It was only a matter of time before the Explorers had to endure some bad weather in the wake of hurricane Ian. Today was that day, but the Explorers still consider themselves lucky because 1.) The wind continued to blow at their backs, which made pedaling much easier and even decreased their time and effort considerably AND 2.) Although it was supposed to rain all day, only about a third of the Explorers ride today was through significant rain. They benefitted from a small break in the clouds that seemed to rotate around them for awhile instead of blowing over as the weather models predicted.
Captain Mark and Sidekick Sue were in no hurry to get moving in the morning. The rain was predicted to be heavy early in the morning with a break around 10:00 am, so they took their time at breakfast and left Pokomoke City, MD at around 9:45. Originally, the radar was saying there would be an hour of reprieve from the rain, but subsequent predictions kept adding time, 15 minutes at a time, and the Explorers got a full 2 hours to cover the first 20 miles with just a bit of misty spitting rain. They crossed into Virginia after the first 6 miles. The scenery remained relatively unchanged from previous days…. rural farmland, flat, straight roads, and old abandoned farmhouses. The only thing new that they noticed in Virginia was the addition of numerous solar farms, which they had not seen in Delaware or Maryland. The Explorers stopped frequently to check their location and route because they were not following the Adventure Cycling Association maps. Because their previous hotel was “off the route”, they decided to chart a more direct, straight route to their destination. As the peninsula narrows, they will eventually connect back to the maps in their bike computer.
The Explorers typically stop at the end of each 10 miles (or every hour), and it was at the second stop when the rain picked up. It was a light rain, but enough to soak through their shoes and chill them to the bone. After the third hour, the Explorers stopped in at a Royal Farms convenience store, which has been one of their favorite chains on the trip because they tend to have an indoor seating area. The Explorers took advantage of a roof over their heads to have a snack, get out the maps to plan the rest of the day, and make hotel reservations for the night. They reserved another Holiday Inn, 15 miles away in Exmore, VA. Another day’s ride from Exmore will put them at the end of the peninsula where they can cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge over to Virginia Beach. Sidekick Sue learned something new on this trip because she was previously unaware that Virginia had a little bit of land on the Maryland side of the bridge.
After the break, worst of the rain gradually slowed, and returned to a light mist, making the final leg of the trip more comfortable. Once again, the Explorers ran into Route 13, and decided to stay on it for awhile because it has more amenities then returning to the farm roads. They found a mini-mart to take their 40 mile break so Captain Mark could reserve tomorrow’s passage over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and Sidekick Sue could plot out their route to the hotel. They decided on a route that would take them off Route 13 for awhile because the wide shoulder they had previously enjoyed kept “disappearing” and travel on that road didn’t feel so safe anymore. About a half-hour later, they arrived at their hotel and enjoyed warm showers and dry clothes. They ventured out one more time in the misty rain to grab a bite to eat and re-stock on protein bars at the local Food Lion.
