Aka uphill and into the wind.

Holy shit!

Today was a really long, difficult, and boring 73 miles. I netted about 300 feet of elevation gain but I must have climbed 100 hills today. I was over biking at mile 40 but still had another 30 to go — not a good feeling! It reminded me of the Fountainhead off-road half marathon I did with Catherine and Johan which was brutal.

Anyway I made it in the end and am only a day away from Raleigh. I used Galen’s advice for avoiding dog confrontations by getting off and walking my bike when three dogs came at me from different directions. I got off, walked slowly, and grabbed my mace. They stopped approaching me and their owner came out and called them over and assured me they wouldn’t bite. THANKS LADY! I think people should just get guard cats like this household…

I eventually made it to route 1 after about 30 miles and had a 40 mile journey on it to go. I made a pit stop at a gas station in McKenney where I ate a Snickers bar and a sausage (exciting stuff). I tried to check my iPhone for texts but it had died by noon. (Side note: Way to go Apple you’ve essentially bricked my phone with the iOS7 upgrade. Dicks)

Anyway, I eventually used my iPad to route the last 8 miles or so and it let me up a gravel road that went into peoples back yards who had, you guessed it, dogs barking at me. Ugh. I decided just to stay on 1 the whole way even though it was a little longer and eventually got to the Best Western in South Hill. This is what he majority of my day looked like.

Here is my bike on the South Hill sign

Finally, I biked past Butts and Butts law firm. Can only hope one of them is named Seymour… Heyooooo!

Tomorrow is 75 miles to Raleigh. Going to leave at 7:00 and keep my fingers crossed the hills aren’t as bad as today.