High wind, horizontal rain and cold - not so perfect cycling weather today!

We knew that the weather would not be great today, but it looked as if an early start would spare us the worst of it - maybe 15 mph headwinds, cloudy and high 50's.  Thinking we could manage that, we got up at 5:15AM and were rolling by 6:30AM.  That really may be a record early start for us.

An hour (and 8 miles!) into the ride, the wind was picking up and a light rain had started.  Over the next two hours, the wind grew stronger, the rain became horizontal, and the temperature dropped.  After three hours we had gone 21.5 miles.  We pulled into a Dollar General and asked the clerk if she knew anyone that had a long-bed pickup and said we would pay $100 for the 30-mile lift to Manteo.  She made a few phone calls but couldn't find anyone.  She said she was sure that someone would come in the store before long who could help us.  Kerry decided to walk across the street to a deli and make the same offer.  The first guy he spoke to said he knew someone and would call him.  His friend had a truck and a trailer and would be glad to drive us.

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Keith A. SpanglerI learn so much from you guys! Perfect idea ~ ask for help; there are good people around!
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2 years ago

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DAVID FAULKNERType your comment here
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2 years ago

Jeanna & Kerry SmithTo DAVID FAULKNERHi Dave,
Great to hear from you, but your comment was blank. At least I know you were thinking of us!
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2 years ago

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Troy with his truck and trailer and Rick and Kim in their car rescued us from Dollar General in Waves and drove us to our motel in Manteo.  When we arrived, all three of them refused to accept any money.

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Keith A. SpanglerThank you for helping my friends! You guys rock and all bicycle travelers thank you!
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2 years ago

Jeanna & Kerry SmithTo Keith A. SpanglerI hope they realize how really grateful we were. I like what you said about all bicycle travelers thanking them. There's certainly reassurance to cyclists in knowing that help is out there when we're on the road.
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2 years ago

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We got checked in at our motel, turned up the heat and spent a long time a hot shower.  I think that almost nothing feels as good as being warm and dry when you've been cold and wet!

High winds from the north and intermittent rain are forecast for the next few days.  We're going to stay right here until it's fit weather for cycling again!

Kerry here...  In our 7 years of long-distance touring, this is the first time we've ever started a day that we did not finish.  Even though it was somewhat tough going from the beginning, I thought we would complete the ride, even if it took longer than we originally believed.  That belief held until about mile 18, which is when the weather took a big turn for the worse and it was then that I really thought about bailing.  By time we got our ride with Troy arranged, the wind had picked up so much that sand was beginning to cover the road, the rain was horizonal and visibility was poor - truly an unsafe cycling situation and I have no regrets about getting a "bump".