia

I loaded the car with my carbon fiber Trek 2120 bike and clothes before heading out at 6:03. I drove south on US-29 to west on MD-32 to west on I-70 to US-340 west at Frederick, Maryland. It was cooling down nicely with the back windows open, listening to great reception of classical music on WBJC as I drove through the pretty green countryside of Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia. It was an enjoyable drive all the way to the Super 8 Motel at 111 South Street in Front Royal, Virginia. I pulled in and parked between Bill and Barbara Spangler's van and Gary Gentry's SUV at 8:03 after 106.7 miles.

I noticed that Ron Cully's van was not there so my room mate Pete Flaton was not there as he was riding up with Ron. The motel clerk let me check into room 118 $62.81 under Pete's reservation so I could unload my gear. She told me that Gary and the Spangler's had gone to Villa Guiseppie's for dinner. I stopped in Spelunkers across the street from the motel for a root beer float $2.15 before walking about half a mile to Guiseppie's. Returning to the motel I ran into Ron and Pete. The motel clerk said our friends may have gone to Dean's Steakhouse so we walked there. We found them and joined their table. Ron, Pete and I ordered a Sam Adams each for $12.85 including tip. The Skyline Drive biking team had finally assembled after a few late dropouts and changing of room mates. We were all in bed by 10:00.

Tuesday May 18, 2004 Bike Front Royal to Big Meadows

I slept very well not waking until 6:25. Although I didn't have much to do it took some time being the first day so I kept forgetting to do things. We were all ready to ride by 7:45 having filled our water bottles, zeroed our cyclometers and loaded our luggage into the Spangler's van. Bill, Gary, Ron, Pete and I cycled about half a mile to Mom's Restaurant while Barbara drove the van. I had pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage and milk for $5.79 plus $1 tip cash only.

At 8:45 we biked back past our motel to US-340 to the North Entrance to the Shenandoah National Park. We were all Golden Age Pass holders so they keyed in our pass numbers and zip code for some kind of study. Two other bikers were there getting ready to enter.

The biking began with a six mile 1500' climb to Dickey Ridge. It was partly cloudy and in the 80s so we were in and out of the sun all day. Most of the time we had a nice cooling breeze but we had periods of calm when we got very hot.

Barbara seemed to be ever present either following us or waiting at the top of the next hill.She was very vigilant and prepared with cold drinks, fruit, snacks and water. We were frequently getting some equipment like a rain jacket from the van or putting it into the van. She did an amazing job of sagging all four days always doing what was needed for the riders.

We continued to go up and down all day but mostly up. In years past we stopped at Panorama in Thornton Gap 2304' to eat but the Spanglers had scouted this ride and knew that the restaurant was closed. Therefore we passed Panorama starting our second great climb of 5+ miles for the day. We climbed up through the tunnel to Hazel Mountain Overlook 2770' at 33 miles into the ride. It was relatively flat for lunch. Again Barbara was prepared with rolls, lunch meats, lettuce, condiments, cheese, fruit, chips, cold drinks, ice, etc. I had a mustard, lettuce, cheese and ham sandwich with chips, a chocolate pastry desert and lots of peach ice tea. I don't normally eat chips but I need to while biking for the salt and it helps me drink and retain more fluids. The peach ice tea that Barbara makes is the most refreshing drink I know when the biking is hot and hard.

Pete was cramping in both legs. After some massaging and ice packs he was ready to go. We resumed the climb and within 50 yards Pete cramped again in both legs. After avoiding falling on his bike he abandoned the ride and sagged with Barbara.

The valleys on both sides of the mountains were clear so we had some great scenes at the overlooks. Although we mostly climbed we did have some good downhills. It was a bit of a concern because as we rounded one turn at high speed there were two deer in our lane. We saw other deer and a big black snake probably a rat snake get run over by a car.

Near the Skyland turn off we came to the highest point on Skyline Drive sign at 3680'. We started the day in Front Royal at about 1000' or less. We had one more big climb under threatening skies to Big Meadows Lodge 3721' arriving at 3:08. The clerk handed me the key and I walked my bike to room 5 $92.47 and the skies opened up with thunder and lightening as I closed the door behind me.

We biked 53.55 miles in 5:06:56 averaging 10.4 miles per hour reaching a maximum speed of 36.0 mph climbing 6720' and descending 3850' in 9 climbs.

After a refreshing shower and the storm subsiding, Pete, Ron and I went to the cellar bar where I had two draft Hefenwiesen. The power went off for about 3 hours. At 5:50 we all went to dinner in the lodge. I had a pork chop, mashed potatoes, carrots and broccoli medley, salad, ice tea and blackberry cobbler ala mode for $32.67. The meal was very good. The menu was limited because of the power outage. Bill had broken a spoke in his rear wheel and I gave him some grief about it needing work. He managed to fix it after borrowing a wrench from another guest and finding a spoke the appropriate size. The wheel held up and ran true the rest of the trip. Five tired old guys (65-71) retired early as I turned the lights out at 9:31.

Wednesday May 19, 2004 Bike Big Meadows to Afton

Got up at 6:26. It is cool about 60^o with an overcast sky. Everyone met in the dining room at 8:00 for breakfast. I had orange juice, milk and buckwheat cakes with raspberries and sausage for $16.26 including tip.

We were ready to ride at 9:15. We started downhill from 3721' and most of the first 10 miles would be downhill. With the chill, spitting rain and wind from the downhill we started with our rain jackets on. Despite the rain it never was enough to get us wet. We descended past Lewis Mountain campground into Swift Run Gap 2365' where US-33 crosses the Skyline Drive. Here we encountered our first major climb of the day so we shed our coats and refreshed ourselves with water and snacks.

The terrain here is quite mountainous so we did several ups and downs before reaching Loft Mountain at over 2860'. I had a fish sandwich, chips and a vanilla milk shake for $9.08.

Today is our easiest day so after lunch we did some climbing but it was mostly down. We passed the South Entrance gate at the 105 mile post in Rockfish Gap 1900' about 2:25. We were in the Inn at Afton by 2:30 where we checked into room 245 $63.90.

We biked 55.69 miles in 4:11:12 averaging 13.3 mph reaching a maximum 37.0 mph climbing 3790' and descending 5400' in 5 climbs.

The restaurant at the Inn was not open despite assurances that it would be. As it turned out it was a blessing in disguise. We unloaded the Spangler's van and set up the fold down seats. Bill drove us two exits west on I-64 to the South River Grill. The grill was big, airy, friendly and good. We had two waitresses that were friendly, efficient and fun. They had a guitarist and vocalist that was very good playing and singing a good selection of well known hit songs from the past. The owner came out and chatted with us for a few moments. It really poured as we ate. I had two draft Yuenglings, tortilla chicken soup, salad, seafood pasta, strawberry cheesecake and water for $41.22 including tip. A bunch of happy bikers were back at the motel early and in bed about 9:45.

Thursday May 20, 2004 Bike Afton to Big Meadows

Got up at 6:26. It is 65^o and fog. The fog keeps intensifying as time passes. Bill and I ride up in his van to the entrance gate. It is clear with no fog and no ranger to get information. We all go to breakfast in Dulaney's Restaurant in the motel. I have a western omelet, homefries, toast, orange juice and milk for $10.13 including tip.

We are slow getting out of the restaurant and slow getting started as the fog is really thick now. We coast down the hill across US-250 1900' then cross the bridge over I-64. Pete discovers that he left his biking glasses and mirror in the room. Barbara takes Pete back to the motel in the van. Upon their return we continue up to the gate. The ranger again checks our Golden Age Passes and zip codes. He says that it is clear up higher and lets us go at 9:55.

We climbed steadily but not too steeply for about 5 miles to Beagle Gap 2532' before descending into Jarman Gap 2175'. Conditions are changing constantly from dense fog to perfectly clear, to brief sunshine, misting rain then back into the fog. We couldn't always tell if it was raining or that the fog was so dense that it was water vapor. This would continue all day with the temperature in the 65-70^o range. We were climbing again up to Crimora Lake Overlook at 2975' before descending again to Blackrock Gap 2330'. As you might guess it was up again to Loft Mountain 2860'.

We stopped for lunch and I had a barbecue pork sandwich, chips and ice tea for $7.93. We took a long time for lunch and as we left it started to rain lightly. We decided to wait under the roof overhang and it stopped in 10-15 minutes.

We were off downhill on a wet road with some nice mountain curves in and out of the fog to Simmons Gap 2255'. Off course we had another 5 mile climb to Swift Run Overlook 2740' before a fast 1 mile descent to Swift Run Gap 2365' where US-33 crosses. Next is a long climb of about 8 miles to Lewis Mountain Camp 3295' in the fog, clear, fog and sunshine. The last ten miles was a little up and down ultimately gaining a little to Big Meadows Lodge 3510' arriving at 3:59. Pete and I are in room 5 $92.47 again. In fact the Spanglers are in room 2 and Ron and Gary in room 1 again.

We biked 55.61 miles in 4:47:44 averaging 11.6 mph reaching a maximum 36.0 mph climbing 5400' and descending 3790' in 7 climbs. Barbara, Bill, Pete, Ron and I retired to the pub before showering for a draft Hefenwiesen $23.37 including tip. It went down easy. After a shower we went to supper in the lodge at 5:30. I had rice, broccoli, squash, trout, bread, salad, ice tea and blackberry cobbler ala mode for $30.93 including tip. It was pleasant out so we walked to the high rock overlook before retiring to our rooms. Pete and I discussed several things and managed to stay up until 10:00.

Friday May 21, 2004 Bike Big Meadows to Front Royal

Got up at 6:30 to a pleasant morning with a moderate temperature and clear in the valley below. I was ready to go in a few minutes and took my bike out on the verandah with Ron's bike. I was talking to Bill when I noticed a spot on my rear tire and when I checked it found the cord showing. In fact the cord was showing almost all the way around the tire. I took it off and replaced it with the Kevlar foldup tire I carry in my rear rack pack. We all went to breakfast a little late at 7:40. Our waitress was a nice young woman named Bolbara from Hungary. I had an orange juice, milk and an omelet with cheese, mushroom, onion and sausage for $13.45. We were ready to go when some cyclists from the Environmental Protection Agency came in. They said the ranger pulled them off the road because of a storm watch for the next hour and a half. We waited about 30 minutes and there was no sign of any storm.

We finally started about 9:30 coasting down hill about a mile to Skyline Drive then heading north. This was the day for downhills being paid back for all the hard work on Tuesday. We descended from 3500' to Fishers Gap Overlook 3140' before climbing back to Crescent Rock Overlook 3550'. After a brief 200' descent we were climbing again to 3680' and the highest point on Skyline near the Skyland entrance.

We were ready for our first long descent of the day. We let our bikes run for about ten miles with one short 150' climb in the middle. I reached 40 miles per hour as we hurtled down around sharp mountain curves through a tunnel into Thornton Gap at 2304' about 1375' below where we started. We climbed 150' to Pass Mountain Overlook where we stopped for lunch at 22 miles near mile post 30.

Barbara was waiting with the van. I had a mustard, lettuce, cheese and ham sandwich, chips, fruit tart, chocolate pastry and the last remaining peach ice tea. Two young coeds from the University of Maryland pulled in and we talked to them about hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Back on our bikes we passed through a relatively flat area passing trails like Jeremy's Run which we have hiked with the Mountain Club of Maryland on Wednesdays. We had our last major climb passing Elkwallow Service Station and Mathews Arm campground up to Hogback Overlook 3385' at mile post 25. From here we bobbed up a few times but we were steadily losing altitude to Gooney Run Overlook 2085' at about mile post 7. From here it was all downhill and steep. We were off to the races in a line hovering around 40 miles per hour. It was an exhilarating feeling soaring down the mountain carving the sharp turns in both directions. The unwritten rule is you can't use your brakes although I touched my briefly on the 20 mph hairpin turn. We all arrived in Front Royal excited, safe and pleased with our four day ride at 2:15.

We biked 52.28 miles in 3:49:05 averaging 13.6 mph reaching a maximum 40.0 mph climbing 3850' and descending 6720' in 9 climbs. Wow!

We loaded our bikes and gear, said good-bye and drove home our separate ways.