Tuesday

December 28, 2010

Destin, Fl

Well, let me apologize for not getting back to you sooner. My last day on the bike was last Wednesday. I injured my Achilles tendon to the point where just walking was a challenge. So, the completion of the trip was postponed.

The last biking day started out ordinary. Cool start but it was suppose to warm up into the 70's. The road was about as plain as possible, straight and flat. No houses, no towns, no anything. One of the problems with a non-wavering road is that if the wind is blowing right at you that the road usually gives you some respite. But the road never changed and neither did the wind. Easily a 25 MPH headwind. It finally started to rain for two hours (by the way, the weatherman said 0% chance of rain...be nice to have a job where you only have to be right 30% of the time). Usually, the wind stops while raining. Not today. I got both. Good part was when the rain stopped, so did the wind. I was sometimes going less than 9 MPH. UGH!!! Consequently, I pedaled for 7 1/2 hours instead of only 4 hours. I had swapped sore legs for a sore butt to feeling really good to not being able to walk. This is a tribute to training properly (which I had not). I had not had any problems even close like this in the previous 3 rides combined.

After multiple applications of ice and massage, the swelling, crepitus and decrease range-of-motion was all vastly improved. So, in my hardheadedness way, I got prepared the next morning to do battle for 2nd longest day (86 miles). After testing the Achilles for a spin of a minor 5 miles, I conceded to my injury.

Fortunately, my bride, Sandy (and crew), were going to be on the road and passing (not really) right by me. So with a minor detour on their part, I jumped in the car on Friday (I 'got' to stay in the hotel (major exaggeration) room and watch TV for 36 hours straight...YEAH!!!).

At this writing, I am still unable to ride the bike. The ankle is better but not right. Nothing permanent. Just needs a little more time and patience.

My mind is already on to the next ride, now it's time to get the body back in shape.

Until the next ride, keep the rubber on the road.

All is well.

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Tuesday December 21, 2010
Waycross, GA

Well, How nice was today. Started cold finished almost hot. I got on one road about a mile from last night's hotel and stayed on it for 69 miles...boring. Very few towns (they call them cities!?!) and nothing to look at. No cars ran me off the road and only one dog chased me. Boring, just like i like it (but could have it with nicer scenery?). Last night's weather report had only a 4 MPH wind but coming from the direction I'm going (can i buy a tailwind???). I think the weatherman left a zero off of the 4 because my times are getting slower and i have to blame it on something!!! 71 miles @ 12.6 MPH. Tomorrow is longer at 86 miles because i looked at the paper map ( a feature googlemap can't give) and saw that tomorrow's route is a double red road. Today's route was on a dinky little black road. Four lanes and mean. This road was as tough as i want to get so we trade off going straight on 4 lane highway to something less frightful (always greener on the other road) and longer miles. We'll get what we get.....
Until tomorrow.
All is well,
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Monday
December 20, 2010
Hinesville, GA

Well, today went really well. Started really late. Was having a wonderful morning and breakfast at my in-laws when I looked up and it was already 10:30, still in PJs and not packed (because of the flat tire, the bike had to be completely unloaded also). Fortunately, had a relatively short day (62 miles @ 14.1 MPH). I was starting to flirt with sunset, at least by my standards. Not sure why the slow times but definitely had to speed up the last half. Weather was good... blue sky but cold in the morning but starting to warm up to 50's by afternoon. Legs were vastly improved over yesterday but my butt is tender (I'd say bruised but really can't see!!!) I know...TMI!!! This is the second day in a row that i ended up with a dehydration fever. Definitely not drinking enough. Lost a bottle off bike today to boot.
Looking forward to more of the same great stuff tomorrow. Time for some food.

All is well,
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Sunday (Actually Monday)
December 19, 2010
Hilton Head, SC

I posted last night but was so tired i must not have saved the post hence ....

Well, what an auspicious start...Not wanting to dwell on the negative, I'll just mention a few of the not so positive highlights....From starting 4 hours late TO the car breaking down 45 miles south of town and having to return to Chester for plan B TO 'new' car not being road worthy TO forgetting my sunglasses to snow while going south on I-95 TO arriving at 2AM to the hotel and having only 5 hour sleep. UGH!!! You would think that I would have listened to the "bike Gods" but nooooo. (the "bike Gods" are kin to the "golf Gods").
For those of you who don't know, Andrew drove me down on Saturday (night) to Summerville, SC. I was suppose to leave Fri night and start on Saturday but all the forecasters were predicting lousy weather on Saturday (29 degrees and rain...) ( in my book, 29 degrees doesn't equal rain, it equals YUCK!!!). So the trip got shortened by a day and 96 miles. Still have 7 days and about 600 miles.
After I finally got on the bike, it went marvelous. The wind was behind me, for the most part, the temps were cool (started at 29 degrees) and the road was smooth. I recognized very quickly that I had not trained well enough (well really, not at all... have not been on the bike in 6 weeks). My Quads were screaming at the end. 'Fortunately', I had to walk the last 1/4 mile due to a flat (which is the first flat on this bike in over 2000 miles!!!). ( I am still NOT listening to the "bike Gods"). Today's mileage was a total of 69.57 miles @ 15.0 M.P.H.
Tomorrow (today) should go smooth with only 66 miles but starting chilly again. Hopefully wind at my back. Tire is fixed (cross your fingers and toes).

All is well.

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Sunday Afternoon
Sept 19

Well, I knew today was going to be a shorter day (71 miles) but i got all the elements just in different bursts. The day started cloudy and cool (cool for Florida is mid 70's in the AM) for the first 25 miles but then it looked like the "War of the Worlds" movie. So it only rained on me for the next 25 miles (no aliens or anything). By the time i figured it was going to continue to rain maybe i should get my rain gear on, I was soaked. That was refreshing compared to next 25 miles where i felt like a chicken in an oven (and they say that the humidity is 'so much better'). The good news was the wind, which was gusting to 25 MPH, was mostly behind me (or at least from the side). Hence the increase in MPH (14.7). I'm not going to set any land speed records but just call me the energizer bunny!!!

One last day and then I get to see and hug my Breezer. Should be a shorter day but no access to a computer until Sandy flies down on Tuesday.

You notice I have not mentioned my 'stead'...no mechanical problems at all. Physically doing great (swelling is vastly improved - see blog from yesterday). Nutrition is much better although I may never eat bagels, PB & J, bananas and yogurt ever again.

All is well.

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Sept. 18
Saturday Night
(Another) Hampton Inn

Well, no entry yesterday as I was having too much fun catching up with an old friend from U of FL whom I had not seen in 25 years. Peg and I enjoyed Mexican food and few cold ones but didn't realize that time had slipped away and I didn't get into bed until midnight.

Yesterday's ride was long...100 miles at 14.1 MPH. Hot again with some wind but I think my ride last year in OCT was hotter. There are a lot of Love bugs on the road and I can't figure how they proliferate. OK, I understand the name but I think their total mission in life is to die on the front someone's grill. I even had multiple ones hit me in my grill ( my kids will understand the modern lingo) . Riding in downtown Jacksonville was interesting...very depressed area and then you turn the corner and it looks like something out of Mayberry!!! All and all, went very smoothly.

Today's ride was shorter in distance but took me longer. Maybe because i was dehydrated (the beers) or the late night (the beers) or the heat (the beers). But i ended up taking a nap at mile 68. Ended with 84 miles at 14.1 MPH (are you sensing a theme here?). Unfortunately, my bottom is swollen (T.M.I.) and it's a very difficult place to put ice. I think I didn't have enough back-to-back days in the saddle to 'callous' it up enough. Oh well, one must do what one must do.

Will do better tonight which will result in a better tomorrow. That's all I can ask.

Igor wind should be at my back and I'm back on my maps and off of the big roads.
Sunday = no traffic (YES?!?).

Time for night night.

All is well.

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Sept. 17 Thursday Night
Darien, Ga

Well, traveled by car via my brother-in-law to Hilton Head SC to my Maw and Paw-in-laws house only to find that they had bamboozeled in the middle of the night. Actually, we knew earlier that they had gone on vacation. It was nice that they allowed us to stay at their house, even though sleeping for less than 5 hours probably doesn't constitute as staying at their house. I'm sure Hampton Inn would still probably charge me.

Today was fairly nondescript...84 miles at 14.1 M.P.H. Head wind all the way, hot (but could have been worse) and even got a little rain (wish it had of been more). (Should I actually wish for that?!?). Same route as last year's trip today...too much time on US 17. Tomorrow is slightly different from last year but almost completely on US 17. UUGGHH!!

Got in early enough to take a dip in the pool even with a nap at lunch!!! Having dinner across the street at Smoky Joes (UUMMM RIBS). Last year i had the honor of meeting the two sisters going from Maine to Miami on their seventh week on the bicycle. They are 72 and 77 years young!!!!! What an inspiration. We satyed at this hotel and had dinner and breakfast together. It was nice to talk to someone other than me.

Time for dindin. Hope everyone is well. Keep me in your thoughts and I'll keep the rubber to the ground.

Adam

Friday May 20, 2010
Chester, Va

Made it home on Tuesday after doing about 96 miles @ ~12 MPH. The day started out rainy but ONLY for the first 2 hours or so. Then the nice rolling hills of Virginia took over. What a much needed relief.
Chris ended up having a flat just north of Ashland where we had planned to have lunch. ( I guess he couldn't wait until we stopped). He actually ended up having a blow out. It's a good thing he was carrying an extra tire.
Ran into (not literally) another biker while we were fixing Chris' flat. He was on his way North. All packed up but by himself. He was raising money for a hospital in Canada. I told him that i didn't think the hospitals needed extra fundraising (just my opinion).
Then we found another biker from Australia on her third day going from Va to California just as we were leaving lunch. She was planning on bicycling for 3 and 1/2 months. I think my buttocks (and my wife) would divorce me.
The last 30 miles went like a breeze knowing we were getting close. I think both Bill and Chris' knees were aching a bit by then.
Sandy and crew fixed a huge supper of salmon, tuna, steak and chicken to commemorate our return. We half expected the streets to be lined with cheering fans as we pulled into Chester, kinda like in the Tour de France....Oh well.
Except for the weather, What a great trip. I would do it all over again tomorrow. Actually I am. The MS Dare ride is this weekend. (Richmond to Williamsburg on Saturday and back on Sunday). A mere 75 miles each day...should be a piece of cake.
So I'm already planning round 3. Where, when and who are to be determined forthwith. Hopefully forged a lasting relationship with Chris and Bill that they will want to accompany me in the future.
Until then......All is well.

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Monday May ??, 2010
Fredricksburg, Va

Yesterday, we ended up in Woodbridge, Va, after a beautiful ride thru Mt. Vernon. 30 miles of the 67 were on a trail. Beautiful!!! Probably not good to have been going thru on a Sunday. I have never seen that many bikers/runners/walkers in my life between Saturday and Sunday. Probably thousands. TERRIFIC!!! Nobody waves but then we realized that there are too many to wave at.

So, we miscalculated by 50 miles and did not make it home by Monday. Not sure how we did that, especially since I'm kinda in charge of the maps and maps are kinda my thing ( i study them in my private library).
Woke to rain. Rode in rain . Went to supper in rain. Guess what...it rained today!!! We were suppose to get 1-2 inches today and I'm pretty sure we got it.
We ended up only doing 57 miles today and arriving at 3 pm (earliest yet). Got to take a nap and a well deserved hot tub.
Bill had a flat (more like a blow out), luckily at a closed store so we had refuge from the rain. We are getting pretty good at changing flats although i really didn't want to get good at that. It made me realize that since i bought my new bike, i am not carrying a spare tire (3 tubes but no tire) (the one i was carrying fit the old bike). Let's hope for the best with no need for any spare parts.
We finally got into flat territory and averaged 12.3 MPH. If wasn't raining who knows...I kept telling them that this what i was used to training on (not that it's completely flat just rolling hills, much more acceptable).
Splurging at a Marriott, hence the computer access.
One more day, if everything stays on track, even though it will be a 90+ mile day. Looking forward to seeing my kids and hugging :) my wife.
All is well.

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Saturday May 15, 2010
Brookeville, Md.

Well, since this the first time I've had access to a computer i get to blog. The problem is all the days have run together. So I'll just give you some of the more unfuzzy highlights.
The weather has to be the talk from record highs in Maine to record lows in New York (26 degrees) to hot, hot, hot in Pennsylvania. The wind has been really bad to almost none but almost always in our faces. The hills have been mostly, can you guess, up and down. We left one day at noon because of the rain. My bike has not been cooperating so i stopped at a bike shop and it was beyond repair. Did i mention i had to buy a new bike...Yesterday was through Amish country. Today was gorgeous with temps in the 50's to begin with and maxing out in the high 70's.
Doing approx 75 -100 miles a day but length is being dictated by hills/wind/rain.
The hotels ( I'm being generous), have been having their problems. But at least we have a bed and shower. Not a Hampton Inn in sight!!!
By our calculations, we only have two more days and should be arriving on schedule on Monday.
If I remember any more, I'll blog it next time. Until then...............
All is well.

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Just a quick note: Dr. Adam is in New York with a new bike (he'll fill you all in later). The last few hotels they have been in had no computer access but all is well. Hopefully we'll get a blog from him later.

Chester Family Chiropractic Center

Sunday May 9, 2010

Windsor Locks, Conn

Well, I guess we had to pay for our day off yesterday. We had 15-25 MPH headwinds all day with gusts up to 40. Isn't that a category 1 hurricane?!? Combine that with an outrageous amount of hills...we figured we had 10 up for every one down (only a slight exaggeration). It was scary even going downhill as the wind had a tendency to gust whenever...imagine that?!? We couldn't figure...it would be blowing in our face and we would take a left turn and it's still in our face. It's kinda like when the smoke chases you around the campfire. Beautiful blue skies, though.

We ended up with 65 miles but only 9.3 MPH. We are where we were suppose to be last night.

Several dropped chains (all mine) but no f____. I actually don't want to jinx it by spelling it out or saying it out loud (it has to do with how much air is in the tubes).

Learned a valuable lesson yesterday...even though it was raining, i still need to drink. Woke up after my nap yesterday (after only doing 20 miles in the cool rain), with a dehydration fever. Still need to drink whether i feel the 'need' or not.

Suppose to be 35 degrees in the morning with a wind. I'm going to be wearing everything i brought (so i may have a tendency to look like the Michelin Man). No pictures, PLEASE!!!

Think good thoughts and get me one or the other (or both)...No Hills or if there is going to be wind, let it be from behind us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All is Well,

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Saturday May 8, 2010
Sutton, Mass

Let's catch up on yesterday before all the days start to to blur...Made it to Westboro, Ma in 87 miles at 11.5 MPH. It seems like we have either hills or wind. Yesterday we got both. This wind, if it wasn't directly in our face, was blowing from our right side and nearly knocked us off the bike several times. It pushed us briefly from behind and we were grateful for the respite. But then it changed directions or we did, and there it was, back in our faces.
Stayed at a quaint little motel with very accommodating owners/managers. I got a free beer upon checking in. :) Chicken Parmesan seems to be the food of the day. (Sandy would be proud).
The mechanical problems seem to be lessening. Although, we couldn't finish the ride because my rear tire went flat which we had to blown up twice in the last 5 miles to finish (by the time we checked in at motel, it was flat). My derailleurs are not cooperating and the dirt/grit/water is not helping. Makes it interesting going up hills. All those trips to the bike store to get the bike perfect doesn't seem to have worked out like planned.

So, back to today. Ate breakfast and fixed the flat but can't seem to manage to leave early (it gets light here REAL early). Got on road at 8:50 to a steady rain. It went from a light drizzle to absolute down pour. The only time it wasn't raining was when we had stopped for a hot chocolate (I just wanted to pour it over my head) at 15 miles after almost 3 hours. As we got back on the bikes, it started to pour again. Doesn't make the downhills any fun. Did i mention zero ability to stop!!! We found out about a motel near the route and stopped for the day at 19 miles. It did not take much arm twisting to convince Chris or Bill to stop. After a 2 hour nap, we woke up to blue sky's. UGH!!! It was suppose to rain all day. The weathermen were right again...Suppose to be very windy tomorrow. I CAN'T wait!!!
Off to dinner.
All is well.

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Thursday May 6, 2010
Exeter, N.H.

Well, no blog yesterday as the dive motel had no computer access. This place provided what looked like 2 washclothes. The only problem is one of them was the bath towel.
Yesterday's trip was a little longer than expected as we got slightly lost and then the motel was off the beaten path. So we ended up with 97 miles but with lots of hills, only averaging 11.3 MPH. Less mechanical problems, only dropped chains.
Met another biker (he was just out for ride) who took pity on us and not only showed us where the hidden motel was but also went home and changed clothes and took us in his car to dinner. Fellow bikers are great. Kudos to Dennis and his beautiful daughter Jazmine. Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou.

Back to today. We got off map and onto real roads but this actually panned out better. Shorter, flatter and with a nice shoulder. Started out before we left the motel room with a flat on my bike. After fixing it, we walked out to rain which continued for the next 4 hours. At least I know my new untried rain gear works really well. Mechanical problems getting lesser by the day. Ended up with only 77 miles but with a vicious head wind (i thought the wind was always suppose to be behind me!!!). My wife called me a woos for ONLY doing 77 miles. :)
The roads are slighly better here than in Maine. It was explained to me that there are more miles of road per capita than any other state so they don't have the tax money to fix them. People seem nice for the most part except for the red neck in a pick up truck who threw a muffin at us this morning. Red necks are every where!!!
They are hitting record heats in Maine. Isn't that wonderful?!?
All pasta upped and ready for bed.
All is well.

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Tuesday May 4, 2010

First day is behind me. Always good to get that out of the way. Didn't realize that there would be so many other firsts....First flat, first rain, first flat in the rain, dropped chain, dropped chain the rain...
So many hills. When i usually train around home, i rarely use my gears because it's so flat. I was on my lowest gear three times in first three miles and probably 25 times all day.
Chris had the first flat. We don't need any more experience changing flats but thank you.
Pulled in with about 20 minutes before dark. Started at 8:00. Lots of hills and head wind. UGH!!!
Maine has been voted the worst road conditions in the US by the Alphabet Cycling Team (Adam, Bill and Chris).
All pasta upped and hot tubbed. (are those even words).
Looking forward to round two.
All is well!!!!!!

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Monday May 2, 2010

Hi all,
Drove up to Maine on Sunday. The traffic was incredible in and around NYC. I'm glad i live in little old Chester. I think after experiencing my brother-in-law's driving , that it will be much safer on the bike!!!
Spent the day in Acadia National Park. Unbelievable!!!! Got WAY out of my comfort zone by climbing a sheer rock wall mountain. The view from the top was indescribable. I hope the pictures do it justice.
Just met #3 rider and we are off to dinner.
Ride starts tomorrow. Weather suppose to be good. Wind is blowing and there are a lot of hills, but I'm thinking positive and the winds behind me and the hills are all down.
All is well.

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