Day 64 – Rainbow Campground, Saltville, VA to Hurricane Campground, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
10/14/2026
Today’s route for the cyclists (Rolf, Greg, & Mark) was 31.4 miles with 4,138 ft of elevation gain and included about 9 miles of gravel – the last 9 miles. John drove the truck.
The ride out of Rainbow Campground began with a long uphill, but then went into a lengthy downhill section. The riders got close to Chilhowe, VA (which means "valley of many deer" in the native language) and stopped for a chocolate milk. We spoke to the proprietor of the convenience store who was so impressed by our ride he gave some of us our chocolate milk without charge.
We all took off at about mile 11, Greg in the lead, when Greg pulled over with a front derailleur problem.
We looked at the issue and decided it was beyond our ability for a field repair. Greg called John for a pickup and Mark & Rolf continued on the route.
Rolf & Mark stopped at the Main Street Grill in Chilhowe and had second breakfast. We met the head cook – Dakota who made our breakfast. Rolf thought Dakota’s homemade cornbread was some of the best he’s ever had.
When Rolf & Mark headed out from Chilhowe, they began a 9-mile uphill stretch, which was, at times, 8-10% grade (i.e., strenuous). With 3 miles to go on the uphill, they turned on to the gravel road for the final 3 miles of uphill, some at 12% or more.
They both chose to walk some of those sections. The forest was beautiful with the leaves showing more signs of color as we ascended.
After reaching the top of the climb, they began to descend on the gravel road, which was covered by leaves, some of which resembled the big rocks in the path that jarred their joints and they came down to the campground.
Meanwhile, Greg went in search of a bike shop to help him repair his front derailleur. We learned that a nearby town, Decatur, VA was a mountain biking mecca, and he went there to find help. Unfortunately, the bike shops were either closed or did not have the replacement part he needed. Greg did some quick research and found a bike shop in eastern Tennessee, about 1.5 hours from our campsite. He went there, the bike mechanic was able to find a part that would work (with a little adjustment) and Greg drove back to our campsite, just in time for supper.
Hurricane Campground was very remote and in the wilderness area that contains Mt Rogers – the highest place in Virginia. The woods were thick and the sun went behind the hills early, leaving the group with time to sit and enjoy the view of the sky with many stars, as well as satellites, visible. It helped that there was neither wi-fi nor cell service available.
Comments