Bike Museums and BBQ

With just 56 miles planned for today, I got off to a leisurely start, after coffee with my warmshower host. He suggested that I stop at First Flight Bikes in Statesville, NC and am I ever glad he did. First Flight is a bike shop with a museum in it. In the main retail space, there are 100 vintage bikes, from pennyfarthings to 3- and 5-speed Schwinns with banana seats to time-trial bikes. Upstairs is the heart of the Museum of Mountain Bike Art and Technology. Modern and vintage bikes, parts, posters, jerseys, bike fitting machines, trophies, you name it. A great way to send an hour 30 miles into my day.

At the end of my visit, the guys running the shop, Jeff and Wes, suggested I get a bite to eat at Greg's BBQ. That wad the second piece of good advise I received today. At Greg's, I had second breakfast, biscuits and gravy, with coffee and lots of ice water. The ladies working at the restaurant were interested in hearing about my trip, so I shared my story. When they said they would love to try some bike travel, I suggested they talk to Jeff and Wes, and mentions that they were the ones who pointed me to Greg's. When it was time for me to hit through road, the ladies refused to let me pay. When they asked if they could tie a picture of me, I quickly said yes and suggested we do it with the bike. I think all of us came away happy from that stop.

From Greg's, it was a 25 mile ride through beautiful country roads to reach Yadkinville, NC. Without a warmshowers host nearby, I decided to treat my self to a room with a pool. After cleaning up, I took a nice, relaxing swim before dinner. Tomorrow's ride is even shorter, just 34 miles to Mt. Airy, aka Mayberry. The ladies at Greg's recommended Aunt Ben's for dinner. Think I'll give it a try.