Part 1: Day 9, 3 June 2018 – Damascus VA to Breaks Park VA, 75 mi, 5860 ft ascent, 9.8% max grade, 11.3 mph avg.


The proprietors of the Woodchuck served a nice breakfast in the morning and we got a chance to talk with some of the AT hikers.  One hiker in particular was suffering from shim splints and had been at the Woodchuck for days.  There were a lot of big hills between Damascus and Breaks, which was our goal today.  After about 20 miles of riding we came to Hayters Gap (aptly named). It was 2436 feet of straight up ascent in about five miles with 9-10% grades. It was rough going, foggy, and the roads were wet as we approached the top.  I set a new max speed record for this tour of 41 mph and a new single day ascent of 5860 ft, which is about 1,000 ft more than the day we climbed up onto the Blue Ridge Parkway!  I thought Afton Mtn would be the hardest day; today was a lot harder but after 9 days of riding my legs are feeling strong.  When we finally arrive at Breaks Park, which is right on the VA-KY border on the VA side, I was beat.  There was a nice lodge and we decided we had earned a night on a soft bed and a nice shower.  We ate dinner in the lodge restaurant, which overlooks the gorge that the park is named after.  The A/C in the room allowed me to dry out my clothes and gear….it is nice to start out the day dry. 

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