09/27/2026
Another week, another great mix of travelers here at the Gateway!
Tim and his buddies are returning guests who spent a couple days with us putting their SXSs to good use. One day they hit the Hillbilly Trails System Kentucky, and the next the Virginia Spearhead Trails. Judging by the mud on those machines, I’d say they made the most of both days!
Mike and his buddy were out doing what motorcycle riders do best, just riding and seeing where the road took them. They were following an Appalachian Backroads motorcycle route map with no real destination in mind, and that route happened to bring them our way on two beautiful motorcycles, a gorgeous Harley and probably the baddest Indian motorcycle I’ve ever seen. They didn’t know about Breaks Interstate Park, so we told them they couldn’t leave without seeing the Grand Canyon of the South. Off they went, and when they returned, they told us they loved the park and even spotted three elk right beside the road along the way. Sometimes the best stops are the ones you never planned!
Then there was Dennis, who rolled in right in the middle of a heavy thunderstorm. You never would have known it by his attitude. He was about as happy and carefree as anyone we’ve met. Dennis told us he started riding motorcycles when he was 19 and will turn 80 in April. More than 60 years on two wheels, and he’s still out there enjoying the ride. I hope we're all doing what we love at 80!
And finally, Jeff, a TransAmerica cyclist from California. Jeff is a retired police officer from Humboldt County, California, the same county featured in the Netflix documentary Murder Mountain. He shared a few stories from those days that I definitely won't repeat here, but they were pretty amazing! This is also Jeff’s third trip across America on the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail.
But Jeff isn’t making this trip completely alone. His wife is following along by vehicle, and she told me about something she does that I thought was pretty awesome. She’ll drive several miles ahead of Jeff, find a spot along the route and hold up a sign that says “CYCLIST SNACK HERE.” Then she hands out free snacks and water to any other cyclists who happen to come through and need them. Jeff may be the one pedaling across America, but she’s leaving her own little trail of kindness behind him.
From SXS adventures and motorcycle road trips to a cyclist crossing America... four completely different stories that all crossed paths with us here in Breaks, Virginia this week.
Thanks for staying with us, guys. Safe travels, and we hope our paths cross again.
