Belhaven, fools. « Trending Westward

Posted by: davenquinn | May 24, 2008

Belhaven, fools.

Days=2

Miles=101

Amazingness abounds. Yesterday was our first riding day. We woke up at 5:15am and got everything ready to go. After packing the trailer, we left (aptly) for a funeral home to take pictures. Apparently the group last year stayed at the funeral home…ominous? I think yes.

Anyway, after that bad omen, we proceeded to the beach for a wheel-dipping ceremony…rear wheels in the Atlantic Ocean, and then we went on — 66 miles to Swanquarter. We started at 10am — that’s 4 hours in biking shorts before the end of the ride.

We had a police escort over some extremely huge bridges — 5 miles long for one of them. And then it was deserted road for 50 miles. We passed both an Air Force and a Navy Bombing Range.

But, long story short: Arrived in Swanquarter, dead tired, felt amazing, good dinner. Yess.

Today began, bright and early. Well, it wasn’t bright. Just early. Actually, it was rainy. So, the day started off wet. Wet, and I was riding sweep. As in, I had to wait for everyone. I was forecasting doom and gloom, but luckily things started clearing up after a while. Still, I was glad that I wrapped my camera (absurdly) in wax paper. Need ziplock bags.

Anyway, it was clearing up, and most of our 35 miles was gorgeous. And slow. Nevertheless, we arrived just after noon. The late afternoon could be best described as Belhaven Hospitality Extravaganza. I couldn’t have begun to imagine such nice people. An incredible couple opened their showers (and hot tubs) to us, with much fanfare. They had the greatest view of the intercoastal waterway. Fantastic.

Then, dinner was donated…it was a potluck affair (huge), and the whole community came out to wish us well. It was really ridiculous/amazing, and it earned Belhaven the #1 spot so far on “places I’d most like to stay.” They set a high bar.