It has been awhile since I have typed but Internet access has been limited. I will try and sum up the past days but it is hard to remember that far back due to the over stimulation we get day to day. The human mind just can quite remember all of that.
June 14th
Today we went through the Ozarks and they were the easiest climb yet. Mostly due to the fact that we have been biking for about a month so far. It got pretty rainy at the end but it was nice to continue to see a more exciting side of AK.
June 15th
Today we left AK, quickly dipped into MI and went into OK. This morning started with lots of bad luck for me and many hiccups along the way. The day improved greatly though throughout the day and crossing the 2 state lines was a nice touch.
June 16th
This day started off with me getting two flats during the ride which really set me back. I had a problem with one of my spokes and I had to switch to an older wheel which is a lot more susceptible to flats. All in all it was a good ride but was very hot towards the end. The church in Bartlesville OK we stayed at was very deluxe and we got very good treatment. We even had welcome in the sign. That night we went out and did some group blowing together which was a lot of fun.
June 17th
We had a day off in Bartlesville OK today and most of it was spent relaxing. A couple of us went down town to check out the city. It was a lot bigger than I at first realized and there was a lot to see. The later 1/2 of the day I went to see the movie UP (which I highly recommend) and the end was capped off with a church picnic which were were invited to attend.
June 18th
Today was the first day of our 8 day stretch of riding and it was my best day yet. The OK scenery was very beautiful and a real treat to ride through. I was very surprised with all OK and how the rolling hills and plains looked. We took a detour to go to a local water park which was a lot of fun. It was small but the whole group being together made it very enjoyable.
June 19th
This day was one of our tougher days but was another good riding day for me. We had intense winds all day long. Some were so strong we had to lean our bikes at a 45 degree angle to brace against the wind. It was very challenging but for the most part I was able to keep up with our top riders and pace line with them. It was a hard day but I was very proud and happy by the end of it.
June 20th
Today was another solid day of riding. We left OK for KS today which at first looked very similar. We then traveled through the rain and into the Gypsum Hills. These hills were extraordinary to look at and really made you feel like you were out west. We camped this night under a very massive starry sky in what was in most people's minds one of our best nights yet.
June 21st
In day 4 of 8 of our longest stretch was yet again another strong ride day for myself. I was cruising along most of the day and led the group for awhile. I got a little tired towards the end but was still one of the first to get to our host sight. I also saw KS go for hilly to the very flat KS that I had expected, complete with many wheat and corn fields.
June 22nd
Which finally brings us to today. We had a shorter day (only 57 miles) and so it was decided that we should do a scavenger hunt. At first I wasn't really feeling it but it ended up being a lot of fun and got to have many stories that I will be sure to share with you all soon. We got to meet many locals along the way and see sights we probably would have missed if we were just riding.
If you have made it this far thanks for reading all of that. I will try to be more up to date in the future. We have about 300 miles to cover in the next 3 days and we cross into CO tomorrow. Until then.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Arkansas
Well we made it to good old Arkansas. After crossing the mighty Mississippi river we hit some crazy flat lands. The head winds were rough and I was told got up to about 15 mph or so but I am not really sure. The roads were also brutal as there were many cracks and pot holes to be found. One very instant change that was notice is the people in AK were very cycling friendly and seemed to welcome us quite a bit. This first day in AK was really rough for me and had some frustrations given the conditions.
The next day we road into Littlerock AK and while most of the ride was the same as yesterday the ending was quite spectacular. We came through a nice park and then over the largest pedestrian bridge to cross over the AK river. It was very beautiful and a nice change of pace from the AK flat lands. The Littlerock cycling club invited us to their annual picnic and it was nice to talk to a bunch of other cyclists. Overall I was very impressed with Littlerock and would like to come back to see more of it.
Today we had our first scheduled Century (100 miles). I had to run sweep today which means you and another rider stay at the back of the back to make sure no one gets lost or left behind. It was a hard, long day but by the last 20 miles I felt the strongest on a bike that I have all trip. It was great to come in strong and get lots of praise from the whole group for doing sweep on such a long day. I feel good now but we have about 1100 more miles to do over the next 2 weeks so we shall see what tomorrow will hold.
The next day we road into Littlerock AK and while most of the ride was the same as yesterday the ending was quite spectacular. We came through a nice park and then over the largest pedestrian bridge to cross over the AK river. It was very beautiful and a nice change of pace from the AK flat lands. The Littlerock cycling club invited us to their annual picnic and it was nice to talk to a bunch of other cyclists. Overall I was very impressed with Littlerock and would like to come back to see more of it.
Today we had our first scheduled Century (100 miles). I had to run sweep today which means you and another rider stay at the back of the back to make sure no one gets lost or left behind. It was a hard, long day but by the last 20 miles I felt the strongest on a bike that I have all trip. It was great to come in strong and get lots of praise from the whole group for doing sweep on such a long day. I feel good now but we have about 1100 more miles to do over the next 2 weeks so we shall see what tomorrow will hold.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Memphis TN
Well we are finally in Memphis TN. After 7 straight days of riding we are able to enjoy a day off. We traveled over some very beautiful countryside. There were lots of dogs in TN, lots of dogs. I have become quite good and the quick burst of speed while yelling to quickly escape any rough dog situations that arise.
We stayed at two national guard bases during the stretch. It was nice to change up the host site and get to talk to some different types of people. We did some site seeing around TN and went to an underground cavern as a group. It was very quaint and made more enjoyable by having everyone there. Towards the end of the 7 day stretch the body and mind were beginning to get pretty tired so ti will be interesting to see how I hold up with the rest of the journey.
We road into Memphis yesterday and went out on the town. First we went to a minor league baseball game then hit up some blues clubs and bars. It was very cool to talk to all the different people out about what we are doing and why. We even got a lot of people to clap for us after we left one bar.
We have had a lot of people spend time in the van recently for either injuries or for breaking rules. Apparently on about 5 people on last years trip were able to bike every mile of the trip. It has been interesting watch the group dynamics change and get tested over the course of this trip and we are not even half way done, there should be plenty of drama to come.
We ride into AK tomorrow and cross the Mississippi river. It should be an exciting but very tough day. Tn has flow by time wise and I am wondering if the other states will do the same.
We stayed at two national guard bases during the stretch. It was nice to change up the host site and get to talk to some different types of people. We did some site seeing around TN and went to an underground cavern as a group. It was very quaint and made more enjoyable by having everyone there. Towards the end of the 7 day stretch the body and mind were beginning to get pretty tired so ti will be interesting to see how I hold up with the rest of the journey.
We road into Memphis yesterday and went out on the town. First we went to a minor league baseball game then hit up some blues clubs and bars. It was very cool to talk to all the different people out about what we are doing and why. We even got a lot of people to clap for us after we left one bar.
We have had a lot of people spend time in the van recently for either injuries or for breaking rules. Apparently on about 5 people on last years trip were able to bike every mile of the trip. It has been interesting watch the group dynamics change and get tested over the course of this trip and we are not even half way done, there should be plenty of drama to come.
We ride into AK tomorrow and cross the Mississippi river. It should be an exciting but very tough day. Tn has flow by time wise and I am wondering if the other states will do the same.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Build day video
Here is a video of us on a build day if you are interested http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z6uDj78wB4
A disappointing day
Well where to start......
We have finished crossing the applications but not without some disappointments along the way. After leaving Asheville we had to cross so major mountains and the blue ridge park way. This meant going over two major mountains with as much as 9% grade. The first one was long but I made it to the top and enjoyed the nice ride down. I even got to talk to some friendly motorcyclists. The second mountain was a different story. As I climbed the sun had started to drop. The leaders had to make a decision as we had been biking for about 11 hours and so all riders who were not at the top of the mountain by 530 would be put in the Van. I was about 4 or 5 miles away when I got pulled. It was very frustrating and disappointing not to make it to the top and cross over into TN on my own power but it was the right call to make. In all a third of our trip was pulled off the road for the day.
The other days in TN have been pretty relaxed with easy rides and a build day. I still greatly enjoy the build days as I am able to feel more confident with them than with riding. Tomorrow and Thursday should be trough rides, we shall see how the body holds up.
We have finished crossing the applications but not without some disappointments along the way. After leaving Asheville we had to cross so major mountains and the blue ridge park way. This meant going over two major mountains with as much as 9% grade. The first one was long but I made it to the top and enjoyed the nice ride down. I even got to talk to some friendly motorcyclists. The second mountain was a different story. As I climbed the sun had started to drop. The leaders had to make a decision as we had been biking for about 11 hours and so all riders who were not at the top of the mountain by 530 would be put in the Van. I was about 4 or 5 miles away when I got pulled. It was very frustrating and disappointing not to make it to the top and cross over into TN on my own power but it was the right call to make. In all a third of our trip was pulled off the road for the day.
The other days in TN have been pretty relaxed with easy rides and a build day. I still greatly enjoy the build days as I am able to feel more confident with them than with riding. Tomorrow and Thursday should be trough rides, we shall see how the body holds up.
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