16-04-08 Day 12 Snow!!
Biking the TransAm 2016 Blog
2 Wheels, 6 Months, 1 Adventure!!!!
I was coughing, sneezing, feeling drained. The forecast was not good. Snow and wind.. The plan was to rest and play tourist with Frank. Then bike to Troutdale.
We visited the smallest church in Wytheville and then the giant pencil office supply… Soon it was time to get back on the trail and bike… Sadly I said goodbye to Frank as he encouraged me to pedal on…. Again. Thanks..
Soon I was in Cedar Springs and soon I was out. Just a few closed up buildings… Sugar Grove looked like a better opportunity to get something to warm me up but I passed the gas station thinking downtown might have a diner…
Again, no luck…. Next Troutdale.
In 2010 and 2011 Jacks Store and Diner was a great stop. The Troutdale Church has a hostel bunkhouse for hikers and bikers. Yea! Sadly, Jacks is closed…. It must be hard to keep a small town diner open… Long live the memories of Troutdale…
The forecast was for three inches and the snow started to fall as I climbed up to Rocky Gap. The mountains blocked the wind and the grade was not as hard as I thought. Soon I was safe and out of the weather at the Hostel… Rivvit and Goose were hiking the AT and my bunk mates. We traded stories and I was soon asleep.
Rural Retreat to Troutdale 22 Miles
Troutdale Church Hostel
MarkTrail 
Mark — I can’t tell if Troutdale, Oregon will be on your route — but it’s nice to read that Troutdale, VA took care of you in the snow. You’ll be trading shivering for sweating soon enough.
Keep the goal in front of you! From Wikipedia:
Troutdale is a city in Multnomah County, Oregon, U.S.A., north of Gresham and east of Wood Village. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 15,962.[6] The city serves as the western gateway to the Historic Columbia River Highway, the Mount Hood Scenic Byway, and the Columbia River Gorge.
Hi Mark,
Good to see another cyclist is out here! I have been following behind you. I’m in Damascus today. I don’t plan a big day tomorrow thanks to feeling run down. How to see you on the road some day!
James. Will be starting late today… Yesterday’s ride was awesome… Check out Mojos for breakfast. Say hi to Susan Seymore…
James, there is a detour just before RT 11 Meadowview… I biked up to the top of the hill, Just before a street to your right, you can cross through a yard on your left into a yard facing 11.. Shortcut a la Mark Trail… I am at Elk Gardens Methodist Church waiting out the rain… Cheers
James…Map 129 letter B. The road sign says Left… the map says Right… Westbound