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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