I found out I have to change from drinking Powerade to drinking gatorade now.
After dealing with a storm on the coast with thunder, lightning, high winds, and supposed tornadoes I made my way down the coast to Boston. Getting to Boston was no major concern, though getting around proved to be a bit of a challenge. No bike paths went the direction I needed and goggles marked bike lane roads were nonexistent. Traffic wasn't all friendly and I had to do some illegal things to get through. Eventually I made it.
One driver did make it enjoyable for me. He was driving a truck beside me and started asking me questions about my trip as the light turned green. He was unconcerned with the traffic and enjoyed hearing my story. This was nice since I had just recently had a lot of trouble getting the roads I needed.
I eventually got to the house I was staying at. A little ways through the evening I pulled my Powerade bottle filled with propel out. The parents and q couple of the kids commented about how I drank Powerade and they were gatorade drinkers. They then proceeded to inform me that the wife's dad was the inventor of gatorade back in the 60s. Also that his wife suggested flavoring it. So now I need to drink gatorade over Powerade.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The Coast Is Clear
After many more hills than expected, I made the coast of Maine. I am in southern Maine now, lounging comfortably in the embrace of an L-shaped rock. The breeze off the ocean brings in the soothing smell of the salt water and the comforting tones of the gentle waves lapping against the shoreline. The tide is slowly rising, allowing the beached boats in the bay behind me to soon go back out. Seagulls occasionally soar overhead. It is a peaceful and relaxing setting.
As it should be. I got the last campsite in the campground and it cost me $40 for a spot without water or electric and barely enough semi-level ground to set up my tent.
The ride into Maine was rolling as I left the white mountains and approached the coast. I have rarely had a stretch of smooth road. I slowly climbed one hill that was about a 13% grade. That is like climbing a road that is steeper than a set of bleachers for a half mile or so. Rather strenuous with 260+ pounds desirous of going the other way.
I got my first glimpse of the ocean outside of Brunswick, me, which is neat since my first glimpse in the south was at brunswick, ga.
I am headed to Boston tomorrow where I will store my bike for a week as I fly to branson, mo to join my family on vacation. It will be good to see them though it will hardly count as a break. If you know my family you know we work hard and play harder. That, along with the flights, will be taxing.
So if I don't write for a week, that's why.
As it should be. I got the last campsite in the campground and it cost me $40 for a spot without water or electric and barely enough semi-level ground to set up my tent.
The ride into Maine was rolling as I left the white mountains and approached the coast. I have rarely had a stretch of smooth road. I slowly climbed one hill that was about a 13% grade. That is like climbing a road that is steeper than a set of bleachers for a half mile or so. Rather strenuous with 260+ pounds desirous of going the other way.
I got my first glimpse of the ocean outside of Brunswick, me, which is neat since my first glimpse in the south was at brunswick, ga.
I am headed to Boston tomorrow where I will store my bike for a week as I fly to branson, mo to join my family on vacation. It will be good to see them though it will hardly count as a break. If you know my family you know we work hard and play harder. That, along with the flights, will be taxing.
So if I don't write for a week, that's why.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Back In The Hills
I'm officially in the mountains again. I went through the adirondacks and into the green range today. The grades haven't been too bad yet but I believe they are going to be with the mountains that are visible and knowing I have around two more days in them.
The bike has been performing well and so have I, though the humidity is killing me and I'm dead at the end of the day. The heat has at least dropped almost ten degrees. The wind today was at my back which made for good riding but didn't keep me very cool.
It feels weird only getting around 100 miles in a state, though that is a good portion ride through these smaller states. It's encouraging on the progress, just feels like I'm not doing a lot. I am now to the point where I will be riding across a state in one or two days each. Knowing that I have less than a month of riding left helps keep me motivated, though. I loose stamina and desire at times, though not enough to justify stopping.
The scenery around here is spectacular and majestic, even with peaks only being a couple thousand feet high. I get lost in the landscape and dream of times past and what this would've looked like to those who settled these areas over 200 years ago. I rode by a family farm that has been going for over 125 years!
I have also ridden through a lot of Amish and Quaker country. I have only seen one buggy on the road and only two families, though. Signs for sharing the roads with the buggies are all over, however.
The bike has been performing well and so have I, though the humidity is killing me and I'm dead at the end of the day. The heat has at least dropped almost ten degrees. The wind today was at my back which made for good riding but didn't keep me very cool.
It feels weird only getting around 100 miles in a state, though that is a good portion ride through these smaller states. It's encouraging on the progress, just feels like I'm not doing a lot. I am now to the point where I will be riding across a state in one or two days each. Knowing that I have less than a month of riding left helps keep me motivated, though. I loose stamina and desire at times, though not enough to justify stopping.
The scenery around here is spectacular and majestic, even with peaks only being a couple thousand feet high. I get lost in the landscape and dream of times past and what this would've looked like to those who settled these areas over 200 years ago. I rode by a family farm that has been going for over 125 years!
I have also ridden through a lot of Amish and Quaker country. I have only seen one buggy on the road and only two families, though. Signs for sharing the roads with the buggies are all over, however.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Trouble
So I was riding along in Tioga, PA and I heard a gunshot and then felt an impact. This all happened as I noticed an object in the road I couldn't see until I was upon it. I swerved and missed it with the front wheel but clipped it with the back wheel. As I hit it the gunshot sounded, the object flew across the road and my tire went flat. I walked my bike a block to the nearest parking lot to assess the damage.
As I did this three men offered their help, two of them telling me where they live and to stop by if need be. This was very encouraging since I was about 25 miles from the nearest shop.
I unloaded the bike and began to assess the damage. The rear tire was slashed about 2/3 around, along with the tube having four major holes in it. The rim had a divot, was untrue, and had a hole blew through the rim tape - which meant there was probably further damage done there. As I looked around the rim I noticed scratches but didn't want to jinx my luck by assessing if these were cracks or not. The divot needed to be sanded down to allow the tire to seat and not be cut. I pulled out my tube patching kit and took the tiny sheet of sand paper to the rim. I then got out my first aid kit and taped over the rim tape. Thanks to the disc brakes I didn't have to true the wheel right there. It wasn't good, but it was rideable. I put on a new tube and tire, did a small test ride, then loaded up and prayed for the best.
It rode okay but I remained nervous all the way to ithaca. Along the way I got two more flats. Thankfully I made it safely. Along the way I called my contact at trek, Eric, and checked about getting some assistance with a shop choice. They had one shop in town, called them up and got me in the next day. I dropped it off and less than an hour later I had a verdict. The rim was cracked and needed replaced, along with some other smaller things I knew were getting ready for work. The Bike Rack called up trek and they were going to overnight the rim and other parts. I headed back to my campsite and relaxed for the day.
Today I took my bike to the shop and left it for a few hours. When I came back I had a new rim, new cassette and chain, new tubes and tires, greased bearings, a new bottom bracket, and a new brake cable as well as a wiped down bike. This is the first major tuneup the bike has had in 12,000 miles and the shop was impressed on how good it all was. Most of that all is normal wear.
I NEED TO GIVE A BIG SHOUT OF THANKS TO TREK FOR FOOTING THE BILL AND THE BIKE RACK OF ITHACA, NY FOR THE SPEEDY SERVICE!
As I did this three men offered their help, two of them telling me where they live and to stop by if need be. This was very encouraging since I was about 25 miles from the nearest shop.
I unloaded the bike and began to assess the damage. The rear tire was slashed about 2/3 around, along with the tube having four major holes in it. The rim had a divot, was untrue, and had a hole blew through the rim tape - which meant there was probably further damage done there. As I looked around the rim I noticed scratches but didn't want to jinx my luck by assessing if these were cracks or not. The divot needed to be sanded down to allow the tire to seat and not be cut. I pulled out my tube patching kit and took the tiny sheet of sand paper to the rim. I then got out my first aid kit and taped over the rim tape. Thanks to the disc brakes I didn't have to true the wheel right there. It wasn't good, but it was rideable. I put on a new tube and tire, did a small test ride, then loaded up and prayed for the best.
It rode okay but I remained nervous all the way to ithaca. Along the way I got two more flats. Thankfully I made it safely. Along the way I called my contact at trek, Eric, and checked about getting some assistance with a shop choice. They had one shop in town, called them up and got me in the next day. I dropped it off and less than an hour later I had a verdict. The rim was cracked and needed replaced, along with some other smaller things I knew were getting ready for work. The Bike Rack called up trek and they were going to overnight the rim and other parts. I headed back to my campsite and relaxed for the day.
Today I took my bike to the shop and left it for a few hours. When I came back I had a new rim, new cassette and chain, new tubes and tires, greased bearings, a new bottom bracket, and a new brake cable as well as a wiped down bike. This is the first major tuneup the bike has had in 12,000 miles and the shop was impressed on how good it all was. Most of that all is normal wear.
I NEED TO GIVE A BIG SHOUT OF THANKS TO TREK FOR FOOTING THE BILL AND THE BIKE RACK OF ITHACA, NY FOR THE SPEEDY SERVICE!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Sasquatch Is In The Area
Last night I looked at the weather forecast and it wasn't supposed to rain until about noon today. Deciding to not do what I usually do and get my rain fly ready in case of rain, I just put it in my tent. Lo and behold that at 6 in the morning it starts to sprinkle. I decide I am simply going to throw the fly over the top since it isn't raining that bad and I will be getting up soon. Wrong choice. It began to downpour and water began to leak into the tent. Finally having enough I got out and quickly staked it down. I needed to route plan a bit so I turned on my phone and checked the weather as well and the forecast changed to rain at 6 and 7 and then 11. The majority of my stuff stayed dry and it was really only the tent that got wet, so not all was lost.
I was up and off and the beginning of my ride was great with the majority of it being or feeling downhill. I did have many rolling hills today and with the rain and temperatures the way they were I felt like I was in the Smokies in Tennessee instead of in northern Pennsylvania. It was quite beautiful and very scenic.
Shortly after beginning the day I was riding a back road and a guy on a harley rode by and asked if I was traveling cross country. I told him yeah and then he pulled into the next driveway, which happened to be his house. His name was Brian and he had moved to PA from California. He was quite interested in what I was doing and we talked a bit about my ride and route and the area. He also informed me he was going to talk to the local paper about me. We said our goodbyes and then I was off once again.
I ended up having a detour right after leaving his house. I took the route and on my way back to the original highway I was on I was met by a lady in a car who informed me she was with the local paper. Things apparently move fast out here. She pulled off at the next convenient location and interviewed and talked with me for a while.
Things were off to an interesting, yet slow traveling, start. The rest of the day wasn't filled with as much activity. It did rain off and on and occasionally I heard thunder, but I never saw lightning. Humorously, I was dryer today than I had been due to the humidity and I didn't need to drink near as much. The rain also kept me cooler at times. I ended up calling my ride a bit short due to the rain and activities of the morning. It ended up being a good thing. Shortly after I stopped the rain got worse and I met a biker who said he had seen lightning not too much earlier.
My bike's chain has been starting to skip occasionally and at the very end of my ride today it was doing it every stroke. I'm not sure what's wrong yet and hope it is just a fluke and will last at least a couple more weeks until I take another break and will have more time to take it to a shop, as well as be near a shop.
The title refers to the fact that I was informed today that I am in premiere big foot territory and there have been multiple sightings. Of course this made me keep an eye out as I rode to see any sign. None was spotted today, though I have more distance to travel in his territory.
I was up and off and the beginning of my ride was great with the majority of it being or feeling downhill. I did have many rolling hills today and with the rain and temperatures the way they were I felt like I was in the Smokies in Tennessee instead of in northern Pennsylvania. It was quite beautiful and very scenic.
Shortly after beginning the day I was riding a back road and a guy on a harley rode by and asked if I was traveling cross country. I told him yeah and then he pulled into the next driveway, which happened to be his house. His name was Brian and he had moved to PA from California. He was quite interested in what I was doing and we talked a bit about my ride and route and the area. He also informed me he was going to talk to the local paper about me. We said our goodbyes and then I was off once again.
I ended up having a detour right after leaving his house. I took the route and on my way back to the original highway I was on I was met by a lady in a car who informed me she was with the local paper. Things apparently move fast out here. She pulled off at the next convenient location and interviewed and talked with me for a while.
Things were off to an interesting, yet slow traveling, start. The rest of the day wasn't filled with as much activity. It did rain off and on and occasionally I heard thunder, but I never saw lightning. Humorously, I was dryer today than I had been due to the humidity and I didn't need to drink near as much. The rain also kept me cooler at times. I ended up calling my ride a bit short due to the rain and activities of the morning. It ended up being a good thing. Shortly after I stopped the rain got worse and I met a biker who said he had seen lightning not too much earlier.
My bike's chain has been starting to skip occasionally and at the very end of my ride today it was doing it every stroke. I'm not sure what's wrong yet and hope it is just a fluke and will last at least a couple more weeks until I take another break and will have more time to take it to a shop, as well as be near a shop.
The title refers to the fact that I was informed today that I am in premiere big foot territory and there have been multiple sightings. Of course this made me keep an eye out as I rode to see any sign. None was spotted today, though I have more distance to travel in his territory.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Road Warriors
I rode another near 100 mile day from Toledo to around Norwalk. I stayed at a very small campsite that had a little pond and two RVers. One of them was named Herb and he used to cycle until some circumstances in life slowed him up. We talked for awhile about biking and seeing the country. I enjoyed getting to know him and see his zest for living no matter how you have to do it.
I then headed towards Akron on yet another hot and humid day, which it had been since the 4th. Along the way a lady pulled over and informed me she was a cyclist and wondered if she could offer me anything. I said some ice would be nice and she told me how to get to her and her husbands place a few miles away. Being a cyclist she sent me on the way that had the nicest downhill. Hildegard and her husband earl gave me lunch and drinks and we talked for awhile. They offered to let me stay and seeing what time it was getting and being tempted by the air I decided to stay. Some friends of theirs came over later for dinner and cards and I had a very relaxing and enjoyable afternoon and evening.
Today remained hot and humid and began giving me more hills. The downs were nice bit some of the ups were strenuous, especially in the heat. I had to walk the tops oc the last couple.
The humidity has been so high it has felt more like I have been swimming to each destination. The headwinds have been nice because they have provided a bit of cooling and relief. Once I stop my body just drips and gains more moisture. Tomorrow it is supposed to cool off and also rain a bit.
The evenings have been nice lately because I have been given a private fireworks show every night as the fireflies flash all around me. It is a soothing site. I have also not had to use a sleeping bag due to the warmth. Tomorrow I will probably have to pit the fly back on my tent though, due to the rain forecast.
It is looking like I should be to the coast of Maine in around ten days. I also believe I only have about five weeks of riding left. This is encouraging. I am having a harder time staying strong to the goal, bit I definitely don't want to quit. I appreciate all the prayers and support and will need it the most over the next month.
One more thing...I believe that today I have had more troubling and dangerous drivers than I have had overall. I am planning my route much further in advance and am working on finding safer routes. GPS has also been getting used a lot more to find parallel roads. A few of the next states have also given me cycling maps. If anyone knows more about these areas feel free to drop a line or email and I will be open to reviewing them. I know my way to Maine. Then I will head south from Portland to providence and across to jersey. From there I know more again.
I then headed towards Akron on yet another hot and humid day, which it had been since the 4th. Along the way a lady pulled over and informed me she was a cyclist and wondered if she could offer me anything. I said some ice would be nice and she told me how to get to her and her husbands place a few miles away. Being a cyclist she sent me on the way that had the nicest downhill. Hildegard and her husband earl gave me lunch and drinks and we talked for awhile. They offered to let me stay and seeing what time it was getting and being tempted by the air I decided to stay. Some friends of theirs came over later for dinner and cards and I had a very relaxing and enjoyable afternoon and evening.
Today remained hot and humid and began giving me more hills. The downs were nice bit some of the ups were strenuous, especially in the heat. I had to walk the tops oc the last couple.
The humidity has been so high it has felt more like I have been swimming to each destination. The headwinds have been nice because they have provided a bit of cooling and relief. Once I stop my body just drips and gains more moisture. Tomorrow it is supposed to cool off and also rain a bit.
The evenings have been nice lately because I have been given a private fireworks show every night as the fireflies flash all around me. It is a soothing site. I have also not had to use a sleeping bag due to the warmth. Tomorrow I will probably have to pit the fly back on my tent though, due to the rain forecast.
It is looking like I should be to the coast of Maine in around ten days. I also believe I only have about five weeks of riding left. This is encouraging. I am having a harder time staying strong to the goal, bit I definitely don't want to quit. I appreciate all the prayers and support and will need it the most over the next month.
One more thing...I believe that today I have had more troubling and dangerous drivers than I have had overall. I am planning my route much further in advance and am working on finding safer routes. GPS has also been getting used a lot more to find parallel roads. A few of the next states have also given me cycling maps. If anyone knows more about these areas feel free to drop a line or email and I will be open to reviewing them. I know my way to Maine. Then I will head south from Portland to providence and across to jersey. From there I know more again.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Holy Toledo
I have ridden nearly 300 miles in three days since my last post. I'm now in eastern Ohio; state 30. It has been hot and humid the last few days and I have grand about 9 or so gallons of fluids.
July 4th found me in an rv park outside Jackson, mi. It ended up having a lot of friendly pros and I met and hung out with a good portion of them. Unfortunately I had a hard time sleeping even though I was exhausted.
The ride has been going well but it is hard to find words and energy to describe it at this point. I'm still enjoying it.
I tried to use a bike trail yesterday that the internet said was paved or crushed stone. I ended up riding on rough grass and dirt until I got to a different highway I could use. Finding bike trails has been touch and go out here.
July 4th found me in an rv park outside Jackson, mi. It ended up having a lot of friendly pros and I met and hung out with a good portion of them. Unfortunately I had a hard time sleeping even though I was exhausted.
The ride has been going well but it is hard to find words and energy to describe it at this point. I'm still enjoying it.
I tried to use a bike trail yesterday that the internet said was paved or crushed stone. I ended up riding on rough grass and dirt until I got to a different highway I could use. Finding bike trails has been touch and go out here.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Michigan
I just wanted to do a quick update. I have been resting the last couple of days at my brother and sister-in-law's house and have been utterly exhausted. I rode the high speed ferry across lake Michigan and it took 2 1/2 hrs to cover 85 miles. I had never really processed how big the lakes were until riding across it and not seeing land for such a long time.
Through visiting Trek and getting on their site and facebook page I have now had offers of places to stay out east that may come in handy when I get there. Since nothing is planned out too far ahead I won't know till I get closer.
Yesterday I visited Meijer Gardens here in Grand Rapids and saw glasswork by artist Chihuly. I had heard of his work before, but seeing it in person was quite amazing. Some of the pieces were extremely detailed. Hopefully I can upload some pics later. I took them on my phone.
The weather has been great if not a little too hot. Hopefully it stays this way for awhile as I continue on. It has been nice to be able to take a break for ice cream most every day.
And now it is time to go finish packing to head on today.
Montana to Wisconsin by Pics
Inside the Trek HQ
Outside Trek
The Tallest Bike in the World in Sparta, WI: America's Bicycle Capital
Along the Mississippi River at Lake Pepin
Wisconsin
The Mississippi River and Red Wing, MN
Minnesota
North Dakota
A Flooded Road in North Dakota Recently Repaired
South Dakota
Cowboy Mounted Shooting: My Former Boss in Wyoming
Wyoming: State 24!
The Missouri River Headwaters
The Continental Divide for the Last Time This Trip
Montana Majesty
Some People Can't Hold It: Montana Rest Stop
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