Day 9: Troutville, VA - Christiansburg, VA

Day 9 - Tuesday, 7/8/97, 4:45pm
47.06 Miles; 7 hours, 56 minutes
On-bike time: 4 hours, 40 minutes
Avg speed: 10.05 mph
Max speed: 45.41mph

Sleeping in the park in Troutville last night proved to be an interesting experience. Around 8:00 p.m. the park became a very popular place with lots of excited, screaming kids. After about an hour we were able to fall back to sleep. Around 2:00 a.m. a long freight train came thundering by our tent! In my drowsiness, I was positive that the train was going to derail and roll right over us.

Despite these minor events, we slept well and were back on the road by 5:20 a.m..

We spent the first few hours riding steadily up and down the many hills leaving Troutville. Around 7:30, Ben discovered that the front tire was losing air. It turned out that the tube was wearing through the hole in the tire from the first blow out we had on Day 2. Ben spent the next 40 minutes repairing the tube (again) and the tire. Hopefully the patches will hold because the next bike shop is very far away.

During our entire ride today the terrain was mostly the same. We were winding through a valley, surrounded on both sides by spectacular hills and mountains. The weather was cool in the morning and the ride was refreshing. Pedaling up one large hill, we could see the sun shining through the trees as we looked down to the fields below. It was breath taking.

As we neared Christiansburg, we met a family that stopped to look at the bike. The Driscolls live at the junction of CR603 and SR460. Duncan asked lots of questions about the bike and gave us some advice about a new sportdrink available. He also mentioned that they would love to offer their front yard for bikers to pitch their tents!

The climb into Christiansburg was unbelievable! Everyone we met along the way spoke of "the hill" before town. They weren't kidding. We pushed the bike slowly and painfully uphill for at least two miles. A big hill at the end of the day is very difficult. When we made it to the top we knew we only had a mile or so to our hotel, which motivated us to keep going! It is amazing what we can accomplish when we put our minds (and pedals) to it!

This evening, we’re being hosted by the Christiansburg Super 8 Motel. The Super 8 is located at the corner of US460 and SR 114. It features the following:

· 50 Rooms
· Free Cable
· Free Coffee

While not a "full service" model, the Super 8 offers clean, spacious rooms at a reasonable price. It is conveniently located around a variety of shops and restaurants, so you can pick up anything you discovered you needed on the road. There’s a bowling alley across the street, too!

To get to the hotel while riding the TransAmerica Trail, follow the instructions on map 139. 1/5 of a mile after Ellitt, bear straight onto CR 603. At the next junction, bear straight onto CR 642. This takes you over the mountains, and is steep, but locals say it is no steeper than the mountains you’d have to cross to get into Christiansburg while on the TransAmerica Trail. At the light, turn left onto US460. After about a mile, the Super 8 will appear on your left. To make a reservation, call 540-382-5813. The Super 8 - a great room at a great price!

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