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.