Summersville Here We Are

Day 2   

Temp was 62 when we left the hotel with humidity of 97% making it feel warmer than it really was so I decided to forgo the jacket.  At elevations of 4000 feet and higher that proved to be an error in judgment.  Within a few minutes we were on beautiful country roads with no shoulders or guardrails.  We climbed mountain ridges and twisted our way to the tops shifting down to 4^th, then 3^rd and even to 2^nd to keep Abigail pulling as we climbed grades that increased more and more.  Lean left then right then straight up scraping floorboards or pipes in tight hairpin turns; then down the mountains at 9% grades using low gears to hold us at a save speed in order not to overheat the brakes.  The last thing I want riding down the mountains is to lose my brakes.  The adrenaline rushes and you feel one with the bike.  Two hours and we pull into Marlinton for a rest and then two more hours and we pulled into Summersville.  155 miles of this sweet joy today.  The route was 42 and 39 all the way and if anyone reading this blog gets in this area you must ride these roads.  The hotel was a Best Western when I made the arrangements and then changed to an Econo Lodge so I was worried about the quality but when I entered our room I was very pleased.  This is a nice, clean, spacious room.  Price is right at $55 per night.