This was going to be a 160 mile day. Since we were tired from the last two days on the dirt, and the forecast was for 95 degrees, we decided to stay on the “easy paved roads” today.

My F700 had developed a looseness and knocking feeling in the front suspension over the last couple of days and it turned out the head bearings were loose. I had replaced them just before leaving on the trip and they needed to be adjusted again. Luckily Tri County Honda, a large motorsports dealer, shared a building with the restaurant where we ate breakfast so I went out back and got out my tools. A young man from the dealership loaned me a 10 mm hex key socket and I had the job completed in less than a half hour.

We took the paved alternatives today, but the heat was taking its toll on us. My bike computer showed a high of 97 degrees! 

We stopped early for a break and to cool off. Using one of his bicyclist tricks, Lon put his helmet in the freezer while we cooled down and it cooled his head for the first 15 minutes of the next leg. Cool!

We don’t stop often, but this view overlooking the Cacapon River was one we couldn’t pass up. An important Revolutionary War battle was fought here, near where the Cacapon empties into the Potomac River.

We stopped for lunch at Tari’s Cafe in Berkeley Springs. It was cool inside, the food was fabulous, and the wait staff was amazing. We were back outside getting on our bikes when Tari runs out waving a blue helmet liner. It was Coop’s, but he is hiding it in this photo!

Later in the afternoon it clouded up and rained, providing welcome relief from the heat of the day. The air smelled fresh, the fields became a deep lush green again in the dampness and diffused light, and the rain drips on my helmet and gear were refreshing.

In just a few minutes the temperature dropped 25 degrees!

We got to the motel around 5 PM, showered and had a beer and cream of crab soup. But I was so tired from the last three days that I hit the sack early.