Living the Dream - Rod & Charl...

Saturday 9 Oct 2010 12:50

Overall day 99, 9-Oct, Departure day, Final tally on luggage,
6 pieces - 3 checked including the bike, all between 47-51lbs each, And 40 pounds of carry on-not too bad really. I managed to avoid luggage fees. Currently I'm hanging and chilling in the lounge waiting on boarding call. This adventure is over and now the trip home is all that awaits me. Trip summary below:
Total distance ridden
- 4243 miles (6789k's), planned 4,311miles
Daily distance ridden
- 56.58 miles(90.52k's), planned 58miles
Number of ride days-75, planned 74.3
Ave speed - 10.92mph (17.47 kph)
Ave cadence-72
Daily KCal burn - 2121
Total ride time in saddle- 375.21 hrs
Daily ave ride time - 5 hrs
Final note: It's been alot of fun-thanks for being along and all the great support through your comments and buzz about our adventure

Posted: 1 year, 3 months ago

Friday 8 Oct 2010 22:18

Overall day 98, 8-Oct, Williamsburg to Newport News to Fairfax, Va
Notes/highlights:
16 mile ride to start the day as I rode to collect rental car For trip to Washington DC. It was first ride in three days and was wonderful. After 3.5 hour trip, i Checked into a motel in Fairfax. it was time to get the bike apart , into the box and final packing done. Going home is now becoming reality and I am getting excited. I left home in mid June after luke's birthday (15th)

Posted: 1 year, 3 months ago

Thursday 7 Oct 2010 19:18

Overall day 96, 7-Oct Williamsburg, Va
I spent the day packing and napping. highlight was a return to bike shop to get a forgotten fork separator and dinner at the blues and ribs restaurant

Posted: 1 year, 3 months ago

Wednesday 6 Oct 2010 12:57

Overall day 96, 6-Oct, rest day- Williamsburg, Va - notes/highlights: I spent the day looking around town and enjoying this remarkable place. Walking 5 miles, I'm exhausted -the bike would have been easier. Picked up a bike box late in the day and have begun sorting through 4 boxes of clothes and equipment and 4 panniers of bike kit. The challenge is to get all 110 kgs of bike, luggage and equipment into bike box and two duffel bags and 1 carry on bag. Hmmmmm. Pick up car on Friday morning and travel to DC for the day before flight at 13.55 on Saturday

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Wednesday 6 Oct 2010 12:38

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Wednesday 6 Oct 2010 12:35

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Wednesday 6 Oct 2010 12:32

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Wednesday 6 Oct 2010 12:31

Overall da 96, 6-Oct, rest day- Williamsburg, Va - a uniquely preserved colonial village done very well-worth a visit.

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Tuesday 5 Oct 2010 17:38

Overall day 95, ride day 75, 5-Oct, Williamsburg to Yorktown to Williamsburg, Va
Miles ridden-42.60
Ave speed -12.80mph
Max speed - 31.30mph
Ave cadence - 73.00
Ride time in saddle- 3.45hrs Notes/highlights: Start 9.15 finish 5.40, 400ft climb, I made it! Started day in quite a funk. Down and struggling to get packed and out of motel. As I rode, it became clear my sadness was due to missing Helen and the boys, Finishing a fabulous, life changing adventure and finishing on my own without Charles who I had planned and dreamed with for 3 years. On my way back, celebrating with Jason and Greg really lifted my mood. Helen's phone call congratulating
Me - what a lucky guy I am! The big question is what is Life like after The Transam -a little rocky and disorienting I am sure.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 5 Oct 2010 16:35

Check this out-it is huge - it is flying at about 500'!

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 5 Oct 2010 16:34

I decided to go back to Williamsburg to be closer to rental car, luggage and bike Box in case my flight gets moved up. Whilst Chris and Adriel are
In DC, I knew Greg and Jason were on their way so I called them on the phone and found them at grocery store in Williamsburg. We met about half way between the two towns and I brought a 6 pack of beers which we toasted our achievements. It was good To celebrate With someone. They are stopping in Yorktown for rest day then heading on to north Carolina and Florida.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 5 Oct 2010 13:25

Victory lunch

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Tuesday 5 Oct 2010 12:57

Tuesday Club- The Tidewater Appalachian Trail Club (TATC) is an energetic group, whose primary purpose is to maintain a 10+ mile section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) and another of other local walking trails. In addition to trail maintenance, every Tuesday they play outdoors, including backpacking, day hiking, canoeing, kayaking, biking, car camping, white water rafting, skiing, rock climbing, rappelling, nature watching, and of course, eating! A Great model and I spent another 40 minutes talking to them. There were About 30 of them and I didn't see anyone younger than 50

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 5 Oct 2010 12:44

I made it! 4,000 miles from the beginning, I am at Yorktown Beach. With a great sense of satisfaction and a touch of sadness, I am heading off to the pub for some clam chowder and a cold beer

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 5 Oct 2010 12:13

I met Greg, who walked up to me at the monument and thrust his card into my hand and introduced himself. He asked Me what I was doing so I told him I was looking for someone to take an end of trip picture of me. He captures the moment and then we started talking and he started filming my ride storey. When I was done, he told Me about his current project about dogs and their owners -
See http://www.thedogsoup.com/. So then he interviewed me about Frisky and public television and broadcasting in Australia,
UK and New Zealand. An interesting hour

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 5 Oct 2010 12:01

This is Victory Monument, official end of Transam. The monument was decreed by constitutional order(1777) but not built until 1878 due to lack of funds. It celebrates the victorious battle between Washington and the French against Cornwall, who had to surrender in the penultimate battle of the war of independence.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 5 Oct 2010 10:48

York River, short but quite deep and another great harbor used by navy today

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Tuesday 5 Oct 2010 10:30

Riding down the Colonial Parkway

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Tuesday 5 Oct 2010 9:48

The Governors Palace-home originally of British Governors in the Colony

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Tuesday 5 Oct 2010 9:15

Ride day 75, 5-Oct, Williamsburg to Yorktown to Williamsburg, Va
This is it, final day of Transam ride. Heading out mostly with sadness today - not completely sure why but also some growing excitement. It's not much of a ride today 15 miles or so and mostly flat with coastal hills. Alot of history today as I am officially in the historical triangle of Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg . Temperature is 47f which is in my very cool zone

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Monday 4 Oct 2010 17:35

Overall day 94, ride day 74, 4-Oct, Richmond to Willimsburg, Va
Miles ridden 65.60
Ave speed - 11.30mph
Max speed - 29.70mph Ave cadence- 75.00rpm's
Ride time in saddle- 5.46hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 9.14 finish 5.35, 750ft climbing, uneventful day, early rain and cool start, then dry, cool and overcast through the day. Highlight was getting to Williamsburg a stunning town with over 500 historic buildings restored, a walk back into colonial times.

Plan for tomorrow (5th) and finish is to ride final 15 miles and decide whether to stay in Yorktown once I get there. I am currently billeted at Super 8 motel where I will be returning for demobilization process before heading home on Saturday-unless I can get earlier flight(unlikely). Adriel and Chris moved onto Washington a few days ago to start their trip home

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Monday 4 Oct 2010 15:26

Looking up the James river toward The Atlantic

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Monday 4 Oct 2010 12:41

Today's scenery

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Monday 4 Oct 2010 9:14

Ride day 74, 4-Oct, Richmond to Willimsburg, Va, 45f and rain to start-yuk! Where is the coffee shop?

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 3 Oct 2010 19:51

Overall day 93, ride day 73, 3-Oct, Charlottesville to Richmond, Va
Miles ridden- 74.60
Ave speed - 10.00mph
Max speed - 29.2mph
Ave cadence -71.00rpm's
Ride Time in saddle-7.20hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 7.40 finish 5.40, 1500ft climbing, cool non-descript ride day through the Virginia Tidewater, hilly but straight without alot of scenery change or activity. Real positive was encounter with 4 Canadian geese Walking down my side Of The highway honking up a storm when they saw me and decided to fly away. Lots of deer and a beaver-sitting 6 inches into the grass off the side of the road chewing a stick-I was afraid it might run out in front of me

It is now raining and tomorrow looks wet. I am 88 miles from Yorktown and getting Very excited. Haven't felt like this in a while. It's a heady mix of almost
Accomplishing a long held goal and the anticipation of going home To see Helen, Nat and Luke who I miss greatly.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 3 Oct 2010 12:15

Dale a 20 yo hellion racing off to see his girl friend thought I was interesting enough looking to stop and ask me what I was doing and who I was. I had stopped for a pee and muesli bar.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 3 Oct 2010 7:41

Ride day 73, 3-Oct Charlottesville to Richmond, Va
Cool but sunny with clouds and rain forecast

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Saturday 2 Oct 2010 17:57

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Saturday 2 Oct 2010 17:53

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Saturday 2 Oct 2010 17:48

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Saturday 2 Oct 2010 17:46

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Saturday 2 Oct 2010 17:44

The Rotunda Square at University of Virginia. Heavily Influenced by Thomas Jefferson the architect throughout the campus is all very similar-classically colonial

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 2 Oct 2010 17:19

Jason and Greg- 2 of the Seattle
Lads we've been bumping Into since baker city idaho. (Tai the other lad has been riding ahead a week or so and has now headed to Florida. Before today, I last Saw Greg and Jason in Sebree, Kentucky at the First Baptist Church over Violet's wonderful dinner and Apple Cobbler. We had a beer and I will see them
Again as we are finishing in Yorktown at same time. Chris and Adriel Are already in Yorktown

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 2 Oct 2010 14:52

Historic town of Charlottesville

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 2 Oct 2010 10:14

Rest day - Overall day 92- 2-Oct, Charlottesville, Va- home of Thomas Jefferson, Monticello and University of Virginia

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 2 Oct 2010 10:10

Overall day 91, ride day 72, 1-Oct, Timber Ridge to Charlottesville, Va
Miles Ridden- 69.20
Ave speed - 9.30mph
Max speed- 40.50mph
Ave cadence -67.00rpm's
Ride time in saddle-7.22
Notes/highlights: Start 7.55 finish 7.15, 6500ft climbing, I am over my last major climbs and it's
Downhill, no climbs over 500', from here. I can see the finish line and am Less than 200 miles from the prize. I am starting to get excited! Yesterday the scenery was stunning, climbs lived up to their reputation, lunch with the view Was special, Larry and Rick.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 1 Oct 2010 16:09

Larry, 72 yo and just finished riding the Transam. It took
Him 5 trips but he made it and he was rightfully proud that he'd completed it. He approached me in car park of visitors center on Parkway. We swapped stories and I can only hope to be riding like him when I'm that age.

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Friday 1 Oct 2010 15:14

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Friday 1 Oct 2010 15:00

This is Rick an Appalachian Trail
Hiker heading Back to Waynesboro, a back track of 28 miles. He was robbed on the trail by another walker in a campground whilst having a shower. Lost his money,
ID and cards-bummer. He has been walking since may 24 from Maine Expecting to finish in late Nov orEarly December. Most people Take 6 months to Walk from Maine to Georgia, 2000 miles. He had .28 to his name so I gave him A Few bucks

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Friday 1 Oct 2010 13:50

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Friday 1 Oct 2010 13:10

Lunch today as no services for 50 miles.
The Parkway has no commercial vehicles allowed and no billboards-wonderful! Just trees and grass and wildlife. Thanks to brother George I had a fabulous
Lunch of high quality Albacore
Tuna-beautiful with scenery as an appetizer. A glass of chardy would have gone down well.
It would have been a picnic if
Helen had been there. Oh well...

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 1 Oct 2010 12:58

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Friday 1 Oct 2010 12:14

I made It but the climbs Just Kept coming. There is almost as much climbing along the parkway as there was getting up to it

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 1 Oct 2010 12:05

One of my stops enroute to top- 3/4 way up Vesuvius route. It took me 90 minutes, 4 breaks, 4 muesli bars, 2 boxes of raisins,1 apple and 3 bottles of water to get there. By far the steepest most difficult graded climb of the trip. Constant 7% with some 11 and one 14% climb.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 1 Oct 2010 11:20

The other half-it never looks as bad as it Felt

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Friday 1 Oct 2010 11:19

On the way up - one of the switchbacks

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Friday 1 Oct 2010 9:28

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Friday 1 Oct 2010 9:28

This is the mountain I need to get over to reach parkway

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Friday 1 Oct 2010 8:58

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Friday 1 Oct 2010 8:57

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Friday 1 Oct 2010 8:42

I ran into Bill while he was cleaning up the roadside-doing his bit as he told me. Retired Californian, he enjoys the peace and solitude of the mountains

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Friday 1 Oct 2010 8:32

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Friday 1 Oct 2010 8:30

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Friday 1 Oct 2010 8:29

Scenery rich day - this view shows the location of Blue Ridge and where I'm heading

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 1 Oct 2010 7:54

Ride day 72, 1-Oct, Timber Ridge to Charlottesville, Va
Unfortunately I am about 7-14 days too early to See The fall colours in the trees. One side effect of a record heat wave in the south east USA this year is predicted low colour due to low moisture in leaves effecting clorofil production. Either way I will miss it

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 1 Oct 2010 6:42

Overall day 90, ride day 71, 30-Sep, Troutville to Timber Ridge (exit 195), Va
Miles ridden -47.90
Ave speed -10.60mph
Max speed -37.10mph
Ave cadence - 73.00rpm's
Time in saddle-4.10hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 10.45 finish 5.00, 2200ft climb, meeting Elliott and David, encounter with the Nazi, and mountain scenery

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Thursday 30 Sep 2010 16:16

Rick 'the Nazi'- i'd stopped for a pee and this guy pulled off the road and started berating me - "you're off the transam (I knew that),"I've been riding for 45 years"(so what, I've been riding 50 years)- "I am the bike authority in Virginia"-that's what he told me as he persistenly told me I was off the transam route And to get back on route I needed to go up 760(I knew that and didn't want to). His view was I should get back on route,stay there and camp-I
Told him I was heading 'to my hotel. He rode transam in 75 when he was 18 and felt that everyone should do it like he did it. Piss off mate! Wouldn't you know my worst experience on the ride would be from a fellow cyclist with 'small man syndrome'

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Thursday 30 Sep 2010 14:38

Elliott (working) and David trying to fix an over used tire which had worn through the treads and had a near visible hole 2 cm's long. Elliott was riding a racing road bike which could only take narrow tires (23c)c andy spare was too big. I contributed a dollar bill to boot it which seemed to work and get them 20 miles to shop. They are trying to get to Yorktown by Sunday- doable but 271 miles. Good luck guys-if they were riding a little slower, I would have joined them. Good guys riding for hunger in America.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Thursday 30 Sep 2010 11:57

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Thursday 30 Sep 2010 11:12

I am riding across and parallel to the Appalcian Trail (which stretches 2000 miles from
Georgia to Maine) for next couple of days

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Thursday 30 Sep 2010 11:08

Interesting decoration for a Antique shop - at least the rain has stopped

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Thursday 30 Sep 2010 7:25

Ride day 71, 30-Sep, Troutville to ?, Va
As you can see, it is raining heavily and is 55f. Forecast is light rain and 64 from about 11am. I think I will wait. I need to get as close as possible to Vesuvius where the
Climb up to Blue Ridge Parkway starts. The Climb is only 4 miles but very steep (7% with spikes to 14%) with numerous switchbacks. That's tomorrows ride which looks like I will have some sunshine for what some say is the most beautiful ride on the Transam. and then theres the 82 year old Cookie Lady at the top. Stay tuned

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Wednesday 29 Sep 2010 20:01

Overall day 89, ride day 70, 29-Sep, Christianburg to Troutville, Va
Miles ridden- 53.80
Ave speed- 10.10mph
Max speed -34.60mph
Ave cadence - 69.00rpm's
Ride time in saddle - 5.18hrs Notes/highlights: Start 7.38 finish 2.46, 1900ft climbing, started day in overcast conditions but light rain started mid morning and continued the rest of day, group
Of deer I bumped into, I bumped into another 'eastbounder (kurt) today.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Wednesday 29 Sep 2010 10:42

The Mood here is not very good. Fox News is incredibly biased and running a vendetta against
Obama. More difficult times
I fear are ahead for the USA as it looks like they will retreat to the republicans, tax cuts, repeal health care changes and yield to influence of special interests in big Oil, Pharma, etc.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Wednesday 29 Sep 2010 8:45

And a few miles down the road, this guy showed up

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Wednesday 29 Sep 2010 8:41

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Wednesday 29 Sep 2010 8:39

Not really a good picture but...

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Wednesday 29 Sep 2010 8:38

I came upon a group of 12-15 white tail deer walking down the river and on the road just next
To it. I did catch one on camera but the group was quite a site

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Wednesday 29 Sep 2010 8:19

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Wednesday 29 Sep 2010 8:12

Classic Appalachia scenery

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Wednesday 29 Sep 2010 7:38

Ride day 70, 29-Sep, Christianburg to Troutville, Va
Rain in the forecast but not predicted till late in the day

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Tuesday 28 Sep 2010 20:30

Mary and Kathryn-I met at Ruby Tuesdays whilst having dinner.
Somehow, Mary found out I am on the Transam and approached my table just as Dan Kelly phoned. After my call,I went looking for her and discovered she rode The Transam last year on her own. We swapped notes and discussed the wonder of being on the Transam and life after-interesting challenges. She is now Working for a local politicians reelection campaign.
She Impressed me as an
Adventurer and Searcher

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 28 Sep 2010 18:49

Overall day 88, ride day 69, 28-Sep, Wytheville to Christianburg, Va
Miles ridden- 60.30
Ave speed - 10.50mph
Max speed- 37.40
Ave cadence - 73.00rpm's
Ride Time in saddle- 5.44hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 8.45 finish 5.30, 2300ft climb, finally getting my wheel sorted out with another stop in Radford at the same shop which rebuilt it yesterday, riding in cool weather without rain and the Virginia countryside, meeting Mary and Kathryn

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Tuesday 28 Sep 2010 12:45

Clyde the bail bondsman with a small canyon (you should see the house)in his front yard. Dial 1-877-wil-bail

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Tuesday 28 Sep 2010 11:47

A day of berries both blackberries and the Virginia gooseberry or blueberry

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Tuesday 28 Sep 2010 11:26

Virginia Appalacian's when its not raining

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Tuesday 28 Sep 2010 11:24

But its a little early

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Tuesday 28 Sep 2010 11:24

Ready for Halloween

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Tuesday 28 Sep 2010 10:42

Today's scenery

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Tuesday 28 Sep 2010 8:15

Ride day 69, 28-Sep , Wytheville to Christianburg, Va
Marissa

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 28 Sep 2010 7:06

Progress note: to date, we have ridden 3525 miles at average of 51.84 miles a day. 438 miles remain to Yorktown, Va and finish in Williamsburg. At 60 miles a
Day, a little more than 7.25 ride days is required. with one more rest scheduled, I could arrive in Yorktown early on 5 or 6 Oct (scheduled 7). I fly on 9 Oct from Dulles in Washington, Dc and arrive home On 11 oct. Bike is
Now looking sound with rebuilt wheel

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Monday 27 Sep 2010 14:51

Cook Hall - wheel fixed, I headed back to Wytheville(40m) in rental car. All well and ready to go.

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Monday 27 Sep 2010 12:24

Whilst he worked, I hung out at Radford University campus(9000
Students). Had nice lunch at Union, great coffee and pleasant scenery whilst I waited

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Monday 27 Sep 2010 12:08

Rest day- Overall day 86, 27-Sep, Wytheville, Va- Dave at The Wheel in Radford, Va rebuilding my wheel.
He just happened to be a Fuji Dealer and said wheel was covered under warranty. Ordered a replacement but wouldn't arrive for 2 Days so he rebuilt this one.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 26 Sep 2010 18:07

Rest day in Wytheville, Va - I am resting the remainder of
Today and Monday- 27 Sept. Setting out for Radford, this morning, I only made it Here due to 2nd spoke breaking. There was supposed to be a bike shop here but it closed last year. I decided to hitch hike but as it had been raining from Marion when I started, I was soaked. Even though it was Raining, no one stopped in 30 minutes so deciding it was too far to ride to next bike Shop and being
Very cold, I checked into motel. 8 spokes have broken in rear wheel and I think rear wheel is fatigued and needs to be completely rebuilt with possibly a new rim. Rest day will be spent either trying to fix spokes myself so I can ride (40m) to bike shop in Radford on Tuesday to have it rebuilt or renting a car and driving to bike shop and having it done. Weather is doing it's normal fall craziness going from mid 90's in temp and humidity yesterday to high of 56 today with rain.
Rain (5'' inchs) and cool is the forecast for next 36 hours.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 26 Sep 2010 17:51

Overall day 86, ride day 68, 26-Sep, Marion to Wytheville, Va
Miles ridden - 27.70
Ave speed - 9.60mph
Max speed - 28.40mph
Ave cadence- 75.00rpm's
Ride time in saddle- 2.52hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 7.30 finish 1.00, 500ft climb, I made it in with three broken spokes with heavy rain

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 26 Sep 2010 6:45

Ride day 68, 26-Sep, Marion to ?, Va
Days like to today challenge my character and resolve-top of 56 and rain. I have really come to hate cold and this is right on the edge of cold when wet. Wished i had my sealskin socks i bought for the UK tour - They are in transit to Yorktown, Va. Trying to get early start as It is due to intensify and move to thunderstorms later. Probably would take early rest day(due tomorrow) but it is supposed to be worse then. Oh well, here we go....I will update blog later today.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 26 Sep 2010 6:29

Overall day 85, ride day 67,
25-Sep, Abigdon to Marion, Va
Miles ridden-60.70
Ave speed- 9.80mph
Max speed -33.90mph
Ave cadence -72.00rpms
Ride time in saddle-6.09hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 8.28 finish 6.15, 4500ft climb, Bill, the bike shop owner, the mountains, Virginia Creeper trail, the
Climbs

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 25 Sep 2010 15:47

In a small village called Troutdale, I encountered these South Carolinans who were in the area attending a Big Horse Ride. They were very friendly and within a couple of minutes the jokes and giggles Were coming thick and fast. They got a kick out of Bruce. After a half an hour, we separated as quickly as we had connected and i rode on to my next mountain.

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Saturday 25 Sep 2010 14:36

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Saturday 25 Sep 2010 12:55

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Saturday 25 Sep 2010 12:42

You know when you see signs like This that their are hairpin turns/switchbacks coming up the road

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Saturday 25 Sep 2010 12:41

The Appalachia Walking Trail crosses the transam 4 times during the day

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Saturday 25 Sep 2010 12:34

There are 7 bike shops in Damascus renting bikes and running shuttles to the top of the mountain from the tripdoqn

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Saturday 25 Sep 2010 12:33

Damascus is halfway point from Whitetop Mt to Abigdon. When i got to Damascus, i went to bike shop looking for information on accommodation as transam maps didn't show anything open. I also discovered I had 1 broken spoke. Bill the owner fixed My spoke and retrued wheel loosening A Bunch of spokes which were too tight. Bill rode the transam in 1975 when it was still known as the the depression cycle route.He rode it east to West returning east to Virginia riding the southern route.
Hmmmm, maybe I Should consider this

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Saturday 25 Sep 2010 10:45

A couple I met on the trail who had drive up from North Carolina to ride the trail. This involves taking a lift To the top And riding 17 miles down through 1300'

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Saturday 25 Sep 2010 9:42

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Saturday 25 Sep 2010 9:35

Jonathan Stokes, a local lad who I met on the trail and rode with a few miles. He had some interesting stories to
Tell about the trail

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Saturday 25 Sep 2010 9:21

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Saturday 25 Sep 2010 9:20

Can you hear the banjo's

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Saturday 25 Sep 2010 9:03

The Creeper

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Saturday 25 Sep 2010 8:49

I decided to ride the first 13 miles of the Virginia Creeper, a rail to trails through Virginia's highest mountains. The entire trail runs 34 miles from Whitetop Mt, second highest mountain to Abigdon.

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Saturday 25 Sep 2010 8:40

Just as I was leaving, it started to rain. Forecast was for showers increasing through the day

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Saturday 25 Sep 2010 8:28

Ride day 67, 25-Sep, Abigdon to Marion, Va

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Friday 24 Sep 2010 18:20

Overall day 84, ride day 66, 24-Sep, Hazard, Ky to Abingdon, Va
Miles ridden -17.50
Ave speed -10.30 mph
Max speed - 32.50mph
Ave cadence-74.00rpm's
Ride Time in saddle - 1.42 hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 7.48 finish 6.20, 1,000ft climbing, rear wheel spokes are starting to cause trouble, the generosity and helpfulness of Sid and Jason in helping me get to Abigdon and sorted out, clearly a dark cloud had a silver lining today-I had some fun, met some new people, got my bike fixed and picked up about 1.5 days of much needed time cushion.
These guys, Mike and Andrew fixed my bike and tuned it up and didn't charge me a penny! Thanks guys

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 24 Sep 2010 17:59

After 15 minutes, Jason and his son Bryce picked me up. Bryce had just completed his learner's permit exam. Jason said i didnt look like a local and he was concerned i might have trouble with local 'meth heads' so he turned around and came back for me. AfterA Quick stop in ST Paul where he lived, Jason very kindly drove me 35miles further down the road towards Damascus. He suggested I try a bike shop he knew in Abigdon which we did. I dropped my bike with Mike at Highland Outdoor and Cycle shop and went off to have a drink with Jason and his wife Crystal. She was on her way back from Bristol Tennessee. After my bike was finished, Jason showed me where the 'Virginia Creeper' trail started and took me on a quick tour of town and then to a motel. Thanks Jason-you helped make a bad day interesting and fun

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 24 Sep 2010 14:46

My last Stop with Syd in Big Stone Gap, Va. Get this picture into a browser window where you can blow it up and have a look at the window signs - a peculiar mix of Religion And nationalism which is a testament to why the seperation of church and state
Is such a powerful foundation stone of USA and A great insight of the founding fathers
Syd dropped me in Morton Va on his way back to Ky. He was on his way to a final sales call and then back for a Friday night get together or he would have taken me all the way to Damascus. Instead i crawled out of his truck
And back to the side of the road. Thanks Sid, it was alot of fun and your Samaritan stakes are paid up!

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 24 Sep 2010 13:30

Look off in the distance and you will actually see an opening between the mountains called the Cumberland Gap. Located on the Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky borders, this gap
Provided a natural route through the Appalachians which European settlers used to advance And populate Kentucky and Tennessee. Having ridden over these mountains,
An opening like the gap would have been a Welcome avenue of travel vs climbing over the mountains

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 24 Sep 2010 13:23

My 10th and final state! I can't believe this adventure is coming to an end.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 24 Sep 2010 13:22

4145"

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 24 Sep 2010 13:22

Top of Kentucky

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 24 Sep 2010 13:14

Sid, a proud Kentuckean

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 24 Sep 2010 13:13

Black Mt

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 24 Sep 2010 13:00

We discovered tiny Benham, Ky at the base of Black Mt (4145') highest point in Ky. They are a community based on past and present coal mining. Ironically, Benham is only about 60 miles from Middlesboro Ky Where my mother grew Up and grandfather worked in the coal
Mines which unfortunately ruined His health. They were having their heritage festival serving up beans, cornbread, wieners
And sauerkraut, spafhetti and meatballs, salads of various kinds and apple cobbler and ice cream for $5. What a treat! Sid took his lead from Me and we ate like cyclist on a mountain tour.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 24 Sep 2010 12:03

The unfortunate aspect of the day was I missed cycling some great mountains

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 24 Sep 2010 11:24

After about 10 minutes waiting, Sid Bowling picked me up in his pickup truck. Sid, an affable Kentucky man who is a manufacturers representative selling rolls of sheet steel to small roll formers and preformed sheets Of steel siding and roofing to end users. He took me with him through the back woods of Kentucky and Virginia in some of his sales calls. We had a great time, getting lost and discovering some new areas of Kentucky and Virginia.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 24 Sep 2010 10:27

Having decided to go off the Transam route, I was making good time until I heard what sounded like a spoke breaking and upon checking, discovered 3 were broken. My view on spokes is One is ok to ride on, two means get somewhwere and get it fixed and three means beware wheel failure could occur. Trying to true wheel, I managed to straighten but didn't like sounds it was making. Outside Carr Creek, the nearest bike shop on the Transam was 90 miles away so I decided to hitch a ride to Damascus Virginia

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 24 Sep 2010 8:03

Fog is a problem I am getting used to. With flashers front and back, I feel safe once fog has lifted off the road

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 24 Sep 2010 7:48

Ride day 66, 24-Sep,
Hazard, Ky to Abingdon, Va

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 24 Sep 2010 7:36

Friday-i have decided to go off transam fro the day- hazard to whitesburg to jenkins to elkhorn city or breaks, Va. have discovered broken spoke and retrued wheel but will need a bike shop in next couple of days. All well

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Thursday 23 Sep 2010 18:13

Overall day 83, ride day 65, 23-Sep, Manchester to Hazard, Ky Miles ridden -38.00
Ave speed -10.40mph
Max speed - 36.20mph
Ave cadence -72.00
Ride time in saddle- 3.37hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 8.05 finish 2.00, 3000ft climbing,

Very hot and humid-both in mid 90's. Faced with 33 miles to next Accomodation at 1.30, I decided to call it a day and check into cool super 8 motel. Had a nap and Spoke to helen and her family on Skype which was a
Real high. Then found a cold beer and glass of wine for dinner.
the level of obesity here and terrible food choices is beyond belief.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Thursday 23 Sep 2010 7:37

Ride day 65, 23-Sep, Manchester to Hazard, Ky
Fog was a big problem today. Delayed my start For over 1.15hrs

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Wednesday 22 Sep 2010 15:50

Overall day 82, ride day 64,
22-Sep, Berea to Manchester, Ky Miles ridden - 55.80
Ave speed - 10.70mph
Max speed - 33.90mph
Ave cadence - 73.00rpm's
Ride rime in saddle - 5.07
Notes/highlights: Start 7.45, finish 3.30, 2500ft climbing, going off route and encountering some interesting people, feeling strong -riding with ten pounds less equipment which has been posted to Yorktown, being interviewed for local Newspaper by Natasha(I stopped by Manchester branch of Eastern Kentucky University looking for directions and a cool
Resting spot to have afternoon tea. they took a Liking to me and called The Local newspaper to have them come and interview me.after fussing over me which was great, the reporter Natasha arrived to do the interview. As I am In another dry county, Natasha gave me the low down on which counties are moist and wet throughout the
Remainder Of My time In Kentucky)
After the interview, they gave me a t-shirt. When you are off route, people see you as more of an oddity as they don't see many of us

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Wednesday 22 Sep 2010 14:48

When you go to an Amish bakery, you gets More Than just great tasting pastries, donuts and cookies

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Wednesday 22 Sep 2010 8:48

First climb of the day illustriously called 'Big Hill'

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Wednesday 22 Sep 2010 8:09

Scenery enroute

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Wednesday 22 Sep 2010 7:43

Ride day 64, 22-Sep, Berea to Manchester, Ky
This picture is from my motel looking out over today's route.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 21 Sep 2010 20:28

Be warned agressive Kentucky Mutts-you come to close and your going to get a burst from my airhorn or a snoot full of Ammonia.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 21 Sep 2010 16:30

Berea College campus-quite an interesting 4 year liberal arts university. Established in 1855 as as multi-racial, university for men and women from Appalacia - quite progressive in it's day

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 21 Sep 2010 16:29

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 21 Sep 2010 15:58

Rest day in Berea Kentucky-Midnight Truffle Blizzard- a rest day treat from Dairy Queen

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Monday 20 Sep 2010 19:19

Overall day 80, ride day 63, 20-Sep, Harrodsburg to Berea, Ky
Miles ridden - 47.20
Ave speed -10.20mph
Max speed-27.90mph
Ave cadence-74.00rpms
Ride Time in saddle- 4.36hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 8.05 finish 1.30, 500ft climb, 1st day back on my own as Stuart and Greg departed Late Sunday evening - seeing mostly the negatives of being on my own today,
Easy, Short ride today allowed me to get to Berea library,
Access the net and start
Sorting out end of trip admin-eg motel, shipping luggage from Kansas, transport from Yorktown, etc. I am in another dry county-
Over 20 counties in Kentucky are dry and I think I've been through all of them (and they make bourbon in this state)???!!??

Jeff 'The Fudge Man' this guys 15 different fudges which looked wonderful. I tried pumpkin pie which was superb. His wife does handmade chocolates-tomorrows
Treat

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Monday 20 Sep 2010 13:06

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Monday 20 Sep 2010 10:32

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Monday 20 Sep 2010 8:04

Ride day 63, 20-Sep, Harrodsburg to Berea, Ky

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 19 Sep 2010 20:23

Overall day 79, ride day 62, 19-Sep, Hodgenville to Harrodsburg, Ky
Miles ridden -67.70
Ave speed - 12.20mph
Max speed - 37.70mph
Ave cadence - 72.00rpm,
Ride time in saddle - 5.30hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 6.35, finish 5.30, 3850ft climb, Rod being distracted by attractive young women almost causing a crash with Greg and Stuart, the cabin at Lincoln's boyhood home, Svetla and Renata coming to pick up Stuart and Greg and a great celebration dinner, the 'old bastards' in the general store In Loretto, visit to Maker's Mark Bourbon distillery

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 19 Sep 2010 20:22

Stuart, Svetla, Chloe, Greg and Renata

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 19 Sep 2010 20:04

With 'Superhero' Statue and bag of Lifesavers

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 19 Sep 2010 20:03

I awarded Stuart 'Superhero Status' as he came in to the tour and sensed my tiredness. He said he wanted to try riding a
Fully loaded touring bike and then it became clear he was continuing to ride it to give me a rest. He rode it for 2 days, around 130 miles and was a real lifesaver. It gave him a realistic experience of the life of a Transam cyclist. It was wonderful to ride his Lightly loaded mountain bike. My bike is 115-120 pounds loaded-Stuart's is maybe 25 pounds.
Thank you Stuart

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 19 Sep 2010 19:58

To celebrate Greg's performance under difficult circumstance, I presented him a lion and tube of Preperation H. As He showed such majesty in silent discomfort the lion seemed perfect. Whilst he doesn't have hemorrhoids, Preperation H should Give some relief till things quiet down

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 19 Sep 2010 15:25

Resting tender bums almost at the end of day 2.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 19 Sep 2010 11:59

I just had to have a picture of the the birds mailbox in 'Noville'

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 19 Sep 2010 11:57

The Still

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 19 Sep 2010 10:52

Greg and I were encouraged by one of the distillery techs to purr our hands deep into the mash, stir it up and taste the product. What fun

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 19 Sep 2010 10:51

'we decided to visit Maker's Mark in little Loretto and ended doing our own self guided tour as we were too early for tours or tasting. Here we're in the mash room.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 19 Sep 2010 10:13

Greg, Stuart and I Having coffee with these old blokes, sitting
On upturned buckets in the aisle of the local mini-mart-these guys do this everyday !

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 19 Sep 2010 8:59

A classic Kentucky landscape near Bardstown, Ky home of Stephen Foster Who Wrote 'My Old Kentucky Home'

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 19 Sep 2010 8:00

Homestead where Lincoln libe the early years. His actual cabin was destroyed so they moved this one 1 mile to this homestead.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 19 Sep 2010 6:59

A young Lincoln in the dawn light

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 19 Sep 2010 6:53

Mr Lincoln in the early morning light

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 19 Sep 2010 6:35

Ride day 62, 19-Sep, Hodgensville to Harrodsburg,Ky

Now we are on eastern standard time, We Started in the dark

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 18 Sep 2010 19:57

Overall day 78, rest day 61, 18-Sep, Falls Of Rough to Hodgenville, Ky
Miles ridden- 62.30
Ave speed -11.80mph
Max speed- 36.40mph
Ave cadence-74.00rpm
Ride time in saddle -5.21hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 7.01 finish 4.30, 3500ft climbing, Ice cream and Ladies in Red Hats Society, preteen queen of Harden Springs, Tex, movement on shimmy problem with handlebars, ride (almost rest day) in the saddle of Stuarts unweighted bike, companionship of Stuart and Greg, 2001 bottle of Grange and pizza for dinner

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 18 Sep 2010 16:13

The Ladies of Red Hat Order out from Louisville to attend a murder mystery evening. Only one of these gals was married and
They were looking for a good time! 3 were sisters we learned as we shared an ice cream with them. The youngest one in back offered to cook us a fine southern meal at her home in Louisville but we will miss that as we
Don't go there.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 18 Sep 2010 16:02

Near Lincoln's birthplace in Hodgensville

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 18 Sep 2010 12:50

Yes that is Stuart on my bike. He decided he wanted to experience the life of a Transam cyclist for a day and give me A rest Day. It was wonderful to ride his
Lightly loaded mountain bike. My bike is 115-120 pounds loaded-Stuart's is maybe 25 pounds

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 18 Sep 2010 10:04

We had to have something to eat and although it was only 10am, these freshly bbq'd cheeseburgers were to good To pass up

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 18 Sep 2010 9:51

We stumbled Onto Harden Springs having their harvest festival. This is One of the Harden Springs Pre-teen Beauty Queen contest winners Alex.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 18 Sep 2010 7:01

We're off

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 18 Sep 2010 6:38

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 18 Sep 2010 6:38

Ride day 61, 18-Sep, Falls Of Rough to Hodgenville, Ky
Stuart and Greg kickoff Breakfast

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 17 Sep 2010 22:16

Greg ready and looking for a bed.
I'll need to keep on eye on both as they are jet lagged-Greg just arrived back from Oz and Stuart from Zurich

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 17 Sep 2010 20:05

Overall day 77, ride day 60, 17-Sep, Sebree to Falls of Rough, Ky
Miles ridden- 72.90
Ave speed -10.60mph
Max speed - 32.mph
Ave cadence- 73.00rpm
Ride time in saddle- 6.50hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 6.45, finish 5.20, 3000ft climbing, chocolate cake in Fordville, The 'old bastards' and arrival of Stuart and Greg - Aussie mates who currently reside in Nashville

Stuart working on his bike getting ready for day 1

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 17 Sep 2010 16:44

Some farmer out in the middle of nowhere had set up this exhibit. It brought a smile to my face.
I Looked for the farmer but couldn't find him. With Kentucky 's new 'shoot if you feel threatenned with no consequence' law, I didn't go on to the property

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 17 Sep 2010 14:55

These ole bastards and I hit it off immediately (once I broke the ice). They were watching some elderly women on an outing from a Rest home and we started talking. They gave me great advice for aggressive dogs-use ammonia in a Spray bottle
Or water pistol.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 17 Sep 2010 10:46

I met Ed on the side of the road.
He was picking up litter and I was confused that the map appeared wrong. It turned Out that he owned the house across the field and I was lost. 2 Of his 3 Sons are Same age As Nat and Luke so we compared notes on raising young men

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 17 Sep 2010 8:51

Tobacco hanging undercover and in the barn before they bale
It for market

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 17 Sep 2010 8:51

I am in tobacco country although this crop is looking sickly

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 17 Sep 2010 8:29

James Packer, Proud grower heading off to sell his Stock to the Amish.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 17 Sep 2010 8:27

Check out these punkins. Jack of lanterns ready to be uncovered

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 17 Sep 2010 7:50

A Tyson Chickens shed, each one I'm told by Rev Bob holds 28,000 Chooks. There are 4 here and sites like this are all over the place. They process over 1,000,000 fryers a week. Wow! That's just in Kentucky!

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 17 Sep 2010 6:36

Ride day 60, 17-Sep, Sebree to Falls of Rough, Ky

First Baptist Church Hostel

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Thursday 16 Sep 2010 19:31

Bob and Violet-truly a marvelous couple! With extreme ambivalence to organized fundamental religion, my eyes were re-openned To how Good Christian people can accept others who are different and accept the concept there are many paths to salvation-follow your own. Vi cooked us a wonderful meal of huge quantities And then insisted we eat apple crumble pie and ice cream till it came out of ears! That is Greg and Jason (Seattle lads) who pulled in 1 minute before dinner time after 124 miles from Goreville, Il. What timing! Thankyou Bob and Vi, you are fabulous ambassadors and your hostel is an oasis of southern hospitality.
Overall day 76, ride day 59, 16-Sep, Harrisburg, Il to Sebree, Ky
Miles ridden - 66.30
Ave speed- 12.40mph
Max speed - 29.80mph
Abe cadence - 75.00rpm
Time in saddle- 5.19
Start 8.00, finish 4.00, 400ft climb, Notes/highlights: Corn Crib, the Corn Festival in Morganfield, 30 miles of flat riding, Bob and Violet and their FBC Christian Bicycle hostel ( now running for over 20years)- don't miss it!

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Thursday 16 Sep 2010 18:05

My digs for the night-I enter with trepidation, a sense of dread and thankfulness as if not for the baptists, I would be sleeping rough tonight.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Thursday 16 Sep 2010 11:42

After my encounter with the Corn Crib, i should have been expecting to encounter The Corn Featival, bit I wasn't. 3 day harvest festival 25 miles down the road in Kentucky was alot of fun. Culinary delights weird, deep fried Oreo Cookies, and wonderful, these big ole pork chops barbecued over hickory smoke and slathered in barbecue sauce on a sandwich was wonderful(I Am certain to be gaining weight again).

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Thursday 16 Sep 2010 10:24

I encountered this baby turtle on the road and encouraged him to seek cover. He was only an inch or so long

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Thursday 16 Sep 2010 10:22

As soon as
I hit
Kentucky, the hills start again

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Thursday 16 Sep 2010 10:05

....and being grouped up foe tugging down stream to Mississippi River and then????

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Thursday 16 Sep 2010 10:05

The Ohio River-a working river-here coal barges being loaded....

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Thursday 16 Sep 2010 9:42

Days terrain in Illinois - nice and flat supporting me clipping along at ave speed of 15mph

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Thursday 16 Sep 2010 9:38

Gala, Shirley and Don - very close to the Illinois Kentucky border, I stopped at the Corn Crib, a well established side of the road sweet corn sales stand (with other local fruit and veggie specialties). For the last 2
Days, I have been off route taking a short cut trying to recover lost time due to the tyre incidents. Well these people don't see many Transamer's and we are a real oddity. So I was interviewed by Gala(customer passing through) for local online rag, photographed an embarrassing number of times by both Gala and Shirley and given minute detail explanation by Donald of sweet corn varieties and important factors such as hang time and hang height and effect on sugar levels in the corn, etc. They filled me with free apple cider and would have happily sent me off with free apple butter (my fav) and sweet corn but I persistently said no, I can't afford the weight. They were wonderful!

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Thursday 16 Sep 2010 7:59

Rode day 59, 16-Sep, Harrisburg, Il to Sebree, Ky

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Wednesday 15 Sep 2010 10:14

I Am on rest Day in Harrisburg Illinois

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 14 Sep 2010 18:19

Overall day 74, ride day 58, 14-Sep Murphysboro to Harrisburg, Illinois
Miles Ridden - 48.40
Ave speed - 12.80mph
Max speed - 23.00mph
Ave cadence - 79.00rpm
Ride rime in saddle - 3.45hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 9.08, finish 6.19, Ramesh and americas best value inn, slow start due to trip to bike shop which opened at 10 in Carbondale, finding a long sleeve jersey, meeting Crystal and 2
New tyres (3300
Miles is not too bad
For old ones)

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 14 Sep 2010 15:04

My reward for the day was
A Rare Combination of flat road,
Nice wide shoulder and small tailwind. Over this 41 mile section, my feet hardly touched the pedals averaging close to 18 mph

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 14 Sep 2010 14:37

At 2.37, owners Pat and Trish, sent me off with an alternative route as It was now too late To get to Golconda before night fall. Going off the Transam,
My target for The Night was Harrisburg 41 miles away.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 14 Sep 2010 14:37

Returning to Bike Surgeon and the afternoon crew, I met Pat one of the owners. He took on the job immediately, carefully
problem solving the issue.
To make A Long story short, after
2 more tube explosions, one a slime tube which spewed green slime Over Pat and Sean, I rolled out with new front and rear Vittoria Radonneurs. Pat did a good job and I recommend them if you are in Carbondale and in need

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 14 Sep 2010 13:09

WhilstFixing my tyre, Crystal came by and introduced herself. She said She was a 4th year journalism major and would
Like to take Some Pictures and interview me for a story. I of
Course said Yes but asked her to help Me Find the very critical spindle nut off my wheel which seemed To have fallen off and disappeared into the grass. Down on hands and knees, we fortunately found it within 5
Mins of looking. Over the next 30 minutes, She completed the interview and numerous pictures whilst I very carefully fixed The Tyre. With great care, I rode back to Bike Shop.
Footnote for Charles: I Am clearly meeting More Single women without you

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 14 Sep 2010 12:43

Within a mile, on the edge southern illinois university campus, I had another blowout in same tyre and was now convinced the problem was the new tyre. Calling the bike surgeon, they said bring it back and they would replace tyre. They were leaving to go to uni class but said they'd let the afternoon shift know about me and my Situation. So i set about fixing the tyre again with new tube.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 14 Sep 2010 12:01

Sean and Thad at Bike Surgeon were very helpful, sent me off with same tyre and 2 new tubes.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 14 Sep 2010 11:28

I managed to get both front new tyre and new jersey and set off.
Within 1 mile I had a blowout of tube in new tyre.
After fixing it, i set off back to bike shop to get replacement tube and had another blowout. It seemed the tyre was not seating in the rim correctly and tube was blowing out underneath the tyre. Replacing tube again and carefully airing tyre up, i returned
To Bike shop with two blown tubes for Replacement and growing sense that tryre (high dollar Schwable) was the problem.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 14 Sep 2010 9:08

Ride day 58, 14-Sep Murphysboro to Harrisburg, Illinois
Plan was to ride to Carbondale bike shop (last one for 600 miles) then continue on Transam to Galconda, lllinois (78 miles on Ohio river).
I needed a new front tyre and a
Second long sleeve jersey (for sun protection - Even with sun creme on, i am getting too much uv). I should be Able to do both in under an hour.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 14 Sep 2010 8:30

Overall day 73, ride
Day 57, 13-Sep, Farmington, Mo to Murphysboro, illinois
Miles ridden - 80.70 - longest day Ave speed - 10.90mph
Max speed - 38.60mph
Ave cadence - 73.00rpm
Ride Time in saddle - 7.23 hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 7.19, finish 5.40, 1250ft climb, Al's Transam Inn, getting out of Ozarks and onto some flatter land, no dogs, big day of 81 miles and I feel strong, Americas Best Value Inn in murphysboro - indiana have taken over cheaper hotels chains in america and are Doing A good job-
Thanks Ramesh

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Monday 13 Sep 2010 13:25

Lewis and Clark are back-a stop in their way west

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Monday 13 Sep 2010 13:24

Chester illinois is home of Popeye and Olive Oil and they are everywhere

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Monday 13 Sep 2010 13:09

A period bridge, classy in it's day, in need of paint now

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Monday 13 Sep 2010 13:07

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Monday 13 Sep 2010 13:06

Mississippi River She's a muddy ole Creek-normally about mile wide but here about half that

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Monday 13 Sep 2010 12:42

Oh yea, some flatter country for
A Couple of days

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Monday 13 Sep 2010 7:20

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Monday 13 Sep 2010 7:19

Ride day 57,13-Sep, Farmington, Mo to Murphysboro, illinois
Al' transam inn- very good, thanks Farmington for caring

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 12 Sep 2010 21:49

Stacia-from Portland heading east with a destination and finish date the same as mine (Oct 7). we met at Al's Transam Inn

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 12 Sep 2010 18:32

Overall day 72, ride day 56, 12-Sep, Lesterville to Farmington, Mo
Miles ridden - 46.70
Ave speed - 10.00mph
Max speed - 34.80mph Ave cadence - 72.00rpm
Ride time in saddle - 4.38hrs
Notes/highligts: Start 7.46, finish 2.30, 2000ft climb, getting out of the Ozark mountains-bloody dogs and rollercoaster hills will not be missed, meeting up with Greg and Jason at walmart was a surprise, speaking with NAT and Luke, Al's place-what a Great idea
This is Al's place.
It is located upstairs with bike
Storage and workshop downstairs in a building built in 1870 as the first jail

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 12 Sep 2010 18:23

Al's Transam Inn

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 12 Sep 2010 18:23

This Is Al's Transam Inn, a cyclist only hostel. Hi-tech with wifi, computer, satellite tv, kitchen, food and drink you pay for
On honour system. Shower and dorm or small room bunks for $20. A true oasis.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 12 Sep 2010 16:06

The boys are back - ran in to 2 of the Seattle lads (greg and Jason) at Walmart (still looking for right tyre) in Farmington. Tai (3rd musketeers) is awaiting them in Carbondale,Ill. You may remember he spent the weekend in jail in montana for smoking marijuana and was then hit by a car in lander Wyoming which meant a week Delay while he healed and bike was repaired. The three split up whilst bike and body were healing. Greg and Jason went on the transam like I did and tai took a more direct route in an effort to catch up. In Hannibal Missouri, his bike was stolen. After it made local newspaper, a number of good samaritans came forward raising cash and a reward for return of bike. Local motel gave him Free accomodation and restuarant free food. In the end his bike was returned and a charity ride raised 1500 traveling money for him. They will reunite in a few days.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 12 Sep 2010 8:26

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Sunday 12 Sep 2010 7:46

Ride day 56, 12-Sep, Lesterville to Farmington, Mo
Pea soup is how I would describe the start. Cold front came in overnight dropping temps to 53- still 85% humidity

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 11 Sep 2010 17:46

Overall day 71, ride day 55, 11-Sep, Eminence to Lesterville, Mo
Miles ridden - 52.80
Ave speed - 9.40mph
Max speed - 39.30
Ave cadence - 68.00
Ride Time in saddle - 5.34
Notes/highlights: Start 7.40, finish 4.30, 3500ft climb, road kill-numerous turtles, skunks, opossums and snakes, only minor head wind, outran the rain, buffet lunch At harris's in Ellington, most difficult climbs in the ozarks today due to grade- spent Alot of time Out of saddle climbing, bloody dogs are dangerous

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 11 Sep 2010 9:58

Dog repellant - Missouri dogs are by far the worst encountered.
Seems these hillbillies like to let their dogs run free and They run in packs. After looking for Dog Spray at 3 or 4 places, I've given up and cut myself a stick. Its just a matter of time before they catch me Going up a hill and i can't outrun them. At least they will remember me

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 11 Sep 2010 9:16

Storms overnight were packing a
Punch

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 11 Sep 2010 8:08

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Saturday 11 Sep 2010 7:40

Ride day 55, 11-Sep, Eminence to Lesterville, Mo

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 10 Sep 2010 16:52

Overall day 70, ride day 54,10-Sep, Houston to Eminence, Mo
Miles ridden - 49.80
Ave speed - 10.00mph
Max speed - 42.60mph
Ave cadence - 72.00rpm
Ride time in saddle - 4.58hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 8.10, finish 3.30, 850ft climb, butterflies, out rode the rain most of the day, Ozark Scenic Riverways and Alley Springs, climb up the forest watch tower and my new 1 person light weight cyclist tent-2nd hand with broken zippers but it is light and now I have an emergency structure - all for $5-purchased at a bass pro shop outlet store sale in a town of 500 people!

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 10 Sep 2010 13:15

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 10 Sep 2010 13:14

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 10 Sep 2010 13:12

Ave daily flow 81million gallons

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 10 Sep 2010 13:11

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 10 Sep 2010 12:59

A few shots of Alley Springs, part of Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 10 Sep 2010 12:41

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 10 Sep 2010 12:07

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 10 Sep 2010 12:07

From The top looking out over my route

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 10 Sep 2010 12:01

15 story forest fire watch tower I decided to climb- great views from the top although I was feeling a bit dizzy from the height

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 10 Sep 2010 12:00

And more butterflies

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 10 Sep 2010 11:55

The trees are changing to hardwood forests - in this Case oak

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 10 Sep 2010 11:15

Missed it By 1 day- damn!

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 10 Sep 2010 9:08

There are more churches per mile in The Ozarks than anywhere else I've been so far on this trip. Kansas runs a close second. Missouri seems to have 30% of the fm dial allocated to religious stations. Unfortunatley, it s That fundamental stuff that I find so offensive. What makes
It even worse is the weaving of patriotism and war mongering into it and you end with holy war language being used

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Friday 10 Sep 2010 8:07

Ride day 54, 10-Sep Houston to Eminence, Mo

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Thursday 9 Sep 2010 8:30

9 sept- Due to tropical storm rain, I have decided to take a rest day to day.
Holed up in Houston hotel room
Watching USA vs Russia world championships basketball. Spoke to Helen in Sienna on her Italy walk and all well. RHOD Webb reports house still standing and All well in Sydney With the boys

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Thursday 9 Sep 2010 6:59

Note to family and friends: Thursday 9 Sept, Houston, Mo- all well, no time this morning to file waypoints. finished at 6.40 last night and now trying to beat the hurricane rain so will file later today from sommersville or eminence.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Wednesday 8 Sep 2010 18:39

Overall day 68, Ride day 53, 8-Sep Marshfield to Houston, Mo
Miles ridden - 68.60
Ave speed - 9.20mph
Max speed - 39.40mph
Ave cadence - 70.0mph
Ride time in saddle - 7.25hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 8.10, finish 6.40, 1900ft climb, I made it Through another Long day. Those roller coaster mntns are so different than western mountains.you start at
Top and at Bottom you're doing 30-38mph. Then you start
Shifting down maintaining momentum until 1/3
Of the way up you are
In low-low out of the saddle pumping up to the top. For those who know It, it is Similar to Cootamundra to Binalong Big ride but with weight. In the middle of day, ran into road construction on biggest mountain of Day. At top, after riding Up hot asphalt, my tube melted anD
Blew out. ben and Marty at The feed Store in Ben Davis

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Wednesday 8 Sep 2010 16:15

Marty and Ben in Bendavis at only shop in town-a feed, farm supply shop with a few drinks and pizzas? Spent a fun half hour chatting about short horn and jersey Cows differences and hillbillies - which they swear they aren't. I'll yield To their Superior knowledge but.....

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Wednesday 8 Sep 2010 15:36

I have seem more
Houses and trailer homes vacant than anywhere else in USA. Assume Missouri Ozarks have suffered more through current downturn than any other state we've been through

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Wednesday 8 Sep 2010 10:19

It seems I am going back in time again

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Wednesday 8 Sep 2010 8:10

Ride day 53, 8-Sep, Marshfield to Houston, Mo
Started day by returning new tyre to walmart as It turned out to be too big

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 21:10

67 52 7-Sep Everton to Marshfield Mo 122.00 96.00 2.04 2251.00 58.10 9.30 38.20 71.00 6.11 Start 7.50, finish 5.15, 1700ft climb Notes/highlights: last nights Accomodation at running spring hunting lodge,meeting Bill the owner, making it through a tough day of roller coaster climbs, new wildlife-badgers, bought new front tyre at Wallmart. Lack of tent is a problem. Route taken is through small towns and not many motels-many have closed as result of tough times. Tents and tarps at Walmart are not appropriate -too heavy. I still have sleeping mat and bag. no other places to buy tent so will be looking to sleep in churches, schools and ?'when I can't find motel. When I get to Illinois it should change.

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 15:57

Speaks for itself

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 15:40

Some of my new friends now that Charles is gone

Posted: 1 year, 4 months ago

Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 9:54

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 9:04

Ben and Luke, westbound Virginia lads getting a late start for Oregon. They are likely to miss the high passes due to snow closing them

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 8:00

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 7:41

Bill the owner,very generous and trustworthy, runs the nicest
Lodge I've ever seen,
wants to ride his motorcycle to Yellowstone but wife won't let him

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 6:43

Ride day 52,7-Sep, Everton to Marshfield Mo
Arrived late last night and haven't processed yesterday waypoints. Will do so later today

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 6:31

Overall day 66, ride day 51, 6-Sep, Pittsburg Ks to Everton Mo
Miles ridden - 65.10
Ave speed - 10.10mph
Max speed - 35.40mph
Ave cadence - 72.00rpm
Ride time in saddle - 6.26hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 9.20, finish 7.00, started into ozark mountains with 1000ft
Of Climbing, my Accomodation is
Top notch found at Last minute when I discovered others had gone out of business

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 6 Sep 2010 17:16

They are an up and down and around the corner kind of mountain range. Short (200 ft), sharp (up to 14% grade) with lots of turns and twists.

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 6 Sep 2010 17:07

The Ozark Roller coaster has begun. The mountains have begun again

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 6 Sep 2010 15:34

Soybeans

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 6 Sep 2010 13:32

Aaron, a westbounder to San Francisco, very basic equipment and 35 year old bike but highly spirited young guy from Indiana

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 6 Sep 2010 10:37

Into Missouri, my 7th state-the show me State!

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 6 Sep 2010 9:22

Ride day 51, 6-Sep, Pittsburg Ks to Everton Mo
Excited to be riding again after 6 days off the bike

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 6 Sep 2010 7:45

Overall day 65, ride day 50, 5-Sep, Chanute to Pittsburg, Ks
Miles ridden - 42.70
Ave speed - 10.20mph
Max speed - 25.10mph
Ave cadence - 73.00rpm
Ride time in saddle - 4.11hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 1.48, finish 7.20, 500ft climbing, made it out of Chanute without Charles and didn't get lost(1 false turn), seeing Tom Bolitho, old school friend from Ada, Oklahoma, wind is still not helpful-10 miles of 25 mph headwind,30 miles of 3/4 head/side wind, b&b in Gerard was closed-Tom gave me a ride last 15 miles to Pittsburg to get a motel
I am now on my own and all is well. My health is good and the world is full of great people-the people of Walnut Ks (232 people) were celebrating their heritage with free beer at the only pub in town yesterday. They invited me into their celebration. Unfortunately I had to pass to meet Tom 20 miles away but....
Picture is our last together of the tour-Charles is now off the tour!

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 5 Sep 2010 16:23

Break time

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 5 Sep 2010 13:48

Ride day 50, 5-Sep, Chanute to Pittsburg, Ks
And now there is one solo rider and he is excited to be going to the end of this great adventure

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 5 Sep 2010 9:43

.....Elite long distance athlete Charles Gardner- in transit to London then Ramsbury in Wiltshire.
More photos of rest break festivities in Kansas as I get time to post

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 5 Sep 2010 9:42

Beware of this Old Romanian woman, suspected global trouble maker traveling in disguise as .....

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 5 Sep 2010 8:05

Thank you Ji Soo, Ed's a Lucky guy!

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 5 Sep 2010 7:58

Ji Soo made us and presented to Charles and I these special Labyrinth pillows as a mark of respect and affection. Such a wonderful gift with such personal significance for her. We
Have been instructed in how
To use them and we
Should now have no more sleepless nights.

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 4 Sep 2010 20:01

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 4 Sep 2010 20:00

Game shots

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 4 Sep 2010 19:41

Ed and Ji Soo at half time - they seem so ageless

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 4 Sep 2010 19:14

Game shots

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 4 Sep 2010 17:31

Inside Memorial Stadium
Enjoying the drummers

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 4 Sep 2010 17:24

Tailgate mayhem

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 4 Sep 2010 17:22

From the Kelly tailgate, what a
Mass of Jayhawk fever (and
Drunkeness)

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 4 Sep 2010 17:13

The Legend Award - picture to be provided by Charles

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 4 Sep 2010 17:11

As the cheerleaders left the scene, we slowly refocussed on Sir Charles. Thankful, I had made notes, I stumbled through my tribute. It was made
easier by his accomplishments-2800 miles, 49 days of riding, over 57 miles a day, 250 hours in the saddle, numerous 8,000ft passes, with the majors of McKenzie, Lolo, Togwottie and penultimate 11,953ft Hoosier all completed. Heat (103)at McKenzie, cold (34 and rain) at Hoosier, fighting headwinds through Wyoming, Colorado and Kansas, he's shown he's a Legend - which is the belt buckle award I presented him. Let it be known that Sir Charles now has a new moniker- Sir Charles, The Legend!

Of course it would not be
Right to send Sir Charles home without the pro Bono advice given to others. Work on improving your marital relations was a simple but important departing gift.

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 4 Sep 2010 17:05

A couple of hours later, we had walked to Memorial Stadium on KU's campus and were deep into our tailgating experience. This was a fun moment where I had called together the attention of our group(Ed and Ji Soo Abbuehl had now Joined Us) to make a speech and present Sir Charles with an award and gift marking the end of his tour. Just as I was starting, Janet Saw This group of cheerleaders walking through the parking lot and called them over to have their pictures taken with virile young men riding their Bikes across America. To say the least, All of my preparation and forethought went out the window as I moved next to these young goddesses to have my picture taken. With the fragrance of perfume, I tried to clear my head but to no avail-I was left a blabbering idiot, sharply realizing I have been away From home too long.

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 4 Sep 2010 13:44

We Presented the Kelly's with a special 'Angel' award. They not only made our stop in Chanute so pleasant with their wonderful hospitality but also loaned us a truck to transport ourselves and bikes around Kansas and organized a fabulous football experience for us at Kansas University in Lawrence. As An Alum, this is a peak, heady experience. As those of you who know Dan and Janet, they are the epitome of Jayhawk fans. For these reasons, we awarded them a special 'Angel of the Light' to acknowledge their special caring for others and encouragement to light the way for other Jayhawk fans in the constant struggle to reach out and bridge the gap with Kansas State and Missouri fans. This Angel of Light will live at the Love Shack on the mantel in the special Brandon Rush corner next to the Bill Self face on a stick - hallowed ground indeed-not quite Lords in London, but bloody close

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 4 Sep 2010 13:41

After lunch, We took the opportunity to present Dan and Janet a small award. Here Charles is explaining the award

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 4 Sep 2010 13:06

We delivered Janet's truck to the Alumni parking lot full of drinks and food and then returned downtown for a Game day lunch.
Even at 11am, the 'tailgaters' have already started even though the game Doesn't start until 6pm

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 4 Sep 2010 12:22

Arriving at the Kelly's Lawrence bolt hole, 'the Love Shack', we settled in for some game day planning and refreshment

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 4 Sep 2010 10:51

My first house in Lawrence, Ks - 2140 Tennessee - still standing but without the ping pong parlor and looking a little worse for wear

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 4 Sep 2010 9:16

Charles and I leaving Emporia

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 4 Sep 2010 9:04

'Angel of Emporia' - holding pride of place next to Nici's tribute and Sydney's picture

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 3 Sep 2010 23:09

Presenting the award - for wonderful hospitality and care of us and great healthy food. W
As mngt consultants, Charles aNd I like To Leave behind a Nugget of advice. For George,
We think you're just two young for an electric bike now-unless that's the only way it's going to happen!

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 3 Sep 2010 23:09

Charles explaining the background and values of the 'Angel Award' to George and Marcia

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 3 Sep 2010 23:09

Mom and Dad took us all out for a chinese dinner

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 3 Sep 2010 16:41

hmmmmmmm. Too bad the fundamentalist are the only ones who do billboards. But then moderate philosophy like 'build understanding with those who are different' doesn't make a good billboard

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 3 Sep 2010 15:47

Charles and Goerge took this electric bike out for a spin whilst we were in Topeka. George took a particularly liking to the bike

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 3 Sep 2010 7:36

Going out to breakfast with my Dad has always been a special enjoyment we've enjoyed. Stems back to when we used to do it before we went hunting or fishing

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 1 Sep 2010 16:28

George comes to the rescue as it slides into the box. A bigger box would have been helpful

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 1 Sep 2010 15:45

Hacksaws are produced but only to lighten the moment

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 1 Sep 2010 15:43

Brother Jeff, the most mechanical of the brothers is trying to provide advice to Charlles but it is slow going

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 1 Sep 2010 15:39

My brothers George, Jeff and sister in-law Marcia. We stayed at George and Marcia's house in Emporia

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 1 Sep 2010 8:09

Dan and Janet providing last minute advice on how the truck operates and route

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 1 Sep 2010 8:09

Our luxurious vehicle for traavel in eastern kansas thanks to Dan and Janet - it was perfect to get my bike fixed and Charles most of the way to the airport in Kansas City

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 31 Aug 2010 21:53

dan kelly playing cribbage contemplating a poor crib

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 30 Aug 2010 19:23

We have arrived at the Kelly Hacienda in Chanute for the beginning of our Week off the bike. Charles has now officially
Finished the tour. Dan met us 15 miles outside of town with ice cold water. Dan and Janet have welcomed us with their normal wonderful hospitality they always show me.
This week we are in Chanute until Wednesday morning, then off to Emporia. A highlight on friday, Charles and I have been asked to speak at Olpe High School. On Saturday morning, we go up to Lawrence, home of Kansas University for a visit and luckily, attendance at
A KU football game (gridiron) thanks to Dan. Then back to Topeka to spend the evening with Ed And Jisoo. On Sunday Charles Flies to UK and I return to Chanute to resume my Transam adventure.
More entries from The last few days will be posted in next 24 hours.

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 30 Aug 2010 17:39

Overall day 59, ride day 49, 30-Aug, Eureka to Chanute, Ks Miles ridden - 63.30
Ave speed -10.60mph
Max speed - 31.60mph
Ave cadence - 72.00rpm
Riding Time in saddle-5.56hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 8.38, finish 5.30, 1500ft climbing, Charles last day, Lizard Lips restuarant in toronto was very interesting, dan's cold drinks at 16 miles out, arriving into airconditioned luxury and fabulous welcome dinner (Charles getting his fill of steak I think), seeing old friends Dan and Janet

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 30 Aug 2010 14:17

Ivan-90 year ols guy who opened up Coyville community hall to cool us down and give is water. He regularly rides 10 miles on his bike and is strong

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 30 Aug 2010 12:47

Near Toronto, don't miss it-interesting locals. It was here I was Almost picked up by a very friendly, 18 year old who at The cashiers looked at me and said 'you Look really sexy in your cycling Gear'. It was rather awkward but the lizard lady told me she was rather simple

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 30 Aug 2010 11:33

Janeen-a Single aussie woman living in New York currently, from near Tamworth, NSW. Westbound rather late due to 2
Months off the bike as a
Result of broken wrist sustained in bike accident inVirginia where she came off the bike going down mountain and was
Knocked out for 2 hours. I can see it

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 30 Aug 2010 10:54

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 30 Aug 2010 8:38

Rise day 49, 29-Aug, Eureka to Chanute, Ks
Charles last day-started with a front flat tyre. Here he is post tyre fixing ready to go

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 29 Aug 2010 20:00

Overall day 58, ride day 48, 29-Aug, Newton to Eureka, Ks Miles ridden - 74.70
Ave speed - 9.90mph
Max speed- 24.60mph
Ave cadence - 71.50rpm
Notes/highligts: Start 7.11 finish 6.30, 1200ft climbing, arriving in one piece much of the day in strong 25mph headwind or 3/4 wind, pizza hut for being open, pulled pork sandwich in Cassoday, 2 power naps in ideal circumstances - in the bug infested weeds and a concrete path - one of our favourites, Flint Hills scenery we saw was Disappointing compared to what I know it is

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 29 Aug 2010 17:37

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 29 Aug 2010 15:26

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 29 Aug 2010 14:04

Charles sightseeing in the Flint Hills. The 19 miles of head winds were so exhausting we had two naps - this one in a clump of
Trees near a stream, full of bugs and the second in our favorite napping spot, on a
Concrete footpath/sidewalk In the shade

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 29 Aug 2010 10:57

Flint Hills of Kansas - characterized by very few trees

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 29 Aug 2010 9:25

Met Ron and Bill At a break in Mennonite country near Cassoday. Westbound, carrying no luggage with their own sag wagon, they seemed to be cruising with a tailwind. We are not seeing
Many westbounders As Most seem to have gone
By now. With September just around the corner, they will struggle to clear
The high mountain passes of Hoosier, Togwottee, Lolo and McKenzie as snow is
On the way

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 29 Aug 2010 7:11

Ride Day 48, 29-Aug, Newton to Eureka, Ks
Leaving today knowing today will be full of wind going in the wrong
Direction

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 28 Aug 2010 12:20

Overall day 57, ride day 47, 28-Aug, Hutchinson to Newton, Ks Miles ridden - 48.30
Ave speed - 11.20mph
Max speed - 22.60mph
Ave speed - 74.00rpm
Time in saddle -4.18hrs
Start 8.20, finish 4.30, Yoder heritage festival, pancake feed at festival, relaxed day with low miles, high class motel, blowout in rear wheel with slime tube(2200 miles isn't too bad) makes a significant mess- same tyre is still going strong after'2500 miles. Relaxed start with nice goodbyes to our friends
This is what a rear slime tube blowout looks like - very messy all over panniers, bike and ones legs

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 28 Aug 2010 12:03

Our first country road-unsealed. We went off the Transam route and had a few miles of this stuff culminating in my third flat
Tire of the trip.

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 28 Aug 2010 10:42

Young people hanging and chilling

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 28 Aug 2010 10:38

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 28 Aug 2010 10:34

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 28 Aug 2010 10:31

Parade time but first a performance of the national anthem

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 28 Aug 2010 10:21

Maidens await

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 28 Aug 2010 9:51

We decided to detour to Yoder, Ks, an Amish and Mennonite community not far Off our route.it was their Heritage Festival so we saw some of their community life. This is the classic fundraiser,
all you can eat Pancake Feed (sausages, oj, milk and coffee as
Well).
Fabulous!

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 28 Aug 2010 8:13

Ride Day 47, 28-Aug , Hutchinson to Newton, Ks
I am sporting my new KU Jayhawks jersey, A Great Gift from Rick and Chris.
Thanks Guys!

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 27 Aug 2010 23:14

Angelic duties being performed by Connie. She served us Amish made cherry and apple pie that was 4.5 pounds uncut-wonderful flavor and great carbs
With vanilla ice cream - or so I am told!

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 27 Aug 2010 22:58

Rick learning bad habits and finer points of being a gentleman from Sir Charles

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 27 Aug 2010 21:48

Charles sporting his new tie - very fetching chas and you are certain to be the only one with one on in next meeting at Unilever in London

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 27 Aug 2010 21:46

Charles receiving his bollo tie gift - see next piture

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 27 Aug 2010 21:40

To Christopher, we award a 'Downward Facing Rabbit' for his always cheery nature even when nauseous and after hitting 'the wall', great application to finish 365 miles even without adequate preparation , self belief he can do more miles even when knackerd (tired), traffic Management (although doing email whilst doing it isn't recommended), for his extreme speed in first 50 meters of his turn at Leading peloton (although we'd like to see Him focus on last 50 meters In future ).For Next Ride, we'd suggest expanding wardrobe beyond yellow, and lift your head to more emulate Upward Facing Rabbit and give up your habit if eating last nights dinner leftovers from a polystyrene box at 4am as it's unsanitary and certain to lead to intestinal difficulties. Thanks Christopher for all the fun!

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 27 Aug 2010 21:37

To Ricky, we Awarded An 'Upward Facing Jack Rabbit'
For his high energy, sharp and effective lookout front and rear of us, keen focus on making miles (416) and cold beer management. We do believe he needs to upgrade his on bike jerseys to cycling style with pockets in back and pouch on the front for that growing trunk he is packing. Let it be known that for the first time In our 48 year relationship, Rick davis is approaching my weight-rod =178pds, Ricky=174pds, I like it! Thanks for the fun Ricky -
We love you brother

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 27 Aug 2010 21:06

We award both of these lads the 'Older Woman Management 'award for their liaison, influence, and great interpersonal relationships with OW which has smooothed our travels and enhanced our Accomodation,
Diet, Fun and overall adventure. these guys have talent above
The rest.
Thankyou

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 27 Aug 2010 19:20

The Angel of Hutch

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 27 Aug 2010 17:59

Presentation of Angel Award to Connie and Dana for hospitality and care afforded us in their wonderful home. To the 'Angels of Hutch' Thank you

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 27 Aug 2010 16:30

Poolside beers with Dana, Rick and christiopher

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 27 Aug 2010 15:35

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 27 Aug 2010 15:32

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 27 Aug 2010 15:31

Rocky enjoying a
Swim

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 27 Aug 2010 15:20

Dana and Connie

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 27 Aug 2010 14:18

A few shots of their beautiful home

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 27 Aug 2010 14:15

Rest day at the Richmond's resort on the prairie in Hutchinson

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 26 Aug 2010 21:35

Overall day 55, ride
Day 46, 26 Aug , Larned to Hutchinson,Ks
Miles Ridden -74.30
Ave speed - 13.20mph
Max speed - 23.20mph
Ave cadence - 76.00rpm
Ride time in saddle - 5.35hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 7.03, finish 3.35, 200ft climb, early morning competition of guessing when adriel and chris would catch up (they were sleeping in) Quivera refuge and birdlife, Kurt and cold drinks, riding w adrial and tooley in peloton, arriving in to richmond prairie resort, hospitality and great company, Rick and Christopher have safely finished a great ride(416 and 369 miles respectively). Tomorrow is rest day
This is Dana and Connie, our most gracious host for rest
Day

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 26 Aug 2010 19:57

Dana has loaned us his beemer convertible to use while we
Are
In hutch. After 55 days, I'm not interested in driving but christopher is ready to go

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 26 Aug 2010 15:35

Dana Rick and christopher at dana's
House

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 26 Aug 2010 15:14

About 5 miles out, Dana met us and gave us an escort into Hutchinson (Hutch). After a week of riding together, it was time to split with Chris and Adriel. They are now
Focussed on getting to knoxsville tn To attend oregon Tennessee gridiron game on September 10. With over 800 miles and only 15 days, they need to focus to get there.

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 26 Aug 2010 14:29

Strong South east winds meant we spent most of day riding in the 'parallelogram' configuration, sheltering in the pocket out of the wind 80% of time

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 26 Aug 2010 12:10

Instead he started reaching in to Mack of his pickup and pulled out an ice chest of cold Gatorade and water. Kurt gets our good Samaritan of the week acknowdfement. as
Quickly as he arrived, he turned
And sped off. Kansas hospitality is special!

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 26 Aug 2010 12:08

We had just left Quivera,
The national refuge when we decided to stop on the road and have lunch. We could only
Find a Suitable spot at
The end of a row of trees near a
Farmhouse. Aa we set there, this truck comes screeching to a Halt in front of us. We though we had an angry farmer on our hands

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 26 Aug 2010 10:12

Quivera national wildlife refuge- one of two nationally recognized byways in Kansas - the other is the Flint Hills which we ride through on Sunday

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 26 Aug 2010 9:38

The famous K-pot - indigenous marijuana - traditional very poor in quality(ie no need to smoke it as it will give you no high but plenty of headache). Cortez the Spanish explored harvested it to make hemp rope for his ships. It grows everwhere along the 75 mile route today

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 26 Aug 2010 8:25

In the end, the boys caught up with us 84 minutes late at 8.24- Rick won the bet with 1 minute to
Spare

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 26 Aug 2010 8:06

We left town without Adriel and Chris Tooley as they overslept. The 4 of us wagered different times we thought they would catch up with us. We then had a tension between us as some wanted to slow down and others wanted
To speed up. I took this
Picture of chris and charles who were slowing down and somehow talked Rick into slowing down with them. I had of fun trying to break the peloton

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 26 Aug 2010 7:02

Ricky is Ready but Christopher is not quite awake yet-he didn't get his Normal 5 am snack of leftover
Night before dinner he likes!

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 26 Aug 2010 7:01

Ride day 46, 26 Aug, Larned
to Hutchinson,Ks
Rick and Christopher's final
Ride day

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 20:25

Overall day 54, Ride day 45, 25-Aug, Ness City to Larned, Ks
Miles ridden - 66.10
Ave speed -13.50mph
Max speed- 21.80mph
Ave cadence - 76.00rpm
Time in saddle - 5.05 hrs,
Notes/highlights: Start 7.02, finish 3.45, 1000ft climbing, ideal riding weather - cool start, warm during the day, beautiful sunset, low wind. Fort Lenard, peloton riding today - straight line, cribbage match won by chris and rod (who are not fighting tonight)with a big margin
Chris Tooley tanking up on Chinese buffet

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 18:36

Chris and rod on a roll in the cribbage decider. They won it with a big Cushion

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 13:54

Charles anD Chris Tooley sightseeing at Ft Lenard

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 13:37

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 13:36

Ft Larned,
Major military post on the santa fe trail, an early freight trading route between USA and Mexico

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 9:02

Adriel brushing his teeth in the peloton to save a few minutes in the morning

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 8:57

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 8:56

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 8:31

Perfect riding weather

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 8:28

Hmmmm....bible belt

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 7:00

Ride day 45, 25-Aug, Ness City to Larned, Ks
This is the suite(bottom floor) we had forThe evening in Ness
City

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 18:39

Overall day 53, ride day 44, 24-Aug, Scott City to Ness City, Ks Miles ridden-56.00
Ave speed - 10.30mph
Max speed - 17.30mph
Ave cadence - 75.00rpm
Ride time in saddle - 5.25hrs
Start 7.08, finish 3.20, 800ft climb, Notes/highlights: cool day, 78f high, peloton working well to rest and stay out of the wind (10-20mph), brunch in Dighton bowls and cafe, Christopher telling Rod he was half an inch from punching his fucking lights out, Charles fish and chips in ness city, all you can eat tacos for 4.50 dinner, having a fold up tire and one last tube when I needed it (Charles)

Rick bought Charles A bottled conditioned ale, very similar to an English Bitter. He loves it and can have it!

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 18:06

Start 7.08, finish 3.20, 800ft climb, Notes/highlights: cool day, 78f high, peloton working well to rest and stay out of the wind (10-20), brunch in Dighton bowls and cafe, Christopher telling Rod he was half an inch from punching his fucking lights out, Charles fish and chips in ness city, all you can eat tacos for 4.50 dinner, having a fold up tire and one last tube when I needed it, a little bit of heart pressure/no pain-less than yesterday, seems to be early only when I'm cold

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 13:28

Dare I say it, Charles is having a more than his share of flats but you can't really complain about 2500 mrs on a
Rear tire. I am thankful we
Had a
Spare with us or
It would have been 100 miles to closest bike shop.

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 13:24

Charles had a tire blow out in the sidewall in a
Very busy spot on the road.
We Had no way safer spot
Further off the road so Chris elected himself road monitor. Unfortunately, he was
More interested In doing His
Email. He is struggling
With turning work off as he is excited by a big deal in the making. We Are Making allowances.....

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 9:13

Christopher enjoying The Scenery

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 9:13

Western Kansas

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 9:12

Water Stop

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 9:03

With a north east Wind Today, the peloton started
In half A Flying V in the opposite direction from day before. But as we were 6 Riders, we stuck out too far. So we retreated to a
Chevron like The day before but running in the opposite
Direction. As you can tell,
We Have alot of time, (miles and wind) on our hands-it is wonderful until the wind blows the spark out of you around 3pm or 60 miles!
The boys are still with us and we are all enjoying each other

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 8:13

At morning stretch session In Grigston, Ricky captured me for those who want to see me weighing 173 pounds (79kgs) - haven't been this light since late 70's.

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 7:01

Ride day 44, 24-Aug, Scott City to Ness City, Ks

Whilst We Are Leaving in
The Dark, it's mostly due to being
On central time and
Having lost an hour yesterday

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 23 Aug 2010 21:28

Note on Christopher end day 3: Christopher is getting stronger in his riding as long as We Don't Let him self-desruct. He carried his own weight In the peloton today only sliding off the back of changes a Few Times. Considering he and Ricky are riding with 4 Transam riders who have clocked up 2300 miles of mountains, they're both doing bloody well

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 23 Aug 2010 17:07

Overall day 52, ride day 43, 23-Aug, Tribune to Scott City, Ks
Miles ridden - 49.90,
Ave speed - 12.70mph
Max speed - 20.40mph Ave cadence - 76.00rpm
Ride
Time in saddle - 4.05 hrs
Start 6.20 finish 1.00(mountain time), 700ft climb, Notes/highlights: windmills, basketball game, hearty laughs at dinner, good peloton riding (2x2x 2) and changeovers, Chris making it today on his own in peloton,

Rick and the lads in a bit of post game relaxation and debrief.

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 23 Aug 2010 14:37

Charles complaining after I called a foul on him. I ignored the first 20 fouls but as we've known for years, rugby players are just too rough for a game of Finesse.
Adriel and Chris showed
Up so we played 3on 3. Christopher,
Adriel and I won a very hotly contested, controversial contest
10-8

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 23 Aug 2010 14:19

We arrived at our motel and it had a basketball hoop. Christopher insisted we play so here we are teaching Charles to play in 95f, in cycling clothes and poor shoes

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 23 Aug 2010 11:09

Wind farm And Christopher with his Kansas Wind polo shirt on

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 23 Aug 2010 10:57

Wind farm near Scott City

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 23 Aug 2010 6:13

Ride Day 43, 23-Aug, Tribune to Scott City, Ks
Charles fixing yet aNother flat, this one caused by a goats head thorn. What a way to start the day when you are trying To get away early to beat the wind and heat

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 22 Aug 2010 19:43

Overall day 51, ride day 42, 22-Aug, Eads, Co to Tribune, Ks Miles ridden - 57.60
Ave speed - 10.20mph
Max speed - 18.60mph Ave cadence - 74.00rpm
Ride time in saddle - 5.37hrs Start 6.10, finish 1.30, 800ft climb. Notes/highlights: chatter box lunch and robyn, el presidente and his secret service protection, 6 person peloton with cris and adriel, our b & b cottage accomodation, bingo at vfw,

The bingo caller is the local sheriff

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 22 Aug 2010 19:17

Robyn from the Chatterbox
Restaurant invited us to bingo after we knocked on her closed restaurant door and she decided to reopen the restaurant to feed 6 hungry cyclists-Kansas hospitality as No good open alternatives

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 22 Aug 2010 18:36

Emma and Lydia-bingo maniacs, sisters who took pity on us and explained the 16 different games(let see straight line bingo, blackout, crazy t, 6pack, tuen the corner, etc) we played. Lydia mArked up our cards to give us clear guidance

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 22 Aug 2010 18:33

Our night of Bingo and new Friends at local VfW. Chili
Dogs and apple pie, home made ice cream for dinner

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 22 Aug 2010 11:51

Kansas boys and Charles at
State
Line

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 22 Aug 2010 10:36

The Kansas state flower-sunflower, here under cultivation.
They turn their heads to follow the Sun during The day then droop at night(sleeping?)

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 22 Aug 2010 10:15

The wind has really worked this d
Flag over

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 22 Aug 2010 10:12

Nothing could protect El Presidente from the dust storm on Kansas Colorado border, location of original dust bowl 75 years ago

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 22 Aug 2010 9:55

With the 6 man peloton stretching across the road, we decide to go to a 3 Man, half a chevron (2 rows) formation. Works a treat to keep El Presidente (the tender bottom, energy beuracrat, old 'bull' who still thinks himself a young 'bull'[red jersey]) in the 'pocket' and out of the wind preserving his energy. Note: this is a one time deal-if he can't ride on his own tomorrow, he will be looking for a
Rental car!
Note: dust storm approaching

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 22 Aug 2010 8:08

Christophers riding snacks are
Part of his problems - dorritos cheeseburger flavored chips. He is resisting subtle guidance to change

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 22 Aug 2010 7:33

Morning exercises and stretching

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 22 Aug 2010 7:11

Only problem is we stretch across the road into other lane

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 22 Aug 2010 7:10

6 man peloton at 2am headwind (15-25mph), in a Flying V formation

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 22 Aug 2010 6:16

Dawn Riders
Actually at
Dawn

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 22 Aug 2010 6:15

Sunrise on the prairie

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 22 Aug 2010 6:02

Ricky Getting ready to go

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 22 Aug 2010 6:01

Ride day 42, 22-Aug, Eads, Co to Tribune, Ks

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 21 Aug 2010 15:44

Overall day 50, ride day 41, 21-Aug, Ordway to Eads, Co
Miles ridden - 62.00
Ave speed- 11.90mph
Max speed - 21.60mph
Ave cadence - 75.00rpm
Ride time in saddle- 5.11hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 6.22, finish 1.15, 800ft climb, Christopher being on board, being back on the prairie-beautiful and flat, back road with little traffic. Rosemary going home to make coffee, ferari (christopher) ran out of gas and will be hitching tomorrow. Riding in the peloton and teamwork required, It's great to have 3 close mates who i have known for so long on the ride

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 21 Aug 2010 11:47

Cultivation begins - note the dust devil (willy-willy) in the field

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 21 Aug 2010 11:47

This is the last piece of raw prairie range in 50 miles before cultivation starts In next picture

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 21 Aug 2010 11:26

Headwind was coming in direction of 2 oclock which made
The peloton stretch in a diagonal (flock of geese) manner. Here Rick, Charles And Christopher
Lead out with each taking a turn at leading.

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 21 Aug 2010 10:52

This is Rosemary whose sons own Haswell Propane. She was visiting when we Arrived looking For fresh coffee. She decided to race home 3 blocks and
Make us a fresh pot. Wonderful ! Another angel

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 21 Aug 2010 10:51

The boys at Haswell Propane waiting on Rosemary to
Bring us our fresh coffee

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 21 Aug 2010 8:52

The only toilet in 50 miles

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 21 Aug 2010 7:20

These are rail cars
For Transporting new Autos. There are miles and miles of
These Sitting Idly unused on this siding indicating
The state of auto industry in USA

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 21 Aug 2010 7:08

Promised the best cinnamon rolls
Around, We arrived In this little town, Sugar City(279), to find the cafe closed and lady owner out at yard Sales

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 21 Aug 2010 6:23

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 21 Aug 2010 6:20

Chris and Ricky ready to go

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 21 Aug 2010 6:13

Ride day 41, 21-Aug, Ordway to Eads, Co,
Christopher getting Ready

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 20 Aug 2010 20:17

Winners all around with the decider match played later

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 20 Aug 2010 19:52

For the game to tie it 1-1

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 20 Aug 2010 19:43

Christopher having a good
Time saying "before the night is over I'll be drinking beer and smoking cigarettes"!

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 20 Aug 2010 19:42

Rules explanation/debate - looks whose not involved

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 20 Aug 2010 19:41

Lagging for the break

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 20 Aug 2010 19:28

Gilfird and Patsy - our new mates we met at the VFW (RSL ) club. Check out the suspenders with the shorts

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 20 Aug 2010 17:33

An old favorite with the boys, beer and cribbage. Charles has become quite a proficient devotee!

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 20 Aug 2010 17:31

Charles and I sporting fresh $10 haircuts

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 20 Aug 2010 14:26

The 'Young Buddha' has arrived and started eating immediately even though he hasn't turned a pedal yet!

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 20 Aug 2010 8:12

Overall day 49, 20 Aug, Ordway, Co, Rest day sit around post breakfast waiting for Christopher to arrive

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 19 Aug 2010 20:37

Overall Day 48, Ride day 40, 19-Aug, Pueblo to Ordway, Co Miles ridden - 50.50
Ave speed - 13.30mph
Max speed - 24.70mph
Ave cadence - 77.00rpm
Ride Time in saddle - 3.47hrs
Notes/highligts: Start 6.45, finish 12.20, RWD's first day, 5lb hamburger challenge , nice easy ride in pleasant conditions of temp and cloud cover, the prairie is calling me and i'm enjoying its beauty. Tomorrow is rest day and Chhristtopher joins us

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 19 Aug 2010 17:05

The Ordway Hotel, our digs for rest day - nice spot, population 800

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 19 Aug 2010 17:04

A community asset for the without the resources of a pool

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 19 Aug 2010 12:03

Ricky in the peloton, drafting nicely behind that wide body od Charles - Ricky had a slow leak 6 miles out of or stopping point so we chose to ride fast, stop and add air vs stopping in the heat and fixing it

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 19 Aug 2010 11:11

Check out that burger - 5lbs (over 2kgs) - part of one of those 'eat the whole, plus 2bs of fries in ann hour and itss free' - I'm not even tempted

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 19 Aug 2010 8:45

'Yosemite Sam' (check out the mustache) in Boone, a true ambassador for service providers on the Transam. Owner of thee Boone mercantile wh provided us with filtered water and care

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 19 Aug 2010 8:05

Anyone for fired onions? Trucks and trucks of onions

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 19 Aug 2010 7:56

'Oh yeah, thee delight of leaving those mountains and riding on the prairie. I like this......''

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 19 Aug 2010 6:41

All pumped up and ready to go

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 19 Aug 2010 6:41

Ride day 40, 19-Aug, Pueblo to Ordway, Co
Dr Ricky falling riight into the morning b'fast ritual day 1

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 18 Aug 2010 18:05

Overall day 47, ride day 39, 18-Aug, Cannon City to Pueblo, Co
Miles ridden- 50.70
Ave speed -12.40mph
Max speed- 42.40mph ave cadence - 72.00rpm
Ride time- 4.05
Notes/highlights: Start 7.10, finish 12.30, 1000ft climb, Rick and Debbie visiting and Ricky joining tour, first 10 miles to Florence where the feet didn't feel like they were touching the pedals and you are sailing along.
We have left the mountains today and are now on the plains. It hasn't come a minute too soon.

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 18 Aug 2010 12:52

Charles trying to check-in but Gator has other things on his mind

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 18 Aug 2010 10:06

Yippee! 9%,
let's roll

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 18 Aug 2010 10:01

This is the site
Facing westbound riders as they approach the Rockies. These are 8-9000' mountains cyclist see
As They come in from Kansas. What they don't see are
The 14000' ones behind

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 18 Aug 2010 9:36

But before we leave the mountains, one more 1,000' climb

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 18 Aug 2010 9:08

My first live snake sitting in my part of the road. I went around.

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 18 Aug 2010 8:29

And now For the great plains and the prairie

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 18 Aug 2010 8:02

We leave the mountains behind....

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 18 Aug 2010 6:42

Ride day 39, 18-Aug, Cannon City to Pueblo, Co
Not our favorite way to start the day but at Least it's warm - 67f at 6.15am.

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 17:36

Overall day 46, ride day 38, 17-Aug, Fairplay to Cannon City, Co
Miles Ridden-79.90
Ave speed - 13.90mph
Max speed - 42.6mph
Ave cadence - 70.00rpm
Ride time in saddle - 5.40hrs,
Notes/highligts: Start 7.20 finish 3.50, 800ft climb, Rita's place and major downhill - dropped from 9900' to 5500' but climbing in the middle, headwinds in places and shallow gradient made all but a few descents relatively disappointing - no personal best maximum speed.' Charles and I are breathing easier at this elevation. Tomorrow We pass the half way mark of the tour

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 15:48

Charles heading down

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 14:16

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 13:49

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 13:06

A beautiful little weed I've spent alot of time looking at

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 13:05

Definitely worth a visit and the 1 mile steep climb required to get there-Guffey, Co. It's an oasis at the top of a 3,500' climb. Fortunately, we were going down

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 11:37

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 10:39

Goodbye to the big mountains we leave behind-now to the smaller stuff

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 9:55

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 8:30

Today's scenery

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 7:20

Ride Day 38, 17-Aug, Fairplay to Cannon City, Co
Fairplay Court House

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 16 Aug 2010 20:02

Overall day 45, ride
Day 37, 16-Aug, Silverthorne to Fairplay, Co
Miles Ridden -39.10
Ave Speed - 8.60mph
Max speed -31.30mph
Ave cadence - 64.00rpm
Ride time in saddle -4.31
Notes/highlights: Start 6.35, finish 2.30, 2800ft climb then 11,539' pass, we survived the climb and descent in difficult weather. We've got bragging rights now

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 16 Aug 2010 17:23

Our digs for The night - Fairplay Hotel, Fairplay, Co.
A national listed hotel with a
License for Prostitution, currently not Operating. I stumbled in here after the descent frozen to the core,On the edge Of hypothermia. Having not seen Charles for A couple of hours, I was delighted when he turned up 30 minutes after I arrived and was thawing out

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 16 Aug 2010 12:10

This is it- the top. It's all downhill from here-1800' In 12miles but it is freezing(soaking wet, no feeling in fingers or toes), slippery and side Wind. With brakes hard to operate, it was a controlled descent -- only 31mph max

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 16 Aug 2010 10:32

It is raining and cold- looks like this is going to be with us for a couple of hours to the top- must keep moving

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 16 Aug 2010 10:00

Breckinridge art

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 16 Aug 2010 8:48

Nice Bike path

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 16 Aug 2010 8:41

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 16 Aug 2010 8:40

In Frisco trying to find bike path to Breckenridge

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 16 Aug 2010 7:14

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 16 Aug 2010 7:13

Dillon Reservoir

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 16 Aug 2010 7:03

Buffalo mtn and red peak in silverthorne, co

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 16 Aug 2010 6:43

Ride day 37, 16-Aug, Silverthorne to Fairplay, Co

Excited to be climbing Hoosier Pass and our last mountain pass in the west - it's all down hill to Kansas from Hoosier Pass. The
Last 3 days Charles and
I have been having
Trouble Getting Enough oxygen due To altitude. Hopefully it won't get Any worse on the way up

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 15 Aug 2010 15:09

Overall day 44, Ride day 36, 15-Aug, Kremmling to Silverthorne, Co
Miles ridden - 41.20
Ave speed - 9.90mph
Max speed - 38.00mph
Ave cadence - 70.00rpm
Ride time in saddle - 4.08hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 8.40, finish 2.45, 1800ft climb, slow start today but finished by 3.00, coldstart-35f, rock and mountains scenery gorgeous,'late afternoon nap, broke through 2000 miles overall for the trip, will go to half way mark in couple of days, tomorrow we climb to Hoosier pass-highest point on the Transam ride

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 15 Aug 2010 12:51

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 15 Aug 2010 10:49

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 15 Aug 2010 9:31

Mt Powell 13,534

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 15 Aug 2010 8:52

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 15 Aug 2010 8:52

Our destination

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 15 Aug 2010 8:49

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 15 Aug 2010 8:49

Ride day 36, 15-Aug, Kremmling to Silverthorne, Co
Mountain scenery in Kremmling

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Sunday 15 Aug 2010 6:26

Overall day 43, ride day 35, 14-Aug -Walden to Kremmling, Co
Miles ridden- 78.90
Ave speed- 10.70mph
Max speed- 37.20mph
Ave cadence 69.00rpm
Ride time in saddle - 7.20
Notes/ highlights: Start 6.40, finish 6.00, 1800' climb, bob the collector, Tom the gogo guy, easy pass comparatively at 9621', Rick Davis's arrival/visit and emergency Gatorade he brought. Downer- Charles front right rack is broken and will have to be replaced on Sunday(we hope ). This brought forward our decision 5 days to dump camping gear which we have now done. The loss of 10pounds is welcome as we approach penultimate
Climb of the ride (Hoosier Pass-11,542') tomorrow (Monday USA time). It Is then downhill to emporia Kansas and 1200' over 14 days.

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 14 Aug 2010 16:06

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 14 Aug 2010 16:05

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 14 Aug 2010 15:11

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 14 Aug 2010 14:07

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 14 Aug 2010 12:51

Tom-the Go Go gum man. He found us napping on top of a picnic table at our lunch spot and gave us this high energy gum. He's in his late 60's

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 14 Aug 2010 12:09

Getting up to tree line

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 14 Aug 2010 12:07

Great rocks

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 14 Aug 2010 11:46

One of our last crossings

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 14 Aug 2010 9:44

Bob the collector - stopped for water in rand co, and met bob who took us on a tour of his treasure collection.is this everymans secret desire?

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 14 Aug 2010 9:23

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 14 Aug 2010 8:04

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 14 Aug 2010 6:45

At 34f, i have all cold weather equipment on including 2 pairs of wool socks.

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 14 Aug 2010 6:38

Ride day 35, 14-Aug - Walden to Kremmling, Co
This is the scenery out our front motel door. It is 34f this morning

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 13 Aug 2010 19:46

And my weight increase program indicatted these ribs and potatoes(no butter, low fat sour cream please) were required

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 13 Aug 2010 19:46

Rest da steak for Charles

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Friday 13 Aug 2010 19:24

13 August, Rest day in Walden, Co - much needed after 4 heavy days into the wind.
For those not on facebook, Charles has decided to leave the ride after we arrive in eastern Kansas.
I am sad at the imminent loss of my partner. He will be sorely missed but it is all for the right reasons. We still have many rides which we will now savour anew. But the quest continues...I am going to continue to Virginia on my own

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 12 Aug 2010 19:27

Overall day 41, ride day 34, 12-Aug, Saratoga, Wy to Walden, Co
Miles Ridden - 68.00
Ave speed - 9.30mph
Max speed - 44.10mph
Ave cadence - 68.00rpm
Ride time in saddle - 7.16hrs
Notes/highlights: Start 6.32, finish 6.00, 2500ft climb. we made it to Colorado under extremely difficult circumstances of 68 miles, mostly into a constant 15, gusting to 35mph wind for the 4th day in a row! Biggest calorie ride by 25%-3800 burn. Power nap on the road 20 miles from end and lunch in a gravel dump on the side of the road out of the wind. Small pleasures!
After viewing wind projections for next couple of days, We have decided to Take rest day a day early tomorrow (Friday)(yippee!). Both of us are pooped!

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 12 Aug 2010 14:55

Even Bruce Is Struggling to stay upright in the breeze

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 12 Aug 2010 14:50

Power nap on the road-I snapped this before I joined him
For much needed snooze

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 12 Aug 2010 13:39

State Number 5

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 12 Aug 2010 11:33

Going down fast at 7%grade

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 12 Aug 2010 10:41

Jim and Linda - motorcyclist we met at rest Stop out in country from Kansas City, Mo

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 12 Aug 2010 9:23

Where did I put those bloody cable ties-running repairs In Riverside on Chas's rack

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 12 Aug 2010 8:17

Morning tea

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 12 Aug 2010 8:12

Scenery for the day

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Thursday 12 Aug 2010 6:33

Ride day 34, 12-Aug, Saratoga, Wy to Walden, Co
Charles building bridges with locals to dispel the 'Broke Back Mountain' perception that seems to surround us when we Are in Lycra

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 11 Aug 2010 20:08

Overall day 40, Ride day 33, 11-Aug, Rawlings to Saratoga, Wy Miles ridden - 43.30
Ave speed - 9.30mph
Max speed - 22.60mph ave cadence - 70.00rpm
Ride Time in saddle- 4.37hrs
Notes/highlights: tough day fighting the wind, Start 8.02, finish 2.50, 400ft climb. lie in (till 6am) and Late start, coped with 15-30mph headwind (tomorrow
Looks worse and we have a long ride to bush camp) , township of Saratoga and Thai buffet which has been open 1 week and Jerry, the local dirt moving entrepreneur we met over dinner

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 11 Aug 2010 12:23

You can't tell it but the wind is a constant 15 gusting up to 30mph. Tomorrow is supposed to be worse

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 11 Aug 2010 12:22

This is the look of a dejected and worn out cyclist after 30 miles of riding into a headwind

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 11 Aug 2010 9:58

We had 11 miles on our first freeway today-I-80, hope its our last-very noisy!

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 11 Aug 2010 8:37

Sinclair Wy-home of Sinclair refinery and a Mexican enclave

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 11 Aug 2010 8:03

Ride day 33, 11-Aug, Rawlings to Saratoga, Wy
Charles trying To come to terms with complicated get out of town directions

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Wednesday 11 Aug 2010 7:12

Overall day 39, Ride day 32,
10-Aug, Jeffrey City to Rawlings, Wy
Miles ridden - 69.50
Ave speed - 10.30mph
Max speed - 24.60mph
Ave cadence - 71.00
Ride time in saddle - 6.44hrs
Started 7.10, finished 6.00, 2000ft climb. Notes/highlights: breakfast at Split Rock and our waitress,'Vicky, first 25 miles we had a tail wind and we
Buzzed along at 25 mph,
then 45 miles of headwind - very wearing, especially as it was second day in a row. Wildlife -'pronghorn deer and antelope are plentiful, scenery rugged and expansive, much nicer Accomodation tonight

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 16:15

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 13:19

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 13:18

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 11:23

We made two crossings of the divide today

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 10:57

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 9:13

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 8:27

Scenery of the day

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 8:27

Intersting job ad

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 7:44

Split rock in the distance

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 7:43

Early morning light

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 7:06

Charles breakfast Is on the left and mine is on the right (Carbo loading deluxe). This is another installment in Charles
Plan to fatten me up

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 6:37

However, I have an Englishman, Sir Charles, who has the touch and managed to turn this crotchity, older woman into
A Smiling helpful waitress
Vicky turned out to be ok

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 6:20

You begin to get the feel at
The front door 'with no public toilets, customers only' sign. Walk in and all heads turn and look at you like you are from outer space. Dressed in Lycra this is not a total surprise. The sign above greets you with frowns and grunts and "I expect you want a glass of icewater'

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 6:19

Ride Day 32, 10-Aug - Jeffrey City to Rawlings, Wy

Woke up this morning after a bad nights sleep in green mountain motel(see yesterday's entry) and it was blowing a gale and 50f
-not A Good start to the day.
The only place in town to eat
Is the Split Rock Cafe-notorious with transam cyclists as an unfriendly,Bad service and bad tempered place

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 9 Aug 2010 18:35

The Green Mountain

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 9 Aug 2010 18:35

Overall day 38, Ride Day 31, 9-Aug, Lander to Jeffrey City, Wy
Miles ridden - 61.80
Ave speed - 10.10mph
Max speed - 31.60mph
Ave cadence - 70.00rpm
Ride time in saddle - 6.04
Notes/highlights: Start 7.15, finish 4.00, climbed 1500' in stretches of 6 percent grade over 5 miles. Mormon hand carts tribute at sweetwater junction and Elder Mason's guided tour. Downers-mossies and Green Mountain Motel - the most run down motel I've ever been too. Every mining camp I've been too was better than this place!

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 9 Aug 2010 11:29

Looking nw from top of climb towards Wind river range -Mt Gannett from beaver rim

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 9 Aug 2010 11:10

Looking nw from top of climb

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 9 Aug 2010 9:01

The end Of Our climb for the day

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 9 Aug 2010 8:20

Scenery was wide open today-a real sense of being remote

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 9 Aug 2010 7:18

Helen and RHOD Webb will appreciate this sign. I wonder if Steve is still involved

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Monday 9 Aug 2010 7:05

Ride Day 31, 9-Aug, Lander to Jeffrey City, Wy
We started today with a trip to Safeway for Starbucks instant coffee. How Boring but a necessity

Posted: 1 year, 5 months ago

Saturday 7 Aug 2010 16:48

End of Wave 6, Overall day 36, Ride 30 - 7 Aug, Dubois to Lander, Wy
Miles ridden - 75.60
Ave speed - 13.60mph
MMax speed - 31.10mph
Ave cadence - 75.00rpm
Ride time in saddle - 5.32hrs
NNotes/highlights: Start 7.30, finish 3.40, 500ft climb but 1700ft descent over the day. We've now gone from 9,658' down to 5376' over last two days - our next challenge is climbing back to 11,542' in Colorado at Hoosier Pass, fun interactions with other riders(Rita and Maggie), Marty, Debbie and Abbie (Pennsylvania couple our age dropping off their daughter for innterrnnship in Lannder. First 35 miles in first two hours! Meeting Bear and Shasta, he an apache and she a shashoni indiAn at Ft Washakie, scenery was different but stunning-classic badlands and Clint Eastwood. Lander rest day stop looks good.
At end of this wave, Chas and I are feeling strong - after 135 miles iin last 2 days, we managed too stay up till 10.30 and go for evening walk!!

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 7 Aug 2010 13:28

Bear and Shasta, he an Apache and she a Shashoni, picked uup conversation with us at our lunch. She gave us a indian charm she had made. They were off to a "sun dance ceremony'

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 7 Aug 2010 12:00

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 7 Aug 2010 11:59

Top of climb

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 7 Aug 2010 11:25

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 7 Aug 2010 10:21

Maggie, an eastbound rider rode up t o us yesterday as we were frantically putting on our rainccovers out in the middle of no where and ask us if we were afraid of melting. We laughed and said no and she rode off. We tried to catch her but she was too fast (riding a 30 year old bike - the wonder of youth). Today, she and Rita both popped up in a general store/petrol station on the Wind River Indian reservation. Unemployed and Riding only to Denver to relocate her bike

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 7 Aug 2010 10:08

Rita - teacher from Rhod Island ridding westbound on her own after her friend had to go home in Kentuuky to look after sick mum. Check out the back panniers - kitty litter containers converted - great idea and very practical.

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 7 Aug 2010 9:13

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 7 Aug 2010 8:37

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 7 Aug 2010 8:08

Dressed and Ready for rain - yesterday we had our first rain on the trip. Moderate with small hail, it lasted about 30 minutes and we didn't quite get our covers on quickly enough so we paid the price - today they are on at first appearance of rain and of course it doesn't rain at all

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 7 Aug 2010 7:55

We're expecting Clint Eastwood to come riding out any time

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 7 Aug 2010 7:55

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 7 Aug 2010 7:30

Ride Day 30, 7 Aug - Dubois to Lander, Wy
This is a scene from my youth growing up inn Kansas - beatup pickup truck with easy rider rifle rack in rear window cradling a 303 rifle - note truck doors are unlocked

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 6 Aug 2010 16:27

Overall Day 35, Ride Day 29 - 6 Aug - Colter Bay (Grand Teton) to Dubois, Wy
Miles ridden - 61.80
Ave speed - 10.10mph
Max speed - 31.80mph
Ave cadence - 70.00mph
Ride time in saddle - 6.04hrs Notes/highlights: Start 7.00, finish 4.45 time, Climbing Togwoottee Pass - 3000ft climb over 4 hours, lunch stop on togwottee pass, and the roadworks on the way down, leavinng Grand Teton and scenes from the east, nice beer at end of day (stayed up late [9.30] and had 2 beers)

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 6 Aug 2010 16:26

We've entered butte country again

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 6 Aug 2010 14:52

Pinnacles Butte - 11,516'

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 6 Aug 2010 13:59

Our lunch spot at the top

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 6 Aug 2010 13:56

Charles, clearly a little worse for wear at the top of Togwotteee Pass where we stopped for lunch. This beautiful lake and rock formations is not on any map we've scene.

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 6 Aug 2010 10:19

And finally...........

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 6 Aug 2010 10:15

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 6 Aug 2010 9:49

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 6 Aug 2010 9:39

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 6 Aug 2010 7:57

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 6 Aug 2010 7:54

All of the remaining shots of Graand Teton are from the east. Can you imagine coming up over Togwottee Pass on a horse/covered wagon from thee plains and have these babies uncover themselves? Wow! We have aa big day of climbing ourselves today to clear the pass and get to Dubois

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 6 Aug 2010 6:30

Ride Day 29, 6 Aug - Colter Bay (Grand Teton) to Dubois, Wy
This shot of Mt Moran was taken from our camping spot. The morning light is so different . Unfortunately, we leave thee ppark behind today and start the next phase of our trip. For some r reason, I've always seen the leg from the Tetons to Emporia Kansas as part 2

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 5 Aug 2010 17:34

Overall day 34, Ride Day 28 - 5 Aug - Grant Village (Yellowstone) to Colter Bay (Grand Teton), Wy
Miles ridden - 42.20
Ave speed - 11.20mph
Max speed - 35.70mph
Ave caadence - 72.00rpm
Ride time in saddle - 3.46hrs
Notees/highligts : Start 8.32, finish 3.30, Enjoyed some down time off the bike, the Tetons - spectCular! Nice ride crossing the Continental Divide again(4th time - 2 to go), nice dinner at local restaurant and got to speak with helen and Luke on Skype - Lowlight - longest 500' climb i've ever had

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 5 Aug 2010 17:32

Charles and I are out of Yellowstone and into The Tetons.
We have many waypoints we will file over the next few days. David has left with his 'Order of the Grizzly' today -
More on this later

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 5 Aug 2010 13:48

view from the north

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 5 Aug 2010 12:36

Arrival to this beautiful scenic park. My opinion is that approaching this range from the east is truly one of the most breathtaking views in the world. Unfortunately we approach from the north but leave via the east. Whilst Yellowstone was the first national Park in the World (Royal in Sydney was the 2nd),, Grand Teeton didn't become aa park until early 1900's thanks to John D Rockefeller purchasing and deeding the property to the US government for this purpose

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 5 Aug 2010 10:28

Lewis canyon and river

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 5 Aug 2010 10:05

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 5 Aug 2010 9:35

DJ trying to get in the drivers seat but it is on the other side of the car

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 5 Aug 2010 9:23

Dj and chas discussing volcanic sand composition at Lewis Lake. He leaves us here to drive to Jackson and catch a flight home. Charles doesn't really look very interested

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 5 Aug 2010 7:09

Ride Day 28 - 5 Aug - Grant Village to Colter Bay, Wy
DJ's last breakkfast with uus and it was a cool 34f. note the englishman has even got a hat and jacket on

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 20:07

Overall day 33, Ride day 27,
4 Aug - Madison to Grant Village, Wy
Miles ridden - 41.10
Ave speed - 9.40mph
Max speed - 40.50mp
Ave cadence - 69.00rpm
Ride time - 4.21hrs
Notes/highhighhts: Start 8.17, finish 2.45, crossed the Continental Divide twice today, climbed 2200', DJ kindly took us on a car based buffalo elk expedition which was fabulous, Adriel and Chris (Portland lads) came along as they were camping with us, had dinner together and awarded DJ the Grizzly Medal. DJ has had a great tour and we've really enjoyed having him. His stellar riding and climbing mountains with full panniers shows alot of preparation, training and commitment over the last few months. He was able to 'run with the big dogs and stay the distance in style.'
We finished evening with camp fire and homemade choc chip cookies from Chris's care package from his girldfriend

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 18:32

calf

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 18:31

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 18:30

Close encounters with the Bison in heat - what fun - the buls are frisky with cars and emit this loud grunting whist arcing their backs. The cows looks very indifferent. hmmmmmmm

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 14:02

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 13:05

Two crossing today - we are becoming blasse

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 13:02

These lilliess right on the stream which feeds the river which defines the divide at this spot

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 13:00

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 12:50

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 12:21

Lunch spot

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 11:32

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 9:36

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 9:08

Beginning of geyser territory

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 8:23

Ride day 27 - 4-Aug - Madison to Grant Village, Wy
This is the area where we camped and Dave hid his car and snuck i not campground - only cyclists allowed

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 19:41

Overall day 32, Ride Day 26 - 3-Aug West Yellowstone to Madison with side trip to Old Faithful
Miles ridden - 47.90
Ave speed - 11.40mph
Max speed - 32.10mph
Ave cadence - 71.00rpm
Ride t ime - 4.11hrs
Notes/highlights - Start 8.06, finish 6.30, 800' climb, wildlife observed ( deer, elk, prairie dog,swan) and geyser area, particularly painted pots area and camping in Yellowstone

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 18:16

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 18:15

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 18:02

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 17:49

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 17:48

Elk cow - a closer encounter

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 17:48

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 16:08

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 16:08

Old Faithful

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 15:47

Chas and DJ rockin into an afternoon waiting for Old Faithful - note the one sleeping - Dj is wide awake as he is having a partial rest day

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 14:04

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 13:56

Fountain paint pot

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 13:54

Silas
Springs

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 9:37

Mt Haynes, 8,235'

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 9:25

First elk - cow

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 9:08

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 9:02

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 9:00

Riverside serenity

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 8:13

Our entry to a wildlife haven and
Collection of natures wonders

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 6:47

Ride day 26 - 3-Aug - West Yellowstone to Madison with side trip to Old Faithful then back to Madison
DJ doing his best Steve Williams impersonation with "I think I'll stay in bed and have a restday" "you boys go on and I'll catch you up"

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 2 Aug 2010 13:02

Overall day 30- ride day 25 -
1 August- Cameron to West Yellowstone, Mt
Miles ridden- 60.70
Ave speed -10.80mph
Max speed-34.70mpjh
Ave cadence -74.00rpm
Ride time in saddle-5.34hrs
Notes/ highlights: Very long day. Start 8.30 and finish 6.00, 1500ft climb over 25 miles then 35 miles into rolling mountains and valleys all into a headwind. 27 miles of peloton work with Chris, Adriel, Charles, dj and i made a bad situation manageable with the headwind. Nice to have a couple of energetic 22 yo's around. Quake lake is fascinating, great camping with the boys seeing the world from their perspective. We have made Yellowstone- significant milestone in my mind-1385 miles at average of 55miles a day

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 1 Aug 2010 14:18

At Quake Lake

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 1 Aug 2010 14:09

What's left of the mountain that collapsed in 56 killing 27 and forming Quake Lake

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 1 Aug 2010 13:49

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 1 Aug 2010 13:48

The peloton working hard into a headwind-nice to have a couple of young Bulls near the front but DJ is pulling the train. We had to teach these guys about peloton riding as it was their first time

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 1 Aug 2010 13:17

Our lunch stop-madison ranges

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 1 Aug 2010 11:40

A first - mobile phone tower dresses like a tree-I like it. Jon Wilkie take note please

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 1 Aug 2010 11:17

Osprey nest and hungry chick waiting for mum

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 1 Aug 2010 10:36

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 1 Aug 2010 8:42

30 25 1 August Cameron to West Yellowstone

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 1 Aug 2010 8:41

Overall day 29, Ride
Day 24-31 July -
Virginia City to Cameron, Mt
Miles ridden - 25.90
Ave speed -9.60mph
Max speed -44.00
Ave cadence -69.00
Ride Time-2.42 hours
Notes/highlights: Start 7.00, finish 4.30, 1200ft climb then 2100ft descent over 10 miles! Wow! Vast expanse with Beaverhead and Madison ranges opening up as we summited. Gorgeous series of 10'and 11k mountains. Long shopping, planning stop in Ennis, riding into headwind to Cameron slowed and tired us, arrived to find closed down general store, campground and post Office. Whilst there was no water we managed to use our leathermen pliers to open tap on side of post office. Thanks to uncle sam we has water. in rainstorm but dry. Chris and Adriel showed up and spent nice night withus

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 31 Jul 2010 20:40

A cool evening. Chris's description of Charles is he looks like an old Romanian woman

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 31 Jul 2010 20:39

Big Montana rain then the color show-we are camping and just got the tent up in time

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 31 Jul 2010 19:52

Evening meal camping.
Elk bolognese(without tomato paste but with corn, peas and mushroom) over spaghetti with parmesan cheese - yum

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 31 Jul 2010 13:11

Beas spray at the ready...now
Which way is The wind blowing

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 31 Jul 2010 9:44

Trout art reminiscent of Prague and the cows

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 31 Jul 2010 9:03

A very nice cinammon roll - Part of Charles' 'fatten up Rod' diet at
The Ennis Cafe

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 31 Jul 2010 8:14

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 31 Jul 2010 8:13

That's the Sphynx in the middle

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 31 Jul 2010 8:13

Our new valley and Madison ranges - getting a little bigger at 10 and 11,000'

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 31 Jul 2010 8:03

Here we go...the fun starts

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 31 Jul 2010 7:41

Charles coming up the
Climb

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 31 Jul 2010 7:39

DJ coming up the
Climb

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 31 Jul 2010 7:02

Early morning shots of Virgina City

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 31 Jul 2010 6:57

Ride day 24 - 31 July - Virginia City to Cameron, Mt - this is our b &b run by a simpleton and his aunt, neither who Have a bone of customer responsiveness in their body

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 30 Jul 2010 17:55

Check out the guns on this 4 wheeler!
Overall day 28 - ride day 23, 30 July - Dillon to Virginia City, Mt Miles Ridden - 56.80
Ave speed - 12.40mph
Max speed - 30.10mph
Ave cadence 74.00rpm
Ride time - 4.33
Notes/higjlights:
Start finish 7.00, finish 4.30, 1200ft climb,hollyhocks outside Norms weaving and coffee shop, the cowgirls in Twin Rivers flirting with us, slower stArt (7pm), more relXed day, Virginia City is well down

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 30 Jul 2010 17:50

In Virginia City

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 30 Jul 2010 15:14

Nevada City outside Virginia City, both towns preserved as liking museums to reflect their
Original life-well done and worth a visit

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 30 Jul 2010 15:01

Beaver Dam

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 30 Jul 2010 10:28

Norm and Charles at Weavers and coffee studio

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 30 Jul 2010 9:36

Twin Bridges - great little
Town with nice people and great coffee

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 30 Jul 2010 8:35

Beaver Head

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 30 Jul 2010 8:27

Tobacco Root range

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 30 Jul 2010 8:22

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 30 Jul 2010 8:20

Beaver head rock

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 30 Jul 2010 7:20

DJ frantically looking for rental car company phone number at 7am so he can book transport from West Yellowstone to jackson hole airport

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 30 Jul 2010 7:00

Ride day 23 - 30 July-Dillon to Virginia City, Mt
Veterans Memorial in Dillon

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 29 Jul 2010 20:35

Overall Day 27, Ride Day 22 - 29 July, Wisdom to Dillon, Mt
Max heart rate (HR) -
Average HR - 99.00
Time in zone - 2.29
Calories burned - 1969.00
Miles ridden - 65.70
Ave speed - 12.20mph
New Max speed - 46.70mph!
Ave cadence -71.00rpm
Ride time in saddle -5.20hrs
Notes/higlights: Start time 6.40, finish time 3.00, 2100ft climbing (2.5 hours), highest (7360') point in ride yet. early morning cold ride(37 degree), contrast of cold and hot day, steep ascent and descent, Dillon and bike shop fixing dj's 5 broken spokes. No B'fast In jackson was a black spot

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 29 Jul 2010 13:10

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 29 Jul 2010 13:09

Mores shots from the top

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 29 Jul 2010 11:23

Mt Tweedy and Torrey, ew companions after we pass through our first pass today which is the highest we've climbed to date (7,360) - Big Hole Pass

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 29 Jul 2010 10:14

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 29 Jul 2010 10:14

some of the fauna we spend hours looking at on road side - I really like these as the tops bleach out to a pink colour on top - Charles tells me its y sunglasses causing the pink but I still like them

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 29 Jul 2010 10:13

some of thee scenery along the way

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 29 Jul 2010 7:12

Note the differrence in costume - you'd swear it was a case of mad englishman - no covering on legs or fingers or ears. DJ and I bothh had on long finger gloss, ear muffs, arms and legs, plus I had a hat on under my helmet plus two pairs of wool socks! it was 37 with a head wind. Coldest start yet

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 29 Jul 2010 6:35

Ride Day 22 -29 July, Wisdom to Dillon, Mt - View from our front door

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 18:20

Overall day 26, Ride Day 21,
28 July -Darby to Wisdom, Mnontana
Max heart rate(HR) -133.00
Ave HR -106.00
Time in zone - 3.54hrs
Calories burned - 2856.00
Miles ridden-58.20
Ave speed - 9.70mph
Max speed - 39.30mph
Ave Cadence - 70.00rpm
Hours in saddle - 5.57
Notes and highlights - Start 6.30, finish 4.30, 3200ft climb,good overall and satisfying ride - big climb then whoosh down the other side. DJ getting to the top of the pass, Big Hole visitor center, started day feeling rested and energised and finishing day not feeling exhausted - first day without Low back pain related to tight hamstrings

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 18:16

Enjoying a cold one at the Antler Saloon

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 14:52

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 14:52

Near big hole battle scene

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 14:02

Lunch on the road

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 12:49

Our goal of the day- dj's first real challenge which he passed brilliantly. 3200', 3.5 hour climb it is our second highest climb

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 9:11

Jack and Lauren, young 'eastbounders' from Melbourne we've become friendly with. They are camping 6 out of 7 nights and speed along

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 8:21

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 8:17

Scenery enroute

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 7:02

Ride Day 21 -28 July - Darby to Wisdom, Montana
Scenery continues to be spectacular as we head back into the mountains. This is Trapper Peak at 10,158'.
Yesterday's spontaneous rest day appreciated by all-time
Spent eating, napping, librrary and watching tv. Energy and body feeling renewed.

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 27 Jul 2010 21:19

Steve's final dinner. Presentation of his momentos - box of special k as he has grown to hate it, compass to help h find his
Way when his gps's run out of batteries and grizzly travelling mug. He has been with us for 4 weeks and will be missed

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 27 Jul 2010 18:50

Packing up - Steve leaves us in the morning to travel home

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 27 Jul 2010 9:51

Card carrying NRA members who tried some soft recruitment on DJ and Steve

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 27 Jul 2010 9:43

We have decided to call an additional Rest day in Darby -

These boys and their toys just came down out of the mountains for provisions. They've travelled 800 miles off and on road from Vegas

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 26 Jul 2010 11:43

Overall Day 24 - Ride Day 20 26 July
Missoula to Darby, Montana Max heart Rate (HR) -
Ave HR - 102.00
Tiime in zone - 3.25hrs
Calories burned - 2472.00
Miles ridden - 65.90
Ave speed - 11.80mph
Max speed - 27.70mph
Ave cadence - 76.00rpm
Time in saddle - 5.34hrs
Notees/highlights: Start 6.31, finish 4.20 - long day, slowly uphill (800') with some big breaks - just got to Derby in time to get to post office and mail gear home that has been accumulating in Steve's car - he leaves in 2 days. Finding the soda fountain and ice cream in Stevenville was a real treat for me. Rhod Webbb tracked us down on the road and we had lunch with him in Corvalis. Steve had another rest day and caught up on his sleep. Charles, DDJ and I are all tired and considering an addition rest day tomorrow.

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 26 Jul 2010 11:42

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 26 Jul 2010 11:10

MMmmmmmmmmm................I'mhaving Moose Tracks and Firesticks

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 26 Jul 2010 10:50

I discovered this soda fountain in a drug store whiles searching for optical screw driver to fix my new glasses. Reminiscennt of a lost era fromm my childhood, we had to sample their goodies which were scrumptious. Owner is chatting with Sir Charles and the Honorable Commissioner Johnson. Iinteeresting bloke who spent a number of years sailing round Oz and Kiwi until his wife becamme pregnant and he had too find hhis land legs. he is now plannning to return to sailing and livinng out of North Coast New South Wales.

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 26 Jul 2010 8:56

DJ now has his own fun spot!

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 26 Jul 2010 8:54

We are headed back into the mountains today. Whilst Missoula is surrounded by mountains,
It is fairly flat.

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 26 Jul 2010 7:39

This is Joel - possily the first bicycle break down and towing service in the world. $20 pickup feee and $3 a mile to take you wherever within Missoula and 20 miles out.. You ride on the back and provides fresh bottled water. There are more bikes in Missoula than anywhere I have ever seen. They nave 9 bike shops to service 53,000 people. Emporia Kansas pop 30000 has 1 bike shop!

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 26 Jul 2010 6:19

Ride Day 20 - 26 July- Missoula to Darby, Montana
Leaving Missouuula reluctantly after a hectic, productive and fun rest day. Charles acquired his netbook so he is wired to the world now, Rhod Webb showed up with his 'A game' for a dose of Webby fun and frivolity - he should travel more often. Preventatiivve Bike shop tme getting new chain, more work on steering/front wheel, headlight and glasses for me. Off to REI for a new heavier, down sleeping bag as my own fat no longer keeps me warm at night and I refuse to sleep closer to Sir Charles. My own weight has t he boy's concerned and I can't tellll how much of the concern is jealousy. I am however participating in a fatten up Rod campaign currently
We are all leaving town a little mentally jaded and tired today

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 25 Jul 2010 20:27

rhod............we will miss yoou. Thanks for stopping in for 36 hours. Why don't you come bbaack on your way home an get on a bike with us for a few weeks?

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 25 Jul 2010 20:25

Rest day in Missoula - Rhod Webbb is in town - what else can i say. This is kara, accounting law student from uuniversity of montana

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 25 Jul 2010 13:55

Rest day in Missoula - all of the East bound riders spontaeouuusly showed up aat the Opeen Road bike shop for needed service and repairs. We've got a great tortoise and hare thing going on w with these young blokes and we are holding our own. They like to drink lots, stay uup late, start late and ride in thee heat and late aternoon/early evenniing. We like to have a few drinks, start early, aid the heat and finishh shortly after they start

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 25 Jul 2010 9:27

Mr Webb has arrived for his Montana sojourn enroute to Orlando for his conference starting Wednesday. It's rest day today

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 24 Jul 2010 18:06

We finished day by riding over to Best Buy and helping Charles buy a new netbook to help hm with his communications after Steve leaves Wednnesday. I HAD A VERYY NICE 20 MINUTE CONVERSATION WITH HELEN.
Ride day 19 - 24 July
Lochsa Lodge - Powell to Missoula
Max Heart Rate (HR) - 133.00
Ave HR - 103.00
TIME IN ZONE - 3.10
Calories burned - 2463.00
Miles riddden - 63.80
Ave speed - 11.60mph
Max speed - 32.30mph
Ave cadence - 73.00rpm
Time in saddle - 5.29hrs
Notes and highlighhts - Start 7.00 finish 4.30, 1500ft climbing, peloton worked well and we coverred 25 miles quickly (18mph) in a headwind, Charles feeling and looking strong, dj getting to Lolo pass - his first signnificant climb of the tour, dj losing a bet on distance to town - provided some light relief in the headwind

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 24 Jul 2010 14:12

Bruce - west bound cyyycliest we spent 15 minutes with out side missoula - best thing so far - people n kannsas, worst was driverss in missourri - very hostile

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 24 Jul 2010 13:37

Back to the snow t opped mouuntains, although it is melting quickly iin this heat - miid 90's today

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 24 Jul 2010 9:46

We made it - 3rd state

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 24 Jul 2010 9:43

Our goal achieved on the Idaho Montana border. Our first crossing of continental divide - 5 or 6 more to come. Rivers now run to the east

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 24 Jul 2010 6:57

Ride day 19 - 24 July
Lochsa Lodge - Powell to Missoula

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 23 Jul 2010 18:40

Overall day 21 ride day 18-
23 July - Wilderness Gateway Camp to Powell
miles ridden -40.30
Ave speed -11.00mph
Max speed19.20mph
Ave cadence -74.00rpm
Time in saddle -3.39 hrs
Notes and highights: No HR monitor today. Strange day-1500ft climb over 40 miles, high ave speed but very taxing. Started at 7.55 and finished at 1.15. Staying in Lochsa Lodge, only place in Powell, due to a last minute cancellation (or we would be camping again). Scenery beautiful but I can't take much more of whitewater and pine trees. Dj fitting in well

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 23 Jul 2010 10:21

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 23 Jul 2010 9:55

Lewis and Clark are very interesting...great way to follow their story

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 23 Jul 2010 9:08

This scenery is nice but I am getting tired of whitewater and pine trees

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 23 Jul 2010 7:57

Ride day 18 - 23 July- Wilderness Gateway Camp to Powell- start 7.55 - dj's 2nd day, already holding us up putting his creme on outside ladies toilet, 'bull williams' having another rest day

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 22 Jul 2010 20:02

Dinner -.Pasta bolognaise
Overall day 20, Ride Day 17,
22 July - Kooski to Wilderness Gateway Campground
Max Heart Rate (HR) -
Ave HR 96.00
Time in zone -1.15
Calories burned -1702.00
Miles ridden -49.90
ave speed - 12.60mph
Max speed -25.70mph
Ave cadence -78.00rpm
Time i saddle - 4.02
Notes and highlights: started at 10am, finish 5.20 (pacific time), coffee and Barista Mary, reasonably successful integration of David into adventure although he is bridling at mild guidance, campsite,brisk swim Ii Lochsa river

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 22 Jul 2010 19:25

Camp fire always makes the site better

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 22 Jul 2010 18:16

Bath time in the Lochsa - we are camping for the night

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 22 Jul 2010 16:24

What the?!

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 22 Jul 2010 16:03

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 22 Jul 2010 14:40

Dawn Riders back in formation with 'Bull' Steve Williams back with whip hand

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 22 Jul 2010 12:54

Confluence of Clearwater and Lochsa River at Lowell

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 22 Jul 2010 12:51

DJ checking out clear
The river is - you could seenthw bottom even though it was 15ft deep

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 22 Jul 2010 12:02

Middle fork of Clearwater river

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 22 Jul 2010 11:20

This Mary the Barista at Bear Essentials, 6 miles outside of Kooskia on the banks of the middle fork of Clearwater river. Spotting it as our only likely espresso where we were headed, we stopped for some of her fine brew. Highly Recommended - real family touch, Granny and all 5 generations and us seemed to be in the dinning room all at once. Very nice people, could have stayed for another cup but we had to keep moving

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 22 Jul 2010 9:45

Obligatory start picture

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 22 Jul 2010 8:36

For those Of you who know him will recognize this man as David Johnson or DJ. He came in late last night and after couple of beers, 3 hours sleep and hurriedly reassembling his bike, we are off into the Idaho wilderness. Right now he's a little hassled trying to get ready

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 22 Jul 2010 7:52

DJ has arrived and fallen into
Early morning Viewing Of tour over breakfast. With 3 hours sleep he's ready

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 22:03

19 16 21 July Riggins to Kooskia, Idaho 220.00 100.00 3.28 3016.00 75.40 10.50 31.40 70.00 7.08 Start 5.59(mountain time), finish 5.20(pacific time), 2500ft climb then 3000ft descent over 45 miles! 75 miles and we were not buggered at the end! We are getting in shape. The taxidermy lodge and the friendliest Sheriff in the west. Tempature was good most of day

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 14:43

Wild life abound. I saw about 12 deer today, couple of beaver, and a few snakes on the roads

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 14:42

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 12:22

The lodge owner

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 12:21

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Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 12:17

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 12:17

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 11:06

Whilst repairing Charles flat tyre at this sign, a woman stopped her car and said she owned a lodge down the road and invited us to stop in for water on our way down. Next few pics are what we found

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 11:05

The top

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 11:04

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 9:47

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 9:47

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Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 9:03

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Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 8:55

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 8:36

On the way up the Salmon River Valley

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 7:34

This is the bottom

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 7:33

Fortifying ourselves with an early Espresso

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 6:42

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 6:26

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 6:09

Waking up with the Mighty Salmon River and headed downhill to another big climb

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 5:52

Ride Day 16,21 July
Riggins to Kooskia, Idaho
Start 5.59am
We will not have phone contact until Saturday, 24 July. Email is the best emergency contact option

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 20 Jul 2010 20:48

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 20 Jul 2010 13:05

Chris and Adriel getting started at 1.05 pm

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 20 Jul 2010 11:55

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 20 Jul 2010 11:52

Rest day in Riggins- "doing nothing and ain't it great"

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 20 Jul 2010 11:51

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 20 Jul 2010 8:08

Rest day - We are off the bike today. Juust getting organized for early morning viewing of Tour on steve's computer over wifi and breakfast. This is becoming our rest day habit. The day holds laundry, blog updates, late
Morning coffee and
Planning seSsion with Charles (dj's Arrival Wednesday Night and integration to the adventure -
We Don't want to blow him out first week, RHOD Webb's arrival on weekend-what fun he can join us for a couple Of Days), a
Little shopping (need a
Hat), lunch, nap.....steve is off to the whitewater rafting - he has so much energy

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 19 Jul 2010 21:04

These are the college grads from Portland we met earlier in the trip - Chris and Adriel. We raan into them as they rode in to our restaurant at 8pm. Their fresh perspective and learnings about us have been fun - 1) They see us as 'grown up' because we plan our day and trip somewhat (they are completely unstructured) and 2) They believe its easy forr us to Get Up and be on the road at 6.30(they make It Sometime By 8.30, usually later) because we've been trained By having jobs. Clearly they aree inn transition ffrom student life to first job professionals.
Overall day 17, Ride Day - 15, End of Wave 3 - 19 July
Council to Riggins, Idaho
Max Heart Rate (HR) -
Ave HR - 121
Time in zone - 1.32hrs
Calories burned - 2927.00
Miles ridden - 61.40
Ave speed - 11.60mph
Max speed - 28.50mph
Ave cadence - 72rpm
Time in saddle - 5.17hrs
Start time - 6.38am
Finish 2.20pm,
Notes & highlights: Cooler day in high 80's - everythinng is easier when cooler, 1400ft climb first thing in morning was slightly easier grade, lunch on the road was a sit down inside restaurant event (my favorite vs on the road 10 minute break), young 15yo Calab arguing BP with Charles, Charles not being bolloxed at end of the day, almost 40 mile downhill but with a 20mph headwind, Deer, obvious large animal experience on road and Steve saw a coyote - REST DAY on Tuesday

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 19 Jul 2010 13:32

great stop - find Cal and ask him about BP

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 19 Jul 2010 13:31

In the moment experience - This is 15 yo Calab. He was ouur waiter as His Dad owns Pinehurst Trading Post right on the Little Salmon River. He took Charles on over BP and thhee gulf oil spill. We were immpressed with his bolshy, fuun loviing nature. Hoping to study mathmatics and engineering at Boise State University, we enncouraged him.
It was great lunch and fun 45 minutes. Even Steve turned up after we ordered our meal. He's on rest day early and saw our bikes sitting outside. 13 miles to go all downhill - too bad about the 20mphh headwind.

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 19 Jul 2010 12:00

For Luke - cheek this full court out. These guys live miles from anywhere at the foot of this big mountain and they've built this great full court. They've gone concrete with glass backboards - very classy for backyard

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 19 Jul 2010 11:53

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 19 Jul 2010 11:46

Steve saw a Bear yesterday which ran out in front of his car, Charles saw one yesterday on his Bike running into the weeds and I Am certain I passed near one yesterday in the bush who was loudly growling and snorting. I stopped to get my camera and all went quiet. Wildlife is obviously present particulary deer walking through these small towns In Morning and eveving. Chipmunks, coyotes, raccoons,
Skunks and almost ran over snakes on two different occasions who
Were on the road and somewhat camoflaged.
I suppose it will Intensify as we
Head into the rockies

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 19 Jul 2010 11:44

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 19 Jul 2010 11:42

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 19 Jul 2010 10:42

Our oasis, these modern day marvels are a tribute to American ingenuity, infrastructure and taste. Roll in, get a fine coffee, connect to the Internet for free and stay as long as you like. Some young
People sit in there and run small businesses. They also do the drive through Espresso.

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 19 Jul 2010 9:23

At the top, 18 Mile climb, 1400 ft, 980 calories burned, 2.15 hrs, 8.3 mpg ave - then the down hill starts for Approximately 40 miles. Yes!!!

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 19 Jul 2010 8:56

we are heading into one of america's wild and scenic river zones today and will be there for next week. This is such a gorgeeouus area. Enjoy but come see it yourself sometime

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 19 Jul 2010 6:21

Ride Day - 15,
End of Wave 3 - 19 July
Council to Riggins, Idaho
6.38am - As we leave townn, Here is Steve, all tucked up in bed with computer and tv geting ready for his own declared extra rest day! He did ride 73.1miles yesterday carrying weight (his own plus three water bottles and 2 muesli bars) so he is entitled? Good luck to him - lucky bastard, I'm a little envious

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 18 Jul 2010 19:16

We made it to Counncil Idaho. We have been out of mail and phone contact for 2 days. We are now a day behind (on this wave) but with many memories of Hell's Canyon and a sense it was good to get out. After close to a 2 hour nap, we decided to take in a little of the local nightlife with a pizza and salad. (We left early as it was just too loud). One more day until rest day
Overall Day 16, Ride Day 14
18 July - Brownlee Reservoir to Council, Id
Max Heart Rate (HR) - 122.00
Ave HR - 100.00
Time in zone - 2.51hrs
Calories burned - 2041.00
Miles ridden - 48.70
Ave speed - 10.00mph
Max speed - 36.90mph
Ave cadence - 66.00
Time in saddle - 4.49hrs
Start - 7.28
Finish - 2.15

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 18 Jul 2010 13:16

Apples anyone?

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 18 Jul 2010 10:05

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 18 Jul 2010 9:50

We made it! 9.7 mile climb, 5.3 mph ave speed, 2300 ft, 1.50 minutes, 843 cal.

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 18 Jul 2010 9:21

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 18 Jul 2010 9:18

I've looked at so much of this stuff i had to have a picture of it

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 18 Jul 2010 6:42

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 18 Jul 2010 6:42

on thee climb out

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 18 Jul 2010 6:25

Dawn light

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 20:05

Dusk

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 19:31

Our front door view

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 19:31

Our home for the evening just before dinner

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 18:54

"I want to get late up Late and leave early'
" - Charles in response to my question of how he wanted to play tomorrow morning.
It's only a steady climb - Steve when describing our upcoming 2,300ft climb - of course he was desribinig it having driven up it in the car!
All of these comments came after aa couple of glasses of wine

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 14:36

5 miles up further we stopped t o get some cold water at a picnic ground and wait for Steve.. We decided to sit inn the shade at this table and down we both went for a nap and what turned out to be a decision we couldn't face the late afternoon 2300ft climb in the heat. So we stumbled next door to the campground and found aa camp spot and spent the rest of the afternoon eveninng trying to recover.

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 13:24

We continued around thee top of tthee reservoir and Steve appeared out of nowhere in the car having just returned from the canyon bottom. He did his Florence Nightengale thing with cold water, grapes and cherries - fabulous! He then left to ddrive 20 milles and then ride baack to us on his bike

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 13:08

climbing up and above the dam wall was the last straw. It was a 14% climb with no shade but only about 20 minutes

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 12:55

passing into Idaho and leaving Steve behind to continnue down to the actual canyon and dam, we continnue on our own. Temp is on the increase and shade is hard to find. We found a nice spot on the river and had a quick lunch but clearly we were very tired and hot

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 11:30

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Saturday 17 Jul 2010 10:34

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Saturday 17 Jul 2010 10:33

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Saturday 17 Jul 2010 10:12

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Saturday 17 Jul 2010 10:12

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Saturday 17 Jul 2010 9:34

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 9:28

Mimi's Place

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 9:25

Mia and Eric - reatauranteurs who served us the best coffee we've had even though they were
Closed. We had a great chat, like long lost friends and wanted
To spend the day with them. But we tore our selves away to ride on fuurter to He's Canyon. It was 93f

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:46

These wood silos were used to burn scrap wood leftover from logging process until early 70's.
Made from iron they would
Glow red when in use

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:46

The Granites in Halfway, Or

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:19

We Made It To the summit! 1309 ft 5.6 miles 69 mins

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:17

Thanks Steve for bringing back my computer. Now which way do we go?

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:46

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:39

panorama 4 - end

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:38

panorama 3

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:38

panorama 2

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:38

panorama 1

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:37

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:23

Interesting scenery today but mostly high desert, mountains and rivers

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 17 Jul 2010 7:35

Leaving Richland heading to Hell's Canyon.
Ride Day 13, 17 July , 7.00 am start - Charles having a bad start - HHis alarm didn't work and slept in 30 mins and then locked his compuuter in the motel room just aas we were leaving. Reception closed until 8am - not good. Steve to the resuue staying behind withh the car to retrieve and deliverr to us later

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 16 Jul 2010 20:53

Steve cooking up a storm - amazing what energy a rest
Day generates! Well
Done Steve! We
Need it as tomorrow we ride into Hell's canyon and 110 degree heat.

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 16 Jul 2010 16:18

14 12 16 July Sumpter to Richland, Or 127.00 100.00 3.08 2260.00 71.40 13.40 35.90 74.00 5.17 Relatively easy as 71 miles in 90's temp can be - left 6.32, finish at 2.05. Scenery stunning, Baker City pumped up for local mining festival with highlight being bed and duck races down main street. Last year it was porcupine races. Highlight beside 60 miles of downhill (2000 ft descent) were best cup of latte since Eugene and a tub of low fat,'plain yoghurt-the small pleasures in life!

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 16 Jul 2010 13:35

Last hill of day - not on the topographical map

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 16 Jul 2010 13:09

I am tucked up under a sage brush slathering my self with creme wishing Charles to show up so i don't have to ride back and look for him. It is high 90's and I am melting. Just as I started up the road looking for him he showed up. Coverres in grease from Chain problems

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 16 Jul 2010 12:40

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Friday 16 Jul 2010 12:18

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Friday 16 Jul 2010 11:22

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 16 Jul 2010 10:53

Terrain is definitely on the change to high mountain desert.

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 16 Jul 2010 10:53

Mountains we are headed into in Idaho

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 16 Jul 2010 10:24

Greg and Tai, 2 of 3 young lads we've met who are 'eastbounders' as Well. They are also riding back to Seattle, doing it on the shoestring, using foodstamps and ltd money from family and friends. They are staying in parks doingnit on the cheap

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 16 Jul 2010 10:21

Outside Baker City looking at where we've come from

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 16 Jul 2010 9:05

Local duck race sales lady

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 16 Jul 2010 9:01

Chas and I enjoying a coffee planning dj's integration to the adventure (we don't want to break him the first couple of days) and a
Potential visit with RHOD Webb in Missoula

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 16 Jul 2010 7:59

This was at the front gate of mountain log cabin-and they say Americans aren't eccentric

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 16 Jul 2010 7:43

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 16 Jul 2010 7:42

Fish are jumping as we
Speed by

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 16 Jul 2010 7:27

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 16 Jul 2010 7:02

Scenery is vastly different today. This is Phillips lake Near Sumpter

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 16 Jul 2010 6:28

Ride day 12, 16 July - leaving the stockade, named by those southern rebels transplanted to the North. The rivalry still exists. Should be a good day as 90% is downhill! Wow, I can really use an easy day. Steve's having an impromptu rest day enjoying the Tour and British Open

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 15 Jul 2010 16:33

With the comforts of home built in.

Overall day 13-
Ride day11 - 15 July
John Day to Sumpter
Max heart rate (HR) - 214.00
Ave HR - 109.00
Time In Zone- 4.19hrs
Calories burned - 2965.00
Miles ridden - 57.20
Ave speed - 9.90mph
Max speed - 38.00mph
Ave cadence -68.00rpm
Ride time - 5.46hrs
Notes: Tough day - Started 6.42, finished riding w lunch at 3.20, 98f at finish, 3 peaks and 3,800ft of climbing over 24 miles. Fabulous mountain scenery on low traffic roads, potable spring water out of mountain, lots of deer-family of 5 on road in John Day, 2 others during day including 1 which ran out in front of motorcyclist who hit it and deer had to be put down

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 15 Jul 2010 16:32

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 15 Jul 2010 16:20

Our abode for evening - built to replicate 1880 us army frontier fort

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 15 Jul 2010 12:24

Where's Steve??after 4360 ft he's having a kip. Today Steve did more climbing than we did due to thenfact that he drives to
The end and rides back to meet us. Today he got to ride 2 of
The peaks back and forward.

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 15 Jul 2010 12:23

Steve catching a nap....waiting for us at the top. See next photo

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 15 Jul 2010 9:52

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 15 Jul 2010 9:31

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 15 Jul 2010 8:58

Hmmmm...we share the road with many of these guys. I am surprised at how many of them there are on the roads. Did someone say something about financial crisis?

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 15 Jul 2010 8:57

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 15 Jul 2010 7:21

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 15 Jul 2010 7:20

Some of the scenery enroute between John day and Sumpter - Baldy mountain, 7362 ft

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Thursday 15 Jul 2010 6:15

Ride day 11-leaving john day and rest day behind - A great way to start the day - watching the tour, having breaky and planning assault on 3 peaks. Expected temp today - 97f

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 14 Jul 2010 18:12

a rest day insituution started on first bi ride in 2001 n Gllen Innes, NSW with Chris Mulvey, Steve, DJ and I - hot chip and cold beer inn the local park - nirvana. We are off for 3 peaks of climbing in the morning

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 14 Jul 2010 18:04

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 14 Jul 2010 12:02

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 14 Jul 2010 11:46

Chris and Adriel, two young Oregonians who are also ''Eastbounders'. Straight out of uni, carrying less weight and riding slower than we are - i like it

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 14 Jul 2010 11:38

Rest day in John Day - not much happening here

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 14 Jul 2010 8:56

Insights from Steve

Rod has finally allowed Charles and I onto the blog!
We are currently watching the Tour de France which is the usual inspiration at the start of each day. I, of course, then need to watch some formula one before I get into the car to zoom to the predicted end of day destination. I then don the road bike and head back to meet the boys somewhere and then join them for the end of the day. The car has given me much flexibility to get to sights of interest - such as yesterday- viewing the John Day fossil parks and monuments.
<see photos on my facebook if I have accepted you as a friend!! >.
I marvel at Rod and Charles riding some of the climbs (grades over 10% at times) with all the weights - they are getting fitter each day.
Purchased a Garmin bike computer (model 705) which is fantastic - tells you almost anything you want to know - even how many times you fart o each section - with graphs - important information for a gastroenterologist.
Also got a Garmin car GPS which has been invaluable so a don't end up in a different state to the lads. Now, of course, i am a strong supporter of The Garmin Tour team (and feel I am almost one of them).
Health is good - heart still going, usually regular - no spills thus far.
DJ will be expected to take over my role wen I leave the tour at the end of July. Duties include :
1. having cold beer at the end of the day so he will have to carry an esky on his bike
2. being the domestique on hills and against head winds so that the boys can draft behind
3. have a level of whit and humour appropriate at the end of each day to cheer up tided riders.

These are just to mention a few of the duties. I am sure DJ will be up to the task.
Great trip thus far.
Steve x (luv use all)

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Wednesday 14 Jul 2010 8:28

Reflections from Charles after 10 ride days.
1. The country side that we are riding through is stunning and very different from Wiltshire - the whole thing is worth it just for that alone.
2. 10 ride days and approx 550 miles with our kit is making a step change in fitness which is very reassuring for the coming weeks
3. Forward planning becomes more important - to avoid too many hours in the saddle in the hottest part of the day which seems to be mid afternoon and tot ensure we get som relaxation time. We have that cracked over the last few days
4. People we come across are very friendly and happy to give advice - the advice is not always high quality (like no chance of getting a motel in the next town, better ride on to the next one its only 20 miles - 20 minutes later we have checked in) but it is well intended
5. There is an unexpected bond between cycle tourists and Harley Davidson riders - one core topic of conversation is saddle comfort
6. A more interesting Tour de France would be on touring bikes, carrying 25kg, with the riders camping and doing their own laundry
7. Perspectives on the requirement for fashion police change as the days go by - as little as a week ago the fact that both my companions wear socks with open toes sandals seemed important , now even for a fashion guru such as myself it is becoming acceptable

More reflections in the coming weeks!
Charles

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 15:13

Our rest day digs for 2 nights with the critical free wifi..
Day 11 - 13 July
Mitchell to John Day
Maximum Heart Rate- 136
Ave HR - 107
Time in Zone - 3.56hrs
Caalories burned - 2608 - there inconsiderable debate as to whether this is correct. We think it should be higher but are guided by the computer. Do we have an expert out there who wants to comment?
Miles ridden - 69
Ave speed - 13.1mph
Max speed - 37.8
Cadence - 74rpm
Ride time (in saddle)- 5.14hrs
Notes and highlights:1400ft climb, high average speed due to tailwind and long downhill. Our new formula was a success. We arrived at 2.30 after 69 miles. finding our zen spot throughout the day which allowed us relax, be in the moment, and open up to the locals along the way eg Tom and bikers. Fabulous - its the people you meett along the way that make a trip a true journey and remarkable experience.

We enter rest day tiredd but satissfed we are climbing up to a suitable level of fitness. After 70 miles today, I actually felt I could ride on.

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 11:24

The Pony Express morphed into Post Office. What will t hey become next?

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 10:40

An original merchantile - a walking through the store is walking back a 100 years in time

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 10:07

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 10:06

Picture George -- interesting stuff

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 9:52

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 9:51

On the edge of the Painted Hills again, we enjoy them as we ride buy - truly some of natures great art work. Oregon is geologically and scenically (and socially progressive) a special state. I think I could live here

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 9:47

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 9:43

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 9:27

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 9:26

The terrain is slowly moving toward arid and semi-arid. With massive irrigation, a strange combination of air and temperate coexist and boost not only desire plant life but alot of undesired as well. Of course bird and other wildlife also increases significantly. We saw a family of 6 deer this morning within 2 miles of town this morning

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 8:40

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 8:07

We made it. Nice and hot now ready for a long downhill. Highlight on the ascent was a lady stopped next to a rest stop we were having and gave Charles 4 choc chip muffins

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 6:42

Day 11 - Many of you noticed our absence from the blog over a thhe last couple of days. We were without cell phone and wifi for a couple of days. That will happen from time to time until we hit Misouri. For today, we re leaving Batesville and Norman behind-we all
Made it through the night ! Leaving 6.45 and it is 7c/43f! very chilly for the 2 Aussies. With an 1400ft climb, with 6-7% grade straigghht out of the gate should warm us up.

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 12 Jul 2010 19:39

Day 10 - 12 July
Ochoco Lake to Mitchell
Max Heart Rate 125
Average HR 97
Calories Burned - 1360
Miles covered - 40.9
Ave speed - 11.6 mph
Max speed - 41
Ave caadence - 71rpm
Ride time - 3.31 hrs
Notes: 1800 ft climb, early finish (2.30) and nap today, highlight Painted Hills and agreement that we need to be less busy, start earlier (6.30), ride done by 2.30 and 2.5 hours breaks and lunch during the day. that means 5.5 hours max in the saddle ride time each day (assuming 11 mph ave)
We've got a new plan!

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 12 Jul 2010 19:29

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 12 Jul 2010 19:28

Our digs fo r the night -the Sky Hooks Motel - could be the Bates Motel (Psyho) as you will see in the next few shots

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 12 Jul 2010 19:07

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 12 Jul 2010 19:07

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 12 Jul 2010 19:06

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 12 Jul 2010 19:05

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 12 Jul 2010 18:54

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 12 Jul 2010 18:49

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 12 Jul 2010 18:39

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 12 Jul 2010 18:38

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 12 Jul 2010 18:30

A highlight of thee day was a visit to the Painted Hills. Fascinating! Next few photos capture some of the beauty

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 12 Jul 2010 12:27

Another eco system and terrain change to drier, more semi-desert like. As Charles says, I expect to see John Wayne or the indians come over the top of those mountains anytime.

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 12 Jul 2010 11:30

At the top, 3 hour climb and 30 minute descent which was easy compared to McKinsey pass (4.15 climb).

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Monday 12 Jul 2010 8:23

Day 10 start - planned Ochoco Lake to Mitchell, 41 miles and 1800ft climb.

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 11 Jul 2010 20:29

Day 9- 11 July
Sisters to Ochoco Lake, Or
Max heart rate (HR) -125
Ave HR -87
Calories burned -1232
Miles coverred- 51.3
Ave speed - 11.8mph
Max speed- 35.4mph
Ave cadence- 73
Ride time - 4.18hrs
Notes: Fairly flat but hot (92f)

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 11 Jul 2010 20:02

Hmmm...dinner time

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 11 Jul 2010 19:07

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 11 Jul 2010 19:04

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 11 Jul 2010 16:07

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 11 Jul 2010 15:19

Buying dinner for first night camping

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 11 Jul 2010 13:07

Locals frolicking in the irrigation channel

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 11 Jul 2010 12:06

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 11 Jul 2010 12:05

Our first butte

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 11 Jul 2010 11:49

Last look at the Cascades

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 11 Jul 2010 11:48

Mt Jefferson

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 11 Jul 2010 9:57

Mt hood

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 11 Jul 2010 9:56

Appreciating the Cascades

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 11 Jul 2010 9:37

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 11 Jul 2010 9:37

The terrain is changing so quickly - Almost Spain like

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Sunday 11 Jul 2010 8:21

Leaving the Ponderosa - nice overpriced. Charles and are I off for 51 or so miles of flatish ride. Such a contrast to the 4 hour, 3800 ft climb yesterday. Steve is having a extra rest day watching the tour and world Cup final

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 16:16

Day 8 - 9 July
McKinsey Bridge to Sisters
Miles covered today - 42.3
Ave speed - 8.4mph
Max Speed - 36.3
Ave cadence- 66
Ride time- 5.01hrs
Note: 3900ft climb today, left hotel at 8.40 and arrived in town at 4.15

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 15:31

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 15:13

Charles and I at the Sisters

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 15:07

North and Middle Sister

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 15:06

Mt Jefferson

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 15:05

Mt Washington

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 14:58

Built In 1937 from volcAnic rock, this observatory shows the mountains around through small widows which frame each one making it easy to see each one

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 14:32

Three sisters

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 14:21

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 14:14

Our first smow

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 14:09

Belnao

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 14:05

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 14:04

Two buttes

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 14:03

Scott mountain - moving into The Volcanic zone

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 13:46

Scotty, beam me up the last 4 miles please!

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 12:15

Slowly getting there

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 12:15

A real beauty

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 10:40

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 9:50

Through the forest

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 9:25

Sorting the men from the boys - 22 miles of climbing to the top, by far the longest climb
Ever

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Saturday 10 Jul 2010 7:28

Day 7 - first ride post rest day - 9 July Eugene to McKinsey Bridge
Max heart rate -128.00
ave heart rate -99.00
Calories burned- 2241.00
Miles covered - 61.10 ave speed -11.30 mph max speed -26.70mph
Cadence -72.00
Ride time -5.22 hrs
Notes: 2 blowouts today, 1 yesterday on rest day

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 9 Jul 2010 21:55

Out evening digs - camp grounds were full

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 9 Jul 2010 17:01

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 9 Jul 2010 16:59

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 9 Jul 2010 15:49

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 9 Jul 2010 15:48

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 9 Jul 2010 12:42

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 9 Jul 2010 12:41

Oregon has many of these beauties built around 1900

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 9 Jul 2010 12:01

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 9 Jul 2010 11:50

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 9 Jul 2010 11:49

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 9 Jul 2010 11:48

Our visit to the salmon nd trout fisheries -fascinating!

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 9 Jul 2010 11:21

Taking in the day and resting his backside

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 9 Jul 2010 11:20

What the? Straight out of Cinderella in the Cascades

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 9 Jul 2010 10:00

On the way

Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago

Friday 9 Jul 2010 7:54

The bike and Bruce ready to roll waiting on Charles and his tyre. Rest day activity Included bike shop, phone company, walmart
For new electric razor and haircut
So we are hitting the road today sporitng new short haircut (picture to follow), bike which is not shaking nor grinding gears and US phone plan which works with Chas. Reallocation and sort out of gear to final load looks like 27 kgs of panniers and handlebar bag plus 23kgs of bike.
Tomorrow(Saturday), we have our first major challenge: climbing McKenzie pass-3,500 ft climb to 5,300 ft, through 3 ecosystems ending in volcanic lava flow fields and snow - only openned 2 weeks ago for the summer. We are anxiously anticipating how we will go.
More later...

Posted: 1 year, 7 months ago

Friday 9 Jul 2010 7:40

A bad start to part 2 after a great rest day! Charles over exerting himself on the tube ripping the valve out of the tube. Oh dear!

Posted: 1 year, 7 months ago

Friday 9 Jul 2010 7:33

Rod, what do I do with this stem? How do I get it out of the pump? Charles examining the fruits of his strength!

Posted: 1 year, 7 months ago

Thursday 8 Jul 2010 14:12

Rest day attire - check out those socks. And these guys have the gall to complain about my socks with my sandals when I wore them one foolish, 45f/7c, morning.

Posted: 1 year, 7 months ago

Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 20:16

We made it!
Day 5 - 7 July,
Monmouth to Eugene, Or
Max HR - 144
Ave HR - 97
Calories burned - 2752
Ridden today - 73 miles
Ave - 12.4mph
Max speed - 32.9mph
Ave Cadence - 73
Total ride time - 5.5 hrs
This was our first really hot day. Many more to come and much worse I expect. We have to start earlier and carry more water - at least 3/4 litres. Need better sun hat. Rest today tomorrow - yippee!!

Posted: 1 year, 7 months ago

Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 17:56

These are some hot, tired dudes in 100f, out of water after 11.5 hrs on the road, looking for a hotel, Steve's car and quickly moving into meltdown. Where is that humor when you need it? I left mine at the lunch stop

Posted: 1 year, 7 months ago

Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 15:36

Steve contemplating his burgeoning nappy rash and rooing his Forgetfullness at
Not applying Chamois butter this
Morning. He won't Do that again. Fellow Transam riders: please note the pained expression on his face

Posted: 1 year, 7 months ago

Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 15:32

Posted: 1 year, 7 months ago

Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 14:48

Lunch stop in the cool of a 1960's
Style diner. We Are trying to find Steve. He has gone to Eugene to drop car and ride back. We are now at 46miles and Eugene is supposedly 11 miles away. We
discover he has had two flats and been riding into a headwind. Staggering into lunch he is terribly warm and moving into dehydration

Posted: 1 year, 7 months ago

Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 11:56

Modern cookie ladies and young entrepreneurs are thriving. We
Gladly paid .50 for an iced lemonade and warm chocolate chip cookie out in the middle
Of nowhere. Temp 92 And Climbing

Posted: 1 year, 7 months ago

Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 11:12

Morning coffee in Corvalis, 10.45 and 23.4m

Posted: 1 year, 7 months ago

Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 9:22

'Grapes of Wrath' working family housing Dormitories being restored

Posted: 1 year, 7 months ago

Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 9:05

'Wiley' Coyote not so Wiley !

Posted: 1 year, 7 months ago

Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 8:11

Day 5 - 8.04 departure,65f, heading to Eugene and rest
Day tomorrow

Posted: 1 year, 7 months ago

Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 8:10

finish Day 4 - 6 July, Neskowin to Monmouth, Oregon
Calories burned- 2944
Miles- 64.7
Ave mph- 10.6
Max speed-38.4
Ave cadence- 70
Ride time- 6.03 hrs
Our first 60m plus day, started at 8.am and finished at6.30 in 85f heat. Started by taking wrong turn and climbing 700-800' mountain unexpectedly. It cost us 10 miles and almost 2 hrs. Chas is now stopping AT every turn and checking map. Body is
much better, bike is limping into our first rest day in Eugene tomorrow Thursday 8-July.
Today is predicted 95f so need to get on road.