Trish & Phill's Tandem TransAmerican

Tour 2003 

May 16th Christiansburg - Wytheville 30mi

The distance of the ride today was about 65 miles but we only did about 30 miles.

The mornings are always a little hectic as we role up beds fold tents pack bags and eat breakfast to be on the road as early as possible. Today was different. I discussed at length the brake problem with Larry our tour leader. He suggested a few things like ensuring the pads had not glazed over and scuffing the rims a little to ensure traction. I also used the phone at the church to ring around and try to hire a truck to transport the bike up the trail a way to a bike shop. I have decided it's too dangerous to go on. I spend about an hour on the phone and still don't have any way of transporting the bike up the road., No option but to ride on.

At the next town I again start asking for a place to Hire a truck or van, In the land of the Motor Car I would never expected this to be a problem but after riding from one end of town to the next with no luck in getting a vehicle to hire we decide to continue. We opt to go off route and avoid the steep hills,we again followed Hwy 11, it's busy and not so scenic but the grades are less and it's reassuring as it is again a wet ride.

At about the 30 mile mark we stop and look at the map to ensure we are on the right road and moving in the right direction. A guys stops and things change.

Mike Spraker introduces himself as another cyclist and asks if we need any help, he sees we are looking at a map. We tell him our story including the need for a bike shop. This kind hearted man uses his cell phone to call his friend at the bike shop in Wytheville ( our next destination) and relays that the shop owner can help us out.

Without hesitation he offers to load the bike and trailer onto his truck and delivers us to the bike shop. He walks into the shop with us and introduces us to the owner and his friend from Australia.

Ian Phill Trish Mike

After helping us to the Bike shop he then takes us and our bags to the Community Hall where we were camping with the rest of the group, he didn't leave until he knew we were settled.

The generous nature of this man is unbelievable,  we can't say in word what this man did for us today. Our spirit were low, we were tired and we still had over 30 miles to ride at 3:30 in the afternoon A TRUE ANGEL Thanks once again Mike. 

Page owned & maintained by Trish Collins email to  trishphill@aapt.net.au.  Last Updated 28/07/2003