A month before the trip began, we went on a 10-day, 675-mile bike trip on Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina with Black Bear Adventures. We figured the shorter daily miles would ease us into Cross-Country form-- and boy did we underestimate that trip! (We overlooked the 55,000 feet of climbing described in the literature.) But we made it, in good spirits and better shape than when we started off. (Okay, Ed was in both better spirits and shape all along. His perpetual good humour and capacity for self-punishment amaze me.) That's us on the right.
It was a great trip, with beautiful scenery, safe roads, and good company. Blackbear Adventures owner and guide Paul Wood runs a pro trip with everything we needed, including some good ol' Southern soul food like fried chicken, biscuits and gravy. Definitely recommended if you're looking for an unforgetable cycling trip in the Blue Ridge Mountains: www.blackbearadventures.com
