Day 42. We Are Three. Short Pump, VA

 

An early start to beat rush hour university traffic at 7am with an early arrival into Short Pump, VA, about 14 miles west of downtown Richmond at 2pm. Misty morning with a little fog turning into a warm, muggy and mostly sunny day. 

 Yesterday was bike maintenance day among other things. John changed his chain out and gave his bike a wash down. I cleaned my chain/gears tightened bolts and we both applied Proofhide on our leather bike saddles. They are taking as much of a beating as our butts are!!🔨

 The rear tire that wore a flat spot back in Kansas, replaced with the help of friend Jimmy Dean in Ottawa, KS is holding up great. Same with the old Clement front tire. The tires and bikes are in good shape and should get us to the Outer Banks with no problems!💪

 Trying to use Google Maps for my routing today via my phone. Google Maps sucks!!  It kept ignoring my necessary turns.  We stopped here as I knew we were about to miss a turn and start heading towards North Carolina to soon!  Maybe it's user error too. A remote possibility. 

 Having left the Appalachian Mountains yesterday were now riding through mostly gently rolling hills of Virginia. 

 Riding with Angels again, we had left over food from our dinner at the Villa last night so we turned it into a picnic lunch after about 25 miles. A chicken salad sandwich for Ang and club sandwich for me, sharing some chips and some spicy jerky for me!  Mmmmm. John had the other half of his pizza.  🍕

 

At lunch we began studying John's bike and luggage and began comparing his bike to the opening scene of that old show The Beverly Hillbillies, where they are driving their old, overloaded truck into Beverly Hills with all kinds of junk tied to the sides and granny is sitting in the back in her rocking chair.  To be fair to John, he had done some unloading and temporary hanging of stuff to find his pizza. 

 

After getting out of Charlottesville on backroads we followed US250 east along side I-64 most of the way into Short Pump.  No need for Google Maps now!!

 As the day had heated up considerably we found a Starbucks where Ang and I enjoyed a cold, frosty Frappaccinno and John got his preferred afternoon coffee with cream.  

An early check-in at the Candlewood Suites. 

 I'm the last up the elevator to our room and forgetting the room number Angela is like a beacon of light for those seeking air conditioning and a warm shower. 🚿

 First things first though, having chilled some glasses and and a leftover Fosters from last night John and I share an ice cold frosty beer. 🍻

 Angela went shopping at the grocery store next door and we prepared ribeye and filet mignon steaks, baked potatoes and sweet potato, asparagus, fresh sweet corn, all on the BBQ grill behind the hotel, rolls and red wine. It was excellent and we enjoyed doing it rather than eating in a restaurant, almost like being at home. And we stuffed ourselves too!!