A 94 mile ride from Dover into Nashville and our rest day at the Hermitage Hotel. An absolutely beautiful ride along smooth, car-less roads, through arches created by trees that were turning color as we rode by.
Thunderstorms were forecast again, and we left early to eat breakfast down the road at the golden arches. A large coffee, large OJ, Egg McMuffin, Pancakes and 3 hash browns later I was ready to go. We left in the fog, probably not the safest idea, but seemed like the right approach at the time. For some reason, I left everyone behind (must of been the 3 hash browns) for the first several miles, but then Jeff and later Joseph inevitably caught up. Jeff and I were riding fairly fast, and Joseph really had to push hard to catch up. Just as he did, Jeff flatted twice - slowing us down enough that Bill and Dave passed us. This of course meant another hard push so that we could catch them before lunch!
We didn't have much hard riding to do post lunch as we caught Bill and Dave, then rode into Nashville with them. After such a beautiful ride through the Tennessee countryside, it was strange to turn a corner and see the Nashville skyline. I then realized that this is the first city skyline I've seen since leaving SF (unless you count that Frank Lloyd Wright high-rise in Bartlesville). Dinner tonight is at our hotel restaurant, rated as one of the best in town, and I'm looking forward to a great meal. Sara - I finally found a set of scales in my room and it's confirmed - my weight hasn't moved a pound since I started. This is clear testimony to the amount and caloric density of food I have managed to shove into my mouth for the past 32 days!
After a rest day in Nashville tomorrow, we have only 6 real days of riding to go! It's pretty hard to believe, especially when I see a map of the US and see exactly where Nashville is. That said, there is still several long, 100+ mile days and much climbing to be done.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Day 31
A relatively short 78 mile ride from Union City to Dover, Tennessee. We had a very depressing start to the day as we had to wave goodbye to Dana and Britt as we left the hotel. They'll fly home from Nashville and Dana will have surgery on her elbow sometime in the next few days. We'll miss them a lot!
The trees are starting to turn here and the ride was really beautiful much of the way. I rode with the two J's most of the way, but at a fairly sane pace until the last few miles when Joseph decided to redline it and Jeff and I decided to stick with him. We crossed the Tennessee River, which was more of a lake at the point of the bridge we crossed, and entered the Land Between the Lakes National Park. Thundershowers were forecast, but they held off until we were all in the hotel.
We stayed in Dover at this rustic motel, and ordered pizza and spaghetti to eat on the deck of the cabin I was staying in. I even managed to watch Glee, which means I can have a conversation with Sara and Sydney.
The trees are starting to turn here and the ride was really beautiful much of the way. I rode with the two J's most of the way, but at a fairly sane pace until the last few miles when Joseph decided to redline it and Jeff and I decided to stick with him. We crossed the Tennessee River, which was more of a lake at the point of the bridge we crossed, and entered the Land Between the Lakes National Park. Thundershowers were forecast, but they held off until we were all in the hotel.
We stayed in Dover at this rustic motel, and ordered pizza and spaghetti to eat on the deck of the cabin I was staying in. I even managed to watch Glee, which means I can have a conversation with Sara and Sydney.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Day 30
Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Union City, Tennessee. Just another 101 mile ride, but the worst day of the trip, as William and Dana crashed and Dana fractured her elbow. William was all cut up and a concussion was suspected, but he checked out OK and should be riding again tomorrow - though he's going to be very sore. Sadly, Dana has to stop, and she and Britt will be heading home to the bay area. We're all very depressed, as Dana and Britt were the heart and soul of the group. Dana with her easy smile and dogged determination and Britt, who just took absolutely everything in stride. While Britt's rendition of King of the Road will definitely not be missed, he and Dana most definitely will be.
And then there were four. This leaves just myself, Jeff, Joseph and Bill as the only ones who have managed to stay on their bikes throughout the trip to date - though we still have 10 long riding days to go and, as today proves, anything can happen.
Though the day was hard to enjoy because of the accident, it was a great ride. Brian and Diana left before dawn while the rest of us were still eating breakfast, but the rest of us managed to get on the road a half hour or so later and we all rode out of town together. Jeff, Joseph, Bill and I pulled ahead after a while, and Joseph streaked ahead to do a 20 minute time trial as part of his training for a race next month. It was flat all day, and we got off our bikes to cross the mighty Mississippi in early afternoon. We offloaded in Kentucky, then after 7 miles or so rode into Tennessee. Dinner was a bittersweet affair, as we all got used to the idea that we were losing two of our favorites. Lest we forget, Dana and Britt rode 2400 miles across the country, and would most definitely have finished their trek if not for the pile up.
And then there were four. This leaves just myself, Jeff, Joseph and Bill as the only ones who have managed to stay on their bikes throughout the trip to date - though we still have 10 long riding days to go and, as today proves, anything can happen.
Though the day was hard to enjoy because of the accident, it was a great ride. Brian and Diana left before dawn while the rest of us were still eating breakfast, but the rest of us managed to get on the road a half hour or so later and we all rode out of town together. Jeff, Joseph, Bill and I pulled ahead after a while, and Joseph streaked ahead to do a 20 minute time trial as part of his training for a race next month. It was flat all day, and we got off our bikes to cross the mighty Mississippi in early afternoon. We offloaded in Kentucky, then after 7 miles or so rode into Tennessee. Dinner was a bittersweet affair, as we all got used to the idea that we were losing two of our favorites. Lest we forget, Dana and Britt rode 2400 miles across the country, and would most definitely have finished their trek if not for the pile up.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Day 29
Day 21 to me, but 10-10-10 to a church we passed by this morning. I'm not sure if the date has any biblical significance or the church was just trying to scare up some business.
111 miles from West Plains to Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and an interesting day all around. After a very aggressive day of riding yesterday, Joseph hung back in the morning and Jeff and I were joined by our two intrepid guides, Dave and Karl. The highlight of the pre-lunch ride was several miles of dirt road - which essentially meant that my bike rode me for 30 minutes or so. The only casualty in our first dirt stretch was a flat tire by Joseph but, on the second stretch, Brian fell and suffered a bit of dirt road rash. At some point later in the morning Joseph flatted again and had to eventually replace both tires. Not his favorite morning.
Lunch was in a beautiful lakeside setting, then Jeff and I headed out with Dave. Brian's aches and pains from the fall got the better of him and he and Diana opted for the van for most of the rest of the day. Dave was also suffering a bit, so Jeff and I soon found ourselves alone on the road headed for home. Just like yesterday, the ride was all about rollers - some small, some big, but all painful.
As Jeff and I got close to Poplar Bluffs, I was struck again by how amazing the body is. Here we were, knocking out another 111 mile day, and at mile 100 we're cruising along at 25 mph. I have to search online to figure out how many pedal strokes there are in a 100 mile ride, but it's a lot!
We hit three states - Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee - tomorrow, and I'm really looking forward to crossing the Mississippi on a little ferry sometime in the afternoon. It's another 101 mile day, but the profile looks a lot better than it has been, so I think it'll be a day to enjoy.
111 miles from West Plains to Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and an interesting day all around. After a very aggressive day of riding yesterday, Joseph hung back in the morning and Jeff and I were joined by our two intrepid guides, Dave and Karl. The highlight of the pre-lunch ride was several miles of dirt road - which essentially meant that my bike rode me for 30 minutes or so. The only casualty in our first dirt stretch was a flat tire by Joseph but, on the second stretch, Brian fell and suffered a bit of dirt road rash. At some point later in the morning Joseph flatted again and had to eventually replace both tires. Not his favorite morning.
Lunch was in a beautiful lakeside setting, then Jeff and I headed out with Dave. Brian's aches and pains from the fall got the better of him and he and Diana opted for the van for most of the rest of the day. Dave was also suffering a bit, so Jeff and I soon found ourselves alone on the road headed for home. Just like yesterday, the ride was all about rollers - some small, some big, but all painful.
As Jeff and I got close to Poplar Bluffs, I was struck again by how amazing the body is. Here we were, knocking out another 111 mile day, and at mile 100 we're cruising along at 25 mph. I have to search online to figure out how many pedal strokes there are in a 100 mile ride, but it's a lot!
We hit three states - Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee - tomorrow, and I'm really looking forward to crossing the Mississippi on a little ferry sometime in the afternoon. It's another 101 mile day, but the profile looks a lot better than it has been, so I think it'll be a day to enjoy.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Day 28
101 miles from Branson to West Plains, Missouri.
First, let me say that the Ozarks are beautiful. Green forests as far as the eye can see, very few people and several bridges to cross over sparkling lakes and rivers. Second, let me say that you can get really sick of "rollers" after 101 miles of them. The inclines piss you off because they're often pretty long and steep. The declines piss you off because you know that the elevation you just gave up will need to be made back up again as soon as you round the next corner. That's right, rollers piss me off.
The three amigos headed out together, pretty closely followed by Bill and Marquette. Joseph decided to do a "power hour", upped his wattage and Jeff and I let him go (thank god!). We caught up with him for a great lunch on Bull Shoals Lake in Theodosia (great name!). After lunch Joseph decided on a second power hour, but this time Jeff and I decided to stay in range - which mainly consisted of Jeff pedaling hard and me hanging on for dear life behind him. After finally catching him, we rode together for a while, but by then the two of them were well entrenched in a "mine is bigger than yours" contest, pushing each other pretty hard. Of course whenever the two of them do this I'm the big loser, as struggling to keep up with one of them is quickly followed by struggling to keep up with the other. All up, it made for a strong and fast 101 miles, averaging over 17 mph despite all of the climbing.
It's funny, I can still recall training for my first Marin Century - lots of long rides followed by a week of tapering toward the big event. Today's ride was at least as hard as that ride, and it's just a routine day on the bike as we cross the country! On the one hand, this seems perfectly normal. On the other hand, it seems like total madness.
Another 101 mile ride tomorrow. And so it goes.
First, let me say that the Ozarks are beautiful. Green forests as far as the eye can see, very few people and several bridges to cross over sparkling lakes and rivers. Second, let me say that you can get really sick of "rollers" after 101 miles of them. The inclines piss you off because they're often pretty long and steep. The declines piss you off because you know that the elevation you just gave up will need to be made back up again as soon as you round the next corner. That's right, rollers piss me off.
The three amigos headed out together, pretty closely followed by Bill and Marquette. Joseph decided to do a "power hour", upped his wattage and Jeff and I let him go (thank god!). We caught up with him for a great lunch on Bull Shoals Lake in Theodosia (great name!). After lunch Joseph decided on a second power hour, but this time Jeff and I decided to stay in range - which mainly consisted of Jeff pedaling hard and me hanging on for dear life behind him. After finally catching him, we rode together for a while, but by then the two of them were well entrenched in a "mine is bigger than yours" contest, pushing each other pretty hard. Of course whenever the two of them do this I'm the big loser, as struggling to keep up with one of them is quickly followed by struggling to keep up with the other. All up, it made for a strong and fast 101 miles, averaging over 17 mph despite all of the climbing.
It's funny, I can still recall training for my first Marin Century - lots of long rides followed by a week of tapering toward the big event. Today's ride was at least as hard as that ride, and it's just a routine day on the bike as we cross the country! On the one hand, this seems perfectly normal. On the other hand, it seems like total madness.
Another 101 mile ride tomorrow. And so it goes.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Day 27
Branson - a rest day, though I had a three hour client meeting with the Branson CVB. Meeting went great - these are really nice people - then I proceeded with the unusual and very difficult task of doing absolutely nothing. Ate lunch, walked around the shops, did a few emails, played KenKen and caught up on Glee. Nothing.
Andy plays against Trinity, one of the top teams in the country tonight, and I'm bummed out because they're not showing it online. Instead, it's an early dinner, get the cycling stuff ready and generally continue the pursuit of absolutely nothing.
We're down to 12 cycling days left, but most of them are 100+ miles and this will be our most concentrated set of climbing days of the entire trip, so things should stay interesting over the next few days. I'm sensing the home stretch, but it's uphill all of the way. Missouri and the Ozarks are basically one long series of uphills followed by downhills - bigger than rollers and smaller than mountains. This seems better than pedaling into the wind all day, but we'll see.
Overall, it's quite a useful skill I'm picking up. Whenever you want to ride your bike 100+ miles a day for several consecutive days, I'm your guy! Anyone? Anyone?
Night.
Andy plays against Trinity, one of the top teams in the country tonight, and I'm bummed out because they're not showing it online. Instead, it's an early dinner, get the cycling stuff ready and generally continue the pursuit of absolutely nothing.
We're down to 12 cycling days left, but most of them are 100+ miles and this will be our most concentrated set of climbing days of the entire trip, so things should stay interesting over the next few days. I'm sensing the home stretch, but it's uphill all of the way. Missouri and the Ozarks are basically one long series of uphills followed by downhills - bigger than rollers and smaller than mountains. This seems better than pedaling into the wind all day, but we'll see.
Overall, it's quite a useful skill I'm picking up. Whenever you want to ride your bike 100+ miles a day for several consecutive days, I'm your guy! Anyone? Anyone?
Night.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Day 26
We made it to Branson and our second rest day. 90+ miles and I now realize that the Ozarks are going to present their own set of challenges with one roller after another - all pretty short but many reaching 15%+ grade.
As usual, we started last but rode fairly hard and got to lunch a bit early. Post lunch the two J's took the effort up a notch as we attacked one roller after another. The Ozarks really are beautiful, especially after several long days in the Oklahoma panhandle. I think we arrived at 1:30, at least a couple of hours ahead of the rest of the group, but luckily the rooms were ready for us. After several business trips, reaching Branson felt like a homecoming of sorts. We rode straight in on highway 76 which is the strip with most of the theaters on it, and it was fun to see everything again from a bike saddle.
Tomorrow's a day off, but I actually have a presentation to make to Dan Lennon and the Branson CVB from 9:00-12:00 tomorrow. I'm encouraging everyone to take in the Presley Family show tomorrow night, as it's a quintessential Branson show and the Presleys - led by Steve, one of my favorite clients here - are a great group of people. That said, I'll have to give it a miss as I want to watch Andy play soccer against arch-rival trinity University tomorrow at 8:00 PM.
Time to walk around Branson Landing and play tourist for an hour before dinner.
As usual, we started last but rode fairly hard and got to lunch a bit early. Post lunch the two J's took the effort up a notch as we attacked one roller after another. The Ozarks really are beautiful, especially after several long days in the Oklahoma panhandle. I think we arrived at 1:30, at least a couple of hours ahead of the rest of the group, but luckily the rooms were ready for us. After several business trips, reaching Branson felt like a homecoming of sorts. We rode straight in on highway 76 which is the strip with most of the theaters on it, and it was fun to see everything again from a bike saddle.
Tomorrow's a day off, but I actually have a presentation to make to Dan Lennon and the Branson CVB from 9:00-12:00 tomorrow. I'm encouraging everyone to take in the Presley Family show tomorrow night, as it's a quintessential Branson show and the Presleys - led by Steve, one of my favorite clients here - are a great group of people. That said, I'll have to give it a miss as I want to watch Andy play soccer against arch-rival trinity University tomorrow at 8:00 PM.
Time to walk around Branson Landing and play tourist for an hour before dinner.
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