Day 6: Blacksburg Best Of
by James
I don’t have time to do a full update for Day 6, so here’s a Best Of:
Short ride from Roanoke into Blacksburg up some damn steep mountain roads. Passed a patch of donkeys in a valley. I yelled "EEYORE!" more times than I'd like to admit.
Took my bike into a shop, Hokie Spokes, which I highly recommend. I just wanted to use the guy's table vice to get my freewheel off, but he ended up truing my wheel (after banging on it with both a rubber mallet and a hammer) and replacing a spoke nipple and tube. A few times I questioned his handy-work and all times I got back responses like, "yeah, we can do it that way if you want to half-ass it," and, "look, man, I don't have to do this for you." His name is Dave and we ended up getting along well. I liked his honest demeanor and he did damn good work for a reasonable price.
Met up with our good friend Sam, who had slept four hours in the past three days. He took us to a gyro bar where we were served greasy, delicious lamb by a girl wearing shorts that said "HOO-AH" on the bum. She looked like she could break your arm and then apologize for it afterwards.
Returned to Sam's place, raided his fridge. We retooled and repacked, dropping around forty pounds in frivolous weight. Some items abandoned were
- Soy sauce in an 8oz glass bottle
- boombox
- cast-iron pans
- logic and languages text
- onion
- skippy peanut butter jar (creamy)
I adjusted my rear derailleur and saddle. The trip is now about three times easier.
Ordered pizza and watched TV with Sam and friends, which was very relaxing.
Conked on Sam's floor. Slept like a toddler at church.
