Day 18. Asheville, North Carolina.Day off today (sort of) in hot and humid Asheville. Headed out to Chimney Rock in the morning, a granite outcrop about 20 miles out of the city. Climbing the 800+ steps to the viewpoint was a bit of a challenge in the heat, but well worth it for the view. The temperature on the bikes was reading 38 degrees (in the sun), when we got back to the bottom. After lunch we headed back into Asheville to pick up and fit the new batter...

Day 17. Asheville, North Carolina.A fairly long day of riding the Blue Ridge today. Another 190 odd miles covered. Having said goodbye to our Australian friend we made a fairly early start and were off on the road by 9:30. During the day we had temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees and got to altitudes of almost 6000'. Once we arrived in Asheville at 2pm we stopped for dinner and experienced the very American phenomenon of a drive through cash point. We then...