17-05-17 Day 39

Hazard, KY to Lookout, KY

Cheryl Kay Foundation Update .............

We are now $220.00 closer to Randy shaving his head. Thanks to Thomas C., Scott S., and Melissa G. For their gifts! This brings our current total to $1,695.00! With only 10 days remaining we'll need to pick up the pace. Our current mileage is 2,609 which means we need an additional $3,523.00 to meet our goal. The Cheryl Kay Foundation is a great organization doing wonderful things for those in need. PLEASE help us hit our goal.



Back on the bikes today in Kentucky.  Hoping to avoid dogs, hills, and heat. Unfortunately, we were only able to avoid one of the three, dogs 🙄.   We did have the hills and heat.  Completed 76 miles of our intended approximately 86 miles, the heat was a large contributing factor to the afternoon hill climbs. Leaving minimal gas in our personal fuel tanks.

Randy took this picture to illustrate how steep the grade was but it really does it no justice. So he took a photo of the elevation profile (shown below) just before the top. Our location at the time is shown by the dot half way up the Christmas tree on the left side. The best we can estimate from the profile this was 12-13% grade which went on for over two miles. 

SO, we decided to stay at the Freedom Harris Baptist Center, Outlook, KY. This venue is cyclist friendly church that provides, food, beds, and warm showers. Thank you to the church for allowing road weary bikers a place to crash after a long day in the saddle. We will finally make our way out of Kentucky tomorrow and begin our journey through the state of Virginia, with approximately 500ish miles to the finish.  But the mighty Appalachians standing in our way first 😓.

Met westbound biker, Joe today along the road and talked the Trans Trail info exchange briefly.  Interestingly, we were fortunate to share space at the church with westbound bikers, Lincoln and Jordan this evening.

Received a thumbs up from Joe on his route
this am.  Good luck!

Trans America Trail riders, Lincoln and Jordan
Just beginning their journey across the US.
They will end up in Oregon, safe travels guys.