Charlotte and Beyond

I didn't want to cycle through the city but it really was the only reasonable choice. Again, I forgot my camera. This time it was with me, but I was too busy concentrating on my route, traffic and for the first time, pedestrians.
I made good headway, and by the end of the day had pedaled 80 miles. And the rain had held off. I was just looking for camping, when Boom!
The crap on the road had caused a tire to blow. Not a puncture as nothing had gone through, but pressure from the useless (pronounced dangerous) roadsurface and the speed I was carrying. It took an hour to fix, and the self adhesive patches- rubbish. In the end I stuck with what I knew and that has held perfectly since. Problem resolved, I found shelter and got my head down.

The following day was torturous. Rather than pedal through Columbia, South Carolina's capital, I sought to go around. Mistake.
This lead straight into high country again, and truly abysmal roads. Even cars were avoiding the broken and pitted crevasses in the asphalt now. I couldn't afford to put on any speed for fear of a repeat blow-out. this means I hammered the brakes and if your brakes run too hot for too long, the air in the tyre is heated, another cause of blown inner tubes.

Somehow (pedaling virtually non-stop all day) I managed another 70 miles and got out of the dread zone. At least it was sunny, if chilly. When I spotted Woodsmoke campsite, I dove straight in. Never mind I hadn't quite made Lexington and there was light left in the day. The landlady made me very welcome, albeit for a princely $23. America- In England a tent is often only $10/night. Still, I could relax. Instinct was to prove right once again.

The campsite had a pond with a little bridge over it and a space with a bench in the middle of the bridge.I spent a happy hour stretching, reading, writing and musing before a long hot shower and dinner.

The following morning I awoke to a high wind, a loud crack and a thump. Whatever had fallen out of or off the tree was heavy and had landed close! But I had paid and I wasn't getting up in the rain. Having pitched well i was comfortablewaiting until nearly noon. Stubborn stupidity perhaps.
Maybe if the wind hadn't seemed satisfied with just a warning, and then died down, I would have thought twice.

Leaving late, I only made 15 miles and having finally found the huge and very comfortable Lexington Library, it would be dark before I pitched up. The librarians were a pleasure to talk with and so helpful, i was loathe to leave. The place was open until 8 after all! In theend I'm glad I did, simply so that I got another 20 miles under my belt and didn't feel I had wasted a day.