Day Four - A day of Partings

Well it's cold again to start. We left the motel at 8:00h with a temperature of 28F. We departed anyway. We are still on hwy 119.

At about 9:30h we stopped at McDonalds in Connellsville just to get warmed up. The temperature was now about 36F. After warming up a little, we departed again.

Up until now, we must say the roads really have improved over previous years. Many roads actually now have a shoulder to ride on. Keep this in mind until later.

At 12:50h a serious decision had to be made. After consultations among us, we decided to part ways. Uh?

Dale really wants to be able to ride this trip 'door-to-door.' Because of the weather (snow predicted), some bicycle problems, fatigue, and losing time, Paul, Dave, and I decide to get into the van at the entrance to a toll road just short of Morgantown, W Va. Dale took his bags and loaded up 'Brutus' (the name he's given his bike).

After all goodbyes were said, hands shaken, and good wishes all around, Dale went on his way along hwy 119. The three of us (and the van) went onto a hwy 43, a known toll road.

Just before the tolls (where we have been told in the past WE CAN'T RIDE, and very emphatically), we loaded the bikes onto the van. After going through the tolls, the road ended and sent us back to hwy 119 and, ready for this? Where we joined 119 again, there was Dale; strong, determined, and riding up the hill. We stopped just long enough to have a laugh together over this - and again parted ways.

We carried on to Morgantown in the van and went to Wamsley Cycles where Chip checked out our bikes while we had some lunch.

The former bicycle problems have been taken care of and a set of brakes replaced. The total bill? Under $12 with tax. Thanks Chip. We depart from Chip and because of the lateness, we decide we better continue in the van for a spell.

After climbing a massive hill out of Morgantown and going just a few miles, guess who's in front of us? Mr Strong Cyclist. There's Dale. Again we make a stop, exchange our usual pleasantries and laughs, and again we part ways. I'm thinking at the pace Dale is riding (fully loaded mind you), I really wouldn't be surprised to see him catch back up to us by mid to late afternoon tomorrow. Dave said, "or even later tonight."

We follow hwy 119 and hwy 250 joins it together. We now stay on 250.

At 17h (5 p.m.), we checked into the Budget Motel in Philippi, West Virginia. After our usual clean up and walking across the parking lot to their on site restaurant, we enjoy a fine dinner.

But...

At 19:30h (7:30 p.m.), Becky says she sees Dale. Yeah? Right? She says to look over at the entrance to the motel. We do. And guess what? It is in fact, Dale. He arrived by taxi. Did he have a fun day? Check this out. You must! Dale can tell you in his own words.

Dale joined us for a quick dinner and we all called it a night. The sheep are all back in the fold. Not parted, but together again.

This was not a great mileage day. I went about 75k in 4hrs with not a great average speed.

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