I'll check it out, thanks. We do have portable spare battery (2 perhaps) as mentioned in prior post. If a cafe is used to laptops, they may not object to us charging them. Of course the cafe must be in a town for that to work, and we would be taking a 2-3 hour break in that case.
Yes, I understand it's "hilly". I have ridden some in the Rockies (eg, climbed Mt Evans, Icefields Parkway, Kootenai) and done countless miles on the Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway near our home, often with my wife, and once with her on an old ebike. I love riding in mtns. Not everyone likes it. I've seen people crack up there - angry at the "hill" that never seems to end. You go around a bend, and it continues upward. Hard for some to calm down, accept the slow slow pace, and appreciate the beauty of the views at those times.
The Eastern Express is a good way to start building confidence and testing basics, I hope. Less reason to go thru Afton VA, now that the wonderful trail angel, June Curry, has passed. I am grateful that we got to know her a bit years ago.
I purchased ACA gpx data for route planning using ridewithgps, and used Frank Moritz data for E Express. I can't share my map links due to ACA copyright of course. We may take paper backups. I once rode from Maine to Virginia using an East Coast map - not enough detail but all they had at the gas station in Maine
I have some test trips planned over the next year with my wife including the Skyline Drive (16 of the first 22 miles are uphill). I never like brand new gear on tour if I can help it. Supply chain may force me to break that rule for some things, but the ebike will be tested at least, as will we. Either of one of us may fail, or life may intervene - I guess we'll see.