Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Day 11 121 miles 5559 feet of climbing 13.0 Average
Greensboro to Linton Indiana
We were glad to see dry roads when we got up this morning. Another soggy wet day of riding would have made for a depressing day.
The wind was still blowing strong out of the north but died down in the early afternoon making for some good cycling. The temperature was in the mid 70’s.
We found a bike path that paralleled our route for a few miles taking us off the roadway.
A nice paved path that ended by the Cummings Plant where they build diesel engines. We stopped for a quick photo and got back to business.
We still are waiting for the new tires to arrive replacing the possessed set on Ken’s bike. Sadly they have not arrived in time. Flat number 13 showed up with a bang as his rear tire blew coming off a gravel road we had traveled.
The climbing has moderated considerably compared to what we had during our first week.
Everyone’s contact point tenderness has passed….for now anyway. Normally this goes away in the first week. Our legs are feeling stronger and do not feel “worked” the next morning as they did a few days ago. Maybe it is the lack of serious climbing is giving us a false sense of strength. The Rockies will be the proof.
We will be leaving Indiana behind in the morning. Getting closer to our next big milestone. Crossing the Mississippi.
We were glad to see dry roads when we got up this morning. Another soggy wet day of riding would have made for a depressing day.
The wind was still blowing strong out of the north but died down in the early afternoon making for some good cycling. The temperature was in the mid 70’s.
We found a bike path that paralleled our route for a few miles taking us off the roadway.
A nice paved path that ended by the Cummings Plant where they build diesel engines. We stopped for a quick photo and got back to business.We still are waiting for the new tires to arrive replacing the possessed set on Ken’s bike. Sadly they have not arrived in time. Flat number 13 showed up with a bang as his rear tire blew coming off a gravel road we had traveled.
The climbing has moderated considerably compared to what we had during our first week.
Everyone’s contact point tenderness has passed….for now anyway. Normally this goes away in the first week. Our legs are feeling stronger and do not feel “worked” the next morning as they did a few days ago. Maybe it is the lack of serious climbing is giving us a false sense of strength. The Rockies will be the proof.
We will be leaving Indiana behind in the morning. Getting closer to our next big milestone. Crossing the Mississippi.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Day 10 76 miles 4215 feet of climbing 11.3 avg wet cold end of Ohio
Westchester OH to Greensburg Indiana
Not everyday can be a picture perfect cycling day. Guess what ….this was one of them.
The day started with a stiff chain link repair on Ken’s bike. We made the repair in the motel room then headed out to see what Mother Nature had on store for us on Mothers Day….. Hey Moms…. Happy Mothers Day…. You too Debbie…..Kittis Kount.
It was wet with rain coming down almost the entire day. The wind was horrendous in the late afternoon. We had steady winds in the 20 to 30 mph range with some serious gusts easily to 40mph. A tail wind you ask??? Not a chance. Nada.
When the road twisted north we were blasted with a cross wind that made it difficult to keep the bike on a straight path. When we rolled into a headwind 7mph was the top speed.
We stopped at “Pizza Pete” for lunch. The owner was a real friendly guy. He was interested in our journey and fired off a bunch of questions as we munched down a large pie and sodas. We told him of our journey and he told us about his last adventure. Fishing the Amazon River! Now that is nutty! Anyway when we were done he said “lunch is on me guys”… so cool.
With a late start due to weather and the difficult conditions we only squeaked off 76 miles…sad showing.
Not everyday can be a picture perfect cycling day. Guess what ….this was one of them.The day started with a stiff chain link repair on Ken’s bike. We made the repair in the motel room then headed out to see what Mother Nature had on store for us on Mothers Day….. Hey Moms…. Happy Mothers Day…. You too Debbie…..Kittis Kount.
It was wet with rain coming down almost the entire day. The wind was horrendous in the late afternoon. We had steady winds in the 20 to 30 mph range with some serious gusts easily to 40mph. A tail wind you ask??? Not a chance. Nada.
When the road twisted north we were blasted with a cross wind that made it difficult to keep the bike on a straight path. When we rolled into a headwind 7mph was the top speed.
We stopped at “Pizza Pete” for lunch. The owner was a real friendly guy. He was interested in our journey and fired off a bunch of questions as we munched down a large pie and sodas. We told him of our journey and he told us about his last adventure. Fishing the Amazon River! Now that is nutty! Anyway when we were done he said “lunch is on me guys”… so cool.
With a late start due to weather and the difficult conditions we only squeaked off 76 miles…sad showing.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Day 9 87.5 miles, 3529 feet of climbing, 13.5 Average speed
Chillicothe OH to Westchester OH
Another great biking day for the Eliminator Crew. The temperatures were in the mid to high 60’s which is perfect for cycling.
Joe and Ken did not hit the sac until 2AM the night before. They were trying to get the laptop’s WiFi operational. It looks like the port that receives the card is defective. This means we will need a wired hook-up to upload photos and receive email.
Our alarm seemed to come quick when it rang at 6:00AM. We got up packed up the bikes and left Chillicothe for Hamilton Ohio. One of the dictating factors with how far we travel each day is availability of motels. Today the motel came up early at 87 miles. Having had a late night fighting the laptop the “short” day was welcome.
It looks like we have left the major climbing for a while. Flatter roads should mean a faster average speed. But of course nothing is as easy as it seems. Any cyclist will tell you a head wind is worst than climbing a mountain. Team rider JP Crozet puts it simply….. “the wind…she will kill you”… he is right. Nothing worst than pushing hard and going nowhere.
Our bikes equipped with panniers (saddlebags) act like parachutes grabbing the air and slowing you down horribly. It is possible to be on a flat road and not be able to go over 8mph pushing hard! Add the howling wind noise in your ears for 8 hours and you can become crazy.
Wind is the main reason 99% of all cross-county cyclists ride west to east. We are going east to west. The prevailing winds and weather generally comes out of the west. We have noticed how fast the weather approaches as we ride into it. Something for us to remember in Tornado Alley.
We have a big day planned for Sunday if the rain passes overnight like the weatherman has predicted. If the weather is dry we should be able to leave Ohio after only 2-1/2 days and enter Indiana.
Another great biking day for the Eliminator Crew. The temperatures were in the mid to high 60’s which is perfect for cycling.
Joe and Ken did not hit the sac until 2AM the night before. They were trying to get the laptop’s WiFi operational. It looks like the port that receives the card is defective. This means we will need a wired hook-up to upload photos and receive email.
Our alarm seemed to come quick when it rang at 6:00AM. We got up packed up the bikes and left Chillicothe for Hamilton Ohio. One of the dictating factors with how far we travel each day is availability of motels. Today the motel came up early at 87 miles. Having had a late night fighting the laptop the “short” day was welcome.
It looks like we have left the major climbing for a while. Flatter roads should mean a faster average speed. But of course nothing is as easy as it seems. Any cyclist will tell you a head wind is worst than climbing a mountain. Team rider JP Crozet puts it simply….. “the wind…she will kill you”… he is right. Nothing worst than pushing hard and going nowhere.
Our bikes equipped with panniers (saddlebags) act like parachutes grabbing the air and slowing you down horribly. It is possible to be on a flat road and not be able to go over 8mph pushing hard! Add the howling wind noise in your ears for 8 hours and you can become crazy.
Wind is the main reason 99% of all cross-county cyclists ride west to east. We are going east to west. The prevailing winds and weather generally comes out of the west. We have noticed how fast the weather approaches as we ride into it. Something for us to remember in Tornado Alley.
We have a big day planned for Sunday if the rain passes overnight like the weatherman has predicted. If the weather is dry we should be able to leave Ohio after only 2-1/2 days and enter Indiana.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Day 8 106 miles 4653ft climbing 12.4 av 8hr30min bike time
Ken doing what he loves best working on FLATS!
Today we left Parkersburg West Virginia, headed across the Ohio River into, you guessed it, Ohio. we ended the day in Chillicothe OH
We woke to wet roads but no rain. Ken was plagued with two more flats. The plan now is to have new tires sent General Delivery to a post office for pickup. We tried to get off Rt. 50 as traffic started to increase and the shoulder became too small for us to travel on. The GPS showed some roads that paralleled our route so we went for them. About 8 miles into it the road turned to gravel then dirt. Of course all up hill. It got so bad we were forced to push the bikes up a couple of the dirt climbs. With the weight and skinny tires they are not built for off-road. This caused us to run later than we had hoped for. About 15 miles from the hotel the sky opened up and we got soaked to the bone. A hot shower and belly full of food cured our ills. The weather for most of the day was overcast and cool. Our sore contact points..hands,feet and rump have simmered down and the worst is over, for now anyway. Can we eat?? Well Tim had beef tips over noodles with two sides followed by a large slice of coconut cream pie. After we returned to the room he felt a need for a snack so went back to the restaurant for an order of French Toast and coffee!!!
We have another two days in Ohio.
We woke to wet roads but no rain. Ken was plagued with two more flats. The plan now is to have new tires sent General Delivery to a post office for pickup. We tried to get off Rt. 50 as traffic started to increase and the shoulder became too small for us to travel on. The GPS showed some roads that paralleled our route so we went for them. About 8 miles into it the road turned to gravel then dirt. Of course all up hill. It got so bad we were forced to push the bikes up a couple of the dirt climbs. With the weight and skinny tires they are not built for off-road. This caused us to run later than we had hoped for. About 15 miles from the hotel the sky opened up and we got soaked to the bone. A hot shower and belly full of food cured our ills. The weather for most of the day was overcast and cool. Our sore contact points..hands,feet and rump have simmered down and the worst is over, for now anyway. Can we eat?? Well Tim had beef tips over noodles with two sides followed by a large slice of coconut cream pie. After we returned to the room he felt a need for a snack so went back to the restaurant for an order of French Toast and coffee!!!
We have another two days in Ohio.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
