From the above profile, one might expect a nice 12-mile coast with a couple of rollers on the way to the Meyersburg GAP access. I certainly did. So did my other sanity checkers. It was just luck we drove the same route to the motel yesterday. There was a godawful climb and several miles of no shoulder heavy I had not picked up on spot checks with Google street view. We took the van.
Ross and Bob had previously loaded their bikes inside the van, so there was room for DTI’s bike on the rack. Jimmy’s lighter bike was placed in the unreliable last position and securely (we hoped) tied down. Ross climbed into the rear with luggage so DTI had a place to sit.
We left DTI’s truck at the motel to make our shuttle Tom B’s shuttle back shorter. After a safe drive to the Meyersdale GAP access we set off, leaving the van in welcome center parking for the day.
The 8-mile, slightly uphill, cycle to the eastern continental divide was augmented by a stop at an Amish farm selling doughnuts, other pastries, brown eggs, tomatoes, and pumpkins. We only bought doughnuts.
While stopped at the entrance to the continental divide for pictures, Tom B and Jennifer arrived from their 23-mile climb up. Joyous first time in person greetings in a long time and more images later, we set out for the 22-mile coast. Actually, some pedaling for stability on gravel and to match other quite heavy cycle traffic. A truly unique experience. Early leaf color and a late appearance of sunshine made the last half perfect.
In Meyersburg, Tom B and Jennifer drove Bob and me back to the Grantsville Comfort Inn, from which Bob drove us to Meyersburg. WE set our GPS units for Cumberland Ramada Inn but still managed to go 15 miles before realizing we were headed in the wrong direction. Oh, well, it gave Tom a chance for a nap.
We checked in and negotiated the complex rooming and payment situation like the pros we had become. By 5:30 pm, we began the where to eat negotiation. Tom B reported a 1 ½ hour wait at the Crabby Pig, choice number 1.
Multiple with back and forth texts, we settle on Ristorante Ottaviani, a five minute walk. We dared not move the van lest we not have a spot on return.
There we were shunted to couches in the lounge section for a reported 45-min wait for a table. OK, as it fit out Octo lunch pattern of firstbee socializing before ordering food. In the lounge, was a table perfect for us with no wait if we only had pizza or salad. And some beverage. That was fine with us.
The pizzas were good, beer was acceptable and Bob had no complaints about his margaritas. Tom surprised us by paying for all. Thanks Tom. I owe you one more.
We said our goodbyes to Tango Bravo and Jennifer as our IRL paths parted. We’ll meet on Zoom in a couple of days.
Then back to the Motel, I visited with DTI and Jimmy in the lobby for a while. Bob had his gear sorted and was asleep when I got to the room.
As I type this, the next morning Bob is off to Baltimore by shuttle to secure his rental car for a drive to his first stop on his next cycling leg back to Hendersonville. Otherwise, a rest day for us to visit more with DTI and wrap up chores, like this narrative.
Tomorrow its a good day’s drive back to Hendersonville, TN.
Bruce
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