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 05.13.10
Malard duck campground-camp Bethel (outside of Troutville, va)
Miles: 35
Temp: mid 70s
Weather: sunny humid 
Today was a shorter day with some more hills. We encountered lots of dogs today one bit my chain, it was going for my feet. I was with Bryn, and Joe. I need to move my air pump up so I can get to it if I need to In a mother bbad dog situation.  Other than that it was a fairly laid back ride today. Because it was wet and rainny the last few days when we went by Lexington, Va we sis laundry. Lexington is a pretty cool little town.

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5.12.10
Afton, Va - Malard Duck Campground, past Vesuvius, Va.
Miles: 45
Temp: 75-80 
Weather: sunny, humid, by 2:30 heavy rain
Today was the most beautiful riding yet. The blue ridge parkway was by far 
My favorite place to ride. We climbed in total arround 4000 feet. There was a three mile down hill at the very end that stopes us back down almost all of the way. Slightly scary going down fast, and it wasnt just straight down hill, it was sharply winding down hill. Asside from holding the breaks for three miles it was the most amazing ride ive been in. The view was great from all sides. As soon as I got down from the hill it began to down pour, huge rain drops fell for about 20 minutes. After the initial rain it never really stopped raining, and as we entered camp about an hour after the first drenching it began to rain just as hard again. It made setting up the tents with out getting the inside wet very dificult. Robert and mort are incharge of dinner they made a great spegetti dinner for us. Overall today was supposed to be the hardest day of the trip, we did it and loved it so west here we come.

   

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5.11.10
Charlottesville, Va - Afton,Va 
miles: 30 
Temp:55-60
Weather: rainny and cold 
Today we started up the blue ridge. It was all fairly formuliar roads seeing as Grandma, Amy and Tracy,  and mom and dad have land in Nelson county. The hills wernt to bad. Not nearly as bad as I imagined they were going to be. I was told we went up about 1250 ft. Tomorow we will be doubling that hight and distance. Tonight we are staying at the very famious bike house owned by June Curry "the cookie lady" in Afton Virginia. It seems everyone around here loves seeing and talking to the bikers that come through. We also stopped at a wonderful strawberry orchard it had the best strawberry milkshake I have ever had. 
Thr rain and cold today was a little bit of a downer but I managed my feet got cold the most bit the hoes seemed to hold up very well and I haven't had any numbness. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it stays that way. Tomorow should be warmer with hopefully less rain.  I'm starting to feel a little bit homesick but that was very much expected seeing as how I like my friends and family so much. 

And if therevis anythink you think I should add to my day to day journal please let me know. Email : ambersbiketrip.gmail.com  

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5.10.10
Off day Charlottesville, Va
Miles:0
Temp:75-80
weather: sunny 
Today Grandma, Aunt Amy, and baby James came out to visit. We did some much needed running around. We went to kmart first to find something to put a stop to this dreadful poisin ivy, I seem to have gotten all over the back of my leg. I suppose that's what happens when you pee in the woods, but if I had the choice to choose between a portapoty and the woods, I would still choose the woods.
We also went to the bike shop to solve the misterious numb feet problem. I have had a feeling that my feet are numb, then Painfully numb that starts to creep up my leg. I think it has something to do with my shoes and/or peddles so I got new of both, the new shoes fit much better and the peddles have the option of not being clips.
I also did laundry at the laundry mat. It's much better than doing laundry in the sink, like I have most every day.  
It was very nice having the opportunity to see the fam.
 
Ohhhh and big huge awesome shot out to the Malm Family, we met them the day before at a small country store. It's wonderful encounters like that that keeps us peddling! 
  

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Today was harder than all the previous days. It was very fun to ride into the blue ridge mts itsjust beautiful here. I got chased by a dog today, it stopped at the edge of the road thank goodness, it was a big chowchow. The hills are becoming much larger and I feel it in my legs a little. Overall we are havin a great time. 

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5.9.10
Mineral- Charlottesville, Va
Miles: 45
Temp: 50-75
Weather: head winds