August 6, Stage 31

August 6, Harrisonburg, VA to Ashland VA, 123 miles, 4300 climbing ft. Ride began with some flat and then a four-mile climb over the Blue Ridge Parkway at 22 miles. Brought back memories of the ride that Jason and Amy Ellen suggested that I take a week prior to their wedding 5 years ago. They lived in DC and arranged for me to ride to their wedding down Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway in a week. I think that it was around 600 miles--wonderful ride, with a few 100 mile days and a few 10,000 climbing feet days. Besides Amy Ellen's brother Ben, no one else thought that it was a good idea right before the wedding--"What if you have an accident, and ruin the wedding?" I was thinking of that on every single curving 35-40 mph descent the whole way. Unmatched enjoyable experience. PACTour has been gruelling, partly because of so long. Today began last night when I decided that the pain in my hip was severe enough that I would try the hospital emergency room again. Treated well, given a couple medications, that have not helped so far. On the bike I am fine, but walking is excruciating. Also, ended up with about 5 hours of sleep. The ride went well, but I am pretty well spent. Followed Marcy 30 miles with no stops into lunch. Then, rode pretty well on ups and downs to the end, until, with about 3 miles to get into Ashland, going up a hill, I was having trouble focusing and even holding onto the bars. Think I was overheated also. A couple of other riders stopped with me just as I was braking rather than falling over. Cooled down a little and made it in. Feel fine now, except for having ridden 3500 miles in the past month. Really weary, but the end is in sight. Tomorrow is flat and about 80 miles to Williamsburg, then a few pictures, ride back to the hotel, pack up the bikes and prepare to leave Thursday morning. Marsha will meet me in St. Louis, drive us to my 50th high school reunion--I will have some things to report on my recent life--then back to DM on Sunday, where I will promptly fall asleep each afternoon. The ride today was again spectacular, through winding county road, wooded areas, through Virginia agriculture areas--maybe peanuts--chased by dogs--I almost hit one--went by James Madison's home, Montpelier--did not stop for a tour, but it would be nice. Hundreds of places would be nice to visit with time. Spent some time on Monrovia Road. It along with Otterbien United Methodist Church in Harrisonburg yesterday, were some of the continuing United Methodist marks on life out here. Did see two Disciples of Christ churches and a Unitarian/Universalist Church, so Methodists do not corner the market. With the hurried schedule and all the visual images floating by all the time, and the effort of biking hour after hour safely, etc., etc., still have no time to reflect on the experience. That will come in time. Still have to get to Williamsburg tomorrow, which has been the driving goal.