Day Twenty-Four : Lexington, Kentucky - Lexington, Virginia

I thought it would be funny to ride from Lexington, Kentucky to Lexington, Virginia, it wasn't (358miles). It was another challenge as days go.

It was nice to get back on the road I will gladly admot. As much as I love those guys in Lexington, I had a great week but really had to make up some ground. Not just that, but I missed being on the bike. Some days it would be tough going and I couldn't wait to get my arse of the bike but the next morning I'd always want to get back on. I had originaally allocated 4-5 days to stay in Lexington, KY but considering I had allowed myself so much buffer time I had time to fart around for the full week. In hindsight, I would have gone to DC a day early and squeezed an extra day into New York but anyway........

This was the only other day of my holiday when I had real rain. It was heavy enough and constant but pretty tolerable and only came about towards the end of the day. I just kept my head down and pushing through. It would have been easier on the interstates but I'm back on country highways and it's really quite pretty again. It did get a little tougher as the sun dropped and my headlights took over in guiding me to my next shelter for the night. Drizzle, dark and millions of little midges for miles and miles and miles. Riding through a cloud of midges is like......hmmm  analogy.........it's like someone sharting on the visor of your helmet  A spray of dark mushy organic particles hitting your (protected) face at 70 mph.  I made it up to Lexington, VA late and spent $88 staying in a Holiday Inn despite arguing with the manager for 20 minutes whilst calling every other hotel in town. This will certainly be the most I will pay for a bed my whole trip.

I ust add that riding through West Virginia was quite pleasant. I ride what's called the Midland Trail and it runs parralel with 'New River'. Midland Trail is a scenic byway (manu of the highways I've referred to have been byways (I still don't know the difference)). Accordingly, it passes through some of the roughest terrains of the Mountain State and it is believe the trail was carved out of the mountain side by the Native Americans and buffalo.

Killian and Kate had kindly shaved a mohawk into my hair the day before I leave. The next morning when sober, I still like it actually, as does Killian and Kate, so they tidy it up and I keep my mohawk for the rest of the trip. Between Lexington, KY and Lexing\ton, VA (358 miles) I got contact details for two waitresses (different diners) and a girl at a petrol station. Only one of these numbers I actually ask for so I'm feeling pretty good now. It is pretty pointless because I am driving straight through their towns. I mean when's the next time I'm going to be in Charleston, Virginia? I'm pretty sure it was all in the mohawk. I AM SAMSON!

Lexington was interesting, a university town but I had landed smack in the middle of summer. For the size of the town, it was scarily empty. It would be like going to Kilkenny city but only seeing 50 people while you are there. The town is dead. I went for a late night cruise and found one regular bar, one wine bar, and one restaurant was open. I opted for the regular bar. 

I overtook a car that had stopped on the side of the road in this town/village. The roads are completely empty so there is plenty of space to go around them and all is cool. Then I noticed their Irish flag bumper sticker. This momentarily lifted the spirits after such a non-day. Noticing their windows were rolled down, I slowed up beside them and complimented their flag shouting 'Nice flag guys!' as I passed them. I was hoping they would see my flag flapping on the on my bike like a little patriotic cape, but instead, having assumed I had shouted something offensive, they followed me in their car to the pub where I was going.  6 of them came into the bar and asked what I had said in a very confrontational manner, some of these guys were huge, they were accompanied y 3 or 4 girls. In a probably exaggerated Irish accent I explain I was simply complimenting their bumper sticker of the tri-colour. After a barrel of laughs from the simple misunderstanding, we end up enjoying some beers together which they pay for. As it turned out one of the guys had been in Ireland only two weeks previously and he had pretty much gone everywhere and seen everything he could have whilst in the country. I has really happy to hear his love for Ireland and he was really excited about his recent vacation. He really enjoyed his time which is always refreshing to hear. I have already at this stage promised I would see more of my own country when I return.

Lessons;

A shouted compliment just sounds like irratic shouting when one is on a motorcycle riding passed

Word of the day ; Shun-piking The avoidance of major highways and interstates particlarily those with turn-pikes / toll booths.