Chris Wessel’s Cross Country Ride

10/13/2022

My dad only has two days of riding left! Here’s what he’s had to say lately.

2 days ago: “Rode 44 miles today to Lexington. Probably because I was mostly on marked 76 route, the roads were fantastic, traffic also light and courteous. Weather today also slightly warmer than last couple days. Today was a day which really was smooth. Still had a time or 2 of indecision on follow 76 sign or go with Google Maps. Lately, GM wins. Made a command decision...tomorrow riding almost 70 to Charlottesville...will spend 2 nights there. No riding Thursday...rain projected all day. I should be able to then finish without any further rainout. October 16 just became October 17.”

Yesterday: “Rode 70 miles to Charlottesville. Not hugely hilly, but not flat either...we're not in Kansas anymore. Yes, tomorrow is 1st official rainout day. Rode 67 straight days. But, here's the kicker...I think because I'll be totally rested...next ride will be 70 miles to Ashland. Then, the day after... somewhere close to Yorktown. Yorktown has no car rental places. So my finish won't be there. Bottom line...only 2 rides left!!! This my game plan. Hard to believe this is really coming to an end. I've almost done it!!!”

And today: “Called off today for rain and it was a good call. Even if it's not raining at moment, everything wet. This morning made huge decision. The only one way rental in the Yorktown area is Richmond, Virginia. I would be riding right past it to Yorktown. I'm probably shaving 50 miles but didn't want to go to Yorktown and then have to figure out how to get back to Richmond. Bottom line, tomorrow riding 70 miles to Ashland. On Saturday it's about 20 miles to car rental. Can't pick up car until noon so I'll ride around Richmond. Richmond will be my end town and makes car issue easy. I'm still calling this a USA trip.”

10/10/2022

2 day ago: “Rode nearly 60 miles to Wytheville today. As always, it didn't go perfect. Thought I'd follow 76 sign instead of doing Google Maps. I must have been following 76 WEST. After 3700, I'm better at directions. Well, I knew I was on a road going west. Did u turn. It cost me only a mile or 2. I wasn't about to be riding west long. Still sucked. The next 3 day's weather looks ideal. My projected finish is October 16th. Each day I'm getting closer. Go Hawks and Jaxon Rexroth!!!”

Yesterday: “Last night I stayed in palace. Today, probably not. Unless the Budget Motel has some serious upgrades. Rode 50 miles from Wytheville to Christiansburg. Man, was it cold. 32° when I left, not 50° when I arrived. That's cold, cold riding...the kind of riding where I hated downhill, loved uphill, and hoped for sun which doesn't come on backside of a mountain. Fun fact...TransAmerica ride has 12 maps for US trip...I've completed 11. I have 366 miles to finish spread over 7 days. If weather keeps being perfect... I’ll be done next Sunday!!!! Loi (his mom, my grandma) said something about me being alone this ride. That's not true. Let's put aside Tim and Matt visiting...especially, Tim going way out of way to take me to bike shop. That was huge. But do I need to remind people of the multiple times people came up to me as I'm resting...what do they say...do you need any help? It happens all the time. I don't need someone following me one bit. If I have problems...bet it works out. Let's not wish me any issues these last 366 miles!”

And today: “Again it was cold this morning so I left later than usual...like 9 am. But also did this because today's destination...Daleville/Troutville...only 42 miles. The ride was only modestly hilly and the roads great...Google Maps is way better than TransAmerica. I was flying fast today. Ever since I've been icing knee, no knee problems whatsoever. Beer helps too, I think. I got 2 more days ahead where weather is okay. The following day could be a rain out.”

10/07/2022

Once again, I’m behind on these lol.

2 days ago: “I am not in Kansas or Kentucky anymore. Kentucky...if there's 2 inches which are flat...I never rode over either of them. Today's 64 miles nothing but hills. At mile 40 took break. Damn good thing...next 2.75 miles all uphill. Virginia also had some hill prepped and ready for me...just as long as the eye can see. So today...f**king hard day!!!!! Tomorrow is 38. Low number. But I need a break. And the 38 supposed to be hilly. So day after tomorrow also short. I am tired!!! Can't wait to get to Damascus...day after tomorrow...finally back on marked bike road...76...TransAmerica.”

1 day ago: “Now in Lebanon. Rode about 40 today. It was nothing but up and down. I had one stretch of down where I was SO happy it ended...like 2.5 miles down. Not one car passed me. It was zig zaggy. I had to be super careful for rocks on turns at such high speeds. Sure, I guess I'd rather go downhill because miles pile up fast. But uphill oddly a time I rest. One more day and I'm back on marked roads. Man, will I be glad for that. Virginians...they such kind people. People coming at me always wave. Had to stop multiple times today because driver behind me being TOO kind...they wouldn't pass me when I want them to do so. So I stop...and wave them by.”

And today: “Every day of this journey, something goes amiss. Today no exception. This morning when I went to open my contact case to put my right contact in...there's no contact! Stupidly, I brought only exactly the contacts I thought I'd need. Good thing my glasses have the tinting. They do work okay...not as well as sunglasses though as they vent better on hills. I'll adjust and treat glasses like they're gold. Because they are. Rode 36 miles. I actually think I've crossed much of the Appalachian Mountains already. Today's hotel is closer to a hostel. It's called Crazy Larry's Outdoor Inn. This will be interesting. Then tomorrow is the #8 rated Bed and Breakfast in the US. It looks stunning. Trinkle Mansion B&B.”

10/04/2022

“Did 61 miles to Hazard, Kentucky. Google Maps today put me almost entirely on "Interstate like" road. Traded one danger (dogs) for another (semi's passing me within inches at 65 mph). Plus, I'm in Kentucky...there's not one inch of this state that's flat. Tomorrow I enter the final state...Virginia. It's a wide state. So it's going to take me a while to get across. Tomorrow also 63 miles. After that, doing 2 short days...both mileages in the 30s. Here's a fun fact too...October 6th my town Lebanon. October 7th, Damascus.”

10/03/2022

10/03/2022

A few days behind on this but here we go:

Two days ago: “Did 55 miles to Springfield. Hotel is close to grocery store. I love that. But I'm in Kentucky...even something across street can be a semi challenging ride. Google Maps once again spectacular. Took me on low use highways. Hardly ever got passed. It's insane people rode across USA without a smartphone. I wouldn't ride 5 feet without my smartphone and Google Maps!!! Go Hawks!!!”

Yesterday: “Rode 60 miles today to Berea, Kentucky. Stopped once at mile 40 and glad I did. Don't ever come to Berea. It's one of those dry except if you eat at restaurants...no beer in gas stations. No bars. I hate these places. But guy at Japanese restaurant sold me a 3 pack to go. I am savoring every drop!! Weather continues to be great for me. Booked hotels until October 5th since weather outlook good. Tomorrow is 52 miles to London. Hills look very hard.”

And today: “Now in London, Kentucky. Kentucky is the state of hills, and dogs. Most terrifying dog tale today. Bad enough when they sneak up behind you. Worse when they are in 2 lane road ahead of you...the dog attacking a car coming AT me, so I knew my turn coming. It was lucky I had a car behind me and the dog attacked it!!!! He was big, mean, and lots of teeth. Hills were hard today...I'm in Kentucky...duh. Tomorrow is Hazard, Kentucky, about 60 miles. Maybe it'll be dead flat. Probably not. After Hazard...I'll enter Virginia. That's the LAST state!!!”

It’s crazy how fast this trip has gone by and he’s already about to enter the last state of his trip!

09/30/2022

Yesterday: “Rode 70 miles from Henderson, KY to Tell City, IN. Didn't stop one time. Wind was not my friend today. So, as Tim always recommends, started the second I could in the morning. Wind doesn't usually get less as day progresses. Tomorrow is 60 miles and next day 50. After today, glad the numbers going lower. Still feeling okay...in fact, that cold I had gone. Got chased by 2 dogs today. Dogs are a serious pain in the ass!!!! Google Maps really did me well today!!! I'm off the TransAmerica trail because no hotels on route. In 2 days, I'll be back on route.”

Today: “Rode 60 zero stop miles to Fort Knox, Kentucky, today. Google Maps again a trouper. Did great. One 5 mile stretch sucked. They doing road repair and all lanes grooved up...so super rough...not good for bike or me. Only option was ride on side of road with all the debris and 100% chance of a flat. Kentucky really is pretty...amazing pretty. Kentucky also had 4 more dogs chase me. Trust me...even small ones are no fun. Tomorrow I ride 50 to Springfield. I'll be glad to be there so I get back on TransAmerica route. Had to get off route for hotels. If I ride next day to Berea...which is plan...total mileage completed 3500. That's a big number. “

09/28/2022

I saw my dad briefly this morning, which will be the last time I see him until he finishes this ride! Here’s what he said today:

“Rode 40 miles to Harrisburg, Illinois roday. Boy, the first 30 miles like riding on I-80...65 mph speed limit...divided highway. I didn't even take one drink of water on that road...too focused on traffic. But the high level of cars and trucks really makes for an easier ride...wind and all. Great having Tim and Matt over last week. Matt left early today. Bike in great shape and should be okay to end. Now over 3100 miles. Soon...less than 1000 to go. Mid October this could be done!”

09/26/2022

I’m way behind on posting anything on here because I’ve been extremely sick the last several days and had to go to the ER. I’m feeling better and currently in a hotel spending time with my dad! Yesterday and today are the first times I’ve seen him since he started this trip. My Uncle Tim also made a trip see my dad in Missouri.

Here’s some stuff he’s said lately days ago too:

“Now in Marshfield. Rode 25 miles. Oddly, most of it right along Interstate, but I was on Historic Route 66. Google Maps did well!! Arrived early and I might see about local bike shop. Bike working perfect. But I might have them preemptively do stuff...chain, front tire, anything. Will be nice Tim's arriving tomorrow. Matt next day.”

“Today rode 67 miles from Marshfield to Houston. I had a 2 hour rain delay about 28 miles into ride. Still glad I did it...got 67 miles instead of zero. Today also day of the dogs. Got chased by not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 dogs. One tried to bite me. I had mace in hand for another. One ran super hard for almost a mile. I would love to have a little chat with their owners. Gotta go check into hotel and Tim will be here soon.”

“Rode today from Houston to Eminence. It was a semi short ride 43 miles. And today first day I had actual help...Tim is here!!! But the 43 miles weren't a cake walk. Wind was against me entire way. And some of the hills here in the Ozarks of Missouri...hardest hills yet. They short, but seriously steep. Today wonderful day. Tim helped beyond helping. My bike has new front tire and chain and Tim had ice for my knee before I arrived. So it was a great day. How about this? Because of Tim carrying my stuff to next hotel...doing 85 miles tomorrow...also wind supposed to be my friend.”

09/21/2022

“Went from Lamar to Springfield today. Wind mostly okay. But I don't care what anyone says...ride 80 miles with all your Worldly possessions. It's not easy in Kansas or Missouri. But I did survive. Funny thing...at my 1st stop...mile 55...drank a 1/2 gallon of chocolate milk. Chocolate milk, candy bars...they're my friends. Again...I bow to Google Maps!! Rode 80 miles...8+ were on bike trail next to my highway. Google Maps has nearly killed me emotionally...many times!! But it's also done me well. Tomorrow only 25 miles. Then...family comes into picture...both Tim and Matt headed my way. So glad!!!”

09/19/2022

Yesterday here’s what my dad had to say: “Made it to final city in Kansas...Pittsburgh. Winds strong and not overly friendly...rode 7 or so directly into wind. Been doing some calculating. My pre ride thought was I could finish in September. That thought wildly overly optimistic. Comes from guy who only rode 100 during ragbrai. I'll likely finish in mid October. Maybe even 3rd week. That's still about 2 1/2 months. Not bad for what I'm doing and I can't magically place hotels precisely where I want them. Still feeling good. Beer sales start here at 12 pm...better than rotten Scott City with none on Sunday.”

And today: “I am finally done with Kansas. The wind today even felt lighter. Only rode 25 to Lamar, Missouri. During ride I got a call from only hotel for this Wednesday in town of Mansfield. That was deflating to hear. But quickly scampered around on phone and now town after Springfield (tomorrow's town) will be Marshfield, Missouri. This location works well with my distance requirements. Tomorrow's ride close to 70. Next day to Marshfield will be short...like 25. Following day is Houston and it'll be 65. Glad I rode short day today to mess around with hotel planning.”

This weekend he’ll only be a couple hours from me and I definitely plan to go visit with him. I might even ride a day with him. We shall see!

09/17/2022

And here’s what my dad had to say for today: “Kansas much like Oregon on this journey...forever long. Now in Chanute. Next city is Pittsburgh...another 60 mile day. I'm sure winds will be same as all of Kansas...south and insanely strong. That'll be last Kansas city. On to Missouri.”