Distance: 16.8 mi, Climbed: 797 ft
Completed: 266.1 mi, 14,136 ft
Today is what Rich was calling an “active recovery day.” Just 17 miles on the bike — a deliberate choice so that tomorrow’s ride is a more manageable 43 miles instead of pushing 60. Sometimes the smartest move is knowing when to ease up.
We left Danville and picked up the J. Manley Robbins Trail, part of the Hess Loop Trail system. It’s believed to be the oldest rail-trail in the United States — originally used as a bicycle path in the 1890s after being converted from a 19th-century narrow-gauge iron ore railway. Riding on something with that kind of history adds a different dimension to the day.
That said, it wasn’t exactly relaxing riding. The trail was narrow, muddy, and a bit nerve-wracking at times — especially with a steep, precarious drop-off to the right down toward the creek below. Definitely the kind of stretch where focus matters more than scenery… though there was plenty of that, too.
One of the best parts of this trip continues to be the people we meet along the way. Today, it was Rick. He had been driving back from town, spotted the “New York to Seattle” printed across the back of my jersey, and actually turned around to track me down. Rick lives a few miles off the main road on five wooded acres and retired a few years ago after a career as a flour miller. He’s heading out tomorrow for a milling convention in Cincinnati. We wished each other safe travels — one of those brief but memorable roadside connections that makes this journey what it is.
Rolling into Lewisburg, we were greeted by something completely unexpected — a group of people in full knight armor practicing combat. Turns out they’re part of Society for Creative Anachronism, an international group dedicated to recreating medieval skills, arts, and battles. Not your typical small-town welcome, but definitely one we won’t forget.
Seventeen miles may not sound like much, but today had a little bit of everything — history, challenge, and a reminder that even the shorter days can leave a lasting impression.
Following along. You’re doing great. You’re almost there.
You are making us laugh, Uncle Bobby – almost there??!!?? 🤣
Thank you for your words of encouragement. As a long-distance bicycle rider yourself, you know how fun and how difficult these trips can be.