Dogs and Cotton

Day 14
From Emporia VA
To Rocky Mount North Carolina
Mileage estimated 58
Mileage actual 59 miles
Top speed 27.5 mph
Riding time 4hrs 43 mins

At Route Rap last night, Shane told us that today would be about dogs and cotton. Dogs because we are getting into the backwoods where people do not keep their dogs on leashes, nor in a kennel, nor behind any fence. Oh, and the dogs don't like cyclists other than as a plaything that they LOVE to chase. We had discussion and shared ides of how to deal with aggressive canines. The other thing we were to expect today was cotton fields and that was just how it turned out.

58 miles was a short day after what we have been turning our wheels round for over the past few days, so luggage load was at 8.30am today but, of course, we were mostly all up before then as the body alarm clock kicked in at the usual early time. I would have been ready to go at 8 and I am not the best at getting motivated in the morning, so there was a little bit of heel dragging going on. The day dawned cloudy but warm and we set off from the hotel retracing our route in from last evening.

As we did so, I had to stop and take a photo as I suddenly saw that after a lot of effort, the work of trying to get the Americans to use proper English may finally be paying off. Is it too much to expect that in the sleepy town of Emporia, Virginia, a cultural revolution is starting?

There were a lot of twists and turns to get out of town but we were soon on our way into pleasant countryside on flat, smooth roads that moved us further South. The early morning mist didn't last long and soon the sun was adding its bit to the humidity in the air and pushing the temperatures higher and higher. Soon our clothing was wet through and cycling was the only way to get a breezy escape from the humidity; stand still and perspiration just ran down your arms and other parts of your body! (Ooh, too much information!)

As Shane had said, the landscape changed from the usual corn and soy crops to pastures new. Today we rode through cotton fields, tobacco fields and finally peanut fields. The cotton fields were what we first came across and I was assured by those of the locals who know best that as we move further South we will see the the cotton plants in more mature states. What I saw this morning were plants about 18" high with either white or pink flowers on them and the cotton bols growing independent of the flower. You can see the bols on the picture. They are the large green circular gooseberry-like parts and as the plant matures, the cotton is formed in there until the cover bursts when the cotton is ready to be harvested. I will be interested to see what height the plant finally gets to because if they don't get any higher, collecting the cotton by hand will not have been much fun. Nowadays, the whole thing is done by machine but years ago the slaves would have to work the fields. I do not envy them.

We got to the first SAG stop in good time and stayed a little longer than usual. Firstly it was sited at a River park with pleasant views and a bit cooler air and secondly, the staff had got fresh watermelon for us and that was so refreshing! It was very watery and also very sweet and a huge one was demolished by grateful riders.

Arlene managed to get another flat tyre which was caused by the tyre being 'pinched' and the tube getting punctures. That was soon repaired but when it was inflated to pressure it blew up again as the tyre had a hole in it, too. The tyre then had to have a temporary repair or 'boot' as the locals say, another new tube inserted and then we were on our way again. We lunched at the town of Enfield which has many claims to fame, most of them untrue; a) it was named after Enfield England, b) that there was an Inn there and it was called Innfield then changed or c) that it was where the Enfield rifle was manufactured during the civil war but what the actual origin of the name is remains a mystery. Nowadays, it's a one street town that has seen better days. It was once the centre of the North Carolina peanut industry, but it seems to have lost that title, too. It was hot enough for us to seek the shelter of (yet another!) Subway shop, the only food place in the town and a few minutes in the air conditioning was very, very welcome.

Today, Al, my room mate, rode with us. He is a very strong rider and has done some racing in the past. His bike is one that was custom built for him by Stephen Roache, Irish Tour de France rider and winner in the past and he is eminently suited to it. There is very little to him and therefore he doesn't have much excess to lug around so he can get along very nicely. There were a couple of times today when the wind was not too favourable and Al went to the front of the line and started to lead. This suited me and no doubt the others until Al decided to lead as he knows. Soon the speed was going up, and up, and up, and up until I am in a pace line going at 20mph. Thank goodness there was not too much of the ride left or else I would never have made it.

We got to the hotel just before 3pm and our room was ready. I was very pleasantly surprised to find this sign in the lobby addressed to me. Who left it? I don't know at the time of writing. I am sure it will be one of Leon's friends from North Carolina - or maybe even Leon himself. Hopefully, all will be revealed later and I can update you tomorrow. (Now see below)

I published today's post early and got back from dinner to find an answer to my mystery supporters. Please look at 'Comments' below to find the answer. Thank you very much, John and Sherry Dixon.