Southern Transcontinental - Sept. 5 thru Oct 6

We Made it

2008-10-03T12:49:00.007-05:00

From the beaches of the Pacific, to the beaches of the Atlantic, 2939 miles, 186 hours and 19 minutes of pedaling time, 188,454 calories, over 26 days (according to my Garmin bike unit). We made it. No bike crashes; no accidents: no dropouts, we all made it.

My feelings were ones of relief, satisfaction, and disorientation, to be real honest with you.

Relief to be done pedaling, because my body is tired. Satisfaction in the accomplishment of a huge goal. Disorientation related to feeling like I had just left the Pacific Ocean, and now we were at the Atlantic Ocean, and who knows what is going on with the economy of our country.

I will try to sum things up alittle more later, but most of all I want to thank those of you who have followed this effort, supported and prayed for me. Thank you so much!

Rick

Detours

2008-09-30T21:14:00.004-05:00

First, Peter Pillman called it right, I believe, the butterfly is the Gulf Fritillary. Thanks Peter!

Today, a few of us detoured to Plains to see the 39th presidents home town. We toured his farm, and according to the park service, just missed Jimmy. He had been our riding his bike to the farm, to raid the garden just yesterday. Apparently he has a blue helmet, and two 'fit' companions who ride along with him, in addition to the black SUV "with all the guns in it". The former President stays in shape !

We then went into Plains to visit his current living compound. We didn't see much, but a large fence and nice grounds. Took some shots of Plains and bought some peanuts. Peanut harvest was in full swing.

From there we went to Andersonville and the National Prisoner of War Museum. We were silenced by the sacrifice of our fellow country men and women, from the War of 1812 to the War in Iraq.

From there, we rode to Perry. Got to be a longer day, with over 126 miles covered, but we enjoyed the diversions.

I am working on my summary of this trip. So far it comes down to the difference between flying across the United States, and biking across the United States. Immersing yourself in the environment, as opposed to overlooking it. I will try to start this discussion tomorrow.

We ride to Metta tomorrow.

Last of Alabama

2008-09-29T20:10:00.014-05:00

Can anyone identify this beautiful butterfly that landed on my pedal during the first rest stop today?

I considered it a blessing to have it share my pedal for awhile. So fragile and so colorful.

The Wisconsin crew leads the way in this peleton. Steve and Jerry with John for Great Briton on the right.

Jerry Goode and the Connors on the tandem in this line.

The Connors working together on the tandem.

It was a hilly day, so they worked hard, but kept smiling.

Mark, assuming his favorite position with his favorite rice krispy.

Tomorrow we hope to go visit Jimmy Carter in Plains.

Who knows, I may get to shake the hand of one of my hero's. Georgia here we come.

Arkansas River

2008-09-28T20:14:00.005-05:00

Today, was a straight forward day. Temps in the 80's humid, and sweaty. We needed to make 126 miles as minimally painful as possible.

Steve and I rode together the first part of the day, then Walt and I rode together the middle part, and then Paul and I the last third. In both cases, we worked together to spare one another the pulling for the entire ride. (Paul Wilcox is on the left, nearing the end of our ride. Paul is a very good rider and a joy to talk with.)

Jerry hooked up with the "Hole in the tire gang" to draft most of the day, very similar to what I did the day before. They are a good group to ride with. Steady pace, and they don't really push the pace.

Walt crossing the Alabama River just before lunch. We call Walt the "energizer bunny" because he is so steady and just keeps going and going, with no interruptions. Walt and I pulled each other along.

One more day in Alabama, and on to Georgia.

126 miles, 18.2 mph for the day.

Arkansas today

2008-09-27T16:55:00.007-05:00

116 miles and into the state of Alabama.

Yahoo, it was more of a rest day for me. I hung back and kept the 5000 feet of climbing under control. Not allowing my legs to burn or explode. When you have 20 consecutive 100 mile days (uncharted territory for me) you really don't know what to expect from your legs.

From my bike, I expect alot. And the S-works performed well today on the chip seal, while the aluminum bikes rattled the riders to death.

Lon is assisting our Australian buddy with his TREK.

The red line is getting across the country, and starting to impress me, i.e. getting closer to the Atlantic, and making me smile.

The goal from here on out is to avoid complacency and accidents. That is my prayer.

116 miles 15.5 mph, 5600 feet elevation.

Lost early and then 150 miles, oouch!

2008-09-26T17:31:00.012-05:00

The "lost' gang, conferring about directions and reading their maps. Steve Brown is in the center of the photo with the orange/red shirt on.

We ended up adding 5 miles to the route as a result of our faux paux. That doesn't sound like much, but add that on to 145 mile day, and it gets your attention. Especially when the hills began to appear at about the 105 mile mark. They were not big, 4 to 11% grade, but after that many miles, and unexpected, they tend to wear you down. I completely and totally fried my legs on a couple of them. As Brian LaVoy would say, I 'burnt my last match" while leading the pace line, for my shift in the front.

I for one, was completely and totally wiped out.

Bob Sweany from New Jersey, is a fun guy to bike with. He is well read, and a great conversationalist. He happens to be an EMT Doctor, also.

The Kudzu is starting to show up now along the roads. This viney weed has basically taken over the humid/wet southeast US. It is pretty, but very smothering to other plant life.

I did see some cypress bayou's, but no alligators.

The Swede's and the New Jersey crew, asked me to join them for a while today. I rode with them to the 2nd rest stop, and then joined Jerry and Mark for the rest of the way. Although they finished a few minuted ahead of me, because they were racing for the town sign. I had no race in my legs. We ended up covering 150 miles in less than 7 hours with an average speed of 19 mph.

I am toast tonight. I hope the weekend is easier. I need some recovery rides.

We're down to 6 riding days. We've got well over 2200 miles in already.

Crossing the Mighty Mississippi

2008-09-25T20:04:00.011-05:00

Bobby crossing the Arkansas River.

We experienced very smooth landscapes full of cotton and soybeans, along with a fair amount of rice and millet.

An early morning pace line formed and transported Jerry and I for the entire day. 137 miles in less than 7 hour, with a 19.2 mph average.

A short break at the Mississippi state line for pictures. We had just crossed the mighty Mississippi River, and tangled with fast moving trucks on a narrow span bridge. To close for our comfort, but we all made it just fine.

Steve Brown tackles one of the bridges we crossed today.

Mississippi here we come. The Lebanese restaurant in Clarksburg has been the highlight of the trip for eating. Fantastic food in a little cafe; kibbie's, tabouli, grape leaves, cabbabe leaves, humus, baclava, cream pie, and sweet ice tea. Just excellent healthy food.

Tomorrow is another long ride of 144 miles. Alabama is next.

Musing in the woods of Arkansas

2008-09-24T16:13:00.008-05:00

Internet continues to be an interesting issue for me, in these small southern towns. It's probably not the towns, as much as the motels we are staying in. Lets just say, they are not the best motels in town.

This is a shot of the guys I have dubbed the "hole in the tire gang" aka the New Jersey Swedish Connection. Hans and Bengt are from Stockholm, and Bob and Lenny are from NJ. Great guys, but they get lots of flat tires!!! :)

On day 5 of this ride, I was wondering if I was going to make it another day, say nothing of making it to the Atlantic Ocean. I looked at myself in the mirror, and concluded that I was really running myself down fast, and that with 21 more days to go, I figured, I just couldn't keep doing this to myself. So, I asked the old timers on the ride, how I was supposed to recover, while at the same time riding every day? They kinda looked at me, and smiled and really didn't offer much advice. (Little did I know, that every other rider was asking the same question, they were just not willing to express it, out loud) So, I determined that if I did not feel some recovery of my strength and my legs, after day 10, I was going to take a day off. I figured, I wanted to enjoy some parts of this ride, and that without recovery, it was going to be excruciatingly painful the whole way.

Well low and behold, after day 6, we had a day, the was long like all the days, but with less mountains, and less wind, and apparently, my legs and body, were able to recover some. I jsut spun with little or no stress on the legs, relatively. Then we got 2 days in a row like that, and my legs recovered more. The wierd part is, my mind keeps telling me, you can't do this, but my legs keep doing it, especially after they get an easier day (relatively).

So, here is my thought process now, as I approach a big hill, or a daunting wind. My mind says, " you don't have much left, you can't have much left, can't you feel your legs, they hurt already". I feel the pain, but the legs keep going, they go right through the pain, the ache the burn. And they just keep going, even as the my mind say, you don't have much left in the tank. The capacity for suffering, has increased significantly, and the reserves of power in my legs have increased alot also. They adapted to the stress, and got lots stronger.

So, my conclusion is, my mind has not caught up with my legs. Usually, its the other way around. The mind says, "you can do this", and then the various muscles fail, or can't achieve the desired goal. But now, after a full spring, summer and fall of riding, well over 5000 miles, with 16 straight days of over 100 miles/day, my mind is out of touch with my legs. Lost control, I guess :)?

So, can you imagine, as I am going down the road, pedaling away. My mind and my legs are going back and forth with this discussion.

Well finally today, my mind, lightened up a bit, and started to think about making it to the Atlantic Ocean. Putting alittle confidence in these legs and this body, that has risen to the challenge, adapted to the stress, and recovered when recovery seem impossible.

I thought some of you would like to see this dialog, because I am absolutely positive, that most anyone could do this, because God has designed absolutely incredible bodies for each one of us.

What the next phase of this trip will be, I don't know. But I don't plan to get over confident. I will take each segment, one at a time. Eat right, sleep, and try to recharge as much as possible. Thanks so much for your support, your prayers, and your kind words.

Today was another short day, about 93 miles with less than 1500 feet of climbing to Pine Bluff. Tomorrow is a long day, 144 miles to Clarksdale, and a new state, Mississippi. We'll say on the river, so that will be fun, because I do so much work on the Mississippi River in Wisconsin.

Arkansas back roads

2008-09-23T15:59:00.015-05:00

Sue our Chef for lunch and Lon's wife.

OOpps, John and his puppy. Couldn't resist this picture.

We have puppies to give away, see John and Susanna.

Paul Wilcox from New Jersey, and I rode together most of the day today. This was a dam just outside of Arkadelphia.

Our legs were heavy, and not much good for anything, so its good we only had to go 87 miles and only 3500 feet of climbing. I hurt the whole way. Paul and I were the first ones to the motel today.

Paul got a shot of me. These Arkansas back roads were so scenic and clean. We no longer had the road kill smell of Oklahoma. If you didn't know you were in Arkansas, you would have thought you were in northern Wisconsin. Except if you walk into the woods in Arkansas, you would find lizards and snakes and stuff. Unlike the north woods.

Double pic, can't figure out how to delete it.

Paul & I hard at it. Notice the same facial expression. Something like, when is this going to end? :)

My bike looking up at me. As I go down the road. I can still smile, but I do get alitte testy and moody. So what I do is, I shorten my rest stops and lunch breaks, and ride on. It helps me feel better, like I am going to get to the motel sooner, and get a break for my legs. Right now, they feel like I can't flex them.

We will walk to Cracker Barrel restaurant for dinner tonight, and walking is supposed to help them. We walk every night to dinner, and so far, the walking effect is fair to poor. I would just as soon have someone drive me.

Naaah really, its going just fine. We're tired, and drawn, but hey, we are over 1800 miles into the trip, with a grand to go.

As my Dad always loved to say to me, "When the go'in gets tough, the tough get go'in!" So....I better keep moving on down the road. One pedal stroke at a time.

Other Tour Photos

2008-09-22T21:10:00.006-05:00

This is what we look like every morning after breakfast, just prior to getting on our bikes.

We load our bags, and then hope on the bikes and ride for the rest of the day. We get photographers and visitors who look on and watch also.

Bobby's birthday party. Bobbie is in the dark shirt in the front. He turned 40. This was a lunch stop a few days ago.

Serenaded by Meadowlarks/Climbing Talimena Parkway

2008-09-22T19:38:00.009-05:00

As we left Weatherford, we were serenaded by western meadowlarks for over 30 miles. I was so pleased to hear the translucent call of my favorite bird for much of your ride.

(Yes, I am behind in my blog)

Here we have Jerry trying to reset his computer. He always seems to have trouble with it in the morning.

Steve and Jerry made the climb on the Talimena Parkway to the 72 mile mark and our lunch stop. They seem to think they are more efficient with these shaved heads. I don't think so. My hair is staying on. :) We climbed 8000 feet in the last 50 miles of this ride, and it seemed the mountains would never end. Temperatures cooled off significantly at the top of the mountains. The scenery was fantastic. I can say that it was one of the toughest bike rides I have ever had. We'll see if I can recover for a 90 mile short ride tomorrow (Tuesday).

Mike Birdsong and I couldn't help ourselves at one of the rest stops. We both climbed into this WW2 tank. It was really fun to actually be in the tank.

Mike Birdsong. Great guy from Boulder CO. Fun to get to know. Likes the white lip look like me.

Oklahoma looked like WI

2008-09-20T21:17:00.003-05:00

Today, the roads we traveled seemed as much like the back roads of Wisconsin as anywhere.

We traveled 112 miles with around 4500 feet of climbing at about 17 mph. The roads ziged and zaged through Oklahoma farm and ranch country south of Oklahoma City. For some reason the car on were less kind in Oklahoma than in previous states. Maybe it was just a bad day for them.

This was a straight forward day of cycling. We pulled into the rest stops every 25 or so miles and pulled right out. No museums to view, today. Temperatures hovered in the low 80's, and we had a slight head or cross wind. Hard to tell sometimes.

Jerry and I enjoyed riding with Jim and Gerry. Two of the older gentleman on the ride. Very experienced cyclist, with years and years of wisdom. Not to mention the legs and stamina to put us to shame on these long distance rides. We hung with them though, and enjoyed the conversation about other transcontinental rides that they had done.

Steve picked up a flat tire, but we think it was a defect in the tube rather than a puncture through the tire itself. So Steve has had two flats, I have had one, and Jerry none so far.

That is much better than many of the riders. Some individuals have had greater than 15 flats already.

Tomorrow is a similar day, prior to Mondays grueling 10,000 foot day. The most difficult 50 miles in the US, according to some PAC riders.

My pictures won't upload here because of the difficult Wi Fi. Thanks for your prayer and support. My legs are improving, and my bike is holding together, and we are over half way now!

Texas/Oklahoma Pic

2008-09-19T20:39:00.012-05:00

Free pie!

Jerry, Mike Birdsong, Steve Brown had their choice of free pie, for a donation to the Catholic Church in this little town.

Sister Mary's sign and the crew going in.

Bobbie from Texas birthday party, he turned 40.

Jerry on old Rt. 66, looks kinda tough, but it was fun. We rode about 106 miles today to Wetherford, OK. We visited Brian and Deb LaVoy's old house in town, and Jerry will put that pic in his blog.

Jerry and Steve on Rt. 66, the Roubaix's really handle the bumps well !

Dad's first jet! Brought back lots of memories of my Father, and his distinguished Air Force career.

Hodge Podge and catching up

2008-09-17T18:26:00.012-05:00

Last stop in New Mexico, Steve and Rick in front of stagecoach before lunch.

Big Texan on Wednesday night. Big steaks!

Hereford, Texas around lunch. 108 mile ride, with a tail wind. We arrived at the Big Texan around 3:30 PM CST.

Lots of cattle in feed lots. Not much rotation grazing here!

Pool party in Clovis. Mark halls is making G & T's for the boys. All you need is a glass from your hotel room. Rick brought the ice.

Steve overlooking the caprock outside of Amarillo.

Jerry caught in the ritual he and Rick have. A quart of chocolate milk as they finish the ride.

Jerry wants to head to Lubbock.

Steve wants to head to Amarillo.

2nd 100 mile rest day!

2008-09-16T21:26:00.008-05:00

Entering New Mexico, we crossed the Rio Grande River and then climbed up a mountain range to the Continental

Divide. I remember doing the same climb with my Dad in 1965 on our way to Lubbock, Texas and a new Air Force

Base.

Boy, did I need these past 2 days. I would have never ever thought that you could actually rest your legs and your body while performing a century ride, but its true, you can. I feel 50 % better than

I felt 2 days ago when we pushed our bikes through 30 mph winds for 11 hours. I was completely shot, and wondering if I could get my strength back while at the same time continuing to ride such long distances. Our bodies are 'fearfully and wonderfully made", they adapt to this stuff.

The past 3 days we have traveled through New Mexico. The scenery has gone from desert sand on the west, mountain pines in the central, and vast grasslands on the east. Thankfully, the past 2 days we have had winds at our back, and we have been allowed to refresh our legs for future challenges.

The longest day

2008-09-13T18:07:00.004-05:00

This was the longest day, miles wise. Jerry and I made short work of it, worked together and got in early today. 157 miles and 3600 feet of climbing. I think our average speed was close to 18 mph. We were on the road for about 9 hours.

New Mexico is fantastic so far. I will try to upload some more pictures later. But here is one of me sitting on a large piece of petrified wood. That stuff is so cool.

Trying to rest on Route 66

2008-09-12T22:04:00.009-05:00

Today's ride was 120 miles, with much of it along the famous Route 66. The temperatures were very comfortable in the 70's and low 80's. My group of 4 (Jerry, Steve, Mike and I)pretty much brought up the rear to the pack today. Steve and I had determined to make this an easier day on our bodies, as much as you can make a 120 mile day easier. We were determined to give our legs a break from the stress of high exertion. Turns out everybody in our group need that today. We enjoyed stops along Route 66: the Wigwam Hotel, and Petrified Forest Park.

Wigwam Motel: Mike, Jerry, Mike G, and Steve.

I chased my first lizard today. It was a nice one. I think it was a big (6 inch) blue bellied lizard. I'm not as fast as I was when I was 10 years old. So it got away. Jerry was happy. He thought I was going to hurt it. I just wanted to get a closer look and a picture.

The forests of Arizona turned to sage desert. Route 66 is an old road, and was very very rough in places. We felt like we were shaking apart at times.

Arizona Mountains

2008-09-10T23:08:00.005-05:00

The day started much cooler than previous ones, and as we climbed the gradual 1-2 % grades up in to the Arizona mountains, the temperatures stayed in the 70's and low 80's for the morning. The first mountain had an elevation gain of about 3000, and we had already climbed about 2000 feet just getting the 20 or so miles from the hotel to the mountain.

We had fun with the climb, stopping to take pictures of each other, and the scenery. The highlight for me was the tarantula crossing the road just infront of my tire. I swerved to miss the nearly 6 inch long hairy beast. I stopped my bike and got close

enough to touch the spider and take this picture. The white strip that the spider is on, is nearly 12 inches wide. Later in the day, another one crossed the road in front of me. In addition, a giant centipede sped out across the road, and I ran right over it. I thought my tires would cut it in half, but it just wiggled alittle and scurried back to the ditch. This centipede was 6 inches long and as wide as my thumb with armor on its back. Wild creatures.

The second mountain was much more difficult for me. The 1-2% grade for 10 miles leading up to it felt like I was riding on a bike with 2 flat tires. You just feel like you should make better progress because the grades are

so long, that they look flat. We climbed about 2000 more feet with in the mountain up to 7400 feet in elevation, for a total of about 8500 feet for the day.

My body is beginning to feel the pain. Hydration was the key the first few days. Now the key is pain management. Parts of me ache that have not ached in a long time. I am h

oping for an easy day to let my legs rest a bit, but I don't expect to get one tomorrow with more AZ mountains on our way to Winslow.

Feeling It

2008-09-09T23:48:00.003-05:00

After the first 40 miles today, I began to feel the pain of 3 long days in a row. I'm told that if we make it through the 4th day of consecutive 100 + mile days, that your body adapts, and it should bet easier from there on. I will let you know!

We crossed into Arizona today, and enjoyed the site of Saguro cactus, and the AZ desert. Jerry and Steve and I talked about the Biblical story of John the Baptist as we entered the town of Solema.

I spotted my first lizard today, and brought back childhood memories.

See jerryporter.blogspot.com for more detail. I am out of time tonight.

Imperial Dunes

2008-09-08T21:56:00.002-05:00

Steve, Jerry and I role out with the rest of the group at 6:30 leaving El Centro for Blythe, CA.

The highlights of this segment was the live fire missile range used by Air Force F 16's, and the Imperial Sand Dunes, along with only 106 miles being covered.

As we road right through the middle of the Air Force practice area we were able to view F 16's just off the ground, going like their hair was on fire. They went right over us. Fortunately, they were not dropping bombs and stuff. We were on a state highway, so it had to be safe.

With temperatures rising to 118 F on our bicycle computers, we visited the Dunes, and much of the Imperial Valley agriculture. It was amazing to see the effect of irrigation water on the desert. We could see the difference in wildlife, and even the effect on temperature as we passed by. I saw more ducks and geese down in this desert, then I have seen in MN and WI for a long time ! I'm not sure what to make of that.

It was alittle more difficult for me today. I didn't drink enough water early, and ended up getting behind in my hydration. I was able to stave off the first signs of heat problems (a headache), but I am sure I affected my performance. Fortunately, Steve and Jerry, and everybody else of that matter were not much better off, or I would have had a hard time keeping up.

Tomorrow we raise the mileage back up to 116, and head into Arizona.

My pictures won't send off of my I Phone, so I will load them tomorrow, I hope.

Over the Mts into the desert

2008-09-07T22:09:00.003-05:00

Our ride started at 6:30 AM PST with temps in the low 70's. As we rose 7000 feet through the Sierra Nevada Mts, the temps rose to the high 90's. After about 70 miles, we dropped into the Imperial Valley Desert, and the temperatures climbed to 125 F. When we ended the 126 mile ride at 5:30 PM it was still over 100 degrees.

Hydration was obviously the key. Our support was fantastic, and we had fluids about every 25 miles.

Jerry, Steve and I decided to take it pretty easy the first day, so we were in the back of the group most of the day. All of us finished though, and we took good care of each other.

Tomorrow will be more of the same desert, and high heat, but less climbing, so we should be able to finish earlier in the day, if we stay hydrated.

2008-09-06T22:33:00.000-05:00

San Diego

2008-09-06T22:04:00.002-05:00

Our day in San Diego began with Steve helping me put my bike together. Amazingly enough, both of our bikes worked amazingly, well. We really didn't have to make any adjustments. A big thanks to Pete a Badcats Bike Shop in Menomonie for packing our bikes so expertly!

Later in the morning we took a 28 mile ride through San Diego to Mission beach and then up to LaHoya. We took pictures of us standing in the Pacific Ocean facing east with our rear wheels in the water. It has been over 20 years since I have seen the Pacific Ocean.

The rest of the riders look very experienced and seasoned. I would be surprised if any of them had any trouble with this ride. It has been fun to meet Bob from New Jersey, and EMT Doctor, and Mike from Maryland, a defense contractor.

Our rider meeting today was very detailed and organized. Apparently the first 4 days will be the toughest part of the entire ride. It is going to be well over 100 degrees as we cross into the Imperial Desert. The big concern will be the intense heat and our ability to stay hydrated.

I plan to ride well within my limit, monitor my fluid intake, drink early and often, and not push it at all on the 7000 feet of 6 to 8 % grade climbing.

Last ride

2008-09-03T06:43:00.002-05:00

So, last night Steve Brown and I, along with Adam and Eric, are out on our normal Tuesday night "fast ride". We're clicking through the gears, and shifting on the seats of our "second bikes", because our main bikes have just arrived in San Deigo, according to UPS. Well, three quarter of the way through the ride, Steve says, "this is my last ride". My eyes bug open wide, and I look at him, curiously. "Your last ride", I say, "sure, right". I just can't imagine Steve having a last ride or a last ski. He lowers his head and says, "yeah, I'm done". I'm thinking done, what do you mean done? We've put in over 4000 miles of training, and we have almost 3000 more to go to finish the Pac Tour. Steve looks up, and smiles, "wanna ride to the beach on Saturday, in San Diego". Thank God, for rest and bodies that still recover!

Hurt or sick

2008-09-02T17:01:00.002-05:00

It's funny how this goes. Now the big concern is trying to stay healthy and free of injury prior to departing for San Diego.

The bikes arrived in San Diego today, we'll unpack them and put them together on Friday. Saturday, I have a couple of appointments with Wisconsin landowners living in San Diego. I imagine that I will ride my bike to the appointments, if it is not to far.

Mountain Bikers

2008-09-01T12:02:00.002-05:00

Now I know why those young mountain bikers can get right on a road bike, and set a torrid pace. Even though they are not on their bikes as long, nor do they put as many miles behind them, they have to be incredibly strong. Not to mention, a bit more on the tough fearless side. Today, Pete, Arron, Eric and I road for a couple of hours at Lowes Creek.

Hitting me

2008-09-01T11:51:00.002-05:00

It's been slowly creeping up on me. That nagging feeling, that separation is going to happen, and I planned it, I am responsible for it. I feel mounting sadness and concern for my loved ones as the day of departure draws near. As much as I am totally excited about the trip, I am wishing I didn't have to leave those I love behind. The magnitude of being apart for 30 days is hitting me, now.

Tapering

2008-08-30T06:21:00.002-05:00

Tapering, training less often and less intensively has always been difficult for me. After 3600 miles and 6 months of road bike training, my body wants to go when I get on the bike. Fortunately, my youngest children like to bike, so we've been off road riding on the farm, and the surrounding country roads. We don't go far, but it keeps my legs loose, and ready ( I hope).

Bikes Depart

2008-08-28T10:00:00.000-05:00

Our 3 Specialized Roubaix bikes were shipped yesterday by UPS to San Diego.

Pete at Badcats bike shop in Menomonie made sure they were expertly packed.

Without my road bike, I am tapering with my mountain bike, I guess.