Day 2 - June 10, 2002

Jamestown to Ashland, VA (Americamps North)

Ride distance: 75.5 miles (121.5 km)
Total to date: 101.0 miles (162.7 km)
Moving time: 5 hr. 40 min.
Average Speed: 13.3 mph (21.4 km/hr)
Total ascent: 1318 ft. (401.7 m)
Minimum elevation: 28 ft. (8.5 m)
Maximum elevation: 231 ft. (70.4 m)
Ending elevation: 218 ft. (66.4 m)
Wind: calm
Weather: hot and humid. 61°F minimum, 90°F high

My first hot, long day

This was a much longer day than yesterday and the farthest distance I have ever ridden in a single day in my life. I got up at 6:00am and was on the road by 6:30am. I take and give this as good advice since it is much cooler in the morning than during the height of the day. It was 61° when I left in the morning and it got up to 90° and was very hot with no wind. I'll get up early like this as often as possible and avoid riding between 10:00am and 4:00pm. It is supposed to be 95° tomorrow and sunny.

I passed Sherwood Forest - home of President John Tyler - about 8:00am but they don't open until 9:00am. To the right is a QuickTime video from the front gate. If it doesn't automatically play then just click on it.

I saw many plantations and battlefields along the way. I also saw a perfect replica of the General Lee - the car from Dukes of Hazard.

[Here is an e-mail I later received regarding this car: Just wanted to let Larry know that the copy of the General Lee that he passed on Day 2 is actually owned by the guy that played Cooter (the mechanic) on the Dukes of Hazard. Cooter's is a novelty shop/restaurant that is a regular stopping point for day hikers from the DC area that are returning from the Shenandoah Forest. Enjoying the site! Chris Jackson, Washington, DC]

The roads were very smooth and the traffic was light early in the day. People were very courteous all day.

The campsite here is very nice and I got a chance to hook up to the Internet, do my laundry and enjoy a redneck dinner of mac'n'cheese and hot dogs. [Postscript: I stayed at the Ashland Americamps North campground which is near the Ponderosa where John Lee Malvo and his accomplice shot a man during the "DC Sniper" shootings in fall 2002.]

Food: 1L orange juice (440 Cal.), Hostess Blueberry Muffin Loaf (170 Cal.), Chicken salad sandwich (220 Cal.), 1/2 L apple juice (110 Cal.), Macaroni and Cheese (1100 Cal) with four hot dogs (320 Cal), 5 L water. I also bought two C batteries for the GPS and a packet of laundry detergent that is good for two loads. I washed my clothes as well.

Total Energy: 2360 Cal

Food cost: $14.55

Camping cost: $8.10


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