One block from our hotel, we picked up the Mt. Vernon trail and joined the hundreds of people already out exercising and enjoying the 70° morning.  The view along the Potomac in the early morning light was pretty impressive.  We took pictures when we could, but the obstacle course of people proved to be challenging; though we were happy to be on the trail and not road.  We passed Reagan National Airport, loosing our last opportunity to take the quick and easy way home.  A quick drop on to the road through Old Town Alexandria then back on the trail.  Our obstacle course started adding sharp ups and downs, too tight and crowed to enjoy any opportunity for a downhill (or photo).  Our almost nineteen mile trail, ended at George Washington’s home of Mt. Vernon.  We climbed past Washington’s Distillery and Gristmill and made our way to Route 1 and breakfast.  Not sure how we managed 22 miles of ups and downs on a cup of coffee, but knew we needed replenishment, soon.  Once out on the open road, we realized just how strong the southeast wind was blowing.  What a pleasure the last week on the trails had been, not having to concern ourselves with the wind.

Not much more to see or talk about from here; it was just a matter of forward progress and survival.  In an effort to get off the very busy (no shoulder) Highway One, we ventured on a much longer, much hiller “alternative” route.  It took every muscle in our bodies to climb the long and steep hills into the wind, one after another. The one and only option for a picture was as we crossed the  Occoquan River; it was also the only flat portion on our ride. It took several miles to rejoin Route 1, but the climbing continued, as did the wind.  We stopped often to catch our breath and give our legs a break.  The traffic, narrow shoulder and wind was really working us and we felt every mile of the last 50 days.  We actually managed to do close to 54 miles, before calling Uncle.  Thankfully, dinner was right next door and sleep not far away.

An overcast early Sunday morning start to avoid as much of the traffic as possible.  Hills began with the first pedal push and did not quit, so photos were at a minimum.  We began to curse the Mattaponi River, as we dropped to met the Ni Creek, then the Po Creek and finally, the Matta creek; having to climb up from each creek bed.  Thankfully, traffic was sparse as we crept along the treelined road.  Pedaling through Fredericksburg, the trees had dropped away and we noticed there was a slight in your face breeze beginning to rustle the flags; that would not be helpful.  We had pushed hard up and down the relentless long hills, reaching the south edge of Fredericksburg by 8:45.

Our next goal was to reach Ashland by noon, but the hills were non-stop.  The silver lining being the fast fly-downs and the mostly overcast sky.  A carrot of a Hardee’s ice tea, kept us pushing up each hill.  Reaching the edge of town, made a quick detour for a photo of my childhood home, then some iced cold tea.  Never in a million years, would we have expected to see this sign.  Defeated after pedaling 52 miles in five hours, and dripping in the humidity, we limped to the next place a quarter of a mile away and chilled.  It was a nice, long refreshing break and just what we needed to continue.  By the time we left the air conditioning, the sun made a brief visit and the temperatures that had held below 80°, soared into the 90’s.  The traffic had also gotten crazy, the wind was now serious, but so close to seeing family, we were not discouraged.

We’d spent just over six and a half hours on the bike, cranking out 71 miles, but all was forgotten when we reached my father’s home for a mini-family reunion.  Meet my cousin Bobby, his wife Kim, my father and you should know the other two characters.  It was a wonderful evening.

An overcast, humid early(6:50 a.m.) morning start; so humid it fell on us a bit, as we crossed over the interstate (for the first of four times) on our way around the city’s rush hour traffic.  A few hills, two hours and twenty miles later, we stopped on the southeast side of the city; we needed a break from the hectic start and some breakfast.

By the time we pushed away from breakfast, the work day had begun.  Traffic was light, though we had ample shoulder on several miles of flat road.  Once the hills started to build, the road narrowed and the shoulder was minimal, but traffic was still light.  The on/off light sprinkle kept the morning in the low 70’s.  Treetops rustled in the wind, which we did not experience until a few miles before Williamsburg; thankfully, it was not directly in our face.  There had not been many opportunities to stop on this road between Richmond and Williamsburg.  So after five hours of hard pedaling, we took a lunch break on the edge of town.  Twenty minutes after lunch, we were checked in.

The disadvantage of bicycling an area we have lived and traveled for years, is nothing seems new, so we forget to take pictures for memory sake.  Not to mention the barn door is open and we are ready to be home!

One last night of pasta, before back to the reality of not gorging ourselves all day, everyday.  A delicious choice and good conclusion to a 63 mile day.

Humid clouds covered the sun, but we were happy to have the shade on the already warm 71° morning.

Leaving at 7:30 and biking through Colonial Williamsburg, traffic was minimal.  Even through the campus of William and Mary, few co-eds were up and about yet.  It was a beautiful ride through the town; flags being displayed, flowers blooming and some interesting artwork.  Once past Busch Gardenswe were free from the stoplights and our pace began to increase.  With not a lot to see on this straight stretch, we turned our attention to the sky.as the sun started to make a breakthrough.  The break from the stoplights did not last long, but that did not seem to slow our pace.  One such stoplight, offered a colorful reminder of the beach.  We reached our pick-up point 15 minutes ahead of schedule.  We took a break for some ice cold tea and a visit with Jerry’s brother, Bobby.  But home was beckoning, so we loaded the Duckies in the back of Bobby’s truck and we headed through the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. We said our quick goodbyes(photo courtesy of Travis, who joined us for this last leg) and then began our final stretch.  The sun had burned most of the clouds away and with it, the humidity.  Everything seemed brighter and more colorful.  A cool breeze was coming off the Chesapeake Bay; it was an absolutely gorgeous day.  Not sure how we managed any photos with the finish line in sight, but we were flying high and fast.  We covered our last 15 miles in just over an hour.  In fact, we managed to bike the 53 miles from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach in four hours, which includes 45 miles of stoplights.  Home was a beautiful sight.

Couldn’t resist a picture of our celebratory dinner!  We thank everyone for joining us this trip and hope to have a conclusion summary posted soon.

Arlington to Virginia Beach, Virginia

4 day week

241 Miles