Ride start temperature was 55 degrees. Ride distance for the day was 55 miles with one 3 mile 4 to 5 percent grade hill Otherwise it was fairly flat terrain with mountains on either side of the route.
After 4 miles we got on I-8o for the remainder of the ride. We could see the hill from 7 miles away. I climbed this hill in my middle chain ring gear and didn’t have to use my lowest cassette gear.
Here is a picture of the first SAG stop of the day at the top of the climb. Notice the snow covered mountains in the background.
Our SAG stops are spaced at roughtly 25 to 30 miles intervals. This gives us an opportunity to refill our water bottles (I carry two) and partake of cookies, crackers, trailmix, bannanas, grapes, etc. There is also gatorade powder if we want to use that. You can also fill your pockets with whatever you want to take with you at these stops(I sometimes take a pack of peanut butter crackers). Depending on the length of the day we often stop for lunch at a fast food restarant along the route. The America By Bicycle staff are seasoned tour leaders. They are friendly, organized, and make
Last night I read from the Upper Room devotional book that friend and cousin, Paul Wenger recommended. The reading was from Matthew 9 18-26. It’s about the woman who touched Jesus garment and was healed. As I rode today on the somewhat boring I-80, I thought about Eddie, Rosie, and Cecil from the church I attend who are fighting cancer, and prayed for their healing.
Rick Tangard one of my roommates is raising funds for cancer research. He will be riding in the Pan Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) Bike ride which occurs in Massachusetts August 2nd and 3rd. He will ride from Sturbridge to providence town, 192 miles over two days. Rick has ridden this ride 9 times. Many of us know people who have been affected by cancer. If you read this and would like to contribute to the fight against this terrible disease please visit Rick’s webpage and make a contribution. The funds he raises go directly to cancer research and treatment. The first link tell you about PMC, and the second is the link to Rick's Fund raising page.
http://www.pmc.org/
http://www.pmc.org/mypmc/profiles.asp?Section=story&eGiftID=RT0014
I took a picture today of one of the roads to nowhere. One of the readers of my blog indicated that they go to ranches that may not be visible from the road. That may be the case, because we have had to ride across cattle guards from time to time. We usually see them at the interstate exits and entrances. The puzzling thing is that I haven’t seen any cattle or other livestock. Maybe somebody can look into that for me and comment.
2 comments:
Dad,
I am telling everyone around me about your journey and it is giving folks a new idea of "retirement". That pic of you was too much! Mom was here as you know this weekend and we thought of you and talked about your adventure often. When we visited the Newseum we made a recording as news anchors in front of the White House (and shared some breaking news about your ride). In the next couple of days we hope to post our little video on your blog.
Love,
Allison
Heat advisories were posted Monday from the Carolinas to Connecticut, with temperatures expected to hit 100 from Georgia to New York, the National Weather Service said
Jay
Sure hope the weather cools down before you get to N.H.
We have not deserted you been with you all the way, just too tired after reading your blog. We know what these mountains are like as we have traveled them many times either in our 5th wheel or motor home. We are so proud and happy that you are are finally seeing your dream come true.
Wish we would have done better planning and stayed in UT as it looks like maybe your route is following right behind us.
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