June 22nd 2004
From Mallard Duck campsite to Troutville. Big Problems, but overcome. My
dearly beloved bike, which has been over the Galibier, the Tourmalet and
countless other passes, broke while on a backroad near Troutville. The weather
was lovely, the scenery very pleasant and we were on time. There was a crunch
from the back of the bike and suddenly peddling became difficult. It could
be walked up the hills and freewheeled down, so that's what I did, with
Guy giving me helpful pushes to keep me going on the flat bits. The local
cyclists that passed us were wonderful. Greg, a retired law officer from
Roanoke, was particularly helpful. Greg met us in Troutville with his van,
took me to a bike shop, where my frame was exchanged for a new Aluminium
one. The mechanics managed to overcome various problems along the way (different
clearances for brakes, etc, etc). Looks great and the whole thing was very
cheap. A big thank you to the Cardinal Cycles Staff - especially Billy,
John and Bob. My bike is now excellent. I even got a lift back to Troutville
where Guy was setting up camp in the local park. The cycling had been so
easy after the big hills, so why did it break there on a quiet lane, doing
about 3 mph?
The park was not that easy a place to sleep - we slept under a roof,
but during the night huge freight trains went past on the railway next
to the park. The trains had a very musical, but very loud, hooting, and
went passed at about 2.30 and 3.30am. Reminded me of the trains in Fried
Green Tomatoes in the Whistlestop Cafe - a place I could do with finding.
I think I slept for about 5 hours, if you add all the bits together.
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