Melanie Bells- the one who makes people go "I bet that woman has a lighter"
I'm waiting to take my washcloth bath until Lyuda charges more cause I just *know* that the moment I wash off my bug repellent It's going to be a mad dash to the safety of my hammock before I get eaten alive
There's an electric plug in the bathroom! Overnight charging for one battery, yes!!!
Hope nobody steals my battery and charger. Should be fine though
So to end day one I would like to say that travelling alone through a rural area on an ebike so far has been pretty great. I've met some nice people, I've pet two dogs (one of which was the biggest I've ever met), people really like my bike, I've gone farther than I ever have in a day, I've seen some gorgeous views, I'm in a hammock and I can see the moon through the mosquito net. night night <3
After a quick half hour 6 mile climb I'm at what I think is my last charging station until I get to my destination. If I find another I'll top off but let's hope I have enough juice to get me through the day!
Also I have learned that bike bells are more effective on bunnies, deer, and squirrels than on people
A ranger just walked out of the place I'm surreptitiously charging and sees Lyuda and goes "WOW! that's an impressive machine!!" 🥰🥰
Other ranger came out "I wanted to talk to you.."
In my head "aw nuts"
"...I saw you putting a big bandage on are you okay?"
Awww it was just my exercise tape for my tendonitis !! That was so sweet! 🥰
Gotta say I know park rangers are law enforcement and I do think some of them have guns but in my very limited experience with them they do not put off the "you're in danger" vibe cops do.
how many people do park rangers kill
Turns out not that many but they sure do target homeless people a lot and there was the racist mesa Arizona ranger goon squad incident
I don't want to do it on an ebike but I really want to bike across the us
Maybe after I get and recover from surgery I'll set it as a goal to train towards
Hit the highest point on skyline drive earlier and going down has been an absolute delight.
I came the closest I ever have to losing control of the bike when I got slapped with a gust of wind while going around a sharp turn at a little over 40mph. Ngl it was kind of exhilarating that I managed to recover
Found a charging spot, I probably don't need to to get where I'm going but I'd rather top off for a little bit to be sure. There's a store here too so I'm considering getting an energy drink since it's been awhile since I've had one.
I've decided in favor of an energy drink. I'm tired of getting my caffeine from a pill I want it to taste like peach dreams or whatever
Oh they don't have any like the other store did , I'll wait till I get out of the park and hit up a 7/11 or something
People REALLY like Lyuda, she gets so many compliments and pretty much everywhere I stop where people are somebody comes up to me with questions
Just got to pet more dogs 🥰🥰🥰
I'm about to leave the park, only a few more miles and I'm out. It's been absolutely lovely here I definitely want to bike back this way
Just got some hot food for the first time since two days ago and I think I needed it more than the caffeine
Absolutely baking in this weather and loving it but needed a break after a long section of road with no shoulder and I found a wildlife rehabilitation center and got to watch them feed birds popsicles:)
78 of 105 miles for today done. I think I might take my time at this nature center. It's so pretty here and I just met a turtle named Freddy Cooter.
Wouldn't be a bike trip if I didn't get chased by a dog 😅
Nearing the end of my day's trip I'm taking it easy. I chose a longer route that went lazily along the river. Met some horses.
I passed by a brewery and I saw that they had lavender cider and "super duper spicy " cheese curds and was like "I want that". Pulled up and like the half the parking lot is conservative vehicles with right wing bumper stickers. I almost left cause here I am on my militant gay bike but I was like "you know what? Fuck them." Anyway the cheese curds are more just kind of spicy and not super duper, but they're good.
Sidenote I biked through a bougie rv park and they're incredibly dystopian.
Interesting statues for the middle of nowhere West Virginia. Anyone know what they are?
109.51 miles and made it to my stop. 🥳
The hostel seems pretty cool. I was given one of the big beds, there's a dog named Simba and she play bites and it's so cute, when I can stand up I'm going to go get a shower and there's an unclaimed Modelo in the free fridge I'm going to have after, Lyuda is charging, and I know that I'm going to sleep like a rock and leave in the morning for the shortest segment after riding by John Brown's fortress
I forgot WV water can smell Like That
