By six in the morning the alarm sounded and it was time to take care of business. Last night I realized that I had left my bike shorts in the men's room of the restaurant, and this early morning needed to get back there to rescue them, before the cleaning crew arrived. While the campground was still sound asleep, the world around it was right awake. Numerous deer, from buck, doe and fawn, were grazing near the roadside, and the sunrise was a spectacular slow-motion movie of a hazing red and orange rising planet. Today was the final day of my 650-mile ride atop the backbone of this great mountain region. The historical markers along the way to Front Royal retold stories of geological formation and civil war history. A multitude of wild flowers and butterflies completed the landscape and an glorious bright blue sky brought out their brilliant colors. Elevations mostly fluctuated between 2,000 to 4,000 feet, and as usually, prevailing headwinds were in the air, pushing my gluts to the max.
At 6:16 pm, I finished the Shenandoah Skyline. It was a tough day with long up hills, including the highest point of the Skyline. And there, in Front Royal stood my favorite fast-food restaurant, if there is such a thing, waiting for me to dish up on its all-you-can-eat salad bar buffet. As it turned out, there was no salad bar buffet here, so I left and came upon an Italian restaurant, Villa Giuseppe a few blocks down the road. After having strategically parked my bike where it could be seen from a window seat, I enjoyed a Peroni and the special of the day, followed by some scrumptious Tiramisu for dessert. Just when I was about ready to leave, Rick and Mariette walked in. They had seen my bike and trailer parked outside, and wondered about my whereabouts. All three of us being bike enthusiasts, gave us something in common and I moved over to their table, inquiring about directions to Washington DC. With nightfall on the way, they offered me a ride to near the W&OD, which evolved into an offer to spend the night at their home. I gladly accepted and we somehow managed to add my bike and gear to their already cycling gear packed Subaru.
At 6:16 pm, I finished the Shenandoah Skyline. It was a tough day with long up hills, including the highest point of the Skyline. And there, in Front Royal stood my favorite fast-food restaurant, if there is such a thing, waiting for me to dish up on its all-you-can-eat salad bar buffet. As it turned out, there was no salad bar buffet here, so I left and came upon an Italian restaurant, Villa Giuseppe a few blocks down the road. After having strategically parked my bike where it could be seen from a window seat, I enjoyed a Peroni and the special of the day, followed by some scrumptious Tiramisu for dessert. Just when I was about ready to leave, Rick and Mariette walked in. They had seen my bike and trailer parked outside, and wondered about my whereabouts. All three of us being bike enthusiasts, gave us something in common and I moved over to their table, inquiring about directions to Washington DC. With nightfall on the way, they offered me a ride to near the W&OD, which evolved into an offer to spend the night at their home. I gladly accepted and we somehow managed to add my bike and gear to their already cycling gear packed Subaru.
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