Saturday, May 23, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Long ride 5/22/09
Today was a long ride. 70 miles. Before today the most I’ve ever ridden in one day is 60. Our cumulative after 5 days is 300 so we’re right on our average of 60 per day. Stats so far: 829 churches 0 synagogues. Road kill is too many to count but it includes possums, raccoons, birds, snakes, deer, and unrecognizable. I had my first crash, actually it was just a fall over. I stopped and got one foot out of my pedal, but my weight was leaning slightly the other way. No harm done. We started with 10 miles all up hill, but at a grade that was not hard, then 3 miles straight down. I learned some new braking technique called feathering. It’s done by alternating between front and back brakes. The concern on this type of hill is that the wheels get so hot a tire bursts. Something I’ve never been concerned with before. The rest of the day was gentle rolling hills which was very pleasant. I did my first but probably not the lasr dumb thing this morning. I left camp forgetting to make lunch. Luckily we rode through Lexington( home of washing ton and lee plus Virginia military institute. I was able to get a great sandwich which I enjoyed in the shade on a picnic table I located at a gas station that I was also able to acquire a very cold diet coke and reese’s peanut butter cups . we’ve had some very good food in camp. Everyone so far has come with great recipes. One of my goals has been to eat ice cream every day, but today expecting a camp store that didn’t exist so I guess one day without will be o.k. tomorrow is only 55 miles, but supposedly big hills. Will advise, but may have to wait as we’re in a church tomorrow night so probably no internet.
Today was a long ride. 70 miles. Before today the most I’ve ever ridden in one day is 60. Our cumulative after 5 days is 300 so we’re right on our average of 60 per day. Stats so far: 829 churches 0 synagogues. Road kill is too many to count but it includes possums, raccoons, birds, snakes, deer, and unrecognizable. I had my first crash, actually it was just a fall over. I stopped and got one foot out of my pedal, but my weight was leaning slightly the other way. No harm done. We started with 10 miles all up hill, but at a grade that was not hard, then 3 miles straight down. I learned some new braking technique called feathering. It’s done by alternating between front and back brakes. The concern on this type of hill is that the wheels get so hot a tire bursts. Something I’ve never been concerned with before. The rest of the day was gentle rolling hills which was very pleasant. I did my first but probably not the lasr dumb thing this morning. I left camp forgetting to make lunch. Luckily we rode through Lexington( home of washing ton and lee plus Virginia military institute. I was able to get a great sandwich which I enjoyed in the shade on a picnic table I located at a gas station that I was also able to acquire a very cold diet coke and reese’s peanut butter cups . we’ve had some very good food in camp. Everyone so far has come with great recipes. One of my goals has been to eat ice cream every day, but today expecting a camp store that didn’t exist so I guess one day without will be o.k. tomorrow is only 55 miles, but supposedly big hills. Will advise, but may have to wait as we’re in a church tomorrow night so probably no internet.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
5/21/09
Survival-5/21/09
Today was quite a ride. Kind of beauty and the beast. The ride took us from Charlottesville to the blue ridge parkway. We got the beauty of the views from the blue ridge, but it required a beast of a climb up to it. Over 41 miles we climbed 4355 cumulative feet, more than I’ve ever done in one ride. My training in Connecticut really paid off. I had hoped that riding our hills around newtown would pay off. I was 2nd into camp so I’m feeling pretty good about myself. now to introduce you to some of my riding companions. there’s david from Canada who is a tax attorney that did not tell his partners yet that he’s away until august. He stays in touch with office and clients via email. Today he stopped on the road for about an hour to take a conference call. Then there’s alice from Juneau, Alaska. She actually had to quit her job to do this ride. My first conversation with her of course involved sarah palin. I was very relieved to get an anti palin indication. We’re in a house tonight that’s part of compound of rental units right on the blue ridge parkway. No cell service, but maybe some internet. I have a bunch of pictures but cannot post until I have strong internet. Weather was spectacular today. I didn’t even need a jacket to start. Got up to mid 70’s.
Today was quite a ride. Kind of beauty and the beast. The ride took us from Charlottesville to the blue ridge parkway. We got the beauty of the views from the blue ridge, but it required a beast of a climb up to it. Over 41 miles we climbed 4355 cumulative feet, more than I’ve ever done in one ride. My training in Connecticut really paid off. I had hoped that riding our hills around newtown would pay off. I was 2nd into camp so I’m feeling pretty good about myself. now to introduce you to some of my riding companions. there’s david from Canada who is a tax attorney that did not tell his partners yet that he’s away until august. He stays in touch with office and clients via email. Today he stopped on the road for about an hour to take a conference call. Then there’s alice from Juneau, Alaska. She actually had to quit her job to do this ride. My first conversation with her of course involved sarah palin. I was very relieved to get an anti palin indication. We’re in a house tonight that’s part of compound of rental units right on the blue ridge parkway. No cell service, but maybe some internet. I have a bunch of pictures but cannot post until I have strong internet. Weather was spectacular today. I didn’t even need a jacket to start. Got up to mid 70’s.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Catching up with the blog
I don’t plan on being real organized with this. It’s going to be sort of an “on the road” stream of conscience” f they had any toilet paper at the campground I’d use that. Just finished our 4th day staying at a KOA just outside of Charlottesville, va. Tomorrow we ride up to the blue ridge parkway. It will be out first really, really tough day. After the first day’s wind and rain we’ve been lucky with beautiful weather although the mornings are cold. Today was 30 degrees when we got up around 5:30am. It warmed up quickly into the 70’s. the routine has been pretty well established. We rise with first light. Water is boiled for coffee, hot chocolate, oatmeal. I actually had oatmeal for the first time unless I had it as a kid. We stumble around for a bit, breakdown our tents and get on the road. We’re a group of 12 participants with 2 leaders. One leader drives the van with our stuff in it and the other one ride sweep on his bike. Three women, two Canadians, a few pieces of work. Let’s face it, a completely normal person would not be out here. There is lot’s of camaraderie after only the few days we’ve been together . I guess having the common goal helps. I’m the only one who has not done an organized multi day ride, some have done very extensive long distance rides. We head out of camp in groups of 2 or 3. It’s really a solitary event because we have to ride single file so there’s not much conversation. Within a very short time we get strung out. People ride at different paces, stop to take picture, stop to pee, etc. it,s kind of understood that we meet up along the road for a snack or just a rest break. Then there,s always 2nd breakfast. Within the first 1-2 hours there’s a stop for coffee and cookies or pastry. Back on the road I find myself alone just pedaling along, which is fine because I’m usually listening to a book. I finished one yesterday and with no internet I had to go to music today so of course it became a bob Dylan day. We’re allowed but must use only one ear piece so I could only hear have of the music. There’s a lunch stop which is sandwich’s we’ve made in the morning. I’ve had pb and j everyday. A few more hours and then it’s 2nd lunch which is soda and junk food ie. ice cream, reeses, etc. remember, it’s estimated that we burn 3000-4000 calories. Eating everything with no eff ect is the main purpose of the trip. Into camp, setup the tent, take a shower(maybe), do laundry, eat dinner, pay attention for the map meeting, read for 2 minutes, fall asleep
I don’t plan on being real organized with this. It’s going to be sort of an “on the road” stream of conscience” f they had any toilet paper at the campground I’d use that. Just finished our 4th day staying at a KOA just outside of Charlottesville, va. Tomorrow we ride up to the blue ridge parkway. It will be out first really, really tough day. After the first day’s wind and rain we’ve been lucky with beautiful weather although the mornings are cold. Today was 30 degrees when we got up around 5:30am. It warmed up quickly into the 70’s. the routine has been pretty well established. We rise with first light. Water is boiled for coffee, hot chocolate, oatmeal. I actually had oatmeal for the first time unless I had it as a kid. We stumble around for a bit, breakdown our tents and get on the road. We’re a group of 12 participants with 2 leaders. One leader drives the van with our stuff in it and the other one ride sweep on his bike. Three women, two Canadians, a few pieces of work. Let’s face it, a completely normal person would not be out here. There is lot’s of camaraderie after only the few days we’ve been together . I guess having the common goal helps. I’m the only one who has not done an organized multi day ride, some have done very extensive long distance rides. We head out of camp in groups of 2 or 3. It’s really a solitary event because we have to ride single file so there’s not much conversation. Within a very short time we get strung out. People ride at different paces, stop to take picture, stop to pee, etc. it,s kind of understood that we meet up along the road for a snack or just a rest break. Then there,s always 2nd breakfast. Within the first 1-2 hours there’s a stop for coffee and cookies or pastry. Back on the road I find myself alone just pedaling along, which is fine because I’m usually listening to a book. I finished one yesterday and with no internet I had to go to music today so of course it became a bob Dylan day. We’re allowed but must use only one ear piece so I could only hear have of the music. There’s a lunch stop which is sandwich’s we’ve made in the morning. I’ve had pb and j everyday. A few more hours and then it’s 2nd lunch which is soda and junk food ie. ice cream, reeses, etc. remember, it’s estimated that we burn 3000-4000 calories. Eating everything with no eff ect is the main purpose of the trip. Into camp, setup the tent, take a shower(maybe), do laundry, eat dinner, pay attention for the map meeting, read for 2 minutes, fall asleep
Monday, May 18, 2009
here i go
internet not good so i'll be brief. first off, thanks to caryn for pinch hitting for me. i among 14 people who were strangers two days ago and not it's like we've known each other for ever. sunday was a great ride except for the rain and wind. yorktown, williamsburg, jamestown, beautiful tidal land, scenic byway route 5, ending up at the willis road methodist church. the good news was we were indoors in one big room. the bad news was the sleeping was tough. lot's of snoring and farting. let me digress. thank you all for your comments. i read them all but don't think i can respond. also, i'm not going to worry about spelling and grammar as internet is not at all dependable so if it goes down i lose everything i've written. today was easy with clear but chilly weather. kfc for dinner today which was a great treat.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
And...He's Off
As Joe has no internet service tonight, he has asked me to write this blog for him.
Here goes - Biker Joe's first day from the vantage point of the wife who waved bye-bye.
Friday evening, May 15th we arrived, by car, in Williamsburg, VA. As Joe and I neared our destination we were greated by an omen that would portend the beginning of this amazing adventure: a gorgeous rainbow hung like a decorative valance over the highway. Surely this was a sign that all would be perfect as he started his cross-country ride.
That same evening we had the opportunity to meet the tour leader, Andy, along with John and Jerry, two of the other riders. We even shared an pleasant dinner with Jerry. It was fun discussing the upcoming trip with him over big bowls of spaghetti (they have to load up on carbs for the ride. Me - well I had to load up on carbs for the fun of it)
On Saturday afternoon Joe had a meeting with the entire group after which they went to Andy's room where he cooked their first of many, many meals together. Leave it to a man to boil up a mean box of spaghetti with canned tomato sauce. Joe and I met back at our hotel room and I eagerly listened to stories about the terrific folks who are to be Joe's constant companions for the next three months. And I watched in quiet fascination as Joe frantically went about tossing clothing, books and unnecessary articles out of his duffle. Each of the two duffles can't weigh more than 25 pounds and he had just discovered that Andy really meant it. I had to stay out of the way of flying jackets, paperbacks and electronic paraphenalia.
Today, Sunday, May 17, 2009 - the day Joe has been planning for and dreaming about for the last two years - the trip began.
At 6:30am he wheeled his bike and duffles to the van. The bikes were put atop, the duffles put in Andy's room to be picked up later in the day. The cyclists piled into the van. They then took the fifteen mile drive to Yorktown, PA where they unloaded the bikes from the van and dipped
the rear wheels in the ocean, planted their bike shoes on the pedals, their bottoms on the seats and rode away into what would eventually be the sunset. If there was any sun. But there wasn't any sun.
Remember the rainbow that greeted us as we arrived in Williamsburg? It did, indeed, tell us of the future. We had it slightly wrong, however. That rainbow was warning us about today's weather. Rain. Lots of rain. All day. Rain so heavy that it often seemed to be coming down sideways.
Undaunted, however, Joe and his new buddies took to the open, if soggy, road and began their long journey with great excitement and enthusiasm.
I must say that he looked adorable in his "Boopah" bike shirt. Shame it was covered by the raincoat he was forced to wear.
He arrived at today's destination by 2:00 and set up camp, along with the others, in the basement of a local church. Good thing because they were finally able to come in from the rain and try to dry off their clothing. And, the kind folks at the church - who were in the midst of a gospel event - shared their apple pie and other goodies with my very hungry biker husband.
It was a good day. A great day. A perfect beginning - for now he knows that if he do 60 miles on a day like today, the rest will be a piece of cake.
Caryn
Here goes - Biker Joe's first day from the vantage point of the wife who waved bye-bye.
Friday evening, May 15th we arrived, by car, in Williamsburg, VA. As Joe and I neared our destination we were greated by an omen that would portend the beginning of this amazing adventure: a gorgeous rainbow hung like a decorative valance over the highway. Surely this was a sign that all would be perfect as he started his cross-country ride.
That same evening we had the opportunity to meet the tour leader, Andy, along with John and Jerry, two of the other riders. We even shared an pleasant dinner with Jerry. It was fun discussing the upcoming trip with him over big bowls of spaghetti (they have to load up on carbs for the ride. Me - well I had to load up on carbs for the fun of it)
On Saturday afternoon Joe had a meeting with the entire group after which they went to Andy's room where he cooked their first of many, many meals together. Leave it to a man to boil up a mean box of spaghetti with canned tomato sauce. Joe and I met back at our hotel room and I eagerly listened to stories about the terrific folks who are to be Joe's constant companions for the next three months. And I watched in quiet fascination as Joe frantically went about tossing clothing, books and unnecessary articles out of his duffle. Each of the two duffles can't weigh more than 25 pounds and he had just discovered that Andy really meant it. I had to stay out of the way of flying jackets, paperbacks and electronic paraphenalia.
Today, Sunday, May 17, 2009 - the day Joe has been planning for and dreaming about for the last two years - the trip began.
At 6:30am he wheeled his bike and duffles to the van. The bikes were put atop, the duffles put in Andy's room to be picked up later in the day. The cyclists piled into the van. They then took the fifteen mile drive to Yorktown, PA where they unloaded the bikes from the van and dipped
the rear wheels in the ocean, planted their bike shoes on the pedals, their bottoms on the seats and rode away into what would eventually be the sunset. If there was any sun. But there wasn't any sun.
Remember the rainbow that greeted us as we arrived in Williamsburg? It did, indeed, tell us of the future. We had it slightly wrong, however. That rainbow was warning us about today's weather. Rain. Lots of rain. All day. Rain so heavy that it often seemed to be coming down sideways.
Undaunted, however, Joe and his new buddies took to the open, if soggy, road and began their long journey with great excitement and enthusiasm.
I must say that he looked adorable in his "Boopah" bike shirt. Shame it was covered by the raincoat he was forced to wear.
He arrived at today's destination by 2:00 and set up camp, along with the others, in the basement of a local church. Good thing because they were finally able to come in from the rain and try to dry off their clothing. And, the kind folks at the church - who were in the midst of a gospel event - shared their apple pie and other goodies with my very hungry biker husband.
It was a good day. A great day. A perfect beginning - for now he knows that if he do 60 miles on a day like today, the rest will be a piece of cake.
Caryn
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