Where's Joe?
Tennessee, North Carolina,
Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., Maryland
Stage 11 of the Journey: March 12 - April 8
Tennessee
south east region
March 12
Back on the road again! Joe finished his winter work with the students in Kentucky and today pedaled out of Cleveland, TN, to begin the final 4,000 miles of his 14,000 mile adventure. Barbara and Steven and Stephanie Bowen were there to wish him well. He rode 57 miles to Murphy, NC. He said it was good to be back in the saddle again.
North Carolina
south west region
March 13
Rained out. Second day. How about that? At least he got to meet his friend Mel, who he met on his '67 trip. Those two guys, their buddy, Dwight, from Florida, and Kentuckians Don and Guy, are working on a very interesting Kentucky history project.
March 14
This morning Joe met over forty bicyclers from Wisconsin. He said they were an impressive group of riders. After a nice conversation, the riders decided to come to Kentucky for the Celebration on June 17th. Wonderful! Later, as Joe was eating lunch in Andrews, a guy came over and asked, "Are you Joe Bowen?" After Joe allowed that he was, the guy said, "You spoke to my High School in the 60's after a long bicycle trip." As it turns out, James Powell was a student at Powell County High School in Stanton, Kentucky, when Joe talked to the students there about his first trip. James and his wife, Hope, now live in Murphy, NC. The ride today was up and down in the Appalachian Mountains. One climb was over five miles.
Tennessee (again)
north east region
March 15
Today involved a 50 mile ride through Gatlinburg and on to Cosby. Joe climbed one particularly large Great Smokey Mountain. He gained 3,000 feet of elevation in 15 miles. The temperature in the top 2,000 feet was below freezing and Joe had on every piece of clothing that he carries. The temperature rose as he coasted down the other side. By the time he reached the valley floor, the temperature was in the mid 50's.
March16
Joe went to the Presidential Library of Andrew Johnson, our 17th president, to do research on the history project he, Don, Guy, Mel, and Dwight are working on. He found three important letters. The project concerns a Kentuckian named Felix Grundy Stidger and the time period is during the Civil War. Espionage, plots, conspiracy, high crimes and treason; it's got it all. Can't wait for the movie! Joe pedaled 45 miles to Greenville. It was a pleasant ride and a nice day to be on a bicycle.
Virginia
south western region
March 17
Joe operates on the "Safety First" principle of bicycle riding and wants everyone, especially our young people, to do the same. Today presented a choice between his itinerary and the "Safety First" principle and of course, safety won. Joe quickly realized that the road in his new state was extremely bicycle unfriendly. There was no shoulder for him to ride on and there was a six inch drop from the edge of the road to where the shoulder should be. So, he turned around and is exploring a new route. He wants to point out that although the road was unfriendly to a bicycler, the drivers of passing cars and trucks were very courteous, careful, and mindful of his presence. He rode 60 miles today and is in Duffield on Rt. 23. There is a wide shoulder to ride on but it's gravel. Those skinny little tires on Rocinante prefer a harder surface.
Kentucky
eastern region
March 18
OK, OK. I know you are wondering, "What's Joe doing back in Kentucky so soon?" Well, Joe addresses the Kentucky Junior Historical Society in Frankfort this weekend and needs to be close enough for Barbara to come pick him up and drive him there - and back. The itinerary planned for a ride through West Virginia to Huntington but shoulder problems (the road's, not Joe's) prevented that. Today, Joe stopped at the home of native Kentucky author John Fox, Jr., in Big Stone Gap, VA. Fox's novel, "The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come" was an unprecedented national literary sensation when it was published in the early 20th Century. Every Kentuckian, and especially every Kentucky student, should read this book.
Home of John Fox, Jr. in Big Stone Gap, VA
March 19
In over ten thousand miles of bicycle riding across our great country Joe has felt the road condition too dangerous for safe riding only twice. The first was in Atlanta. If you recall, traffic was so congested that a passing car clipped off his rear view mirror. Fortunately, he was near enough a train station to get himself out of the danger zone. The second time was yesterday. The traffic, the coal trucks, and the road conditions were not conducive for safe bicycle riding. Most of us would add to the list the cold temperature and "snow event" but that doesn't seem to concern him too much. Anyway, he had Barbara drive down and pick him up. Since rain is forecast for the next couple of days, he will stay home and prepare for his talk to the Kentucky Junior Historical Society in Frankfort on the 24th. On Monday, Barbara will drop him off somewhere in far eastern Kentucky so he can get back on schedule.
March 20 - 26
Joe's at home waiting out the rain and preparing for his speech.
March 27
Joe enjoyed his speech to the Kentucky Junior Historical Society in Frankfort. There were about 500 students in attendance ranging from grades 4 to 12. Afterwards, a young man came up to Joe and said, "Mr. Bowen, I've slept through these speeches for the last three years but I listened to every word you said. That was great. Thanks." Barbara drove Joe to Catlettsburg. From there, he pedaled 82 miles to Ripley. It was a very pleasant ride through beautiful countryside. The first 50 miles were along the Ohio river and the last 30 across rolling hills. He had a nice chat with Judy Watson and her daughter, Clarisa, who raise money for cancer research.
West Virginia
March 28
Rained out. Joe spent the day reading and working on the Felix Grundy Stidger project.
March 29
Joe says that West Virginia is the friendliest state he has ridden through. People stop their cars and give him water, flag him down to chat, and just treat him well. Yesterday, Jim Mahan, Principal of Ripley Middle School, heard Joe was spending a rainy day in his town. Since Jim is not one to miss an opportunity to do something good and educational for his students, he picked up Joe and had him talk to his school. Everyone had a great time. Brian and Christina from the Parkersburg News stopped by for an interview. Today, Joe pedaled 60 miles to Glenville, a beautiful little town on the Little Kanawha River. David Corcoran, from the local paper, showed Joe around the town and bought him a big steak dinner. The countryside is absolutely beautiful and spring is in the air. The mountains in this area run generally north / south. Joe is traveling east. "Up and down, up and down, up and down..." were his exact words.
March 30
Joe had a great day. He rode 70 up and down mountain miles through beautiful countryside to Elkins. The local industries are oil, gas, and timber. There are two kinds of bark along the roadside; tree bark and dog bark. Faithful readers will notice that Joe has never commented on dogs chasing him. In fact, in the first 10,000 miles, twenty-eight states, and two Canadian Provinces he has been chased by dogs only seven times. In 200 miles in West Virginia he has been chased five times. Joe says that if he can reach a speed of 22 miles per hour, a dog will quit chasing him.
March 31
On this trip, Joe crossed most mountain ranges in the United States: Coastal Range, Sierras, Cascades, Rockies, Big Horn, Black Hills, San Juan, Ozarks and many other smaller ranges. Joe says that from the seat of a bicycle, there are "no meaner mountains" than the Appalachians across this part of WV. "Other mountains may be bigger, but not a bit badder." And from Joe, of course, this is a compliment. Allegheny Mountain had a sign that read "10% grade." Going down the hill, Joe passed all the eighteen wheelers. He pedaled 57 mountain miles from Elkins to Petersburg.
West Virginia Country Road
April 1
Joe rode 43 miles to Romney through "breathtakingly beautiful farm country." He is now on the southern branch of the Potomac River and the riding is much easier. The local folks enjoy visiting with him.
Joe and the "Bicycling Judge from WV"
April 2
On the road, Joe met a fellow bicyclist named David H. Sanders, known as "The Bicycling Circuit Court Judge." Judge Sanders took Joe on some great back roads through the Shenandoah Valley to Harpers Ferry. Our Bicycling Judge presides over the same court that tried, and hanged, the abolitionist John Brown for treason in 1859. Joe says West Virginia "has been a real plus" on this nationwide bicycle trip. Joe rode 79 miles today.
Virginia
northern
April 3
Canals played a very important role in the development our country. From the late 1700's to the mid 1800's canals were the most efficient way to transport goods and raw materials over long distances. The hand-dug Chesapeake and Ohio Canal System runs parallel to the Potomac River and stretches from Washington, DC, to Cumberland, MD. It is now a hiking, horse, and bicycle trail through some very isolated countryside. Along this trail, sixty miles from Harpers Ferry, Joe got caught in a fierce late afternoon thunderstorm. He pitched his tent on the small porch of an old abandoned "lock house" and camped for the night. He will be in our nation's capital tomorrow.
A Lock House on the Canal
Washington D.C.
Jefferson Memorial and cherry blossoms
April 4
Joe broke camp and pedaled ten, wet, chilly miles into our nation's capital. After eating breakfast, finding a hotel, and taking a warm shower, he rode Rocinante into the heart of the city. Joe will be the first to tell you that the most important part of this trip is sharing America with the students. And Washington, DC, offers many, many lessons. Now, we in Southern and Eastern Kentucky know that our congressman, Hal Rogers, is very interested in the young people of our region. So Joe figured that was the place to start. And besides, since Congressman Rogers is the only person, other than Joe, to have ridden Rocinante on this trip, he figured a courtesy call was in order. Joe rode to the Rayburn Building, into the Rayburn Building, and up to the congressman's office where he was graciously welcomed. They had a great conversation and Joe got plenty of pictures to share. Thank you, Congressman Rogers!
Congressman Hal Rogers meets with Joe
Joe had another important mission to accomplish this day. Recently, a Powell County man, a good man, John David Morton, was killed in action in Afghanistan. His memorial service was held at the Bowen Church of God in Kentucky and he was buried in Arlington Cemetery. On the night before Joe began the final 4000-miles of this trip, John David Morton's parents came to Joe and said, "Joe, when you are in Washington, please go see our son." Joe rode to Arlington Cemetery where he received a special permit to ride to the gravesite. John David Morton- we salute you, honor you, and thank you. You will not be forgotten.
April 5
Busy day in Washington, DC! Joe first met with the League of American Bicyclists, a major organization in the bicycling world. He told them that any person who could ride a bicycle from Ashland, KY, to Harpers Ferry, WV, could ride any mountains in the US. Joe next met with Congressman Ben Chandler. They discussed the Bert T. Combs Statue project. Joe was also hoping Congressman Chandler could help persuade Chicago's Mayor Daley, a bicycle rider himself, to ride with Joe when he rode through that great city. Joe next met with Congressman Ron Lewis. Congressman Lewis, in addition to his public duties, is also an historian. He and Joe had a long conversation discussing a little-know event in Kentucky's past that had an impact on the history of our nation.
Congressman Ben Chandler, Joe, Joe, Congressman Ron Lewis.
April 6
There are a lot of people helping Joe on this trip. There are two committees you may or may not know. The first is the "Worry Committee." They were particularly concerned about Joe riding his bicycle into and out of the traffic of Washington, DC. And if you have ever driven there yourself, you know they had a good point. The "Worry Committee" reached such a point of crisis that a special meeting was called with the other before mentioned committee, "The Prayer Committee," who told them, "Don't worry. Things will work out." This, of course, did not sit well with the "Worry Committee" because, after all, to worry is their job. But the "Prayer Committee" was right and the answer came in the form of a 150 year-old canal that was turned into a modern bike and hike path. Joe pedaled over one hundred miles into and out of one of the biggest traffic nightmares on the planet and never passed a car. Today, he pedaled the canal 45 miles back out of Washington and then rode a regular road 16 miles to Fredrick, MD.
Traffic on the way to and from downtown Washington, DC.
Maryland
April 7
Rained out.
April 8
A year ago today, Joe began this Bicycle/Education Adventure by pedaling out of southern California. And what a ride it's been! What a magnificent country Joe has shared with us. From sea to shining sea. For Joe, the students, and those of us riding along with him on the web page, it has been an incredible adventure. 11,000-miles, so far. Thanks, Joe. And thanks to all the folks who have helped along the way. Today, Joe was rained out, again.