I started out in Hampton already tired still from the bus trip yesterday and my terrible sleeping habits. I immediately realized I’m carrying too much weight. I stopped at the Trek bicycle shop in Newport News along the way to have them fix my squealing front brake and go over the bike for any minor adjustments. I informed them that the guy who boxed up the bike and the guy who put it together didn’t really know what they were doing. Also, I am both of those guys. They kindly laughed at my stupid joke and did a fantastic job fixing my issues and recommending the best route to Yorktown.
On the way to Yorktown, I saw something I’d heard about, but never seen before. The “ghost bicycle” is a memorial to someone who lost their life on a bicycle in that spot. It was a stark reminder to do what I can to make myself visible to cars and always take the safest route.
Once in Yorktown, I took the obligatory “rear wheel in the Atlantic” picture. As I left the beach, and Englishman walked to me and noted that I must be starting my journey. He had just completed the race on the same route I’m doing, but going the opposite direction. I asked how long it took him, and he replied, “23 days.” I’m hoping to do it in 85 give or take. I’ll need to average about 50 miles per day to make that time.
I officially started in Yorktown and rode on to Williamsburg on a colonial historical road.
I only rode about 38 miles today, and only 11 of that was on the route. I’m staying in a hotel again tonight because of course I am. I’m planning to do more miles tomorrow and stay in a hotel again because still feeling too out of shape and tired to deal with camping after a day of riding. Kinda wishing I’d ridden more before this trip.