May 20, 2001. Newport News to Williamsburg, Virginia. (26
mi.) Mile 26
Yes Virginia! There really is a bike
trip.
(Click on thumbnails to see larger images)
1) 
2) 
3)
1) We used the rental SUV to drive
to Virginia Beach to check out the Atlantic.
2) Mike demonstrated how to honor
the traditional TransAm Wheel Dip In The Ocean ceremony without initiating
salt-water corrosion on the drive train: leave the rest of the bike three blocks
away.
3) It was after 3 pm when we
finally got our act together, dropped off the car in Newport News, and started
riding. The bikes felt heavy and awkward.
4) 
5) 
6) 
4) Within the first 2 miles, we looked lost enough that a local cyclist,
Rich, generously interrupted his training ride to lead us into Yorktown along
a bike route. This was our first encounter with Virginia's famous hospitality.
5) We hurriedly took the obligate photo of the official starting point (or
end) of the Bikecentennial/TransAmerica Bicycle Trail at the Yorktown Victory
Monument commemorating the end of the American War for Independence, 1781.
6) It was threatening rain and getting late as we rode the scenic Colonial
Parkway into Williamsburg.
7) For the day's finale, Mike decided to shave off the mustache he has had
for 30 years. (No photo...yet)
We spoke too soon in thinking our bikes had escaped damage in transport.
We're headed into a bike shop in the morning to deal with a bent chain ring.
