(This post refers to the Thursdat 7th May)
I had a fairly disturbed night, yet felt pretty refreshed in the morning. The weather was awful last night, TV reports show that there was a tornado somewere at one point. Weather is/will improve as I both travel west, and time goes on. I think I might camp tomorrow night, if the weather forcast doesn't predict storms.
After a breakfast of eggs, burgers and biscuits (muffin type things), I managed to get away at about 9:30. I set off to go to Mechanicsville, where I planned to stay in Richmond. However, I decided that the 8 mile detour wasn't worth it, and so I stuck to my route for about 15 miles or so, ending up in Ashland. My day today was spent going around the edge of Richmond, Which was a bit annoying because I was heading North for a fair amount of time. I arrived here at about 3:45pm, and booked a room in a very cheap ($45) motel, more storms are forcast for tonight. I phoned home, had a shower and went out in search of food. I decided upon a pizzaria, and managed 2/3 of a pizza, the last 1/3 will do for breakfast.
As I write this, my legs feel as though they've done some excersise, but not completely exhausted. I'm hoping to set off earlyish tomorrow, even though I'm not going very far. Charlottesville is about 100 miles away, which is too far for one day (at the moment anyway, my backside can't take that kind of distance quite yet), resulting in two shorter days. Oh well, at least progress is being made, and if I keep on feeling how I do now, I shouldn't need a rest day for a little while yet.
Friday, 8 May 2009
Day Six - Started.
(Sorry for the lack of updates, this post refers to Wednesday 6th May.)
Today, I am happy to report that I have started cycling! I checked out of my room at about 10:30am, and got a taxi down to where my bike was being rebuilt. Luckily, it was ready for me on arrival. Perhaps it was the prayer my taxi driver said for me before I got out (he took quite an interest in my travels). I cycled up to Old Yorktown, In particular Victory Momument, and set off at 1pm on the dot. (don't ask me where all that time went, because I have no idea either). It took me a while to cover the first mile, as I had to stop for the obligatory 'dip my rear wheel into the Atlantic'. I set off down a road called 'Colonial Parkway', which had a single lane either way, with an overtaking lane in the middle, which made the whole thing more pleasant than cycling on a normal road. I arrived in Williamsburg, which was like being transported backwards 100? 200? 300? 400? years..? I have no idea about American History, but there were people on horse & cart, and women carrying around pales. I wasn't sure if it was a tourist attraction (there were tourists everywhere, but I don't know if it was how they really all live, or if they're just pretending. It was pretty surreal either way.
I for lost around here for quite a while, I didn't realise where I was was the entirity of the place. I eventually found my way, and continued towards Jamestowne (with an 'e' apparently). I stopped for a quick rest here, but regretted it (sort of) afterwards. There were flies EVERYWHERE! It was probably a combination of me smelling, and being close to water. I left here and headed to Charles City, my stopover point. This was my first taste of how straight American roads can be, and straight they are. So straight that you can still see the car ahead of you that overtook you about 10 minutes ago. I was flagging at this point, my saddle was hurting me (that's what you get
for not riding for a while) and my legs were aching. Since I set off at 1pm, I needed to make sure I made it to Charles City before dark, which I did do, though I don't know what time. Before 6 I think. It was just as well too, because as forcast, the heavens opened, rain thunder and lightning throughout the evening and night. I am staying in a B&B, which is essentially a ladys house with a spare room. She was kind enough to make me cheese on toast earlier, which was nice of her. I can't remember where I'm heading tomorrow because I left my map with my bike, but I'll have more than 5 hours to complete my days cycling. I went about 50 miles of my route today, and about 10 miles getting to my start point. I'm suitably tired, and so will be going to sleep now (9:15pm) in order to be up for breakfast at 8:30am, hopefully on the road by 9.
Today, I am happy to report that I have started cycling! I checked out of my room at about 10:30am, and got a taxi down to where my bike was being rebuilt. Luckily, it was ready for me on arrival. Perhaps it was the prayer my taxi driver said for me before I got out (he took quite an interest in my travels). I cycled up to Old Yorktown, In particular Victory Momument, and set off at 1pm on the dot. (don't ask me where all that time went, because I have no idea either). It took me a while to cover the first mile, as I had to stop for the obligatory 'dip my rear wheel into the Atlantic'. I set off down a road called 'Colonial Parkway', which had a single lane either way, with an overtaking lane in the middle, which made the whole thing more pleasant than cycling on a normal road. I arrived in Williamsburg, which was like being transported backwards 100? 200? 300? 400? years..? I have no idea about American History, but there were people on horse & cart, and women carrying around pales. I wasn't sure if it was a tourist attraction (there were tourists everywhere, but I don't know if it was how they really all live, or if they're just pretending. It was pretty surreal either way.
I for lost around here for quite a while, I didn't realise where I was was the entirity of the place. I eventually found my way, and continued towards Jamestowne (with an 'e' apparently). I stopped for a quick rest here, but regretted it (sort of) afterwards. There were flies EVERYWHERE! It was probably a combination of me smelling, and being close to water. I left here and headed to Charles City, my stopover point. This was my first taste of how straight American roads can be, and straight they are. So straight that you can still see the car ahead of you that overtook you about 10 minutes ago. I was flagging at this point, my saddle was hurting me (that's what you get
for not riding for a while) and my legs were aching. Since I set off at 1pm, I needed to make sure I made it to Charles City before dark, which I did do, though I don't know what time. Before 6 I think. It was just as well too, because as forcast, the heavens opened, rain thunder and lightning throughout the evening and night. I am staying in a B&B, which is essentially a ladys house with a spare room. She was kind enough to make me cheese on toast earlier, which was nice of her. I can't remember where I'm heading tomorrow because I left my map with my bike, but I'll have more than 5 hours to complete my days cycling. I went about 50 miles of my route today, and about 10 miles getting to my start point. I'm suitably tired, and so will be going to sleep now (9:15pm) in order to be up for breakfast at 8:30am, hopefully on the road by 9.
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Day Five - Turn of Events.
I slept in until about 8:45 this morning, and headed back over to Bojangles for Jambalaya (kind of like a Mexican risotto). Having got back to my room, I found out that my bike status had gone from "we don't know where your bag is" to "your bag will be delivered to your hotel in the next 12 hours." Hurrah!
No sooner had I found this out (literally during the same phonecall), I had a knocking at my door. Sure enough, there was my bike, box (nearly) intact. I therefore decided that I'd go down to the bike shop and get it put together as soon as possible, so I can get going. I went down there, and the earliest they can get it done for is tomorrow, so I'm planning to head down at about 11ish and hope it's done, if not I'll pester them so it gets done. If it gets done in good time, I'll try and head as far as Charles City, which is about 40 miles away, if not then I'll only be able to make it as far as Williamsburg, which is only about 10 or so miles. We'll see how it goes. Rain is falling heavily at the moment, thunder is... well present, if it's really really bad then I won't go far.
Not a lot else to report to be honest, Ive just spent my evening trying to make my two front and two rear panniers equal in weight. My room is like a sauna at the moment, I'm trying to dry my clothes out that I put on to wash earlier.
I'll let everyone know how my first afternoon of cycling goes tomorrow evening, Internet access permitting.
No sooner had I found this out (literally during the same phonecall), I had a knocking at my door. Sure enough, there was my bike, box (nearly) intact. I therefore decided that I'd go down to the bike shop and get it put together as soon as possible, so I can get going. I went down there, and the earliest they can get it done for is tomorrow, so I'm planning to head down at about 11ish and hope it's done, if not I'll pester them so it gets done. If it gets done in good time, I'll try and head as far as Charles City, which is about 40 miles away, if not then I'll only be able to make it as far as Williamsburg, which is only about 10 or so miles. We'll see how it goes. Rain is falling heavily at the moment, thunder is... well present, if it's really really bad then I won't go far.
Not a lot else to report to be honest, Ive just spent my evening trying to make my two front and two rear panniers equal in weight. My room is like a sauna at the moment, I'm trying to dry my clothes out that I put on to wash earlier.
I'll let everyone know how my first afternoon of cycling goes tomorrow evening, Internet access permitting.
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Day Four - A Slight Revelation.
I spent today in a fairly similar way to how I spent yesterday - waiting to hear about my bike. I woke up at around 6:30ish, so apparently I'm not quite over the jetlag yet. I walked about a mile up the road to a diner which I found on Yelp - a really useful iPhone app. I ordered a cheese and bacon omlette (with the obligatory fries), which filled me up for pretty much the whole day.
I came. back to the room for a bit, and spoke to the parents. I had been having trouble contacting Atlanta airport + Delta to try and track down my bike (my room phone likes to call random people instead), and it's proved easier having them do it for me. The upshot of that was that the bike was checked in at Heathrow, but not at Atlanta, so it's suspected that it's been stolen by the baggage handlers. You can read more of that in a comment below. It looks like i'm going to be setting off on friday at the latest, be it on my lost bike, or my new bike that I will have bought.
So after all this, I went for a walk for a couple of hours, during which I saw a tortoise about to get itself run over so I turned him
round. :)
Not a lot else happened today to be honest. I went to a place called Bojangles to eat tonight, where I had a chicken burger and some very tasty chips (again), I can only compare them to the spicy ones you get in Nandos. I also got the most ridiculously large cup. it's MASSIVE.
Anyway, I'm getting tired, and I'll no doubt have another hard day tomorrow. Speak to you all soon!
P.S. - I feel I should add that I'm using my iPhone to write these, and it tends to decide on random words / spellings to throw in every so often.
I came. back to the room for a bit, and spoke to the parents. I had been having trouble contacting Atlanta airport + Delta to try and track down my bike (my room phone likes to call random people instead), and it's proved easier having them do it for me. The upshot of that was that the bike was checked in at Heathrow, but not at Atlanta, so it's suspected that it's been stolen by the baggage handlers. You can read more of that in a comment below. It looks like i'm going to be setting off on friday at the latest, be it on my lost bike, or my new bike that I will have bought.
So after all this, I went for a walk for a couple of hours, during which I saw a tortoise about to get itself run over so I turned him
round. :)
Not a lot else happened today to be honest. I went to a place called Bojangles to eat tonight, where I had a chicken burger and some very tasty chips (again), I can only compare them to the spicy ones you get in Nandos. I also got the most ridiculously large cup. it's MASSIVE.
Anyway, I'm getting tired, and I'll no doubt have another hard day tomorrow. Speak to you all soon!
P.S. - I feel I should add that I'm using my iPhone to write these, and it tends to decide on random words / spellings to throw in every so often.
Monday, 4 May 2009
Day Three - The Waiting Game.
Okay, so not a lot to report about today. Went to the supermarkt in the morning to get some general stuff, including some much needed vitamin C. I've decided that the best thing to do is pretty much conserve my money and wait by the phone for anyone to call about the bike.
The only news I have is that it definitely boarded the plane at London Heathrow, so i'm pretty sure it's at Atlanta, I'm pretty sure it isn't at Newport News, and if it is, it'll be sent over soonish. Customs at Atlanta were called too, and it would have definitely got through there (so they say) so it's not there. How many different places could it be?!
The only news I have is that it definitely boarded the plane at London Heathrow, so i'm pretty sure it's at Atlanta, I'm pretty sure it isn't at Newport News, and if it is, it'll be sent over soonish. Customs at Atlanta were called too, and it would have definitely got through there (so they say) so it's not there. How many different places could it be?!
Sunday, 3 May 2009
Day Two - Finding My Feet.
I woke up at about 6am this morning feeling a bit better about things. I watched teleshopping for a bit, before heading out to McDonalds for breakfast. I should probably mention that my Hotel is on an intersection, and there are fast-food places on every corner, sink had no choice really.. Anyway. I had a McSkittle Burrito (I think) which was basically steak + other stuff wrapped up like a fajita.
After more mooching around, I got a taxi down to the 'mall', only, some of the shops were the size of a Lidl. Outside of this mega-mall were more massive shops, which were a bit more than a stones throw apart. I feel like I've walked quite a long way today, even though Ive forked out about $45 on taxis. Seriously, you need a car to get ANYWHERE. Having said that, I sat in the front of this taxi that had chrome rims, and we listened to loud rap music. At first I was anxious because it didnt have a meter, but it was cheaper overall anyway. Big up Derrin. :)
My meal tonight consisted if a chicken manderin salad with honey Dijon dressing, which looked and sounded nice, but it was pretty grim tbh. Take it from me, oranges don't belong in salad.
Not a lot else to report to be honest, other than there is still no news on my bike, having waited until the time they suggested to call back. I'm not really sure what to do know, I'm going to call at 11:30ish (if I can stay up that long), as that was the time my flight was yesterday. everything crossed it's on there.
will report back tomorrow with progress.
After more mooching around, I got a taxi down to the 'mall', only, some of the shops were the size of a Lidl. Outside of this mega-mall were more massive shops, which were a bit more than a stones throw apart. I feel like I've walked quite a long way today, even though Ive forked out about $45 on taxis. Seriously, you need a car to get ANYWHERE. Having said that, I sat in the front of this taxi that had chrome rims, and we listened to loud rap music. At first I was anxious because it didnt have a meter, but it was cheaper overall anyway. Big up Derrin. :)
My meal tonight consisted if a chicken manderin salad with honey Dijon dressing, which looked and sounded nice, but it was pretty grim tbh. Take it from me, oranges don't belong in salad.
Not a lot else to report to be honest, other than there is still no news on my bike, having waited until the time they suggested to call back. I'm not really sure what to do know, I'm going to call at 11:30ish (if I can stay up that long), as that was the time my flight was yesterday. everything crossed it's on there.
will report back tomorrow with progress.
Saturday, 2 May 2009
First Day'n'Nite
I find myself writing this at 22:10 EST, which is 03:10 BST. I am EXHAUSTED. We took off to go to Newport News about 25 minutes ago, on a tiny little Canadair jet. I'm in row 14 of 14, with a jet engine in my left ear. Making general small talk to my fellow passengers around me - they love my accent, I love theirs, conversation goes along those lines.
Leaving this morning was harder than I thought. It really hit home when I went through passport control on my own. I kept thinking what the person who cut my hair said to me yesterday: "what doesnt kill you will make you stronger". I'm finding a lot of truth in that.
Flight to Atlanta was okay, 9 and a half hours of flyingplus an hour of taxiing in total (no exageration). Spoke to a guy who was flying to Colerado to be a rafting instructor for 6 months, having just spent the last 6 leading dives in Thailand. What a life... So I watched A whole host of films, including Quantum of Solace in Spanish - I didn't realise you could change / I had changed the language on my remote thing.. ah well.
After disembarking I spent an hour at immigration queuing. A flight just got in from Honduras before us, and they took AGES. I finally got through, and found my bag on the carousel. Fine. Went round to the oversize. bag collection, bike was nowhere to be seen. 45 minutes of panicing later, and I was assured by a guy at the airport that it would be sent to me tomorrow. This has put me a day behind already, but I've just got to stay optimistic about it, and hope for the best.. The guy who checked my boarding pass said that it might be on this plane, and I should wait for it just in case. As it stands, I don't know. I was really up for an alcoholic beverage earlier, found the perfect bar too, but of course, I'm not old enough. guh..
Hope all is well at home. :)
::Edit:: this didn't upload last night, got it working now.
Leaving this morning was harder than I thought. It really hit home when I went through passport control on my own. I kept thinking what the person who cut my hair said to me yesterday: "what doesnt kill you will make you stronger". I'm finding a lot of truth in that.
Flight to Atlanta was okay, 9 and a half hours of flyingplus an hour of taxiing in total (no exageration). Spoke to a guy who was flying to Colerado to be a rafting instructor for 6 months, having just spent the last 6 leading dives in Thailand. What a life... So I watched A whole host of films, including Quantum of Solace in Spanish - I didn't realise you could change / I had changed the language on my remote thing.. ah well.
After disembarking I spent an hour at immigration queuing. A flight just got in from Honduras before us, and they took AGES. I finally got through, and found my bag on the carousel. Fine. Went round to the oversize. bag collection, bike was nowhere to be seen. 45 minutes of panicing later, and I was assured by a guy at the airport that it would be sent to me tomorrow. This has put me a day behind already, but I've just got to stay optimistic about it, and hope for the best.. The guy who checked my boarding pass said that it might be on this plane, and I should wait for it just in case. As it stands, I don't know. I was really up for an alcoholic beverage earlier, found the perfect bar too, but of course, I'm not old enough. guh..
Hope all is well at home. :)
::Edit:: this didn't upload last night, got it working now.
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