Eighty miles of lush rolling hills of Kentucky stretch out behind me as I wind up a steep grade through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Head down, back bent, calf and thigh muscles burn when I stand up pushing my full weight onto the pedals.
The leather pedal straps flex and strain close to breaking from the constant pressure bearing down on them. Thankfully they manage to hold up through this difficult climb without snapping apart causing me to fall onto the rocky shoulder where the snakes are sunning themselves.
When they feel my hot tires roll by they quickly zigzag through the long grass into the shadows of the woods.
It was a challenge packing for this cross-country bike trip because whatever I decided to bring I’d be hauling it each and every mile. Narrowing my gear down to the essentials was a priority. I started with a water bottle, helmet, bike shorts, camera, sleeping bag, tire repair kit and a wind breaker.
One of the last things I needed to find was a good pair of sturdy sun glasses. All I had were the clip-on kind which are a hassle to take on and off while riding and to keep track of. Shortly before the trip I searched online for some new glasses, and found a great pair of sport prescription sunglasses. They arrived on time, fit perfectly, and most importantly I could see great with them.
A surge of adrenaline kicks in as I pedal up the last sharp incline of the day. The suns glaring rays attempt to interfere with seeing my final assent to the top but are deflected off my sunglasses. The grade is steep and rivulets of sweat run down my face and into my eyes. I wipe off the salty sweat with the corner of my shirt and slide my sunglasses back onto the bridge of my nose taking in the view. I grab my camera and capture a few shots for the memory book of this trip of a lifetime.
The scene is spectacular with a grand show of every color of green you can imagine. Huge patches of land stretch out below like a big country quilt pattern covering a soft bed of down feathers. The trees are alive and swaying in the breeze with birds singing a song of welcome even though I’m just passing through. No one is a stranger here in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Kentucky.
Take an interest in Bolle sunglasses and other sports eyewear online, as discussed by Simon Barnett. This article may be used by any website publisher, though this resource box must always be included in full.