Leg 07 - Chester, SC to Abbeville, SC

Riding without a support car is insane - couldn't have accomplished today's ride without Boo to help. Was able to log 85 hilly miles, but lost a lot of valuable time to a blowout on my rear tire - and then another because the tire wall was split and couldn't hold the tube under pressure. Thankfully, had another tire in reserve, but that's it, so we stopped in Greenwood to pick up more spares. Picture is Boo and me at the Dairy Barn having a soft serve cone in Greenwood - one of those old businesses likely serving ice cream for decades. Will try to make it to Athens tomorrow and then pick up and drive to the reunion - will then back track on Monday to Athens to start heading into Alabama.

Leg 06 - Lancaster, SC to Chester, SC

Only logged 29 miles today. Rt 72 past Chester tuned out to be 2 lanes - no shoulders- and mainly truck traffic, so I decided to hang back and wait for support car coming in tonight - not worth the risk. It was good to spend some extra time off my legs and let my rear heal up as well. Learned a lot as I watched Maury Povich, Oprah, and Judge Judy - mainly that I should be thankful for many things (a full set of teeth, gas in my tank, a good family that I know who the members are, etc.) Boo rolled in at 11pm - we'll be up at 5:30am to start again.

Leg 05 - Southern Pines, NC to Lancaster, SC

2 states down - 6 to go. Another pretty good day although a return to some significant climbing. Temps also climbed into the mid/upper 90's as well, but still enjoyed cool temps in the morning. With this as my last day with a support car until Thursday (dad headed back to VA to resupply and then to turn back for the drive to Atlanta for the reunion) - tried to go as long as possible and was able to complete 107 miles. Passed thru the nice small town of Rockingham near the NC border - huge old homes with massive porches lined the main street - the Fourth of July parade must be great there. After entering SC, started heading west on Rt 9 - a great biking road for most of the way (some four lanes, mostly 2 but with ample, well paved shoulders). Will head west again tomorrow on Rt 9 to Chester and then south on Rt72 thru Sumter National Forest to Clinton, SC - this time pulling my trailer - so we'll see how far I actually make it. 3 peanut butter sandwiches lined up for breakfast and lunch tomorrow. Feel pretty good thru 65-70 miles, then I start to get tired and overheated at times - and my bohonkus is killing me.

Leg 04 - Henderson to Southern Pines, NC

Only took 1 photo today - at the end of the trip in Southern Pines. A great old school town with the railroad running right down the middle - and yes, pine trees and needles everywhere. Ride down Rt 1 today was fantastic - temp at the highest around 90 and sweet, oh so sweet flat roads and was able to log 110 miles. This will likely be my last update for a day or two - I'm losing my support car for a day and will be sending most of my equipment back to VA except a few critical items - they're just to heavy too haul and I think I'll be hitting some major hills as I turn west in S.C. My sister will be driving back down to pick up support Wednesday night and I'll try update Thursday/Friday. Legs feel pretty good at this point, butt is pretty sore, and I'm taking in about 300 oz (about the equivalent of a case of beer) on the ride a day - a lot of water.

Leg 03 - Petersburg to Henderson, NC

1 state down - 7 to go. Photo is an old Virginia welcome center at the VA - NC state line. Prior to the building of the interstate highway system, I'm sure this was a stop for many people. Started earlier today at 6:30am to beat the heat and forecasted thunderstorms - only to combat somewhat endless climbs. Even though it did get to 95 around 1pm - was able to log 87 miles today and ended up getting within 3 minutes of my destination of Henderson, NC (35 miles north of Raleigh) and the rain came pouring down. Living the high life today - no peanut butter sandwiches - had 2 black forest ham sandwiches thanks to the support crew. Dad and I also have hit two of the best BBQ places last night and tonight, although I'm not quite a convert from Texas BBQ - yet.

Leg 02 - Fredericksburg to Petersburg, VA

HOT, HOT, HOT! Today started well with cool temps at 7am. By 10:30 - they were on a steady climb to 104 by 2pm. Was able to complete 74 miles by 2:30, but decided to call it a day. We made a support car switch at noon - Dad's going to be with me til Tuesday. Continued down Route 1 thru Richmond and Petersburg, VA - photo is of the James River that runs thru Richmond - but the picture doesn't really show how cool the river is. Peanut butter sandwich count at 3.

Leg 01 - DC to Fredericksburg

An early start to the day at 4:00am to beat the traffic into DC. Weather was cool and overcast, but mid-day changed to a very hot 95. The first 25 miles turned out to be better than expected as I headed toward George and Martha's place in Mt. Vernon - a great ride and I highly recommend it. The remainder of the morning took me through the area that I grew up in - within a few hundred yards past my old high school. Lots of changes in 23 years, but quite a few things remain unchanged. Back country roads past Quantico Marine Base and into Fredericksburg. Learned a lot about my limits as well - the hills were many and steep. They're likely to continue, so I will likely be modifying my daily mileage to accommodate the fact that back to back 100/day is a very aggressive goal. All in all, the day's 93 mile ride was better than expected with regards to traffic but only because I had a support car with a big sign "BIKER AHEAD". I owe a big thank you to mom, Bronwyn, and Jay for their help this week and for keeping the traffic at bay today.

Warm-up Ride

Spent most of the last two days driving US Bike Route 1 from DC to Fredericksburg in order to identify turns and traffic volume. Although its not well signed, I was able to decifer turns using the VADOT bike map and mapquest. Its such a nice ride coming out of DC down to Mt. Vernon - decided to scrap original plan west of DC and do Bike Rt 1.

Was able to get in a warm-up ride with my family (mom, sister, brother in-law, and nephew) after getting back to Fredericksburg at the Spotsylvania National Battlefield Park - see photo of my nephew, Tucker as we set out for the 8 mile ride.

Introduction

Hi - I'm DeWayne Wilson and this is my attempt to document my first cross country bicycle trip from Washington DC to Austin, Texas schedule for the end of August and September, 2007. I not very proficient with the bloggers world so this is going to be an effort filled with mistakes and learning along the way. I'm putting this blog out here so that friends and family can check it to see what progress I'm making along the way and as a resource for any biker that is contemplating a similar ride.

I guess what I hear most from friends and family when I mention this trip is "Why?" So, I should start by trying to provide some insight into why I'm attempting a 2,000 mile, solo, self supported, trek in August. Biking has always been a great source of exercise, stress relief, opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for me. When I moved to Austin in '93 I got involved in doing mini-triathlons with some friends, even shaving my head thinking that would motivate me to take the sport seriously. After a few years, my hair grew back and I couldn't overcome my aversion to running, but I kept riding and swimming. Austin is a great town that seems to foster taking advantage of all the outdoor activities the surroundings have to offer, so I kept investing my time and money into biking.

When the company I worked for was purchased in '98, a colleague took that opportunity to bike the California coast and I was so impressed with the achievement and personal satisfaction that he experienced; that I vowed to attempt a similar effort at some point down the line. The opportunity to plan and attempt this trek became possible with the sale of my company in Nov. '06. I was fortunate enough to have been involved as an original partner in the start-up and growth of a successful company for the past 6 years and ultimately its sale. Having a supportive wage earning wife and daughter has also been key at making this ride a reality.

Even coming up with a name for the ride was a challenge. Gravy is a nickname started by a few friends that I vacation in Vegas with every year - so a shout out to the Phili gang for their contribution to the ride. Because I do feel fortunate for many things, but especially for the opportunity to esssentially take the past year off - Gravy Train seemed an appropriate label. The ride is scheduled to begin at the Capitol in DC on Friday August 24, head south following US Bike Route 1 through Virginia and N. Carolina, west after crossing into s. Carolina, a brief stop just north of Atlanta for a family reunion, take the Silver Comet to the GA border, pick up the Chief Ladiga Trail in Alabama, some back roads thru Alabama to Tupelo, MS where I pick up the Natchez Trace, across southern Louisiana, and follow the 2007 MS150 route from Houston to Austin. My goal is to be back in Austin by Sept. 13, but I'll be able to adjust my daily riding goal of 100mi if needed so it could be later.