Today we had three hard climbs. The first one after Sugar Grove got our attention, then the one after Troutdale took us to the highest elevation of the day which was around 3600 feet but the one after Hayters Gap was the steepest and was extremely taxing. Every turn we made we hoped we would see the summit but NO is kept on going. I never rode so long in the lowest gear before. At least my bike cooperated today thanks to Rion.

We spent the night at the Elk Garden United Methodist Church. Most of us slept inside the church in any and all corners and pews. The showers were cold water only again but it really help us recover.