Day 7: To Petersburg, West Virginia

September 15, 2014

Now I start a new phase of the tour. I traveled southeast for the first 5 days of the tour, but now I will turn right and go southwest along the Allegheny mountains. Back on roads, but most are low-traffic roads to nowhere.

Dense fog and 50F when I left the motel at 8:20. Over the hill, then a long downhill to Cumberland. The sun was starting to shine when I got into town. I took a short detour to see downtown in the morning sunshine.

Morning view of Baltimore Street in Cumberland, Maryland.

Then across the Potomac river to West Virginia. West Virginia is the first of 5 "new" states that I will visit during this tour. My 3rd state on this tour, and 40th state since 1988.

First I pedaled WV highway 28 to Fort Ashby. Then highway 46 southwest for 12 miles to Knobley road. Traffic was moderate on both highways, not much shoulder. Then a left turn onto Knobley road. Finally a low traffic country road. For 40 miles!

Callahan creek, tributary of the Potomac river.

I took a nice rest on this old bridge, then made a wrong turn while leaving.

The area is remote, but still relatively populated. Several houses per mile. Most of the houses are very old.

Allegheny mountain valleys remind me of Oregon's Coast Range, except that these trees are all deciduous.

The area has occasional abandoned structures as well. Most buildings appear to be built in the 19th century.

Today had a lot of climbing. Frequent climbs of 200-300 feet between valleys. And I'm steadily gaining elevation.

The sky stayed cloudy for most of the afternoon. About 3 PM it became partly cloudy and the temperature warmed up to 73F.

The road would be even hillier if not for frequent limestone cuts.

Small country churches are seldom made of brick.

The hills get gradually higher but the last 10 miles to Petersburg is steady downhill.

Allegheny mountain farm valley near Petersburg, West Virginia

Traffic was noticeably heavier for the last 15 miles as I approached Petersburg during rush hour.

I got a $42 room at the only motel in Petersburg. A 1929 brick building with tiny rooms with tile floors. Everything smells like pine sol. It does have a TV and A/C.

Today was a long day. Many hours pedaling, not very many hours resting. The scenery is great but the terrain is challenging. 8% and 10% grades are common, but today the steep grades weren't especially long.

Distance: 75.2 mi. (120 km)
Climbing: 3707 ft. (1123 m)
Average Speed: 10.3 mph (16.5 km/h)

Today's ride: 75 miles (121 km)
Total: 308 miles (496 km)

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