Hey, we’re in Waynesboro! The last time Felkerino and I passed through here we had been rescued off the Blue Ridge Parkway by an Appalachian Trail trail angel.

Why, you ask? Thanks for asking!

We had gone on tour from D.C., made our way down Skyline Drive, pedaled up to Wintergreen, and were making our way back to the Blue Ridge Parkway when clink clank clunk, our bottom bracket bit the dust. We were stuck, and at a loss for what to do.

The top of the Blue Ridge is not the best place for a mechanical. Few cars and patchy cell service. And a tandem mechanical? Often trickier than a single due to the specialized parts and the overall size of the bike. You can’t put a tandem in a Prius, for example.

Enter trail angel. He had just dropped off some hikers and ended up taking our bike and us down into Waynesboro. It was a great and unforgettable rescue. There are some really good people in this world.

Now here we are again. We didn’t arrive via the Parkway. Instead, we chose quiet valley roads. It’s lovely to be here tonight, especially having enjoyed five days of spectacular riding so far.

The adventure continues tomorrow as we head up Skyline Drive. Felkerino is getting his helmet cover and Gore Tex out. Sigh. I guess I should, too.