West to Lake Gaston, North Carolina

Total around the world bicycle miles 27,162 (43,713 km)

225 miles
November 5, 2016

Yesterday we rode in more traffic than we have ever ridden before to travel from Smithfield to Virginia Beach. I still don’t know how Jocelyn does it but she did manage to find occasional roads through smaller neighborhoods to connect us to Virginia Beach. The riding was tedious as we rode on streets and sidewalks. After several hours, we stopped at a bar/grill for lunch and were very surprised with all the smoke as it is still legal to smoke in restaurants/bars and grills here depending on the owner. Most of the world is smokeless in restaurants so this was very surprising. We were told that per Virginia laws if the restaurant/bar has a non-smoking enclosed area than it is okay to smoke in the regular part. We have been in a few and it turns out that the “non-smoking” area just needs to be like a small lobby as you walk in. There are no standalone bars in the state as food is required to be served in all establishments.

We cycled to our next host’s apartment. Alphonso and his four bikes lives close to the bicycle shop where he works. Alphonso has been touring for many years throughout the U.S. and Mexico. With over 36,000 miles under his belt he is quite an accomplished touring cyclist. After work we walked to a local bar/grill for dinner. Once again the smoke overwhelmed us. But there was a tiny lobby in front with a chair if you don’t like the smoke. It was Friday night and very crowded with karaoke singers. Alphonso and Jocelyn sang a tune. But the smoke soon got to us so we left. Today we walked the Virginia Beach boardwalk on a windy and cold day.

November 7, 2016

We left Alphonso on quiet Sunday roads and headed southwest to visit one of Jocelyn’s friends north of Raleigh. We took a one day detour (two days there and back) to visit Alphonso and Virginia Beach. We have zig-zagged all down the east coast to visit certain areas and play tourists. Since we will meet my wife Andee and son Cary in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for Thanksgiving we have the time. It is surprising that the campgrounds in North Carolina are so few and far between. The motels are cheap but we would prefer to camp. I am not really into stealth camping but will if necessary.

November 10, 2016

Yesterday we continued west to Lake Gaston where we will spend two nights and visit Jocelyn’s friend Rachel. Three years ago, Jocelyn and Rachel rode the Trans-America Bike Trail from Virginia to Washington state. Her parents Peter and Julia have a home on Lake Gaston in North Carolina.

It is hard to believe but our world tour will be over on December 3rd. My wife Andee is planning a homecoming party on Saturday December 3rd at:

Florida Beer Company: 200 Imperial Blvd, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920.

We will ride there at 4:30 Saturday afternoon and hoping anybody that wants to join us will ride the last mile or so with us. Cars can be parked at the brewery then we will meet at Cherie Down park in Cape Canaveral. After this party, we will ride the one mile home, put the bikes in our garage, and call it a trip. It is sad that this trip is almost over but we do have our lives to get back to. In the last 5 years and three months I have only been home for seven months of that.

5 continents
37 countries
33 months
28,000 miles

Raj, our host in New York, had this stainless steel bike frame made.
Raj, our host in New York, had this stainless steel bike frame made.
A large biker and pedestrian friendly bridge in Norfolk.
A large biker and pedestrian friendly bridge in Norfolk.

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A very old shipyard.
A very old shipyard.

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Virginia Beach boardwalk.
Virginia Beach boardwalk.
A delicious lunch.
A delicious lunch.
Alphonso, our host in Virginia Beach.
Alphonso, our host in Virginia Beach.
Alphonso has cycled over 36,000 miles through the U.S. and Mexico.
Alphonso has cycled over 36,000 miles through the U.S. and Mexico.
A quiet Sunday morning.
A quiet Sunday morning.
Trinkets I have added to my bike from around the world.
Trinkets I have added to my bike from around the world.

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Cotton fields.
Cotton fields.
Harvesting cotton.
Harvesting cotton.

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Our host's house on Lake Gaston.
Our host’s house on Lake Gaston.

One thought on “West to Lake Gaston, North Carolina

  1. OOOOHHHHH, I am so jealous! The fall colors are truly amazing and the lake area is beautiful. The beaches look similar and I know that the crowds love to visit on weekends. Our snow birds are flying in this month!
    Congrats on the miles and love that you are ready to come back to our “simpler” way of life. BTW: The Gaston house pictured is the smaller dock house! Your hosts have a huge lovely family home on the bank of the lake! enjoy the resting time. Love always, Andee

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