VA - Day 3

Today we rode north from Lexington VA in a 55 mile loop up to Goshen and back. We were mostly in forests including the George Washington National Forest. The temperature today started fairly warm, in the low 70s. However, much of the time we were shaded by trees, so it did not feel that hot even as the temperatures drifted upwards into the low 80s.

Today’s profile included two main climbs, but they were in the first half of the ride. These days, Jesse and Ruth are both stronger climbers than me, so they slowly pulled away from me as the road turned upwards. The second half of the ride was generally a long gradual descent which was much more suited to me.

The ride itself was beautiful. We were on low traffic roads with lovely views.

As I ride, I try to keep an eye out for buildings that I find interesting. I liked how the green shutters and the moss on the roof made this building feel inviting. I checked with Ruth, and she said “Haunted. It looks nice, but that is how they get you. Definitely haunted.”

This view was fairly typical of the ride - woods on both sides of the road.

At one point, we passed a large lumber yard. It had stack after stack after stack of railroad ties. The view made me think of massive Jenga stacks ready for a Jenga championship for giants.

In a time long, long ago, I lived outside of Washington DC from 6th through 10th grades. My Boy Scout troop would spend two weeks each summer at Goshen Scout camp. It was through the scouts that I met Courtney Ellis, my closest childhood friend, one of my groomsmen, and a brother to me until he passed away several years ago at far too young an age. I have many wonderful memories of the two of us at scout camp. Seeing this sign brought those memories flooding back to me. Typing these words is bringing tears to my eyes. I remember at Courtney’s memorial service, five or six people (including me) started their remarks with “Courtney was my best friend.” He was a remarkable man whom I miss dearly.

Leaving Goshen Scout camp, we rode on a beautiful road following Bratton’s Run on our left with hills on our right.

Here we are at an overlook for Bratton’s Run.

Eventually, we swung away from the river and shifted to farmland.

I confess that I was not expecting long horned cows here. I think of them as being in places like Texas.

We ended our ride back in Lexington, cycling by Virginia Military Institute. After some well deserved ice cream, we then got sandwiches, piled into the car, and drove to Asheville NC where we will be riding the next three days.