Today I accidentally did 88 miles, and learned something about one of the apps I’ve been using for directions, komoot. Komoot apparently gives mileage as the crow flies, not actual road miles along the route that is programmed into my ride. So, I booked a room (yeah, I’m still staying in hotels, what of it) that I thought was 72 miles ride away. 72 miles was about the limit for what I thought I could do today. 50 miles into my ride, I noticed a sign for Mechanicsville (the town before the town I’m going to) 24 miles away. Well, obviously that sign must be wrong, or I’m taking a shortcut somehow past it. Nope, instead of 22 miles left to go, I really had 38 miles left. I was not a happy camper – uh, motel stayer.
Anyway, I slogged through it, and 11 hours after I left this morning, I arrived at my budget motel.
Something I was very thankful for today was a truck that pulled up to me near the end of my trip today, and asked me if I was going cross country. He informed me that I had just missed my last turn. Apparently my speaker (that I use for turn by turn directions in towns) had turned off, and I hadn’t noticed
There was a good 30 mile stretch of travel using the Virginia capital trail. It goes from Jamestown all the way into Richmond. I kind of wish I had followed it fully into Richmond. In the future, I think I will leave myself more open to other routes apart from just the “official” trans america route.
Tomorrow, I plan to stay at an actual campground, though it does have wifi, so hopefully, I’ll actually be able to get this blog online by then. I still haven’t completed the home page, or the about section. One note about staying in hotels; I need a shower after riding my bike all day, and the campgrounds that offer showers are sometimes only a little bit cheaper than a budget motel, and then I don’t have to fart around with a tent, sleeping pad, or any of that. Also, I get to lounge around naked in the aircon, so that’s been worth it so far. Also, along this route, I’m not exactly spoiled for choice on where to stay.