Editor's Note: Fredric Scire will make the final leg of the trip on his own. Beth Rideout and Leona Dalton have decided to take the Transamerica Trail back while Fred will eventually follow the C&O canal back to Point of Rocks. From there, he'll take county roads into the City of Frederick.

Into wild, wonderful W.Va.
Tuesday, Aug. 1 (Day 59)

I'm in Parkersburg, W.Va. and will wait on the bike store to open at 10 a.m.

Yesterday, I rode 64 miles from Jackson, Ohio before stopping in Athens, Ohio. Thanks goes out to Malcolm who got me off state Route 50, through town and on the bike trail that I took to the library where I sent two logs and photos. At first, I was unable to transfer pictures, then the librarian there, Emily, personally attacked the problem and used her personal laptop to get it done. She went the extra mile to help. Thank you, Emily! The Athens library is lucky to have you.

After leaving Athens, I rode 20-plus miles to Coolville, Ohio, where I took a long rest waiting on the heat of the day to ebb. I hadn't left Coolville — wish the temps reflected the name of this town! — by a mile when, at a bridge repair site, I blew my rear tire.  A deep culvert grate caused a pinch flat. I hit it so hard, I was sure it had bent the rim. Luckily I didn't, but the tire is obviously very worn and has bits of tread totally missing. I need to replace it!

Again thanks to Malcolm, he had told me about the North Bend Rail Trail which started in Parkersburg and goes due east for about 70 miles. If I wanted to take that trail, the tires I have will need to be a bit heavier. So I wait. The only bike shop is "Bob's." It is located conveniently at the western end of the trail. He opens at 10 a.m. Hope he has what I need.

Get me outta W.Va.!
Wednesday, Aug. 2 (Day 60)

Yesterday had its good moments — and some bad.

Bob's bicycle shop is great! Bob is Robert "Kenny" Davis and he brought new life to the old steed. A cyclist himself, he quickly recognized pending problems and did the fix. New tires front and rear, adjustments to both brakes and shifters, retensioning spokes, lubing chain and brake mechanisms. In no time at all, I was ready to ride. Still it was almost 1 p.m. before I started down the Trail.

I can't say enough about how proficient and competent Bob is. That bike truly felt new again. In fact, better tuned than when purchased. His shop is currently at 955 Nicolette Road, Parkersburg, W.Va., about one mile along the trail from the western terminus. He is opening a new shop closer to the terminus in the heart of Parkersburg. He is tops!

Now to the trail. This trail has 13 tunnels, 36 bridges and numerous crossings for access to the highway. The surface is fine crushed stone for the most part. Look out at crossings! It runs for 72 miles along I-77, from Parkersburg to Wolf Summit, W.Va., about 5 miles from Clarksburg, W.Va.

Given a cooler day and an earlier start, it would have been a pleasant ride. A full canopy for shade, mostly, no competing traffic and some pleasant scenery along Walker and Goose Creek. 

I did not do the whole trail. After 35 miles, I opted for the highway, where there was no shade, heavy traffic and hills. The 35 miles took about 4 hours, and the day was gettting late, it was about 4:30 p.m., and I still had 40 miles to go. The stone path slows you down and each tunnel is preceded by a long upgrade. The tunnels themselves are extremely cool and dark. Speed here is not an option.

I opted for the road, but making good time on the road was only slightly better than on the trail. A bad decision on my part. I finally stopped five miles from Clarksburg, W.Va., at 8:30 p.m. Too long, too hot, too humid.

The hills convinced me to forget the rest of W.Va. on state Route 50. It is 80 more miles to Cumberland in this heat and humidity. I will hitch a ride to Cumberland, and then continue on via the C&O Canal.