Day Thirteen: Lizzie Meets Chip, Tilly Gets an Upgrade

Distance: 36 mi.

Song of the Day: Shellshag — Sweet Hoodie

Short post today, but I’ll keep up the picture cadence. I put in a few updates to the 12th day this afternoon. Check ‘em! — Kyle

8AM: Recovery morning and we don’t leave Pat’s house until 10:30.

We stop at the Wright Brothers Memorial before leaving town.

A few beachy blocks to Outer Banks Bicycles, meet Chip on Pat’s recommendation. Chip is AWESOME. Breaks down Lizzie’s options for converting drivetrain from 11/34t cassette | 48/34t chainring to a more lenient gear ratio to ease the steep hills awaiting us in Appalachia and out West. Lizzie punts on the drivetrain overhaul but selects an adjustable riser stem, drastically reducing her angle bent over the bike to improve her comfort. Big hit!

Chip rides a Vaya himself. But Pat’s convinced him to sell it to her friend. He didn’t want to, still doesn’t, but she’s damned persuasive.

Today’s song of the day is dedicated to Chip. I found a minor resemblance to Shell and Shag’s grand memories of San Francisco 90's punk/art culture, Chip took hours out of his day to dive into dialogue with Lizzie about how to better maintain Tilly and have an all around more enjoyable time on her bike for 88 more days. His advice spanned navigating swamps, saddle positioning, affordable fat tire bikes and our upcoming evil four-mile bridge crossing. He works in a shop but his craft is Not For Sale. It isn’t about the money, for Chip.

The Evil Four Mile Bridge

…and the wondrous sand dunes beyond:

5PM: Pay $30 to Midgett’s campground in Rodanthe, pitch tent in record time and run to dip our toes in the Atlantic waves.