G.A.S.P.

I started having a problem with my gears (4-5) the next morning.  Actually, it was the front (crank) sprockets.  After the chain slipped a few times, I looked and found that some of the teeth were pretty well worn on the middle sprocket.  This caused the chain to slip when under a “load” (i.e. pedaling hard uphill), although it still worked okay on level ground.  This little problem made riding difficult in that I had to drop into my low gear range for almost all hills, even those I would normally climb in the middle gear range.

Because of this new problem, I decided that I didn’t want to get back on the Blue Ridge Parkway this morning.  I felt much safer down on U.S. 221 where there was some semblance of civilization.  It also gave me a chance to get back on schedule as this road was somewhat shorter and almost certainly easier than the Parkway.

I rode from West Jefferson to Hillsville, Virginia (30^th state) and spent the night in a campground, which has become a rarity because most of them just aren’t open this time of year in this part of the country.  When I asked the cost of camping, the nice man said “for you, just $8.”  I happily accepted.  The campground was also within walking distance of Shoney’s, so I had a convenient place for dinner (and breakfast the following morning).