Glad I had a four lane road this morning. The traffic was some of the worst I’ve ridden in. I couldn’t figure out where they were going. But after the first 10 miles, traffic thinned, and the road went to two lanes and so much more friendly. I had about a five mile climb to where the Shenandoah byway met the Blue Ridge Parkway. That climb was fun, but Eby errored out on me again just before the top. I stopped, turned him off, and we had a few words. Then, I took off again.

The downhill from the top was four miles of 7% grade. After that, I had another 24 miles of up and down, much harder than the up on the other side. I wanted to ride back up to the Shenandoah parkway tomorrow, but I’ve changed my mind. Four miles of 7% would be ok but not those 24 miles before it. I was whipped when I got to town, and it wasn’t a long day. Just relentless. So I’m planning another route.

I rode around in circles, trying to find the bike shop and my motel. I think I know the downtown area pretty well now. Geez. I was tired and just kept riding up and down the same dumb hills. But Eby got checked out. His computer needed to be updated. The mechanic said it’s like your phone being updated. The trek bike computers need to be updated every now and then. Geez. It’s only been three months. But he should be ok. I sure hope so. It is pretty freaky to have it die on a hill.

I wanted to visit Monticello but couldn’t find that either. I gave up and will start over tomorrow. After I go to the bike shop again. I forgot to have them check out why I have no lights. I had them the morning of my crash, but the next day, I noticed they didn’t work. And I forgot to mention it when I was there. Dang!

Knee is feeling and looking much better. Starting to itch, which I guess means it is healing.

I went to dinner at a steak house next door to the motel, and boy was I shocked. A glass of wine was $9-13. Bottles ranged from $46-106 for chardonnay and $32-300 for reds. I was shocked. These are for real, no typos. Steak entrees ran from $30-90, and appetizers ran from $10-29. I had a salad and baked potato with water and got out for $18. This isn’t even the ritzy part of town.