Day 10: Christiansburg, VA - Wytheville, VA

Day 10, Wedensday, 7/9/97, 4:45pm
49.04 Miles; 6 hours, 51 minutes
On-bike time: 4 hours, 51 minutes
Avg speed: 10.08 mph
Max speed: 45 mph

After a pleasant night's rest at the Christiansburg Super 8, Ben and I were ready to pedal by 5:40 a.m..

Since the hotel was located north of the TransAmerica Trail, we decided to stay off route and trim some miles off today's ride. We rode west on SR 114 and turned onto Route 11 South, which took us into the town of Dublin. In Dublin we stopped at a Laundromat to use the rest rooms. Inside, I found the pinball game Black Knight. I was so excited to find this game since my friends and I used to play it all the time in high school in Wausau, Wisconsin. Ben also played a game called Spy Hunter. It was a fun break from pedaling.

From Dublin, we took SR 100 South to get back to the TransAmerica Trail. We headed toward Draper where we picked up a package of food from the Post Office. We had mailed it to Draper on the third day of our trip when we realized we had packed too much food. We also rode to the bike shop to get a new front tire, but it was closed.

Along CR 658 we were pumping hard uphill and paused to rest and take some pictures. Suddenly a small (very cute) dog came running over, barking madly. He seemed sweet, so I went to take his picture. The closer I got to him, the more he began to jump up and down and show his teeth. I guess he didn't like to be photographed! He was very well behaved however, and never crossed the road or tried to chase us. Across the road from the house, there was a beautiful vista we just had to "panoramaize."

Today's ride was difficult again. We passed over many hills and spent a good deal of time riding up. I was extremely exhausted and didn't feel up to much biking today. Thankfully, Ben took us off route at Ft. Chiswell to trim a few more miles off our ride. At the junction of SR 121 and I-81, rather than turning North onto 121, we continued straight onto the frontage road all the way into Wytheville.

Along the way we stopped at a lawn and garden store to harass some rather large lawn ornaments. I'm not sure if anyone would want a ten foot tall elephant on their lawn, but it certainly provided us with an amusing break from pedaling!

As we came to within a mile of Wytheville, we were discouraged to find out it was a steep climb to the Holiday Inn. Lately it seems as if our toughest climbs are at the end of the day. Nothing motivates me more than the thought of our air conditioned room waiting for us! Staying in hotels has really been a blessing. While camping is fun, a clean, cool room with a soft bed really helps me to recover the energy I lose during the day!

This evening, we’re being hosted by the Wytheville Holiday Inn. The Holiday Inn is located at exit 73 on I-81. It features the following:

· 199 Rooms
· Lounge and Restaurant
· Outdoor Pool
· Rooms with Coffeemaker · Refrigerator available
· Free HBO and Cable
· Room Service
· Laundry Service

The hotel rooms have a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains (most of which we rode around, not over, thankfully). There are several restaurants located nearby, as well as limited groceries at nearby gas stations. The hotel is being renovated, so it should be even nicer in approaching months. The pool is really nice, and we were told the restaurant and room service are good, and that the lounge is quite lively!

To get to the hotel while riding the TransAmerica Trail, follow the instructions on map 137. DO NOT turn North on US 121. Rather, ride across 121 onto the next frontage road, F-043. As you approach exit 73, ride across the freeway overpass and turn right onto the frontage road on the other side. At the Stop sign, turn right, and turn left at the light. The Holiday Inn will be on your right. To make a reservation, call 540-228-5483!

Retrun to Bike Trip Page