tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1827872375207242012024-03-13T03:40:30.227+00:00Coast to coast against cancer...a.k.a. 31 days behind bars...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-12106234679568120792012-06-07T22:32:00.000+01:002016-02-02T14:51:20.096+00:00So that is that! New blog ahoy...I hope you enjoyed this blog in some small way! Here's what happened next...<br />
<br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">2012</b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px;">: The inaugural Haute Route sportive from Geneva to Nice, followed by the worst Pyrenean climbs! <b><i><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://rdmh2012.blogspot.co.uk/">http://rdmh2012.blogspot.co.uk/</a></span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">2013</b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px;">: 1000 miles solo & unsupported out to Austria, then the worst climbs in The Dolomites! </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://tij2013.blogspot.co.uk/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">http://tij2013.blogspot.co.uk/</a></span></b></i><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><br /></b></i>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">2014</b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px;">: 1000 miles solo & unsupported out to France, then La Bicinglette...6 x Mont Ventoux in a day! </span><a href="http://http//sul2014.blogspot.co.uk/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><b><span style="color: red;">http://sul2014.blogspot.co.uk/</span></b></i></a><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<div style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<b style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">2015</b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">: <a href="http://2015tdf.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="color: red;">The Tour de France!</span></i></b></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ysYrfLXA8vQ/T9EdXwXZdXI/AAAAAAAAAq4/90BCEq1H9-E/s1600/IMG_2943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ysYrfLXA8vQ/T9EdXwXZdXI/AAAAAAAAAq4/90BCEq1H9-E/s320/IMG_2943.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
All the best,<br />
<br />
Simon.<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-10345185677682835462011-05-30T19:15:00.010+01:002011-06-05T22:17:34.478+01:00More Than A Feeling...Boston...27-30/05/11Another early start to catch the 7am shuttle van into my hotel in Boston means saying goodbye again to the half of us who are still around: nobody in their right mind enjoys this bit, do they? Actually, you might get a different answer if you asked the other chaps, hah-hah!<br />
<br />
Despite staying in a lovely hotel (who had my room ready and checked me in at 9.30am!) and the weather being set fair for the weekend, it was as if someone had pulled the plug, energy-wise. Even after a full-on lunch I was toast and had to retire for an old man's nap. Disgrace.<br />
<br />
I felt fully able to get my 'arris down for the complimentary wine tasting/guzzling that occurs each evening at 5pm in the hotel lobby. This was something that I feel could only be of benefit to riders of future A.B.B. tours. I'll suggest this to Mike, who is doing well for 323.<br />
<br />
I knew that Boston was a compact city and suited to walking around, but I didn't appreciate <em>how</em> easy it is to cover the ground, even at my 'snail wearing flip-flops' pace. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NQr6i6656UM/TePLbmhdEvI/AAAAAAAAAiM/dF4FvA0EXoU/s1600/IMG_2577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NQr6i6656UM/TePLbmhdEvI/AAAAAAAAAiM/dF4FvA0EXoU/s320/IMG_2577.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Torch this place before this madness is allowed to get out of control!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wWMWLyZorno/TePLsaVgT3I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/YtkZFg-Eztk/s1600/IMG_2580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wWMWLyZorno/TePLsaVgT3I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/YtkZFg-Eztk/s320/IMG_2580.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cX5_fQ98KnM/TePMDHLuRRI/AAAAAAAAAiU/JLm6ki-xsK0/s1600/IMG_2581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cX5_fQ98KnM/TePMDHLuRRI/AAAAAAAAAiU/JLm6ki-xsK0/s320/IMG_2581.JPG" t8="true" width="230" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nbikiWK-8CY/TePMF0QCFhI/AAAAAAAAAiY/ghtBJXS0ghw/s1600/IMG_2583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nbikiWK-8CY/TePMF0QCFhI/AAAAAAAAAiY/ghtBJXS0ghw/s320/IMG_2583.JPG" t8="true" width="123" /></a></div><br />
In place for Memorial Day on Monday: Boston Common.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6utMpZvPsk/TePMem8kbGI/AAAAAAAAAic/C9UoMV6xJUY/s1600/IMG_2586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6utMpZvPsk/TePMem8kbGI/AAAAAAAAAic/C9UoMV6xJUY/s320/IMG_2586.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
"If I'd been christened Kermit I could've had class. I could've been a contender. I could've been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am."<br />
"Ribbit."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ReAyYW6_AmI/TePMzQi9IoI/AAAAAAAAAig/ir_cu9kKaAc/s1600/IMG_2589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ReAyYW6_AmI/TePMzQi9IoI/AAAAAAAAAig/ir_cu9kKaAc/s320/IMG_2589.JPG" t8="true" width="203" /></a></div><br />
Thoroughly enjoyed the Freedom Trial trudge. Tell you what though, these Colonials don't half bang on about the independence that they were <em>allowed</em>, ahem...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZE79Nip_yQ/TePO4hNCobI/AAAAAAAAAik/X_U2qCzOgYo/s1600/IMG_2596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZE79Nip_yQ/TePO4hNCobI/AAAAAAAAAik/X_U2qCzOgYo/s320/IMG_2596.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Splendid fellow, splendid ale...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sHLAA3tbUFo/TePP4niBx3I/AAAAAAAAAio/cuZRTbbnnL0/s1600/IMG_2594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sHLAA3tbUFo/TePP4niBx3I/AAAAAAAAAio/cuZRTbbnnL0/s320/IMG_2594.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
What a way to earn a crust: and no, it's not the 'Fathers For Justice Synchronised Abseiling Team'. I think the bloke on the right missed a bit...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Mg2lEl5QtQ/TePQWjooCEI/AAAAAAAAAis/uUuSc_G7htA/s1600/IMG_2601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Mg2lEl5QtQ/TePQWjooCEI/AAAAAAAAAis/uUuSc_G7htA/s320/IMG_2601.JPG" t8="true" width="180" /></a></div><br />
Old Ironside: not the great Raymondo Burr, but the U.S.S. Constitution.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I79apnoATa8/TePQaoTcEMI/AAAAAAAAAiw/CQLsHVIHiGw/s1600/IMG_2653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I79apnoATa8/TePQaoTcEMI/AAAAAAAAAiw/CQLsHVIHiGw/s320/IMG_2653.JPG" t8="true" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...which means the obligatory, cheesy photo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1HVrp7s4m2Y/TePRgR1sXjI/AAAAAAAAAi0/pCCz22gUpt4/s1600/IMG_2606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1HVrp7s4m2Y/TePRgR1sXjI/AAAAAAAAAi0/pCCz22gUpt4/s320/IMG_2606.JPG" t8="true" width="238" /></a></div><br />
But nowhere near as cheesy as this beauty, hah-hah!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nTDz48ZYnuc/TePSXrQ34KI/AAAAAAAAAi4/zMWgRQ2eCk4/s1600/IMG_2619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nTDz48ZYnuc/TePSXrQ34KI/AAAAAAAAAi4/zMWgRQ2eCk4/s320/IMG_2619.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Sightseeing took a hiatus as I sought out a place to watch the Champions League cobblers: at short-notice it had to be the Marriott's bar. They have more screens than The Enterprise. It was just like watching Palace...<br />
The only thing that marred an otherwise fine match was Fergie being so gracious in defeat, hah-hah!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kCoMB18nBdE/TePSsRxhdVI/AAAAAAAAAi8/RhLx7Zj7tSI/s1600/IMG_2622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kCoMB18nBdE/TePSsRxhdVI/AAAAAAAAAi8/RhLx7Zj7tSI/s320/IMG_2622.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I don't know what happened to me but I couldn't fight the urge to get the bike out early-doors on Sunday: two hours later and a lot of ground was covered...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zJgj1RCmIZc/TePT-w5AiBI/AAAAAAAAAjA/C-feOQsNT0A/s1600/IMG_2624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zJgj1RCmIZc/TePT-w5AiBI/AAAAAAAAAjA/C-feOQsNT0A/s320/IMG_2624.JPG" t8="true" width="195" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-atPA8-ioQMs/TePUO7gQdEI/AAAAAAAAAjE/G3XOZCxiRMc/s1600/IMG_2625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-atPA8-ioQMs/TePUO7gQdEI/AAAAAAAAAjE/G3XOZCxiRMc/s320/IMG_2625.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WT2wyrkKwe0/TePUlQTcfBI/AAAAAAAAAjI/c0NcH4VtdhI/s1600/IMG_2628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WT2wyrkKwe0/TePUlQTcfBI/AAAAAAAAAjI/c0NcH4VtdhI/s320/IMG_2628.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
About as close as I'll ever get, hah-hah!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-67cz5115qU8/TePU9mHqWII/AAAAAAAAAjM/w9G1WHAOmqE/s1600/IMG_2630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-67cz5115qU8/TePU9mHqWII/AAAAAAAAAjM/w9G1WHAOmqE/s320/IMG_2630.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Thought I was done with hills...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ymb7_wdmD4E/TePV9CBXBzI/AAAAAAAAAjY/ae9ivJ4PcN8/s1600/IMG_2633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ymb7_wdmD4E/TePV9CBXBzI/AAAAAAAAAjY/ae9ivJ4PcN8/s320/IMG_2633.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The Monument to the Battle Of Bunker Hill. Which wasn't fought on Bunker Hill. Ohio Bob, what do you say?<br />
"Go figure."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-skAUNQKu4Rk/TePVlxn5OFI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/mt9zsA4ub5o/s1600/IMG_2636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-skAUNQKu4Rk/TePVlxn5OFI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/mt9zsA4ub5o/s320/IMG_2636.JPG" t8="true" width="173" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g6aiqMJ81ko/TePVr5tBwcI/AAAAAAAAAjU/b6nqmOu_obQ/s1600/IMG_2637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g6aiqMJ81ko/TePVr5tBwcI/AAAAAAAAAjU/b6nqmOu_obQ/s320/IMG_2637.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The great Bobby Orr. Everyone was Bruins-mental as they had made it through to the final of The Stanley Cup...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zcBgR_h1T34/TePW6OF65oI/AAAAAAAAAjc/_W2rTB6myqo/s1600/IMG_2638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zcBgR_h1T34/TePW6OF65oI/AAAAAAAAAjc/_W2rTB6myqo/s320/IMG_2638.JPG" t8="true" width="180" /></a></div><br />
Shame that the Red Sox were away this weekend. Another time, I hope...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XBNJSbsN8zA/TePW--P0iyI/AAAAAAAAAjg/uyCRgDK3Tzc/s1600/IMG_2640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XBNJSbsN8zA/TePW--P0iyI/AAAAAAAAAjg/uyCRgDK3Tzc/s320/IMG_2640.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As well as shuffling around town, I also enjoyed the trolley car tour and of course getting out on the Charles River cruise. Corona was $6.25. Scandalous. Mind you, it was about 85F out there, so they had us over a barrel...well, bottle really.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CUWjtFgCAVs/TePYSWdnC5I/AAAAAAAAAjk/Ibip-F532cg/s1600/IMG_2643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CUWjtFgCAVs/TePYSWdnC5I/AAAAAAAAAjk/Ibip-F532cg/s320/IMG_2643.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
"There was a boat from Nantucket...".<br />
You can fill the rest in yourselves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RFWZSPZ_6wI/TePYxvt1J9I/AAAAAAAAAjo/M43df3Xj90s/s1600/IMG_2647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RFWZSPZ_6wI/TePYxvt1J9I/AAAAAAAAAjo/M43df3Xj90s/s320/IMG_2647.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tcsQnzOZMrA/TePZQhdVXrI/AAAAAAAAAjs/YO8PcEJJU34/s1600/IMG_2654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tcsQnzOZMrA/TePZQhdVXrI/AAAAAAAAAjs/YO8PcEJJU34/s320/IMG_2654.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3hSOH5CPY08/TePbgOiGbBI/AAAAAAAAAjw/nHJ6DEPTSTA/s1600/IMG_2649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3hSOH5CPY08/TePbgOiGbBI/AAAAAAAAAjw/nHJ6DEPTSTA/s320/IMG_2649.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div>There followed a fine meal in one of the many Italian restaurants on Hanover Street: the people of Boston certainly do know how to eat well.</div><br />
<div>That's pretty much it: after over five weeks away from home it's time to go back to it. I miss the company and BS of the group already, as well as the cycling, remarkably. We'll try to keep in touch: I have an idea for the next run...<br />
<br />
Unbelievably, I have <em>already</em> seen one of the guys again: as I was sauntering along The Freedom Trail on Saturday morning I heard the unique booming tones of The Big Man, Lasse from a passing street trolley tour. I had just enough time to run across and shake his hand,<br />
"I am tourist."<br />
Yeah, unique is the word, hah-hah!<br />
<br />
</div><div>There were three reasons for this ride:<br />
<br />
- to raise money for cancer charities and honour Linda's memory, as she lost her life to the disease, also<br />
<br />
- for my own personal ambition and sense of achievement, and finally<br />
<br />
- this one is difficult to explain without coming across as a pompous tool (imagine that), but bear with me...there is a chap who is a cancer survivor from the U.K. and he did a similar ride earlier this year.<br />
<br />
He wrote about how one of the reasons for him doing it was just because he could as a celebration of life and what was possible, and not solely because he was in greatly improved health.<br />
In no way was this meant in an arrogant manner, but really an appreciative one I think. Not sure if this makes any sense to you but I think I know what he meant.<br />
<br />
As Daryl noted: "If we put one tenth of this effort into our personal lives, well then we wouldn't be such a bunch of losers!". I'm paraphrasing slightly here, but that was the gist of it. I think. He's right as well.<br />
<br />
</div><div>Alright, here endeth the sermon. Thanks to everyone who sponsored and supported me: you know who you are. I hope that you enjoyed this blog too: I did!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AB-S9DZikNQ/TePbrtHhqMI/AAAAAAAAAj0/-_4rvIa2xQk/s1600/IMG_2620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AB-S9DZikNQ/TePbrtHhqMI/AAAAAAAAAj0/-_4rvIa2xQk/s320/IMG_2620.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Cheers!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-71703522796319199522011-05-27T16:39:00.009+01:002011-06-02T08:21:05.485+01:00Sea And Sand...Day 33...Keene to Salisbury Beach, MA...Thurs 26/05/11So, we load our luggage for the last time on this trip and of course it will be a day of 'lasts' and goodbyes too.<br />
In the meantime, just see who has the Business Class accomodation right beside where we load: slide open patio doors and depart...smarter than the average bear!<br />
From the left we have Ohio Bob (legend), Manny and Lee. Plus some bloke hovering in the background whose wondering if this really is it?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SIeMIZtwXUk/Td-tImyL2qI/AAAAAAAAAgU/2If97eDirBs/s1600/IMG_2509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SIeMIZtwXUk/Td-tImyL2qI/AAAAAAAAAgU/2If97eDirBs/s320/IMG_2509.JPG" t8="true" width="234" /></a></div><br />
We trundle out through Keene and into a stiff wee climb just to remind ourselves that today cannot be treated lightly at 115 miles and over 5000' of climbing. Still, the weather is beautiful...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FODXP4qtoSk/Td-to3VQ4AI/AAAAAAAAAgY/tNFxzh5IssU/s1600/IMG_2511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FODXP4qtoSk/Td-to3VQ4AI/AAAAAAAAAgY/tNFxzh5IssU/s320/IMG_2511.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Put your cheque book away and keep riding...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2r6sS45Ut88/Td-tup56DRI/AAAAAAAAAgc/ghP_r9m3nmM/s1600/IMG_2518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2r6sS45Ut88/Td-tup56DRI/AAAAAAAAAgc/ghP_r9m3nmM/s320/IMG_2518.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Loads of familiar place names in these parts...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RW2SVKYbjXI/Td-ty4Xzg2I/AAAAAAAAAgg/KBdSYz9akj4/s1600/IMG_2519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RW2SVKYbjXI/Td-ty4Xzg2I/AAAAAAAAAgg/KBdSYz9akj4/s320/IMG_2519.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KTZo19rayQk/Td-uLMYMNDI/AAAAAAAAAgk/7Ot2yOYm_v0/s1600/IMG_2520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KTZo19rayQk/Td-uLMYMNDI/AAAAAAAAAgk/7Ot2yOYm_v0/s320/IMG_2520.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIWI-t4ybfM/Td-vjA4q1gI/AAAAAAAAAg4/JFbTh71gm0w/s1600/IMG_2524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIWI-t4ybfM/Td-vjA4q1gI/AAAAAAAAAg4/JFbTh71gm0w/s320/IMG_2524.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Water and coke mixed kept me almost hydrated for the last few days. Sam Adams Summer Ale played it's part too, obviously...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CHZ6vx6spZI/Td-uPGfGzFI/AAAAAAAAAgo/EI0vkAWulpM/s1600/IMG_2527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CHZ6vx6spZI/Td-uPGfGzFI/AAAAAAAAAgo/EI0vkAWulpM/s320/IMG_2527.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A '68 Coronet...not sure if it was Hemi-fied or not. Mint condition. Move along, nothing to see here etc...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HAHjSfwiWp4/Td-u7sQsPcI/AAAAAAAAAgs/38haavkfhBs/s1600/IMG_2532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HAHjSfwiWp4/Td-u7sQsPcI/AAAAAAAAAgs/38haavkfhBs/s320/IMG_2532.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
That, Sir, is a child's tractor. How is one meant to get a tow from that? Where's John Deere when you need him?<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N89E44MYtJo/Td-vFO6u9jI/AAAAAAAAAgw/SF7l58DQaaQ/s1600/IMG_2533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N89E44MYtJo/Td-vFO6u9jI/AAAAAAAAAgw/SF7l58DQaaQ/s320/IMG_2533.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Bob, I like the cut of your jib...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-PCrwGIh54/Td-vH6OXNJI/AAAAAAAAAg0/cnHrVskPNdQ/s1600/IMG_2534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-PCrwGIh54/Td-vH6OXNJI/AAAAAAAAAg0/cnHrVskPNdQ/s320/IMG_2534.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Some of the A.B.B. staff let loose...(L-R) Shelly (our sole lady Fast America rider), Jay, Judy and Jim. All good eggs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aGGwcoRmaog/Td-vviH4sNI/AAAAAAAAAg8/il3ho2a_E-M/s1600/IMG_2523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aGGwcoRmaog/Td-vviH4sNI/AAAAAAAAAg8/il3ho2a_E-M/s320/IMG_2523.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Nearly there: our first RV point to let everyone meet-up and ride in together. I switched-off my Garmin and settled down to enjoy the remnants of my Subway. Sir Clive can only look on with cold, green envy. Or possibly cramp.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uGn4Egyxcw0/Td-wS-Lf0_I/AAAAAAAAAhA/hGxB-OI-j_o/s1600/IMG_2535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uGn4Egyxcw0/Td-wS-Lf0_I/AAAAAAAAAhA/hGxB-OI-j_o/s320/IMG_2535.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You could almost smell the salt...never have I been so pleased to see and hear seagulls. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kccbg1Es5YE/Td-xbHFR-VI/AAAAAAAAAhI/A4q5-ubG8X8/s1600/IMG_2538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kccbg1Es5YE/Td-xbHFR-VI/AAAAAAAAAhI/A4q5-ubG8X8/s320/IMG_2538.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I was the first in the brine, probably because I wasn't too precious about dragging either my bike or myself over the sand. Wild horses...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kk-UkdQJgws/Td-xl2V8JQI/AAAAAAAAAhM/6jg2CWf1fUI/s1600/IMG_2547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kk-UkdQJgws/Td-xl2V8JQI/AAAAAAAAAhM/6jg2CWf1fUI/s320/IMG_2547.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Posed? A bit. Heartfelt? You bet. What a feeling.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kw3EY6mxu8U/Td-xz0KD4AI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/tSBoZYyUKiw/s1600/IMG_2550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kw3EY6mxu8U/Td-xz0KD4AI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/tSBoZYyUKiw/s320/IMG_2550.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<em>This </em>close to letting go...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLMv9Cth9Sc/Td-x5u-YjmI/AAAAAAAAAhU/jByvleAjgWc/s1600/IMG_2549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLMv9Cth9Sc/Td-x5u-YjmI/AAAAAAAAAhU/jByvleAjgWc/s320/IMG_2549.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
By this stage everyone is wandering around hugging each other, wearing dopey grins and taking photos of each other by the bucket-load. Beautiful, hah-hah!<br />
Here is Mark, Manny and in the background Tom and Ohio Bob. All top guys who you'd get on well with.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YDjjxDtZxos/Td-zG-H-VtI/AAAAAAAAAhY/ISAeWTTJcTc/s1600/IMG_2551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YDjjxDtZxos/Td-zG-H-VtI/AAAAAAAAAhY/ISAeWTTJcTc/s320/IMG_2551.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Another bloke who has a dry sense of humour: young Jay. He was an inspiration at times because he never moaned or whined and just kept ploughing right along despite enduring some long days out there. Really pleased to have met you, Sir!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ULsk-tdwuEg/Td-zWqDBkgI/AAAAAAAAAhc/cLOWI7Ru2aM/s1600/IMG_2552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ULsk-tdwuEg/Td-zWqDBkgI/AAAAAAAAAhc/cLOWI7Ru2aM/s320/IMG_2552.JPG" t8="true" width="180" /></a></div><br />
Lee with his wife, Debbie and daughter, Grace. They drove 11 hours from Virginia to see Mr. Hincapie in. Another real gent: I hope to cycle with you again Lee.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VqZiOtX4diU/Td-zYvTjihI/AAAAAAAAAhg/YmyhITTHpSI/s1600/IMG_2553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VqZiOtX4diU/Td-zYvTjihI/AAAAAAAAAhg/YmyhITTHpSI/s320/IMG_2553.JPG" t8="true" width="180" /></a></div><br />
I didn't really want to leave: there was a lot to try and take in.<br />
But before we did depart there was a group photo with a space for our missing rider Chris, who should've been with us: he is remembered by us.<br />
After Shelly and Manny had poured the bottle of Pacific Ocean water that we collected on the 24th April into the Atlantic we realised that we had done what we set out to do.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p5c6j2n5Hr0/Td-zmEn9YmI/AAAAAAAAAhk/F_gcye_YYQM/s1600/IMG_2556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p5c6j2n5Hr0/Td-zmEn9YmI/AAAAAAAAAhk/F_gcye_YYQM/s320/IMG_2556.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After half-an-hour or so we gathered ourselves togehter...we came, we got sore and sodded-off!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jvt01W03ynQ/Td-zsSTwmXI/AAAAAAAAAho/E49ZYGt7cU4/s1600/IMG_2560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jvt01W03ynQ/Td-zsSTwmXI/AAAAAAAAAho/E49ZYGt7cU4/s320/IMG_2560.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHj6AA2fJ18/Td-0a2ZiOqI/AAAAAAAAAh0/LZyGYWUhLC8/s1600/IMG_2563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHj6AA2fJ18/Td-0a2ZiOqI/AAAAAAAAAh0/LZyGYWUhLC8/s320/IMG_2563.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">With the legend. Ohio Bob. No further explanation required.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"Yeah baby!". You will never cycle with anyone quite like him again. Fact.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-knw-NjanvfI/Td-0KNbh8pI/AAAAAAAAAhs/Jw6tnA_Al6w/s1600/IMG_2562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-knw-NjanvfI/Td-0KNbh8pI/AAAAAAAAAhs/Jw6tnA_Al6w/s320/IMG_2562.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Right you shower, saddle up: it's time to follow the cops out of town. At a none-too leisurely pace either. Thankfully it was only five miles to the hotel otherwise we would have been dropped, hah-hah!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Red lights? We sh*t 'em.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxvSXxuM2to/Td-0WKaDdWI/AAAAAAAAAhw/nXdV6MA6WnA/s1600/IMG_2561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxvSXxuM2to/Td-0WKaDdWI/AAAAAAAAAhw/nXdV6MA6WnA/s320/IMG_2561.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Keep up... </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uGRqiJ0wbC0/Td-0gcGfB1I/AAAAAAAAAh4/5E0QN4SoAps/s1600/IMG_2568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uGRqiJ0wbC0/Td-0gcGfB1I/AAAAAAAAAh4/5E0QN4SoAps/s320/IMG_2568.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxsx9wxdfq8EAC0uqCeSJQ2-_tKxJ8bIfDA4y1t3yAMx3Dch5Mna7d9I37hwI8WzxNv8bROfvzbXflkdaMhJg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
I hadn't cleaned the bike since the start: in fact it still had some sand from Huntington Beach on it. As Tom remarked,<br />
"Oh, it's a <em>red</em> bike too." <br />
Mind you, he's from Indiana so what does he know? He's another bloke who it was a joy to cycle with on those rare occasions when I could keep up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Y0b6eWATdc/Td-01B8eK0I/AAAAAAAAAh8/SKRCvMoibGk/s1600/IMG_2571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Y0b6eWATdc/Td-01B8eK0I/AAAAAAAAAh8/SKRCvMoibGk/s320/IMG_2571.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Our final dinner together was at a nearby joint: believe it or not, this is our first celebratory ale: tasted pretty good too. With Mark, while Manny charms his wife, Michelle.<br />
It would be great to meet-up and cycle with these folk again: we'll see if we can keep in touch. I'll miss Mark's deadpan delivery: always a joy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oRAfbXv2YNA/Td-07fmvMZI/AAAAAAAAAiA/IK99Yw7haTI/s1600/IMG_2572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oRAfbXv2YNA/Td-07fmvMZI/AAAAAAAAAiA/IK99Yw7haTI/s320/IMG_2572.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After the meal we returned to our hotel where we each made a short speech about whatever we felt the ride had meant to us. I found that the guys who spoke before me said it all really, although for humour I should give an honourable mention to Jay, Daryl, Sir Clive and especially Mark, who wrote and delivered the speech that I wish I had. Very funny...nice job!<br />
<br />
The Big Man Lasse had a total of fifteen punctures (flats) throughout the trip (I had a mere four. Smug.) so he was given a crown of inner tubes as a reminder. It's what passes for cycling humour, hah-hah!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cM5PPOSHh1A/Td-1JQkiizI/AAAAAAAAAiE/fZzvZUrj3EA/s1600/IMG_2575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cM5PPOSHh1A/Td-1JQkiizI/AAAAAAAAAiE/fZzvZUrj3EA/s320/IMG_2575.JPG" t8="true" width="180" /></a></div><br />
Very thoughtfully, Ohio Bob had some commemorative dollar notes for each of us: however no bar in Boston would accept them..."Ouch! I felt that one, baby!".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UD1_tPOS6ww/Teag0zYJFQI/AAAAAAAAAj4/mDHj4_soCVo/s1600/DSC00002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UD1_tPOS6ww/Teag0zYJFQI/AAAAAAAAAj4/mDHj4_soCVo/s320/DSC00002.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
With Jay and Daryl who is the coolest man although he might not thank me for saying that. Actually on reflection, I think he probably would, hah-hah! A man of culture and learning, at least as far as someone from Los Angeles can be...<br />
Both are top men.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQqKPGVzbhg/Td-1YkLSG2I/AAAAAAAAAiI/C-ePeJmwtPQ/s1600/IMG_2576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQqKPGVzbhg/Td-1YkLSG2I/AAAAAAAAAiI/C-ePeJmwtPQ/s320/IMG_2576.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You wouldn't believe it: I saw this sign not three miles from the finish. Don't know what to say, really.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nt4vffjKHrg/Td-wzVC-r2I/AAAAAAAAAhE/yrv99ccsXLw/s1600/IMG_2537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nt4vffjKHrg/Td-wzVC-r2I/AAAAAAAAAhE/yrv99ccsXLw/s320/IMG_2537.JPG" t8="true" width="187" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While I'm here I want to thank everybody who supported, sponsored and encouraged me on this trip. Without you none of this happens, so please take a bow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And of course the same debt of gratitude extends to the crew of America By Bike: Jay, Judy, Karen, Jim and of course, Mike. Who is doing well for 303. Thanks all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll probably add more rambling comments as my thoughts unscramble, but for now it's time to get out and see Boston. Hell yeah!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Your final numbers...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/88197016">You could add another ten miles on...I stopped it a wee bit early.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-88028024818836410672011-05-26T10:38:00.002+01:002011-05-28T22:42:17.059+01:00Tomorrow Is a Long Time...Day 32...Amsterdam to Keene, NH...Weds 25/05/11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today's (well, yesterday's by the time you get this) run was billed as a tough day at 120 miles and over 7000' of climbing, and they weren't wrong either, hah-hah!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was weirdly enjoyable though, possibly because of the beautiful views we got as we travelled through the three states of New Yok, Vermont and New Hampshire.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Is Al Wright moonlighting over here? Bless you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QtFdBWWqGn8/Td2z0TPRfVI/AAAAAAAAAe4/TO7OF3PRNeo/s1600/IMG_2443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QtFdBWWqGn8/Td2z0TPRfVI/AAAAAAAAAe4/TO7OF3PRNeo/s320/IMG_2443.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
No, no time to investigate...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UK6JMDtwTUE/Td21BhI09yI/AAAAAAAAAe8/bN8CSLYyP1Y/s1600/IMG_2446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UK6JMDtwTUE/Td21BhI09yI/AAAAAAAAAe8/bN8CSLYyP1Y/s320/IMG_2446.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4tFTHYkMX0/Td21G70FU7I/AAAAAAAAAfA/lojIeyr5U3E/s1600/IMG_2447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4tFTHYkMX0/Td21G70FU7I/AAAAAAAAAfA/lojIeyr5U3E/s320/IMG_2447.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pGyrOaZPFBY/Td21YeAwwUI/AAAAAAAAAfE/4acI_dYXGTM/s1600/IMG_2450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pGyrOaZPFBY/Td21YeAwwUI/AAAAAAAAAfE/4acI_dYXGTM/s320/IMG_2450.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ntMVbF9hFVg/Td21pD6NT7I/AAAAAAAAAfI/or8LZ405xZs/s1600/IMG_2452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ntMVbF9hFVg/Td21pD6NT7I/AAAAAAAAAfI/or8LZ405xZs/s320/IMG_2452.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Another state, another daft pose...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bGpHUe78cbU/Td22Det6DrI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/OlHyo_G8xMo/s1600/IMG_2462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bGpHUe78cbU/Td22Det6DrI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/OlHyo_G8xMo/s320/IMG_2462.JPG" t8="true" width="180px" /></a></div><br />
Keeping it old school...and abandoned.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9qjpPJ6oLu4/Td22NwrrcpI/AAAAAAAAAfU/B3KNR7YJ9zU/s1600/IMG_2480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9qjpPJ6oLu4/Td22NwrrcpI/AAAAAAAAAfU/B3KNR7YJ9zU/s320/IMG_2480.JPG" t8="true" width="180px" /></a></div><br />
Well, we did earn the descents: at last I managed to get <em>just</em> over 50 mph on the contraption. Must be all that pasta...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4FNwbfo4ze4/Td22tCi1szI/AAAAAAAAAfY/XnvGEmM_Tp0/s1600/IMG_2482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4FNwbfo4ze4/Td22tCi1szI/AAAAAAAAAfY/XnvGEmM_Tp0/s320/IMG_2482.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LuRRwOu6_W8/Td226nYp_-I/AAAAAAAAAfc/BLSa7CsAyIA/s1600/IMG_2483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LuRRwOu6_W8/Td226nYp_-I/AAAAAAAAAfc/BLSa7CsAyIA/s320/IMG_2483.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
We passed through a few picturesque small towns all gearing-up for Memorial Day, which is next Monday...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ngHa2-9iIjs/Td4VsiG6wEI/AAAAAAAAAfg/BzxRf-XGDVA/s1600/IMG_2485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ngHa2-9iIjs/Td4VsiG6wEI/AAAAAAAAAfg/BzxRf-XGDVA/s320/IMG_2485.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Supercharged? Super tired, maybe...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5PT45Ve6Mlk/Td4Vv8M75_I/AAAAAAAAAfk/EcD3ZZZ8wcs/s1600/IMG_2486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5PT45Ve6Mlk/Td4Vv8M75_I/AAAAAAAAAfk/EcD3ZZZ8wcs/s320/IMG_2486.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MAZkNvHX90c/Td4Vx_kmcFI/AAAAAAAAAfo/r3JhTyxUGgk/s1600/IMG_2488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MAZkNvHX90c/Td4Vx_kmcFI/AAAAAAAAAfo/r3JhTyxUGgk/s320/IMG_2488.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ysPSxFZzkc/Td4WJCP_bGI/AAAAAAAAAfs/_QiIgAvWHfA/s1600/IMG_2489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ysPSxFZzkc/Td4WJCP_bGI/AAAAAAAAAfs/_QiIgAvWHfA/s320/IMG_2489.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
I took a wrong turn and ended-up on the Interstate for a few miles but it was no biggy...was pleased to get away from it, mind...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HlKnisz5NMU/Td4WMfVWXdI/AAAAAAAAAfw/tpbM2KZNCH8/s1600/IMG_2493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HlKnisz5NMU/Td4WMfVWXdI/AAAAAAAAAfw/tpbM2KZNCH8/s320/IMG_2493.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Great to see a Shakey fan in the house...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NQQtbHkCXuA/Td4WPbYzy2I/AAAAAAAAAf0/kDlpjYurxKA/s1600/IMG_2494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NQQtbHkCXuA/Td4WPbYzy2I/AAAAAAAAAf0/kDlpjYurxKA/s320/IMG_2494.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sounds more like the motto of a Hells Angels chapter...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGY25yo2Eso/Td4XKYaesPI/AAAAAAAAAf4/GVVrjIZEx0I/s1600/IMG_2497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGY25yo2Eso/Td4XKYaesPI/AAAAAAAAAf4/GVVrjIZEx0I/s320/IMG_2497.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
I know...carry on...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nulmi1nfM7s/Td4XM7FCQZI/AAAAAAAAAf8/JzSClzoSBlA/s1600/IMG_2499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nulmi1nfM7s/Td4XM7FCQZI/AAAAAAAAAf8/JzSClzoSBlA/s320/IMG_2499.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Does look fine round here...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ij4WUZpsTF0/Td4XQMMP9XI/AAAAAAAAAgA/q2ZZxM91_gw/s1600/IMG_2501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ij4WUZpsTF0/Td4XQMMP9XI/AAAAAAAAAgA/q2ZZxM91_gw/s320/IMG_2501.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mark and myself struggled in together for the last few miles: our final hill before arriving in Keene. Excellent!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFeftoVuMMI/Td4ZuAh5SMI/AAAAAAAAAgE/z2aJMXKQB3U/s1600/IMG_2502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFeftoVuMMI/Td4ZuAh5SMI/AAAAAAAAAgE/z2aJMXKQB3U/s320/IMG_2502.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Post-ride, Ohio Bob was given a spoof present of a knackered saddle to reflect the antique nature of his bike. He still goes faster than most. As he would say, "Go figure."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O_uqlMdQbP4/Td4auNRELaI/AAAAAAAAAgM/dFY0gTwhvUk/s1600/IMG_2504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O_uqlMdQbP4/Td4auNRELaI/AAAAAAAAAgM/dFY0gTwhvUk/s320/IMG_2504.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
With the legend and also mechanic Jim for a pre-meal schooner...rehydration!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QTnFEYiCgXo/Td4awMi27WI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/66x-nd_yl6w/s1600/IMG_2508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QTnFEYiCgXo/Td4awMi27WI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/66x-nd_yl6w/s320/IMG_2508.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Wow! Is this really almost done? Yeah, I bet you're more relieved than me, hah-hah!<br />
Time to go and finish it shortly...cheers!<br />
<br />
<br />
Get them while you can...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/88024028">Last but one..</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-10566597973661956642011-05-25T02:54:00.001+01:002011-05-25T11:06:31.699+01:00Proud Mary...Day 31...Liverpool to Amsterdam...Tues 24/05/11Well, before I start all the usual nonsense I should give you an update on Little Chris's condition: it turns out that we weren't given the full story last night. The medics say that he has fractured his C5 vertebrae and will be in a neck-brace for a month, however he should recover fully. All our very best wishes follow him home.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile we keep on rolling East. I thought you should see a typical route-sheet that we need to find our way from one five star accomodation to the next...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mKlgv1y_N-0/TdxT-BvNffI/AAAAAAAAAeA/BPofGzUsGpo/s1600/IMG_2435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mKlgv1y_N-0/TdxT-BvNffI/AAAAAAAAAeA/BPofGzUsGpo/s320/IMG_2435.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
The above route sheet goes on overleaf too...best not to lose it, eat it or get it wet...mind you, we still manage to add on bonus miles for ourselves even with it.<br />
<br />
Today we were blessed with a lovely Westerly wind which meant everyone had to work less...something that appeals to us all at this stage.<br />
The first curio was spotted early on...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6AobSN43828/TdxVQ-a2rpI/AAAAAAAAAeI/lDpqoP0g4lg/s1600/IMG_2399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6AobSN43828/TdxVQ-a2rpI/AAAAAAAAAeI/lDpqoP0g4lg/s320/IMG_2399.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
The Terre Haute Terror himself, the ever affable Mr. Tom Newlin followed by The Big Man and U.K. Bob. Larry, Curly and Moe?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zTj25rpxg8g/TdxVZflBTGI/AAAAAAAAAeM/b-gROmMQhns/s1600/IMG_2400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zTj25rpxg8g/TdxVZflBTGI/AAAAAAAAAeM/b-gROmMQhns/s320/IMG_2400.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Not sure how much longer that tower will remain in the upright...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ktr1OSqKhYw/TdxVw-hU1UI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/M8Ef0773XEM/s1600/IMG_2401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ktr1OSqKhYw/TdxVw-hU1UI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/M8Ef0773XEM/s320/IMG_2401.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Sunoco for them: bananas, beer and burgers for us. Not at the same time. That would just be silly...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wOH0t1rUjHc/TdxVz6yZ-5I/AAAAAAAAAeU/k8KDuIzbhH4/s1600/IMG_2404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wOH0t1rUjHc/TdxVz6yZ-5I/AAAAAAAAAeU/k8KDuIzbhH4/s320/IMG_2404.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Is that really an Edsel?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gNb5-OLjFk/TdxV22SpHrI/AAAAAAAAAeY/7naIdIO9u2Q/s1600/IMG_2405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gNb5-OLjFk/TdxV22SpHrI/AAAAAAAAAeY/7naIdIO9u2Q/s320/IMG_2405.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
'Build it and they will stay away in droves'. Cue end credits...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CFLrgahxoIs/TdxWD4sZD7I/AAAAAAAAAec/q36UFumLeyw/s1600/IMG_2406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CFLrgahxoIs/TdxWD4sZD7I/AAAAAAAAAec/q36UFumLeyw/s320/IMG_2406.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Just before lunch at 78 miles in Little Falls...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QP2QtYtPpI0/TdxWHrameII/AAAAAAAAAeg/SyC6LCg6_XQ/s1600/IMG_2407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QP2QtYtPpI0/TdxWHrameII/AAAAAAAAAeg/SyC6LCg6_XQ/s320/IMG_2407.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
One of many locks on the Mohawk River...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z0LWOwZ1zsw/TdxWojhKDUI/AAAAAAAAAek/Hu3BG2LKwg8/s1600/IMG_2421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z0LWOwZ1zsw/TdxWojhKDUI/AAAAAAAAAek/Hu3BG2LKwg8/s320/IMG_2421.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
We were lucky with the weather for sure...much appreciated.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WTFTQW6fDiQ/TdxXC5FfIUI/AAAAAAAAAeo/yCNETroguZc/s1600/IMG_2428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WTFTQW6fDiQ/TdxXC5FfIUI/AAAAAAAAAeo/yCNETroguZc/s320/IMG_2428.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Nah, not until much later: Mark was very generous in paying for myself and Sir Clive's dinner <em>and</em> beer tab this evening. Dunno why I'm laughing- it's my turn tomorrow...d'oh!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fep9yb-1wg8/TdxXF55tkMI/AAAAAAAAAes/gJow4ZUDIi0/s1600/IMG_2430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fep9yb-1wg8/TdxXF55tkMI/AAAAAAAAAes/gJow4ZUDIi0/s320/IMG_2430.JPG" t8="true" width="179px" /></a></div><br />
Do not pass? I view that as a challenge, Sir...(you're not going at more than 8 mph are you?) <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HbwarVhIKJU/TdxXTvU9n2I/AAAAAAAAAew/R2CCQQOQ_dM/s1600/IMG_2431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HbwarVhIKJU/TdxXTvU9n2I/AAAAAAAAAew/R2CCQQOQ_dM/s320/IMG_2431.JPG" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
To be strictly accurate, it's a once-mighty trading town that has seen it's best years unfortunately...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ierEYwNqVaI/TdxXaVYvl-I/AAAAAAAAAe0/pa9L9BtpAVU/s1600/IMG_2434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ierEYwNqVaI/TdxXaVYvl-I/AAAAAAAAAe0/pa9L9BtpAVU/s320/IMG_2434.JPG" t8="true" width="180px" /></a></div><br />
So that just leaves two more days, both of which are real challenges at 120 miles and 7500' of climbing in warm weather. Actually, with my tender backside I'm quite happy to be standing-up and climbing...now that is a first!<br />
<br />
Your daily numbers...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/87782967">be honest- you're gonna miss this!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-59112794247528488542011-05-24T02:09:00.003+01:002011-05-25T01:38:37.705+01:00Crossfire...Day 30...Batavia to Liverpool...Mon 23/05/11This was a bit of a drudge today, with annoying crosswinds to contend with although it was warming nicely, temperature-wise. So far, so meh...until about 20 miles in when I see up ahead what looks like one of our riders (Ed, from Nevada) scurrying around in the middle of the road picking stuff up. Bit odd.<br />
<br />
As I get nearer one of our vans appears and then I see Little Chris (San Diego via Mississippi) sitting on the opposite side of the road in a ditch, and bleeding from the head and face. Also around were the occupants of a SUV that had just pulled-out from a side road and broadsided the Wee Man. The driver said that she just never saw him. I suppose that's how easy it is and it really could have been any one of us.<br />
<br />
Ed had already rung the emergency services and it turns out that Chris had a really lucky escape: nothing broken, except his bike helmet and bike and he was kept in hospital prior to completing MRI and CAT scans. We don't know if he'll be joining us tomorrow but when he was at the hospital he had already ordered himself a new bike with the intention of collecting it at Syracuse this evening! Determined, or what?<br />
<br />
So back to the nonsense: we are slowly working our way up to this size of helping...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UxLoB0-EUrs/Tdr46tljJCI/AAAAAAAAAcg/zmg8dEUK23c/s1600/IMG_2364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UxLoB0-EUrs/Tdr46tljJCI/AAAAAAAAAcg/zmg8dEUK23c/s320/IMG_2364.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
We steamed through bad, bad Leroy Brown regardless...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZJaJ-44CEQ/Tdr4792taBI/AAAAAAAAAck/Tq3T7ObglJc/s1600/IMG_2365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZJaJ-44CEQ/Tdr4792taBI/AAAAAAAAAck/Tq3T7ObglJc/s320/IMG_2365.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
War Of the Worlds? No, a water tower actually...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nJyuybGW_s/Tdr5E-6eP5I/AAAAAAAAAco/D-1sK8Z7ZrU/s1600/IMG_2369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nJyuybGW_s/Tdr5E-6eP5I/AAAAAAAAAco/D-1sK8Z7ZrU/s320/IMG_2369.JPG" width="173px" /></a></div><br />
Almost J. Geils's finest...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--vsSqgWE_Js/Tdr5NZFPxlI/AAAAAAAAAcs/Z26k-iEbVJQ/s1600/IMG_2370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--vsSqgWE_Js/Tdr5NZFPxlI/AAAAAAAAAcs/Z26k-iEbVJQ/s320/IMG_2370.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Reminded me of the opening titles: "Flay Otters"...or how about "Flowery Twats"?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rm_sh6EY4Mg/Tdr5O8xeWwI/AAAAAAAAAcw/n4TnuYi3mVc/s1600/IMG_2371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rm_sh6EY4Mg/Tdr5O8xeWwI/AAAAAAAAAcw/n4TnuYi3mVc/s320/IMG_2371.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Another fine looking motor for sale...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2SUSRYENq5Y/Tdr5Q-Cg16I/AAAAAAAAAc0/-i296MBHoP8/s1600/IMG_2372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2SUSRYENq5Y/Tdr5Q-Cg16I/AAAAAAAAAc0/-i296MBHoP8/s320/IMG_2372.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Not exactly how I remember it...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H3KElJw_Chg/Tdr5ThapZlI/AAAAAAAAAc4/NlfR9CZC-3s/s1600/IMG_2373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H3KElJw_Chg/Tdr5ThapZlI/AAAAAAAAAc4/NlfR9CZC-3s/s320/IMG_2373.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Following little and large: Manny and Daryl. So alike in so many, manny ways...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3Gw-jh1p6s/Tdr5VtaG33I/AAAAAAAAAc8/tGRZHzpawE8/s1600/IMG_2376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3Gw-jh1p6s/Tdr5VtaG33I/AAAAAAAAAc8/tGRZHzpawE8/s320/IMG_2376.JPG" width="242px" /></a></div><br />
Fantastic: one mile from the lunch stop in Seneca Falls (great name) I get a flat rear tyre. Sod it, I'll just ride it which you shouldn't do of course. A great example of our "no-one wins unless we all win" spirit is displayed when Sir Clive takes it upon himself to change the tube for me so that I can get on with lunch. Much appreciated!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tWx4a2PEYNc/Tdr5cYUpSRI/AAAAAAAAAdA/St2fEfMArPo/s1600/IMG_2377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tWx4a2PEYNc/Tdr5cYUpSRI/AAAAAAAAAdA/St2fEfMArPo/s320/IMG_2377.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Move along, there's nothing to see here...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mwKdrsSEXW4/Tdr5euRZEwI/AAAAAAAAAdE/CH6JpXKDEqs/s1600/IMG_2379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mwKdrsSEXW4/Tdr5euRZEwI/AAAAAAAAAdE/CH6JpXKDEqs/s320/IMG_2379.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Considering a rear tyre upgrade...nothing is gonna puncture this!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KWzExA6RUSs/Tdr5fQ6BnBI/AAAAAAAAAdI/OPwN34YIwHk/s1600/IMG_2380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KWzExA6RUSs/Tdr5fQ6BnBI/AAAAAAAAAdI/OPwN34YIwHk/s320/IMG_2380.JPG" width="315px" /></a></div><br />
About 30 miles after lunch I happen across Team Française des Jeux, namely Sir Clive and Lee who were wearing identical team jerseys and busy changing yet another inner tube. Saddos, hah-hah!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dxtTZ8W7Rv8/Tdr5zT_d4pI/AAAAAAAAAdM/3GKX5sleD08/s1600/IMG_2381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dxtTZ8W7Rv8/Tdr5zT_d4pI/AAAAAAAAAdM/3GKX5sleD08/s320/IMG_2381.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Your actual Erie Canal:<br />
<br />
I've got a mule and her name is Sal <br />
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal <br />
She's a good old worker and a good old pal <br />
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal <br />
<br />
We haul'd some barges in our day <br />
Filled with lumber, coal, and hay <br />
We know every inch of the way <br />
From Albany to Buffalo <br />
<br />
Low bridge, everybody down <br />
Low bridge, yeah we're coming to a town <br />
And you'll always know your neighbor <br />
And you'll always know your pal <br />
If ya ever navigated on the Erie Canal <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WFddZmoJ090/Tdr6FsJlKTI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/K1VE0B4zE1k/s1600/IMG_2383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WFddZmoJ090/Tdr6FsJlKTI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/K1VE0B4zE1k/s320/IMG_2383.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
If I see a bloke on a tractor ,wearing a hat and threatening the speed limit then I'll know I'm back in Lancashire...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oG9Z8mkGjXk/Tdr6Jb75pBI/AAAAAAAAAdU/ZKRHRXrj07I/s1600/IMG_2386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oG9Z8mkGjXk/Tdr6Jb75pBI/AAAAAAAAAdU/ZKRHRXrj07I/s320/IMG_2386.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Hello er, Syracuse...rock and roll!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kD2Z0LMVitc/Tdr6OJbVSgI/AAAAAAAAAdY/n1WREIwU57A/s1600/IMG_2387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kD2Z0LMVitc/Tdr6OJbVSgI/AAAAAAAAAdY/n1WREIwU57A/s320/IMG_2387.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
What kind of dope lives here? Say it ain't so, L.A....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bfNqYrxzQXY/Tdr6X2ERXAI/AAAAAAAAAdc/QHNPlWqB3XE/s1600/IMG_2388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bfNqYrxzQXY/Tdr6X2ERXAI/AAAAAAAAAdc/QHNPlWqB3XE/s320/IMG_2388.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
On the run-in to Liverpool...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kUnvN8zA51w/TdxPTLGNfzI/AAAAAAAAAd4/ftjnSq6TokY/s1600/Liverpool%252520923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kUnvN8zA51w/TdxPTLGNfzI/AAAAAAAAAd4/ftjnSq6TokY/s1600/Liverpool%252520923.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Courtesy Mike Munk.)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H9H8tJbCP2g/Tdr6kNp9HzI/AAAAAAAAAdg/3gvJxZiEZDc/s1600/IMG_2389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H9H8tJbCP2g/Tdr6kNp9HzI/AAAAAAAAAdg/3gvJxZiEZDc/s320/IMG_2389.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
A welcome sight after 120 miles, give-or-take. Just keep your windows wound-up. Actually quite a nice spot, to be fair...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5v1ggFHHUTQ/Tdr6mqZPa7I/AAAAAAAAAdk/hxGPnoBLMK8/s1600/IMG_2391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5v1ggFHHUTQ/Tdr6mqZPa7I/AAAAAAAAAdk/hxGPnoBLMK8/s320/IMG_2391.JPG" width="180px" /></a></div><br />
Well, it looks better than Kwik-Fit, doesn't it?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fUTDGH7PJC0/Tdr7HlyrqsI/AAAAAAAAAdw/n1rpJgicmeI/s1600/IMG_2393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fUTDGH7PJC0/Tdr7HlyrqsI/AAAAAAAAAdw/n1rpJgicmeI/s320/IMG_2393.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Wasn't aware that the Hewitt dynasty had spread into Liverpool, NY but I can thoroughly recommend their chocolate milkshakes...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tkpjb2sf9eA/Tdr6qGdGs3I/AAAAAAAAAdo/dEt2ND7ktMc/s1600/IMG_2394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tkpjb2sf9eA/Tdr6qGdGs3I/AAAAAAAAAdo/dEt2ND7ktMc/s320/IMG_2394.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
What's left of Little Chris's bike. He was lucky, as were we all.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pe6q4DESKrU/Tdr6uz55BgI/AAAAAAAAAds/m5fBoC3Puis/s1600/IMG_2395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pe6q4DESKrU/Tdr6uz55BgI/AAAAAAAAAds/m5fBoC3Puis/s320/IMG_2395.JPG" width="180px" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45Rs9sxI6fE/Tdr7Ql2OsHI/AAAAAAAAAd0/Ljv4nY2bM9Q/s1600/IMG_2396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45Rs9sxI6fE/Tdr7Ql2OsHI/AAAAAAAAAd0/Ljv4nY2bM9Q/s320/IMG_2396.JPG" width="180px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Hoping for no drama tomorrow, thanks all the same. Another 120 miles...</div><br />
<br />
Workmanlike stats...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/87608082">here...here...here!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-8188403666799591852011-05-23T02:30:00.002+01:002011-05-25T01:19:05.097+01:00Batman Theme...Day 29...Dunkirk to Batavia...Sun 22/05/11We rolled out along Lake Erie again, and it looked beautiful...again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vfOyZUMErdA/TdmtdNdCjkI/AAAAAAAAAbs/U8ArDjwx_bE/s1600/IMG_2331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vfOyZUMErdA/TdmtdNdCjkI/AAAAAAAAAbs/U8ArDjwx_bE/s320/IMG_2331.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Yeah...my backside. Did I mention this already? Where there's blame, there's a claim etc...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QN_L2zgVLJ4/Tdmt2kOnLmI/AAAAAAAAAbw/aZQZy7-Gfgc/s1600/IMG_2334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QN_L2zgVLJ4/Tdmt2kOnLmI/AAAAAAAAAbw/aZQZy7-Gfgc/s320/IMG_2334.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Andy has some bizarre old tat for sale... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-23WE2q27pYI/Tdmt360_C2I/AAAAAAAAAb0/EubAKTpaaIQ/s320/IMG_2335.JPG" width="320px" /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MRhBSqSQ7Oc/TdmuDeZcvtI/AAAAAAAAAb4/rwUS68gMHSg/s1600/IMG_2337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MRhBSqSQ7Oc/TdmuDeZcvtI/AAAAAAAAAb4/rwUS68gMHSg/s320/IMG_2337.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Warriors indeed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5kMCRIUSnIw/TdmuInZibYI/AAAAAAAAAb8/J_Mfdq5qoPk/s1600/IMG_2338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5kMCRIUSnIw/TdmuInZibYI/AAAAAAAAAb8/J_Mfdq5qoPk/s320/IMG_2338.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Passing the Veteran's Museum in Hamburg.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vWXjg_bAIh0/Tdmv3gZsdYI/AAAAAAAAAcE/csguYf1TR_I/s1600/IMG_2347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vWXjg_bAIh0/Tdmv3gZsdYI/AAAAAAAAAcE/csguYf1TR_I/s320/IMG_2347.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
The A.B.B. support wagon lumbers into view and isn't too chuffed at having to deal with yet another flat...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dm7G8nVXp6c/Tdmv-qcHVmI/AAAAAAAAAcI/39GBfBgEJLU/s1600/IMG_2349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dm7G8nVXp6c/Tdmv-qcHVmI/AAAAAAAAAcI/39GBfBgEJLU/s320/IMG_2349.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Pretending that I'm enjoying it all. Actually, if truth be told...I <em>will</em> miss some of this. Not the early starts or the sometimes repetitive diet for sure, hah-hah!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kqqTAwW1tGc/Tdm0b8CSmKI/AAAAAAAAAcc/Amxd61YRtfA/s1600/Batavia%252520845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kqqTAwW1tGc/Tdm0b8CSmKI/AAAAAAAAAcc/Amxd61YRtfA/s1600/Batavia%252520845.jpg" /></a>(Courtesy Mike Munk.)</div><br />
Wafting through East Aurora- a very nice spot and it was cheering to see so many folks outdoors enjoying Sunday brunch. Swine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SHv4WBOA3vM/TdmwFI235YI/AAAAAAAAAcM/TyWTXszV50Q/s1600/IMG_2353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SHv4WBOA3vM/TdmwFI235YI/AAAAAAAAAcM/TyWTXszV50Q/s320/IMG_2353.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
"Buffalo girls won't you stay in tonight, stay in tonight, stay in tonight?"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5weJNxEh1N0/TdmwKeMdMII/AAAAAAAAAcQ/R9omelMIZe0/s1600/IMG_2356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5weJNxEh1N0/TdmwKeMdMII/AAAAAAAAAcQ/R9omelMIZe0/s320/IMG_2356.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
I would never use a cheap and obvious tag-line like "Dumb and Dumber"...oh, too late. Mark and Sir Clive pfaff around trying to change Sir Clive's second flat in a mile.<br />
Thank Goodness that A.B.B. arrived unsummoned when it did...actually we had done it anyway, albeit in a slightly 'Keystone Kops' fashion.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YC3gPZMY9jg/Tdmw_-sR1UI/AAAAAAAAAcU/qptEX2Si_KQ/s1600/IMG_2359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YC3gPZMY9jg/Tdmw_-sR1UI/AAAAAAAAAcU/qptEX2Si_KQ/s320/IMG_2359.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
The short and easy day ended with Mark buying us superb milkshakes at this Batavian oasis. Fantastic!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YPV8eiHr7fs/TdmxCl_oYjI/AAAAAAAAAcY/poZpnJb-LDI/s1600/IMG_2362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YPV8eiHr7fs/TdmxCl_oYjI/AAAAAAAAAcY/poZpnJb-LDI/s320/IMG_2362.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Back to real mileages until the end...here we go, here we go, here we go...<br />
<br />
Stats...stats...stats...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/87353926">Sunday numbers ahoy!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-75189306027740710972011-05-22T12:36:00.001+01:002011-05-22T12:38:46.346+01:00Erie Canal...Day 28...Warren to Dunkirk, NY...Sat 21/05/11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To be honest, I was not overly looking forward to what could have been a long and hence uncomfortable day in the saddle: after all, 140 miles was never going to be that enjoyable, was it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The weather was kind with blue skies, temperatures that wouldn't rise much above 65F and a light Westerly wind that all helped. First result!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No don't ask me what this was...at Warren's Contemporary Art Museum...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVD9KueTSB4/TdhwDmMWbGI/AAAAAAAAAaw/ay95TprshHk/s1600/IMG_2293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVD9KueTSB4/TdhwDmMWbGI/AAAAAAAAAaw/ay95TprshHk/s320/IMG_2293.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Another peaceful Saturday morning...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q_u23UzxeoA/TdhwQ3acXLI/AAAAAAAAAa0/aZ-NbPB0HKA/s1600/IMG_2295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q_u23UzxeoA/TdhwQ3acXLI/AAAAAAAAAa0/aZ-NbPB0HKA/s320/IMG_2295.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7U59o5t_RhM/TdhwXaMQHHI/AAAAAAAAAa8/1tqWn5GaXQs/s1600/IMG_2299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7U59o5t_RhM/TdhwXaMQHHI/AAAAAAAAAa8/1tqWn5GaXQs/s320/IMG_2299.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Of interest to Mr. Wickham, perhaps...<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvwfuZewIbQ/TdhwUXKom6I/AAAAAAAAAa4/ulTJ9cZU6s4/s1600/IMG_2298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvwfuZewIbQ/TdhwUXKom6I/AAAAAAAAAa4/ulTJ9cZU6s4/s320/IMG_2298.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Right where you wanna be...<em>this</em> is energy conservation...I was passed by Lasse (our version of The Tractor) and he was hammering along which meant a quick decision: should I try to latch-on or not...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yd3ctQLKcfA/Tdhwh6Z04RI/AAAAAAAAAbA/dDn7jXCMmBQ/s1600/IMG_2304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yd3ctQLKcfA/Tdhwh6Z04RI/AAAAAAAAAbA/dDn7jXCMmBQ/s320/IMG_2304.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
The Norwegian Express runs fast and non-stop! (L-R: Lasse, Me, Mark and Lee.) We passed both of these guys fast and they both decided that this was the way to travel...all the way to the first stop at 48 miles!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BSMblkC5cVY/Tdjn-XF93QI/AAAAAAAAAbo/sTOLYIPansA/s1600/object001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BSMblkC5cVY/Tdjn-XF93QI/AAAAAAAAAbo/sTOLYIPansA/s1600/object001.jpg" /></a>(Courtesy Mike Munk.)</div><br />
This was another tri-state day, which means cheesy photo ops...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yd2KXPeGQnY/TdhwpjAHIRI/AAAAAAAAAbE/YCw6tYZpvAk/s1600/IMG_2310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yd2KXPeGQnY/TdhwpjAHIRI/AAAAAAAAAbE/YCw6tYZpvAk/s320/IMG_2310.JPG" width="179px" /></a></div><br />
Me leading things briefly just before lunch. Lesser-spotted...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wg_9_1u9OO4/Tdhw35LCi-I/AAAAAAAAAbI/50OcJSAWNr4/s1600/IMG_2311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wg_9_1u9OO4/Tdhw35LCi-I/AAAAAAAAAbI/50OcJSAWNr4/s320/IMG_2311.JPG" width="180px" /></a></div><br />
No. No beer yet. D'oh!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y6fUz2JauMY/Tdhw64PCAVI/AAAAAAAAAbM/5RdPn6vnAAU/s1600/IMG_2313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y6fUz2JauMY/Tdhw64PCAVI/AAAAAAAAAbM/5RdPn6vnAAU/s320/IMG_2313.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Cheesy photo op, part two...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UEsyJ9z0Cy4/TdhxceyTt8I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/Vz6f97guhcU/s1600/IMG_2320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UEsyJ9z0Cy4/TdhxceyTt8I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/Vz6f97guhcU/s320/IMG_2320.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Not sure what this was but the rule-of-thumb is...take the photo anyway.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWOi8Ubo06Q/Tdhxi-9O1FI/AAAAAAAAAbU/ocG70HyFxso/s1600/IMG_2322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWOi8Ubo06Q/Tdhxi-9O1FI/AAAAAAAAAbU/ocG70HyFxso/s320/IMG_2322.JPG" width="188px" /></a></div><br />
Our route followed the shoreline of Lake Erie- how big is that? Well, very. And fantastic to look at too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ECLVWuX3AZE/Tdhxp4DWCaI/AAAAAAAAAbY/LRrV1Vn-hdw/s1600/IMG_2323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ECLVWuX3AZE/Tdhxp4DWCaI/AAAAAAAAAbY/LRrV1Vn-hdw/s320/IMG_2323.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Reaching Barcelona meant about 20 miles left to run and I was cycling with Sir Clive at the time. I was moaning about my derriere so he said he would let me me set the pace to see whatever worked best: in the event we ended-up almost achieving speeds that The Big Man would've been proud of. Needs must, etc..<br />
Mind you, Las Ramblas ain't exactly how I remembered it...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kq5ZXzRYuBo/Tdhxx0SXSAI/AAAAAAAAAbc/ZBqKLtAsZbI/s1600/IMG_2324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kq5ZXzRYuBo/Tdhxx0SXSAI/AAAAAAAAAbc/ZBqKLtAsZbI/s320/IMG_2324.JPG" width="320px" /></a><br />
<br />
A welcome sight after 135 miles? You bet...the legs were still willing but the backside was revolting, hah-hah!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uiFnwt4DiwQ/Tdhx0Shi96I/AAAAAAAAAbg/Lbwxxsnm0Y4/s1600/IMG_2327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uiFnwt4DiwQ/Tdhx0Shi96I/AAAAAAAAAbg/Lbwxxsnm0Y4/s320/IMG_2327.JPG" width="179px" /></a></div><br />
Thanks to some judicious drafting and kind weather we ended-up with a 19mph average. Ridiculous!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IN11fwp_UM8/Tdhx-u1HmEI/AAAAAAAAAbk/S7gAx0s2D1E/s1600/IMG_2329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IN11fwp_UM8/Tdhx-u1HmEI/AAAAAAAAAbk/S7gAx0s2D1E/s320/IMG_2329.JPG" width="180px" /></a></div><br />
Tomorrow (well, today by the time I can post this) will be our last short stage at around 90 miles. More nonsense for sure though. Cheers!<br />
<br />
Numbers...numbers...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/87104191">stats for you!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-68748391606526867442011-05-21T02:20:00.000+01:002011-05-21T02:20:18.261+01:00Rumble...Day 27...Wooster to Warren...Fri 20/05/11It was a top suggestion by one of our number (take a bow Mark) to start 30 minutes later today as it was a relatively short stage at just under 100 miles.<br />
Bless you Sir, and kudos for not banging on and on about it at every opportunity. Joking, of course...it was a great idea.<br />
"...later"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GILEcntQSA/TdcIt3QwpHI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/5Zyo1VL00Uc/s1600/IMG_2263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7GILEcntQSA/TdcIt3QwpHI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/5Zyo1VL00Uc/s320/IMG_2263.JPG" width="227px" /></a></div><br />
Again we were routed through some beautiful countryside, although we experienced some of the shonkiest surfaces yet...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cicFzGRGzOY/TdcIxKsMVRI/AAAAAAAAAaA/HoEddRBRh4k/s1600/IMG_2265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cicFzGRGzOY/TdcIxKsMVRI/AAAAAAAAAaA/HoEddRBRh4k/s320/IMG_2265.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Pictures of Lily make me feel so wonderful...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YMQl_FkNn80/TdcIyja64YI/AAAAAAAAAaE/AUHDLC7eo0c/s1600/IMG_2272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YMQl_FkNn80/TdcIyja64YI/AAAAAAAAAaE/AUHDLC7eo0c/s320/IMG_2272.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Help to pilot our way out...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W2DfJxF2DRA/TdcJMICKB_I/AAAAAAAAAaI/UeqR0Jz4TIw/s1600/IMG_2274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W2DfJxF2DRA/TdcJMICKB_I/AAAAAAAAAaI/UeqR0Jz4TIw/s320/IMG_2274.JPG" width="179px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_xsg4MSt7-I/TdcJXYJLaJI/AAAAAAAAAaM/gpI9x-bh2VQ/s1600/IMG_2278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_xsg4MSt7-I/TdcJXYJLaJI/AAAAAAAAAaM/gpI9x-bh2VQ/s320/IMG_2278.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Sound advice.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7rL9KOelAr8/TdcJb_XtuII/AAAAAAAAAaQ/fjDTLWnLxt4/s1600/IMG_2281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7rL9KOelAr8/TdcJb_XtuII/AAAAAAAAAaQ/fjDTLWnLxt4/s320/IMG_2281.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
You can see that Ohio doesn't waste tax dollars on the upkeep of their highways and byways. Some of the roughest roads you've ever felt...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ghBp7YxgR6w/TdcJujj2AdI/AAAAAAAAAaU/Qkgle6WiSYw/s1600/IMG_2282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ghBp7YxgR6w/TdcJujj2AdI/AAAAAAAAAaU/Qkgle6WiSYw/s320/IMG_2282.JPG" width="180px" /></a></div><br />
Bit harsh on the kids, no?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwsAJkBoe1o/TdcJzogIBCI/AAAAAAAAAaY/yGETGcAatoc/s1600/IMG_2283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwsAJkBoe1o/TdcJzogIBCI/AAAAAAAAAaY/yGETGcAatoc/s320/IMG_2283.JPG" width="202px" /></a></div><br />
Certainly the smoothest surface that we pedalled on today...four miles of bliss on a cycle-path.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7tMipWaXCLo/TdcKSqGpVEI/AAAAAAAAAac/SHXx40xI-aE/s1600/IMG_2286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7tMipWaXCLo/TdcKSqGpVEI/AAAAAAAAAac/SHXx40xI-aE/s320/IMG_2286.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eS1HEYoZ9Ys/TdcKfc7aABI/AAAAAAAAAag/_x6uZGfMFa8/s1600/IMG_2288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eS1HEYoZ9Ys/TdcKfc7aABI/AAAAAAAAAag/_x6uZGfMFa8/s320/IMG_2288.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
The original Iron Man at a junk yard on the run in...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5F92dDyvBO8/TdcKkO_l3hI/AAAAAAAAAak/hjWIN5hiY_w/s1600/IMG_2290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5F92dDyvBO8/TdcKkO_l3hI/AAAAAAAAAak/hjWIN5hiY_w/s320/IMG_2290.JPG" width="215px" /></a></div><br />
Worth a photo for ego-stroking: arriving fourth at our hotel. I should point out that the other fast guys had already arrived in Wooster quite a while and had stopped for milkshakes etc.. Still, fourth...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2BsoJPHBTSQ/TdcK8xVu9WI/AAAAAAAAAao/kVDPhRb4ONU/s1600/IMG_2291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2BsoJPHBTSQ/TdcK8xVu9WI/AAAAAAAAAao/kVDPhRb4ONU/s320/IMG_2291.JPG" width="180px" /></a></div><br />
So this is what cleaning and lubricating a bike involves? And you do this more frequently than say, every other year? Who knew. <br />
Don't worry- there's still some sand from Huntington Beach on there...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zr6fe8OW9r8/TdcLXLFJNTI/AAAAAAAAAas/qybqMAMcRkQ/s1600/IMG_2292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zr6fe8OW9r8/TdcLXLFJNTI/AAAAAAAAAas/qybqMAMcRkQ/s320/IMG_2292.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
And after all that we adjourned to a nearby Italian restaurant (recommended by Mark...clearly he is on a roll) and indulged. <br />
Let's see how 140 miles feels tomorrow. Bloody awful, I should imagine, hah-hah!<br />
<br />
ps If you are reading this blog and haven't yet sponsored me then please do not wait until the end of the ride or until some other arbitrary date- please go here <a href="http://www.bmycharity.com/c2cmac">to help Macmillan Cancer Support</a>,<br />
or here <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/c2cusa">to help Trinity Hospice</a>. They need funds now. Thanks!<br />
<br />
Stats...stats...stats...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/86856391">Lazy-ish numbers...conservation!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-65553312245873573212011-05-20T12:18:00.001+01:002011-05-20T20:33:05.757+01:00A Legal Matter...Day 26...Marysville to Wooster...Thurs 19/05/11Sorry for not getting this dirge out earlier: I was trying to upload the photos last night and the wi-fi was sooooooooo slow that I thought I'd take a five minute break.<br />
Well, I woke up at 2.30am. Anyway, here we go...<br />
<br />
It was only a matter of time before I was rumbled for impersonating a cyclist. Fair play...slap them on etc...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VqjX597TfEQ/TdY9HkwhO7I/AAAAAAAAAYg/8oCD_OZuEuo/s1600/IMG_2222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VqjX597TfEQ/TdY9HkwhO7I/AAAAAAAAAYg/8oCD_OZuEuo/s320/IMG_2222.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Never great when you wheel your bike out and all the air from the back tyre (note correct non-Colonial spelling) has frankly, sodded-off. <br />
Jim'll fix it. And he did, super-fast.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h5Ezi2wgiss/TdY9MG5N4GI/AAAAAAAAAYk/4xscvEL1sUk/s1600/IMG_2223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h5Ezi2wgiss/TdY9MG5N4GI/AAAAAAAAAYk/4xscvEL1sUk/s320/IMG_2223.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Best day on the bike for well, days...great roads, beautiful views, it didn't rain...hurrah!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8_duKaThe4/TdY9eo9PXpI/AAAAAAAAAYo/65vU3PlJf90/s1600/IMG_2228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8_duKaThe4/TdY9eo9PXpI/AAAAAAAAAYo/65vU3PlJf90/s320/IMG_2228.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LXpXHqi48LE/TdY9hZh6vbI/AAAAAAAAAYs/P3Csn2qjqW8/s1600/IMG_2229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LXpXHqi48LE/TdY9hZh6vbI/AAAAAAAAAYs/P3Csn2qjqW8/s320/IMG_2229.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Geddit'?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-obsFacd3dmA/TdY9pVXfL8I/AAAAAAAAAYw/VnE1JWqoz_Y/s1600/IMG_2231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-obsFacd3dmA/TdY9pVXfL8I/AAAAAAAAAYw/VnE1JWqoz_Y/s320/IMG_2231.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sju-QLw5uB8/TdY9r3An4bI/AAAAAAAAAY0/TQoH6QywCdk/s1600/IMG_2233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sju-QLw5uB8/TdY9r3An4bI/AAAAAAAAAY0/TQoH6QywCdk/s320/IMG_2233.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
And we passed a few wineries too, much to the approval of the Terre Haute Terror himself, Mr. Tom Newlin. That is about the only view you'll see of him before he disappears over the horizon...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--T5EqiGKOKg/TdY98DvYSeI/AAAAAAAAAY4/9YeVdp69KUo/s1600/IMG_2235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--T5EqiGKOKg/TdY98DvYSeI/AAAAAAAAAY4/9YeVdp69KUo/s320/IMG_2235.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Local authorities near Delaware have kept tabs on Garrold Glitter's whereabouts, thankfully...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PP8lSJDGHCI/TdY-BOmTjFI/AAAAAAAAAY8/xQ9xJVbcVks/s1600/IMG_2236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PP8lSJDGHCI/TdY-BOmTjFI/AAAAAAAAAY8/xQ9xJVbcVks/s320/IMG_2236.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Letting the Kiwi brothers, Jason and Patric do all the graft for a couple of picturesque miles...no, I've very little conscience left, hah-hah!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nX8Fw05XXeA/TdY-SLvzLiI/AAAAAAAAAZA/cMC0H9okP4w/s1600/IMG_2239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nX8Fw05XXeA/TdY-SLvzLiI/AAAAAAAAAZA/cMC0H9okP4w/s320/IMG_2239.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Not sure if they were little horses or just very far away...(cheers to Father Ted.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umgPDY8nETE/TdY-TsZ0KvI/AAAAAAAAAZE/h7Uy4xGCZsk/s1600/IMG_2240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umgPDY8nETE/TdY-TsZ0KvI/AAAAAAAAAZE/h7Uy4xGCZsk/s320/IMG_2240.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Saatchi & Saatchi? Never heard of them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cmt9U526wxA/TdY-evPSUTI/AAAAAAAAAZI/b_ZVxFOHkQA/s1600/IMG_2241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cmt9U526wxA/TdY-evPSUTI/AAAAAAAAAZI/b_ZVxFOHkQA/s320/IMG_2241.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-40t5SHlWfzM/TdY-neB7V1I/AAAAAAAAAZM/sVX9yti47U8/s1600/IMG_2245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-40t5SHlWfzM/TdY-neB7V1I/AAAAAAAAAZM/sVX9yti47U8/s320/IMG_2245.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Top civic title: Mayor Mifflin.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4n2LQeMH9-o/TdY-zlbxnmI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/2B-tyN60FUY/s1600/IMG_2247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4n2LQeMH9-o/TdY-zlbxnmI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/2B-tyN60FUY/s320/IMG_2247.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Yer actual Amish getaway vehicle.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tKGWx8gHY_s/TdY-33DRYrI/AAAAAAAAAZU/aHNz0O1J0Gg/s1600/IMG_2248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tKGWx8gHY_s/TdY-33DRYrI/AAAAAAAAAZU/aHNz0O1J0Gg/s320/IMG_2248.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Well, if it keeps him off 'Match Of The Day', it's got to be a good thing...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R5cfK2FwCmA/TdY-6fll8fI/AAAAAAAAAZY/feSqVo1QDVk/s1600/IMG_2249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R5cfK2FwCmA/TdY-6fll8fI/AAAAAAAAAZY/feSqVo1QDVk/s320/IMG_2249.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Smart-ass comment to myself as I saw this: "Oh yeah? Doesn't seem too...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t9u4_HmN7Xw/TdY_Is0n_fI/AAAAAAAAAZc/0IFRaA7FOvA/s1600/IMG_2253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t9u4_HmN7Xw/TdY_Is0n_fI/AAAAAAAAAZc/0IFRaA7FOvA/s320/IMG_2253.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
"...oh hang on a minute!"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FkzwXCb-Rxw/TdY_Tvp7y4I/AAAAAAAAAZg/DdZMl1bA6Q0/s1600/IMG_2254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FkzwXCb-Rxw/TdY_Tvp7y4I/AAAAAAAAAZg/DdZMl1bA6Q0/s320/IMG_2254.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Which meant a quick detour onto the highway. No drama.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-94WOUSnDXDs/TdY_a3gS0WI/AAAAAAAAAZk/u3sKquaioHQ/s1600/IMG_2255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-94WOUSnDXDs/TdY_a3gS0WI/AAAAAAAAAZk/u3sKquaioHQ/s320/IMG_2255.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
And finally into lovley Wooster. Must've been a mistake somewhere as we were actually staying in the actual town itself. Actually. A first!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uLLflN73FNA/TdY_diwPT5I/AAAAAAAAAZo/dlKkOkUQ1Vc/s1600/IMG_2256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uLLflN73FNA/TdY_diwPT5I/AAAAAAAAAZo/dlKkOkUQ1Vc/s320/IMG_2256.JPG" width="179px" /></a></div><br />
Ohio Steve cut a rather forlorn figure as he waited for his er, treatment.<br />
"No Mr. Ohio...your credit no good...you pay cash!"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TKtTJl_K_NI/TdZEOT4Ip5I/AAAAAAAAAZs/v3oafRUaJkA/s1600/IMG_2257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TKtTJl_K_NI/TdZEOT4Ip5I/AAAAAAAAAZs/v3oafRUaJkA/s320/IMG_2257.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
UK Bob, Sir Clive, Lee, Big Chris, Mark and myself enjoyed this number...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-siFqVb4oR44/TdZEk845CmI/AAAAAAAAAZw/M_VlU1YDOrg/s1600/IMG_2259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-siFqVb4oR44/TdZEk845CmI/AAAAAAAAAZw/M_VlU1YDOrg/s320/IMG_2259.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
A good friend of Richard Gere, allegedly. Right, that was Sir Clive's gag, if there any legal comebacks on that, alright?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rnvrqCl6ZA/TdZEua0efHI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/6G2TrEZN2XI/s1600/IMG_2261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rnvrqCl6ZA/TdZEua0efHI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/6G2TrEZN2XI/s320/IMG_2261.JPG" width="180px" /></a></div><br />
The beer of the day and the one that I bought Jim for getting me on the road pronto 12 hours earlier. Cheers!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-etKqwgW9T7M/TdZE6JG_sVI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/GEitGxhI5Mo/s1600/IMG_2262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-etKqwgW9T7M/TdZE6JG_sVI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/GEitGxhI5Mo/s320/IMG_2262.JPG" width="180px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More of the same for tomorrow, please!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy stats...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/player/86659605">Hopefully this will display the map!</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-36120242195498823562011-05-19T02:08:00.000+01:002011-05-19T02:08:39.388+01:00Glory Days...Day 25...Richmond to Marysville, OH...Weds 18/05/11Peering out of the window at 5.30am this morning wasn't a good idea: dark and wet was the view. Oh good.<br />
<br />
A shower of lycra eventually leaving our warm and welcoming hotel. Too early and too damp for any of this carry-on. Which incidentally is what we have to do with our luggage...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmyfO5F4dVI/TdRgvX1rjUI/AAAAAAAAAXk/pCf1voH-8WE/s1600/IMG_2199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmyfO5F4dVI/TdRgvX1rjUI/AAAAAAAAAXk/pCf1voH-8WE/s320/IMG_2199.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Alright, alright...you have the right-of-way...just this once, mind.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QLuAa7prvnE/TdRgxhxdBWI/AAAAAAAAAXo/an4h6Y4fmso/s1600/IMG_2200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QLuAa7prvnE/TdRgxhxdBWI/AAAAAAAAAXo/an4h6Y4fmso/s320/IMG_2200.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Our tenth state (or so I am told) and it is a real privilege to share the frame with Ohio Bob, who hails from Canton, OH.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EC0os0AF_o4/TdRhX74mwYI/AAAAAAAAAXw/FUz2z3AyXN4/s1600/IMG_2202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EC0os0AF_o4/TdRhX74mwYI/AAAAAAAAAXw/FUz2z3AyXN4/s320/IMG_2202.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nobody was racing today, which I can only put down to the rough past couple of days. This is the only occasion today that I led any paceline (for all of 30 feet, hah-hah!) and tried to apply some beans. Spent force. Luckily Mike (doing well for 283) was on-hand to record my Voight-esque effort.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Manny is just behind with Ohio Bob looking to accelerate to Mach 3. He is a machine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7QIFafx1jZ0/TdRjnw4ElXI/AAAAAAAAAYc/fkMTET0XEAY/s1600/Marysville%252520341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7QIFafx1jZ0/TdRjnw4ElXI/AAAAAAAAAYc/fkMTET0XEAY/s1600/Marysville%252520341.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Liking Ohio's adoption of using corners and bends in their road-planning. It works.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AM7sl63VDf0/TdRhGiPXV5I/AAAAAAAAAXs/EDsCSl_9u5o/s1600/IMG_2203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AM7sl63VDf0/TdRhGiPXV5I/AAAAAAAAAXs/EDsCSl_9u5o/s320/IMG_2203.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On no, not again? Nah, we were meant to turn right, thankfully...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hBWWK7M3-qo/TdRi7ukvdUI/AAAAAAAAAX4/8UIKPnHzeRo/s1600/IMG_2206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hBWWK7M3-qo/TdRi7ukvdUI/AAAAAAAAAX4/8UIKPnHzeRo/s320/IMG_2206.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Any streams or rivers that you see all have a lot of water running down them, even now...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VLJ4bOfw2rE/TdRi_aRvQTI/AAAAAAAAAX8/_ioSh63IOE0/s1600/IMG_2208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VLJ4bOfw2rE/TdRi_aRvQTI/AAAAAAAAAX8/_ioSh63IOE0/s320/IMG_2208.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Three days of peace, love and punctures. Wrong one, Sir...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SWZ1hoxq3gY/TdRjDijtfuI/AAAAAAAAAYA/cQ_lKQwJGrw/s1600/IMG_2209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SWZ1hoxq3gY/TdRjDijtfuI/AAAAAAAAAYA/cQ_lKQwJGrw/s320/IMG_2209.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
It was a solo 30 miles after a super-quick lunch (well, it was pleutin' down) which meant I could stop for some rubbish photos, natch...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fVLXe_PBnrs/TdRjKVNEUrI/AAAAAAAAAYE/yOpUnCVd59E/s1600/IMG_2211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fVLXe_PBnrs/TdRjKVNEUrI/AAAAAAAAAYE/yOpUnCVd59E/s320/IMG_2211.JPG" width="245px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Really? We'll see what Nestle's Product Development Dept. say about that...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xROQfRq85f8/TdRjPmJjoMI/AAAAAAAAAYI/mWidPr_nf8A/s1600/IMG_2214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xROQfRq85f8/TdRjPmJjoMI/AAAAAAAAAYI/mWidPr_nf8A/s320/IMG_2214.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Nestle concurs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m5ogHFUOgOk/TdRjUhMOT9I/AAAAAAAAAYM/cQkmCtqJUUU/s1600/IMG_2216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m5ogHFUOgOk/TdRjUhMOT9I/AAAAAAAAAYM/cQkmCtqJUUU/s320/IMG_2216.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Downtown Marysville is quainter than some...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-rLWUJc7Gw/TdRjfc5jsWI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/AjpBzF7buV0/s1600/IMG_2219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-rLWUJc7Gw/TdRjfc5jsWI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/AjpBzF7buV0/s320/IMG_2219.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Our daily review and outline of the next day's two-wheeled shenanigans. Don't be fooled by the apparent air of a library's reading room on a wet Tuesday afternoon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GvMR00DNYjU/TdRjjgS_KVI/AAAAAAAAAYU/D3QyEKXAsng/s1600/IMG_2220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GvMR00DNYjU/TdRjjgS_KVI/AAAAAAAAAYU/D3QyEKXAsng/s320/IMG_2220.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Highlight of the day? Easy. Meeting-up with Marge (a Colombus resident, big Stones and Bruce fan and inveterate gig-goer) and going to a local place that specialised in fish'n'chips. Thanks for showing, Marge...cheers!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b6zUZhhm2jw/TdRjnB6ko8I/AAAAAAAAAYY/NV_0Bh1i7aM/s1600/IMG_2221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b6zUZhhm2jw/TdRjnB6ko8I/AAAAAAAAAYY/NV_0Bh1i7aM/s320/IMG_2221.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Numbers sans map...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/86487146">dunno why?</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-6554741560711532492011-05-18T03:06:00.004+01:002011-05-28T22:56:15.369+01:00Voodoo Chile...Day 24...Lebanon to Richmond...Tues 17/05/11Every once in a while you get days like this: should've been pretty straightforward...says 106 miles on the label...got a bit of a lie-in...time for a few photos...nothing much to think about...oh really?<br />
<br />
Whoever is sticking pins into a little model of me on a bicycle could they please jack it in now...oh, there's more than one of you? Hmmm...didn't factor that in, I must admit, hah-hah!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D6eqAKZAZK0/TdMdMaC9j7I/AAAAAAAAAWE/-Y0q8igp8uU/s1600/IMG_2170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D6eqAKZAZK0/TdMdMaC9j7I/AAAAAAAAAWE/-Y0q8igp8uU/s320/IMG_2170.JPG" width="180px" /></a></div><br />
Sir Clive and I breakfasted at Dennys in a leisurely fashion before my usual last-minute scramble to get ready. Only thing was, I reckoned that a) it wasn't gonna rain...drizzle maybe, but no rain, and<br />
b) it wasn't that cold, was it?<br />
<br />
Talk about caught-out on both counts...I pedalled hard for 90 mins to try to keep my temperature up as the drizzle gradually gave way to rain and I knew that if the one of the support vans (and preferably the one with the luggage) didn't arrive soonish, then I was in a bind.<br />
The cycling gods gave me a bye as the luggage van did hove into view...quick addition of another two layers and hello sweatfeast! I'd rather that than the shivers...<br />
<br />
Due to today's route being as new to the support team as it was to us, there then was a complete pffaf and we lost an hour and got several bonus miles into the bargain. Sounds a hoot probably, but less so when the temperature without wind chill is barely 50F and not going to rise any.<br />
We got to know the town of Noblesville a little too well. Enough said...this one wasn't down to us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-icF4Y0jnt2o/TdMdeWOQcmI/AAAAAAAAAWI/BjUcjNnORFY/s1600/IMG_2171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-icF4Y0jnt2o/TdMdeWOQcmI/AAAAAAAAAWI/BjUcjNnORFY/s320/IMG_2171.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
"Jake...Elwood!".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--CzQdXYmz68/TdMdgo2LazI/AAAAAAAAAWM/r2pwVMqmDU0/s1600/IMG_2173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--CzQdXYmz68/TdMdgo2LazI/AAAAAAAAAWM/r2pwVMqmDU0/s320/IMG_2173.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
You wouldn't have wanted him for a neighbour, would you?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oMjC6ynfxc0/TdMdlBsxxJI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/pbzfSbz8NPg/s1600/IMG_2174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oMjC6ynfxc0/TdMdlBsxxJI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/pbzfSbz8NPg/s320/IMG_2174.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Yeah, apparently the company director's first name is 'Hugh'...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cQe8JQsqLHY/TdMdp5jVwLI/AAAAAAAAAWU/sU8N_buxH5k/s1600/IMG_2175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cQe8JQsqLHY/TdMdp5jVwLI/AAAAAAAAAWU/sU8N_buxH5k/s320/IMG_2175.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Where the f**k? (Part one.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pOzg8b3DJyM/TdMd5M42Z2I/AAAAAAAAAWY/QYuUtAZEZwA/s1600/IMG_2176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pOzg8b3DJyM/TdMd5M42Z2I/AAAAAAAAAWY/QYuUtAZEZwA/s320/IMG_2176.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Not missing the interstates too much...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cAVe3d-0_UU/TdMeEFJXMzI/AAAAAAAAAWc/uDy-r42pPGs/s1600/IMG_2180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cAVe3d-0_UU/TdMeEFJXMzI/AAAAAAAAAWc/uDy-r42pPGs/s320/IMG_2180.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Where the f**k? (Part two.)<br />
Sir Clive and I were again scuppered by more nonsense from our own people: we stopped in front of a realtor's office which had this apt photo-op: the chap saw me take the picture and came out to see if we were as useless as we looked. He wasn't disappointed either, but he did set us on the right track.<br />
Americans: friendly, decent sorts if you discount the bicycle tour-types. Joking, of course.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vH5CfoXxm1k/TdMeIsD6eOI/AAAAAAAAAWg/h37nlLo2oZo/s1600/IMG_2182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vH5CfoXxm1k/TdMeIsD6eOI/AAAAAAAAAWg/h37nlLo2oZo/s320/IMG_2182.JPG" width="179px" /></a></div><br />
That's some old school tractorin', right there...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-6eeBkwhkk/TdMeRcs-_XI/AAAAAAAAAWk/S2JAHgqMPdk/s1600/IMG_2183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-6eeBkwhkk/TdMeRcs-_XI/AAAAAAAAAWk/S2JAHgqMPdk/s320/IMG_2183.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Not be giving South Africa sleepless nights anytime soon...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-72LPxuNlptw/TdMeSZSRDdI/AAAAAAAAAWo/BuhAkljRXUs/s1600/IMG_2184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-72LPxuNlptw/TdMeSZSRDdI/AAAAAAAAAWo/BuhAkljRXUs/s320/IMG_2184.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
"The war is over...let it go, Johnny!"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yGhvptNdQg4/TdMeifE7mGI/AAAAAAAAAWs/4ujaw-EDz2Y/s1600/IMG_2186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yGhvptNdQg4/TdMeifE7mGI/AAAAAAAAAWs/4ujaw-EDz2Y/s320/IMG_2186.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Fair play, and I'm cycling down it 205 years later. Slowly. And drenched.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4MfxP7sa3tA/TdMel7GAK7I/AAAAAAAAAWw/i-0sc_pzQk0/s1600/IMG_2187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4MfxP7sa3tA/TdMel7GAK7I/AAAAAAAAAWw/i-0sc_pzQk0/s320/IMG_2187.JPG" width="179px" /></a></div><br />
Didn't see one suspect Oirish bar, thank goodness. Move along...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QgxDsEVbeis/TdMepRT-BpI/AAAAAAAAAW0/jCF_eHLf93Q/s1600/IMG_2188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QgxDsEVbeis/TdMepRT-BpI/AAAAAAAAAW0/jCF_eHLf93Q/s320/IMG_2188.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> See, Copernicus? Weren't so clever after all, were you?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wUkKjTu8rCc/TdMfMwwv5PI/AAAAAAAAAXA/JfumTSk1Mqc/s1600/IMG_2191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wUkKjTu8rCc/TdMfMwwv5PI/AAAAAAAAAXA/JfumTSk1Mqc/s320/IMG_2191.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
I'm guessing that Ron's 2008 presidential campaign wasn't all that he hoped for...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Us4apCuIazM/TdMfOkgpybI/AAAAAAAAAXE/IflJsxSuGxU/s1600/IMG_2192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Us4apCuIazM/TdMfOkgpybI/AAAAAAAAAXE/IflJsxSuGxU/s320/IMG_2192.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Was it Jayne or Wayne?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n5gRz5qUPIc/TdMgfef5i0I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/smkPpYsFD-c/s1600/IMG_2194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n5gRz5qUPIc/TdMgfef5i0I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/smkPpYsFD-c/s320/IMG_2194.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
At our super-friendly hotel...no, really...top people. Bike and model also available in white.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-37jkmZWmYNk/TdMhV47DCGI/AAAAAAAAAXY/PVy8Tuy25YA/s1600/IMG_2197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-37jkmZWmYNk/TdMhV47DCGI/AAAAAAAAAXY/PVy8Tuy25YA/s320/IMG_2197.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Aaaaaand relax...<br />
<br />
Kudos to all the people who rode out in that today...it wasn't easy or pleasant to put it mildly. But we did it!<br />
<br />
"I'd give you a beer but I've only got six." (A hardy perennial from Clement & La Frenais.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ymzxgt9oAfg/TdMh5tlEF8I/AAAAAAAAAXg/_5MawPyUIH4/s1600/IMG_2198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ymzxgt9oAfg/TdMh5tlEF8I/AAAAAAAAAXg/_5MawPyUIH4/s320/IMG_2198.JPG" width="180px" /></a></div><br />
Special thanks go to Luke and J.J. Hewitt who have made a really generous and greatly appreciated donation...thanks guys, your support makes a day like today totally worthwhile. Today's ride is dedicated to you.<br />
<br />
Look away now, ye of a nervous disposition...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/86329897">Indecent stats!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-63319229374251933992011-05-17T03:02:00.001+01:002011-05-17T08:08:18.087+01:00Israelites...Day 23...Tuscola to Lebanon, IN...Mon 16/05/11Expecting rain and all sorts of malarkey, we spun away into a blustery Northerly wind but vibrant skies...it remained that way for the next 120 miles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4KS4QqnB6wA/TdHRxu5UsjI/AAAAAAAAAVc/MgVlav0_SO4/s1600/IMG_2144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4KS4QqnB6wA/TdHRxu5UsjI/AAAAAAAAAVc/MgVlav0_SO4/s320/IMG_2144.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Even my deliacte and subtle lenswork cannot fully convey the absolute pain-in-the-arse that the wind was. There were no freebies today, and to help myself (obviously) I linked-up with other 'fugees like Sir Clive, Lee and Mark to fight against the invisible foe.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl05fYx0yz4/TdHR42plfSI/AAAAAAAAAVg/7fll7pTuP7s/s1600/IMG_2148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl05fYx0yz4/TdHR42plfSI/AAAAAAAAAVg/7fll7pTuP7s/s320/IMG_2148.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Not in a position of responsiblity, surely?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63LPrIG_c6U/TdHR7F9JjcI/AAAAAAAAAVk/6fnnocUmajg/s1600/IMG_2150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63LPrIG_c6U/TdHR7F9JjcI/AAAAAAAAAVk/6fnnocUmajg/s320/IMG_2150.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Spied in the town of Dansville...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zu8ufR2Ia90/TdHSFVd8zvI/AAAAAAAAAVo/0opjHhYHPKU/s1600/IMG_2153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zu8ufR2Ia90/TdHSFVd8zvI/AAAAAAAAAVo/0opjHhYHPKU/s320/IMG_2153.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Another day, another state...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8gw3wAPeWo/TdHSNAMhDHI/AAAAAAAAAVs/jjDJVo13Prs/s1600/IMG_2155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8gw3wAPeWo/TdHSNAMhDHI/AAAAAAAAAVs/jjDJVo13Prs/s320/IMG_2155.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
"My kind of town..."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GmE2bhnDGhU/TdHShbXRQdI/AAAAAAAAAVw/6oPNWGks7hI/s1600/IMG_2160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GmE2bhnDGhU/TdHShbXRQdI/AAAAAAAAAVw/6oPNWGks7hI/s320/IMG_2160.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Luncheon was taken at 84 miles...after we had lost an hour by crossing into Indiana and thus moving into the Central Time Zone. Was already a long day...<br />
<br />
Yeah, and 21 sore arses too, pal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-72vBBiipVT8/TdHSjln5X5I/AAAAAAAAAV0/OGNB3d5h3pA/s1600/IMG_2164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-72vBBiipVT8/TdHSjln5X5I/AAAAAAAAAV0/OGNB3d5h3pA/s320/IMG_2164.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Missing 445?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q6UC13o3W0g/TdHSyJNTdJI/AAAAAAAAAV4/J_z90N3B-8k/s1600/IMG_2166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q6UC13o3W0g/TdHSyJNTdJI/AAAAAAAAAV4/J_z90N3B-8k/s320/IMG_2166.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
At last...the Promised Land. Alright, not accurate in any way with history but that's the way it felt.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uj8_zJPVIYk/TdHSzYskqhI/AAAAAAAAAV8/raP1t5tAdSg/s1600/IMG_2167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uj8_zJPVIYk/TdHSzYskqhI/AAAAAAAAAV8/raP1t5tAdSg/s320/IMG_2167.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
And finally, The Big Man...Lasse (Norwegian loon) chows down on his second burger at the only watering & feeding hole around. Dear Lord. Looks like Liam Neeson gone wrong, hah-hah!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YrhSgIJaCLE/TdHS1UpD3PI/AAAAAAAAAWA/Bd50l0FHjj8/s1600/IMG_2168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YrhSgIJaCLE/TdHS1UpD3PI/AAAAAAAAAWA/Bd50l0FHjj8/s320/IMG_2168.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
More nonsense tomorrow, no doubt...<br />
<br />
Stats...stats...stats...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/86144002">Hard-won numbers. Not fast either!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-1750537606744744722011-05-16T02:02:00.001+01:002011-05-16T02:56:13.689+01:00Tusk...Day 22...Springfield to Tuscalosa...Sun 15/05/11Today's stage is probably the shortest of the trip at only 80 miles and accordingly we got a lie-in and were away into the drizzle and rain by 9am.<br />
When there is a bit of water around quite often it's more comfortable to cycle solo as you won't get covered in other folks' road spray and you don't have to worry about their brakes not working so well in the wet, so after about 10 miles I did my own thing.<br />
This actually turned into a beasting as I floored it until our only stop of the day at 41 miles and caught everyone except the front two. Indeed I managed to ride a mile past the lunch stop...d'oh!<br />
<br />
Homer's Springfield workplace...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDn3Rj0QM0E/TdBvW7fU8jI/AAAAAAAAAVA/OMswp8oEB_Y/s1600/IMG_2129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDn3Rj0QM0E/TdBvW7fU8jI/AAAAAAAAAVA/OMswp8oEB_Y/s320/IMG_2129.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Our only stop and place of civilisation all day...although the blighters had renamed their petrol station just to confuse simple folk...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--NQi8Lv3g3A/TdBvcjzVuHI/AAAAAAAAAVE/Soflk4k4_VU/s1600/IMG_2131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--NQi8Lv3g3A/TdBvcjzVuHI/AAAAAAAAAVE/Soflk4k4_VU/s320/IMG_2131.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Squall after drizzle before rain preceeding another squall. Wet and cold feet after 20 miles is such a morale booster...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MObW36WYk0A/TdBvgnIXsYI/AAAAAAAAAVI/DEEEq2KGh9U/s1600/IMG_2135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MObW36WYk0A/TdBvgnIXsYI/AAAAAAAAAVI/DEEEq2KGh9U/s320/IMG_2135.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Tuscola's main drag. Nothing to see here...move along...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LaXxwsIambs/TdBv7H0klWI/AAAAAAAAAVM/rdHPfQyk5YE/s1600/IMG_2139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LaXxwsIambs/TdBv7H0klWI/AAAAAAAAAVM/rdHPfQyk5YE/s320/IMG_2139.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Synergy, 'innit? Actually Amishland was a bit on the closed side but I had already had my fill of the Amish brethern earlier when I was on a road in the middle of nowhere and doubting if I was on the right track or not, when this horse and closed-carriage came towards me.<br />
I gestured to the driver to stop but the young lady blanked me and continued talking on her mobile phone! That never happened to Harrison Ford, did it? On reflection I did wonder if I would have stopped for a wheezing'n'soaking vision of unathletic prowess either. Nah, the cheeky mare was bang out of order, hah-hah!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N2KX6WO3Yk4/TdBv_SIaDHI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/r0E8yO88Jzk/s1600/IMG_2140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N2KX6WO3Yk4/TdBv_SIaDHI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/r0E8yO88Jzk/s320/IMG_2140.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
My first stop after a hot shower was an adjacent Pizza Hut...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ldvz4NMEN14/TdBwRJeo3iI/AAAAAAAAAVU/6W2oD8Mwoc4/s1600/IMG_2141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ldvz4NMEN14/TdBwRJeo3iI/AAAAAAAAAVU/6W2oD8Mwoc4/s320/IMG_2141.JPG" width="180px" /></a></div><br />
...followed by a trip to Dennys a little later. The gent nearest the camera on the right is Ohio 'yeah baby' Bob. It's quite possible that he will still be there as you read this as His Bobness is possibly the most <em>deliberate </em>eater. Ever.<br />
"Hell, I resemble that remark!". Top man.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3LvzmsQt5eU/TdBwYUlUbhI/AAAAAAAAAVY/nprBdWE2Y8w/s1600/IMG_2142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3LvzmsQt5eU/TdBwYUlUbhI/AAAAAAAAAVY/nprBdWE2Y8w/s320/IMG_2142.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Back to more challenging stuff tomorrow with 120 (possibly wet) miles to Lebanon. No, not that one. The one in Indiana. Ah, you knew that already. Cheers!<br />
<br />
Stats...stats...stats...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/85898012">Wet numbers!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-87756226014068798122011-05-15T04:21:00.000+01:002011-05-15T04:21:47.587+01:00Comfortably Numb...Day 21...Rest day in Springfield...Sat 14/05/11What can I tell you about today? Eh, sod all in all honesty. Awake at 6.30am and witnessed the joy of Sir Alex claiming his 341st Canon League title live on ESPN2. Great start.<br />
<br />
It persisted down all day so no spinning around on the bike (I'll cope with the anguish) but a trip out to the nearby deli-cafe for lunch instead followed by aimless walking around in the rain.<br />
<br />
Our home-from-home this weekend. Power station just out of shot. Not kidding.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WWcP-F04OQQ/Tc9EY9-ReSI/AAAAAAAAAU8/H9WWsix1UHg/s1600/IMG_2126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WWcP-F04OQQ/Tc9EY9-ReSI/AAAAAAAAAU8/H9WWsix1UHg/s320/IMG_2126.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
The (sole redeeming) feature of Dreary Inns is that at 5.30pm each evening they offer a smorgasbord of delights gratis along with a maximum of 3 (three) alcoholic beverages for every inmate er, resident.<br />
Purely coincidentally this was the first time that I saw anyone else all day, hah-hah!<br />
<br />
We organised ourselves for dinner options and I joined Lee, Sir Clive, Ohio Steve, Mark and Chris as they decided on another Hooternanny adventure prior to the main event in a nearby steakhouse. Good laugh too!<br />
<br />
We'll see if it's all rained-out by tomorrow. Bleedin' well hope so!<br />
<br />
Stats? Nah. Do your own. Cheers!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-65387192433913178782011-05-14T04:16:00.001+01:002011-05-14T17:34:02.473+01:00For What It's Worth...Day 20...Quincy to Springfield...Fri 13/05/11Bit of an alternative start for us today...our breakfast was gonna be served at Mike's Diner in Liberty, which was about 15 miles from our Quincy hotel.<br />
Fair enough- I envisaged a nice pootle along there at a modest pace. D'oh!<br />
Seems like the guys I set out with all had their racing numbers pinned-on: take a bow Tom, Bob, Chris, Lee...that was about as fast a 15 miles as you'd want on an empty stomach. Still, at least we had the choice of the seating!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQyMxKBn-ww/Tc3plrHsJ9I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/1kcLo9sfZ_s/s1600/IMG_2091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQyMxKBn-ww/Tc3plrHsJ9I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/1kcLo9sfZ_s/s320/IMG_2091.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_fk3nKPS4wo/Tc3px9zE0-I/AAAAAAAAAUU/ITvX5hfbtfo/s1600/IMG_2093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_fk3nKPS4wo/Tc3px9zE0-I/AAAAAAAAAUU/ITvX5hfbtfo/s320/IMG_2093.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Possibly one of Ohio Bob's cast-offs...yeah baby!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tesyFHJPr-k/Tc3p52RFaqI/AAAAAAAAAUY/mJBzO6JGtJg/s1600/IMG_2094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tesyFHJPr-k/Tc3p52RFaqI/AAAAAAAAAUY/mJBzO6JGtJg/s320/IMG_2094.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
On the way out of Liberty prior to caning-it again, this time with Steve, Mark, Lee and Bob. Sort of enjoyable...I think!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fLe_ss9CbcY/Tc3p_ifKEQI/AAAAAAAAAUc/FmBFKxbZdyo/s1600/IMG_2095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fLe_ss9CbcY/Tc3p_ifKEQI/AAAAAAAAAUc/FmBFKxbZdyo/s320/IMG_2095.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Almost camouflaged your dish, Sir...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NO1_C_NDENQ/Tc3r4VOSOsI/AAAAAAAAAUg/vN3IG6yC3-c/s1600/IMG_2100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NO1_C_NDENQ/Tc3r4VOSOsI/AAAAAAAAAUg/vN3IG6yC3-c/s320/IMG_2100.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-On5aO7v74T0/Tc3sScK3beI/AAAAAAAAAUk/vo8mjWHexmA/s1600/IMG_2112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-On5aO7v74T0/Tc3sScK3beI/AAAAAAAAAUk/vo8mjWHexmA/s320/IMG_2112.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The bridge over the Illinois River before Meredosia...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cU-a-BbNYM8/Tc3uQJ8AkRI/AAAAAAAAAUs/FhewPB973iA/s1600/IMG_2106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cU-a-BbNYM8/Tc3uQJ8AkRI/AAAAAAAAAUs/FhewPB973iA/s320/IMG_2106.JPG" width="179px" /></a></div><br />
Opposite direction full-on chap cycling from Minnesota to San Francisco. Best of luck, Sir...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JiMNj6sGn0I/Tc3ui2oSpwI/AAAAAAAAAUw/QNPM3iprHm8/s1600/IMG_2120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JiMNj6sGn0I/Tc3ui2oSpwI/AAAAAAAAAUw/QNPM3iprHm8/s320/IMG_2120.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
The post-lunch session was a more sedate solo affair, as we all had shredded ourselves, hah-hah!<br />
In any event, we were at our Springfield hotel before 3pm...a nice way to start a day-off. Cheers!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8msdOre-h-U/Tc3uwqly4FI/AAAAAAAAAU0/pF6sjUr0KdI/s1600/IMG_2124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8msdOre-h-U/Tc3uwqly4FI/AAAAAAAAAU0/pF6sjUr0KdI/s320/IMG_2124.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Our food options were narrowed-down slightly when UK Steve/Sir Clive said that he had never been to 'Hooters': no loss in culinary terms but this situation needed to be adressed. Purely in the sake of research...<br />
<br />
Four sad, middle-aged geezers: (L-R) Lee, Steve, me, Chris. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d8KZn38H5yU/Tc6uDvLy5wI/AAAAAAAAAU4/VPO22LN25cc/s1600/IMG_2125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d8KZn38H5yU/Tc6uDvLy5wI/AAAAAAAAAU4/VPO22LN25cc/s320/IMG_2125.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Here they are...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/85378246">Pin the numbers on!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-27798157796266431042011-05-13T21:56:00.002+01:002011-05-14T14:52:48.848+01:00Take Me To The River...Day 19...Kirksville to Quincy, IL...Thurs 12/05/11Once again I apologise for the late arrival of this BS...you can thank Blogger for extending their scheduled maintenance/downtime by oh, say 13 hours or so.<br />
Anyway, your respite is now over...<br />
<br />
We rolled back into more hills on our last morning in Missouri and we were warned that our legs would protest after the shoeing of the last two days, but strangely enough I felt ok and we was speeding along with UK Steve and Minnesota Mark, both funny and good company.<br />
Which probably isn't how this poor fellow feels about the legal profession...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7HT2aPXw64Y/Tc2SfBIUOWI/AAAAAAAAATg/NL_J1FXcFag/s1600/IMG_2052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7HT2aPXw64Y/Tc2SfBIUOWI/AAAAAAAAATg/NL_J1FXcFag/s320/IMG_2052.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
This could be roads near home. Except that we don't have great big yellow lines running down the centre. Do we?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bmR8XnxY6XQ/Tc2S-iBOEPI/AAAAAAAAATk/lnQhBb8b-rg/s1600/IMG_2053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bmR8XnxY6XQ/Tc2S-iBOEPI/AAAAAAAAATk/lnQhBb8b-rg/s320/IMG_2053.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
We get the loveliest spots for our scheduled stops: this is/was the town of Baring. Nothing to see here...move along...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IJvC1Vvq7Bs/Tc2TDhWUvUI/AAAAAAAAATo/CtrAdArY3i8/s1600/IMG_2054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IJvC1Vvq7Bs/Tc2TDhWUvUI/AAAAAAAAATo/CtrAdArY3i8/s320/IMG_2054.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Strong Irish influence possibly? Hang on, he wasn't even a Paddy...<br />
Despite that, it's only when you slow right down that you get a real feel of the tranquility in these parts: it is so quiet and peaceful. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhDu72ThUI0/Tc2TFvEAQLI/AAAAAAAAATs/qXyZVf8UotU/s1600/IMG_2059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhDu72ThUI0/Tc2TFvEAQLI/AAAAAAAAATs/qXyZVf8UotU/s320/IMG_2059.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Our first sighting of the Big Muddy from Canton, MO. We had a lunch-break and then caught the ferry across: the current was certainly strong enough...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SXCX3hw_9uA/Tc2TNjA_EEI/AAAAAAAAATw/AW68nqrnaD4/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SXCX3hw_9uA/Tc2TNjA_EEI/AAAAAAAAATw/AW68nqrnaD4/s320/IMG_2063.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
A shower of lycra aboard the sloop Paul B..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfYtT9_XhTs/Tc2TbyjGacI/AAAAAAAAAT0/Smpx7lmtcf0/s1600/IMG_2068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfYtT9_XhTs/Tc2TbyjGacI/AAAAAAAAAT0/Smpx7lmtcf0/s320/IMG_2068.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
The contented air of a man who knows that he only has to cycle another 25 miles or so...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Lnxu_rsUUU/Tc2TgiaNdqI/AAAAAAAAAT4/IcziDvR7uIc/s1600/IMG_2069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Lnxu_rsUUU/Tc2TgiaNdqI/AAAAAAAAAT4/IcziDvR7uIc/s320/IMG_2069.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
The slightly less-contented and wheezing air of a man who is struggling to keep-up with these eejits, hah-hah!<br />
I had to cane it to get out in front to take this...<br />
L-R: Craig (Nevada), Bob (Ohio), Lasse (Norway), Mark (Minnesota), Lee (Virginia) and T.C. (Indiana).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-62Wq-Kr8UI4/Tc2TndleBzI/AAAAAAAAAT8/3hETxXD-COc/s1600/IMG_2075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-62Wq-Kr8UI4/Tc2TndleBzI/AAAAAAAAAT8/3hETxXD-COc/s320/IMG_2075.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
We shadowed the river on the run into Quincy...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--u6xSv_6gGM/Tc2T2oauWZI/AAAAAAAAAUA/IpPPuMhIhGI/s1600/IMG_2080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--u6xSv_6gGM/Tc2T2oauWZI/AAAAAAAAAUA/IpPPuMhIhGI/s320/IMG_2080.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LI6oAoS1qHs/Tc2T-WAN1_I/AAAAAAAAAUE/lCeIKw892hw/s1600/IMG_2081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LI6oAoS1qHs/Tc2T-WAN1_I/AAAAAAAAAUE/lCeIKw892hw/s320/IMG_2081.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xj_KPhbM7eE/Tc2UVxf_lwI/AAAAAAAAAUI/AuleUjAIXx8/s1600/IMG_2085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xj_KPhbM7eE/Tc2UVxf_lwI/AAAAAAAAAUI/AuleUjAIXx8/s320/IMG_2085.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Another tenuous Stones' link. Sorry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7FkqNxPobf4/Tc2UeU6Uw4I/AAAAAAAAAUM/c5_3GuQ7zQ8/s1600/IMG_2089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7FkqNxPobf4/Tc2UeU6Uw4I/AAAAAAAAAUM/c5_3GuQ7zQ8/s320/IMG_2089.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
So now we're into Illinois where the terrain is reputed to be kinder...our legs are hoping so...<br />
<br />
Your daily stats...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/85195966">Is my mojo back?</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-44820380367099041652011-05-12T13:02:00.001+01:002011-05-14T17:19:43.685+01:00Gimme Shelter...Day 18...Cameron to Kirksville...Weds 11/05/11I set-off last from our motel and knew that thunderstorms were on the cards...joy. And unease, quite frankly: although you <em>probably</em> know that the lightning strikes are miles away, they don't half look a bit too close, especially when you are perched on a load of metal...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bmmBtq1IOF0/TcsvrGhTH6I/AAAAAAAAAS4/LntI-LzANLI/s1600/IMG_2033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bmmBtq1IOF0/TcsvrGhTH6I/AAAAAAAAAS4/LntI-LzANLI/s320/IMG_2033.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Sense prevailed after 15 miles or so as our boss called us in to take shelter in a truck-stop. Not sure what the correct collective for a load of lycra is...a shower?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-beL9Dp1gkJo/Tcsv3JYRKAI/AAAAAAAAAS8/FK36rvsQMag/s1600/IMG_2034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-beL9Dp1gkJo/Tcsv3JYRKAI/AAAAAAAAAS8/FK36rvsQMag/s320/IMG_2034.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
And here is Mike (doing well for 253) consulting the weather gods/Apple apps and trying to decide when he can release us back into the wilds of MO...after 30 minutes, as it happens.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CteOhBVhUyU/Tcsv-Tl52DI/AAAAAAAAATA/6cZ8fulnnjQ/s1600/IMG_2035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CteOhBVhUyU/Tcsv-Tl52DI/AAAAAAAAATA/6cZ8fulnnjQ/s320/IMG_2035.JPG" width="180px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Slight navigational pfaff by myself after our first scheduled stop in Chilliclothe (great name)...I managed to get myself temporarily situationally-confused (thus giving myself a couple of bonus miles) and was pleased to find the support team who gave me a lead out of town.<br />
"Follow that van...".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FcwA8ZPntag/TcswF7WpAvI/AAAAAAAAATE/OX-WyUn71k0/s1600/IMG_2036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FcwA8ZPntag/TcswF7WpAvI/AAAAAAAAATE/OX-WyUn71k0/s320/IMG_2036.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
This meant a from-then-on solo day as I was too far behind most of the other riders to catch-up, and indeed lacking in either speed or inclination to do so. Sight-seeing it was then, and a long day in the saddle...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_5ZiHumAZQw/TcsybNPQEkI/AAAAAAAAATI/ybVqNcgY8fQ/s1600/IMG_2042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_5ZiHumAZQw/TcsybNPQEkI/AAAAAAAAATI/ybVqNcgY8fQ/s320/IMG_2042.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SUqrZkQ6JoM/Tcsy2zw3QYI/AAAAAAAAATQ/lYUa3RMNebE/s1600/IMG_2049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SUqrZkQ6JoM/Tcsy2zw3QYI/AAAAAAAAATQ/lYUa3RMNebE/s320/IMG_2049.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Made in the shade...by the 100 mile-mark I was glad of the occasional shelter from the sun...it was warm enough at a high of 93F but nowhere near as bad as the past two days. Still went through over 10 litres of water though.<br />
We climbed over a mile today, and certainly now we all respect the state of Missouri- not one to be taken lightly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGeeBootmdQ/Tcsy9m9L6uI/AAAAAAAAATU/HIGcJUUiL_0/s1600/IMG_2048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGeeBootmdQ/Tcsy9m9L6uI/AAAAAAAAATU/HIGcJUUiL_0/s320/IMG_2048.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Was I glad to see the Crossroads Motel? Hell yes!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O7drB9te6OM/Tcs2CdHW89I/AAAAAAAAATc/DUPxkl0_3zo/s1600/IMG_2050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O7drB9te6OM/Tcs2CdHW89I/AAAAAAAAATc/DUPxkl0_3zo/s320/IMG_2050.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Althoug I did take an aeon to finish, I actually wasn't that far behind the chaps that I usually cycle with/near...it's a funny old game, this bike nonsense.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow...The Mississippi, Illinois and adventure awaits.<br />
<br />
Stats...stats...stats...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/85030905">nothing to hurry about down here...</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-10175485836781779862011-05-11T02:59:00.001+01:002011-05-14T13:03:08.720+01:00Disraeli Gears...Day 17...Topeka to Cameron, MO...Tues 10/05/11We rolled out of Topeka at 7am and led a charmed life for the first 70 miles or so...it was too good to last of course, hah-hah!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0O1lrsIS4w4/TcnLyKyAI8I/AAAAAAAAASQ/LdVAWTyLNLI/s1600/IMG_2002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0O1lrsIS4w4/TcnLyKyAI8I/AAAAAAAAASQ/LdVAWTyLNLI/s320/IMG_2002.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
One of the last residences that we passed in Kansas...Marlboro Man mailbox.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1B7B3XTRbPU/TcnLzz77bWI/AAAAAAAAASU/7XJfekZfgww/s1600/IMG_2007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1B7B3XTRbPU/TcnLzz77bWI/AAAAAAAAASU/7XJfekZfgww/s320/IMG_2007.JPG" width="146px" /></a></div><br />
The bridge over the River Missouri in Atchison. I tried to take some shots of the water but the results were even worse than usual due to the narrow lanes and grid-like surface...I did well not to drop the sodding camera!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UD6ApavrvaM/TcnMzxObBNI/AAAAAAAAASY/XzE0HDcpKpE/s1600/IMG_2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UD6ApavrvaM/TcnMzxObBNI/AAAAAAAAASY/XzE0HDcpKpE/s320/IMG_2014.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
An out-take from the State Tourism brochure. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEaOD9GO5LU/TcnNaNWCz-I/AAAAAAAAASc/LCp0XHnxz9w/s1600/IMG_2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEaOD9GO5LU/TcnNaNWCz-I/AAAAAAAAASc/LCp0XHnxz9w/s320/IMG_2015.JPG" width="194px" /></a></div><br />
Team Felt (that's the make of bike, alright?) in varying degrees of distress...from the left: Craig, me and T.C..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ro_Cp3yGx7c/TcnPUvnPStI/AAAAAAAAASg/b960j-vfgwI/s1600/IMG_2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ro_Cp3yGx7c/TcnPUvnPStI/AAAAAAAAASg/b960j-vfgwI/s320/IMG_2016.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Some very manicured residences in this neck of the woods.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OgMuISXu9ts/TcnQD_5ZAHI/AAAAAAAAASk/89It5X_heXk/s1600/IMG_2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OgMuISXu9ts/TcnQD_5ZAHI/AAAAAAAAASk/89It5X_heXk/s320/IMG_2019.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
A novelty to see water, although pretty soon we may see what too much of the stuff can do when we come to cross the Mississippi. I saw this quote on the BBC's website...<br />
<br />
"Further inland, Graceland, the famous home of rock and roll legend Elvis Presley, was out of harm's way, as was Beale Street, a tourist attraction known for Blues music.<br />
"I want to say this: Graceland is safe. And we would charge hell with a water pistol to keep it that way and I'd be willing to lead the charge," director of the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency Bob Nations Jr said."<br />
<br />
Best quote I've read in ages, Bob Jr....and best of luck too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XtMVN_yGUNQ/TcnQLO56exI/AAAAAAAAASo/2yB9P_SfUDs/s1600/IMG_2026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XtMVN_yGUNQ/TcnQLO56exI/AAAAAAAAASo/2yB9P_SfUDs/s320/IMG_2026.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
I know I said no more 'road goes on forever' shots but this is to show the relentless, rolling terrain...it's one rise after another. We climbed around 6500' over the 120 miles, and must've changed gear 10,000 times, or so it felt.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3WvrFt2io5w/TcnQN0cLUyI/AAAAAAAAASs/modfVvSHm-k/s1600/IMG_2024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3WvrFt2io5w/TcnQN0cLUyI/AAAAAAAAASs/modfVvSHm-k/s320/IMG_2024.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
"I am a lineman for the county.<br />
And I drive the mainroad.<br />
Searching in the sun for another overload.<br />
I hear you singing in the wire. <br />
I can hear you thru the whine.<br />
And the Wichita Lineman, <br />
is still on the line."<br />
<br />
Genius from Jimmy Webb...although the bloke below was about 500 miles from Wichita.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vbRHTaPUKyg/TcnQPfZgKcI/AAAAAAAAASw/Th7TPtkrUjk/s1600/IMG_2029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vbRHTaPUKyg/TcnQPfZgKcI/AAAAAAAAASw/Th7TPtkrUjk/s320/IMG_2029.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Alright, perhaps cows aren't the most visually expressive of all animals, but I swear I could detect a look that said,<br />
"Quick, Mabel...look! Have you ever seen such a sight...well I never...I think he's going to keel over...ain't that the darnedest thing?"<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LwCmhVdJfMg/TcnQkgUbMtI/AAAAAAAAAS0/Xy87KP_r670/s1600/IMG_2032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LwCmhVdJfMg/TcnQkgUbMtI/AAAAAAAAAS0/Xy87KP_r670/s320/IMG_2032.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Could well be more of the same tomorrow...we'll see what we see.<br />
<br />
You want dodgy numbers? <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/84819927">The curse of Garmin strikes again...the rest of the data is good...</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-33319831088131700332011-05-10T02:54:00.001+01:002011-05-14T13:04:05.262+01:00Blazing Saddles...Day 16...Abilene to Topeka, Mon 09/05/11Yeah, here we go again on the road for 7.02am and already it was warm...and that was only gonna go one way...up.<br />
<br />
Well if that's your attitude, we <em>will</em> leave town!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kvFSXOHWHhc/TciT0ktbN2I/AAAAAAAAAR0/E14A9MDK8nc/s1600/IMG_1986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kvFSXOHWHhc/TciT0ktbN2I/AAAAAAAAAR0/E14A9MDK8nc/s320/IMG_1986.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Leaving Abilene, early-doors.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1RVY1MJul0/TciT8NLCNiI/AAAAAAAAAR4/eKvdFlPbEl0/s1600/IMG_1987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1RVY1MJul0/TciT8NLCNiI/AAAAAAAAAR4/eKvdFlPbEl0/s320/IMG_1987.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Tough drag through here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUfHO-pysKk/TciUKStmuII/AAAAAAAAAR8/hF7rcfrIY5w/s1600/IMG_1988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUfHO-pysKk/TciUKStmuII/AAAAAAAAAR8/hF7rcfrIY5w/s320/IMG_1988.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
What's up, horses? Why the long face?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-deAt_vlmyTE/TciUO_KMJoI/AAAAAAAAASA/gpufDv3rcak/s1600/IMG_1994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-deAt_vlmyTE/TciUO_KMJoI/AAAAAAAAASA/gpufDv3rcak/s320/IMG_1994.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Such a change in the landscape from only two days ago...and it was crazy-warm out there: my Garmin read a high of 104F. I drank in the region of 10 litres of water over the day...ridiculous.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcApQw6LBgk/TciUSKZd0LI/AAAAAAAAASE/eMj3slWe5hg/s1600/IMG_1998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcApQw6LBgk/TciUSKZd0LI/AAAAAAAAASE/eMj3slWe5hg/s320/IMG_1998.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
After the day's cycling is done there is a window of opportunity to get your bike attended to if you have a problem...this is where Jim's area of expertise lies...<br />
<br />
Steve (Sir Clive) is so organised that even his wardrobe is coordinated with his degreasing foam. Takes all sorts, I suppose...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_3CXbITJUw/TciUUypZiNI/AAAAAAAAASI/lrmebDt4Phg/s1600/IMG_2000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_3CXbITJUw/TciUUypZiNI/AAAAAAAAASI/lrmebDt4Phg/s320/IMG_2000.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
...and the ineffably cool Daryl gets his bike fettled by our technical guru Jim. Lord help him. Top-notch millinery though, Sir!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4iH67npHlQ/TciUXUGYGQI/AAAAAAAAASM/DJPwGshxpBY/s1600/IMG_2001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4iH67npHlQ/TciUXUGYGQI/AAAAAAAAASM/DJPwGshxpBY/s320/IMG_2001.JPG" width="180px" /></a></div><br />
More nonsense at the same time tomorrow. Turn the heating down a touch, will you?<br />
<br />
Stats...stats...stats...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/84614406">More numbers an' that...</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-48066806311542837812011-05-09T02:39:00.006+01:002011-05-14T16:42:53.413+01:00Lazy Sunday Afternoon...Day 15...Great Bend to Abilene...Sunday 08/05/11We headed out of Great Bend as per this morning and faced another 3/4 headwind which meant a lot of us hanging back together trying to find a bit of shelter and conserve energy for the 129 miles to our next home in Abilene.<br />
Eventually Drill Sergeant Manny had us organised into a paceline as best he could, but there were just too many of us to make it work effectively despite Manny's best efforts/barking out orders!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ME2vspFSB2M/Tccgcx1lwLI/AAAAAAAAARM/JNzWxsvyKRA/s1600/IMG_1963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ME2vspFSB2M/Tccgcx1lwLI/AAAAAAAAARM/JNzWxsvyKRA/s320/IMG_1963.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
At the first stop of the day at 31 miles in the town of Lyon with a local and vocal mog. Not impressed by my suggested dietary enhancement...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTcMSQmkK0M/TccgiFuC6qI/AAAAAAAAARQ/1tUhG6FWivs/s1600/IMG_1966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTcMSQmkK0M/TccgiFuC6qI/AAAAAAAAARQ/1tUhG6FWivs/s320/IMG_1966.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Probably means something else...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTfPqUpRfb4/TccgpNoOBVI/AAAAAAAAARU/PoMSLY2Ef30/s1600/IMG_1967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTfPqUpRfb4/TccgpNoOBVI/AAAAAAAAARU/PoMSLY2Ef30/s320/IMG_1967.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
I was having a so-so morning with no real drive in the engine room, and frankly could've climbed-off after 45 miles or so...the thought of another 80 wasn't filling me with delight.<br />
It's a bit rubbish when you are giving it your best, concerted effort and yet you are down to barely 10mph: all of us will go through these bad patches, and yet I rallied before lunch at 70 miles. I know pretty much everyone thought that that was a tough sector.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xcO94-OQ5HU/Tccgs4mktbI/AAAAAAAAARY/WM4nQ9nhGGA/s1600/IMG_1969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xcO94-OQ5HU/Tccgs4mktbI/AAAAAAAAARY/WM4nQ9nhGGA/s320/IMG_1969.JPG" width="170px" /></a></div><br />
We had another 6 miles of struggle after the food-stop before a left turn meant that we were sailing along with the wind. More like it.<br />
Somebody in Canton has a sense of humour...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rOiw6PXa3M/Tccgv9v87BI/AAAAAAAAARc/eNngfOX3pds/s1600/IMG_1973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rOiw6PXa3M/Tccgv9v87BI/AAAAAAAAARc/eNngfOX3pds/s320/IMG_1973.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
We eventually ran out of road...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8K1jfMZDXqE/Tccgy6i3HwI/AAAAAAAAARg/8jTqJc5EVpM/s1600/IMG_1977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8K1jfMZDXqE/Tccgy6i3HwI/AAAAAAAAARg/8jTqJc5EVpM/s320/IMG_1977.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
...which meant a little bit of cyclo-cross...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2DPD5WAgcgo/TcfFz2tP-nI/AAAAAAAAARw/p3UjUkqN3yE/s1600/DSCN0159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2DPD5WAgcgo/TcfFz2tP-nI/AAAAAAAAARw/p3UjUkqN3yE/s1600/DSCN0159.jpg" /></a>(courtesy Mike Munk)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MqCHtdzziHM/TcchHRZiWNI/AAAAAAAAARk/w5vwX_0e_IA/s1600/IMG_1978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MqCHtdzziHM/TcchHRZiWNI/AAAAAAAAARk/w5vwX_0e_IA/s320/IMG_1978.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZT403IZHjms/TcchWOrJsOI/AAAAAAAAARo/cwPft9UqXGw/s1600/IMG_1981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZT403IZHjms/TcchWOrJsOI/AAAAAAAAARo/cwPft9UqXGw/s320/IMG_1981.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
The rest of the stage was a slog-fest in ever increasing temperatures: my Garmin read a maximum of 101F.<br />
Rarely have I been so glad to see a water-tower!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Co1YWAFbPEk/TcchXN3RAII/AAAAAAAAARs/jC7c0YlUEe4/s1600/IMG_1985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Co1YWAFbPEk/TcchXN3RAII/AAAAAAAAARs/jC7c0YlUEe4/s320/IMG_1985.JPG" width="173px" /></a></div><br />
Tomorrow? A mere 109 miles to Topeka. Winds- please do one!<br />
<br />
Here we go with the numbers...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/84400811">Hot stats!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-54727204936450443712011-05-08T12:07:00.005+01:002011-06-05T15:41:50.377+01:00Buffalo Soldier...Day 14...Dodge City to Great Bend...Sat 07/05/11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sorry for the delay in getting this load of nonsense out there but the hotel's wi-fi was a bit steam-driven and prone to er, not working. Nevermind...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First of many photo-ops today (well, yesterday now) on the way outta Dodge...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UL1gdEDrf44/TcZ03ELKyFI/AAAAAAAAAQU/vYg3WUCwOgM/s1600/IMG_1919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UL1gdEDrf44/TcZ03ELKyFI/AAAAAAAAAQU/vYg3WUCwOgM/s320/IMG_1919.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
At our first stop in Kinsley, although I should add that it's not this trip's midway point...my arse and I both hope that that point is reached sooner rather than...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9rwLsT-4kc/TcZ1Iwks8xI/AAAAAAAAAQY/tn1KuCBmh2M/s1600/IMG_1924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9rwLsT-4kc/TcZ1Iwks8xI/AAAAAAAAAQY/tn1KuCBmh2M/s320/IMG_1924.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Buster Keaton lives on...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lpZseVfXcUw/TccLANf8-yI/AAAAAAAAARI/uyX5_6tPx6c/s1600/IMG_1926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lpZseVfXcUw/TccLANf8-yI/AAAAAAAAARI/uyX5_6tPx6c/s320/IMG_1926.JPG" width="250" /></a></div><br />
Into a paceline to battle the 3/4 headwinds. Tedious.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jXm2Q2Ea3uI/TcZ1gczNb5I/AAAAAAAAAQg/5Vh9vbg9X44/s1600/IMG_1928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jXm2Q2Ea3uI/TcZ1gczNb5I/AAAAAAAAAQg/5Vh9vbg9X44/s320/IMG_1928.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Second detour: Fort Larned...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixGEdCv9F9E/TcZ1k0JX82I/AAAAAAAAAQk/m1ppTSHVrOI/s1600/IMG_1939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixGEdCv9F9E/TcZ1k0JX82I/AAAAAAAAAQk/m1ppTSHVrOI/s320/IMG_1939.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Where Bob got his 'Buffalo Soldier' idea from...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xm3sj_PifFs/TcZ1pSqnwmI/AAAAAAAAAQo/YIKoCXO_sys/s1600/IMG_1937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xm3sj_PifFs/TcZ1pSqnwmI/AAAAAAAAAQo/YIKoCXO_sys/s320/IMG_1937.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RZU9LBSc3Hs/TcZ1xkjX9gI/AAAAAAAAAQs/kQzPtItOAm0/s1600/IMG_1935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RZU9LBSc3Hs/TcZ1xkjX9gI/AAAAAAAAAQs/kQzPtItOAm0/s320/IMG_1935.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br />
A car on a pair of step-ladders? Why not.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6ULFD6tmXo/TcZ1z8TFKRI/AAAAAAAAAQw/fXuNjgKeEnw/s1600/IMG_1940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6ULFD6tmXo/TcZ1z8TFKRI/AAAAAAAAAQw/fXuNjgKeEnw/s320/IMG_1940.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Another detour to Pawnee Rock look-out. No, no films were made...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f2-BCXsqAlM/TcZ18wM1kCI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/1GIdTlJRP8Y/s1600/IMG_1947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f2-BCXsqAlM/TcZ18wM1kCI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/1GIdTlJRP8Y/s320/IMG_1947.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The view from the rock...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NlLKuCnqVUk/TcZ2HNQPgzI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/moz7IONp6cA/s1600/IMG_1945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NlLKuCnqVUk/TcZ2HNQPgzI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/moz7IONp6cA/s320/IMG_1945.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Where Ohio Bob is believed to have purchased his Cannondale...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QQdeK6WT1Ks/TcZ2NbX7tJI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/VaCHGHMPjmw/s1600/IMG_1948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QQdeK6WT1Ks/TcZ2NbX7tJI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/VaCHGHMPjmw/s320/IMG_1948.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It was doing all of 10 mph. Not unlike us, then.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qG_tyzYKdfc/TcZ2fvgeTdI/AAAAAAAAARA/ZZRezCbQChI/s1600/IMG_1952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qG_tyzYKdfc/TcZ2fvgeTdI/AAAAAAAAARA/ZZRezCbQChI/s320/IMG_1952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We finished in Great Bend's famous ice cream parlour 'Braums'...recommended!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0EApSXpguA/TcZ2u6BK0II/AAAAAAAAARE/tQ5eTcToP5c/s1600/IMG_1957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0EApSXpguA/TcZ2u6BK0II/AAAAAAAAARE/tQ5eTcToP5c/s320/IMG_1957.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Almost forgot...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/84101808">THE NUMBERS!</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-62391828127099321302011-05-07T03:11:00.002+01:002011-05-30T13:11:47.854+01:00Vanishing Point...Day 13...Liberal to Dodge City...Fri 06/05/11Right then, I'll not even try and tell you that today's stage was this-or-that...it was as close to a formality as cycling 85 miles could be thanks to a little bit of a kind wind and flat terrain.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0kAV2qvBDk/TcSiSDa8puI/AAAAAAAAAPg/Ha5GqzCk4qU/s1600/IMG_1890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0kAV2qvBDk/TcSiSDa8puI/AAAAAAAAAPg/Ha5GqzCk4qU/s320/IMG_1890.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Still think my Bruce Forsyth needs work...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tUxuNB47QgU/TcSijbBrTmI/AAAAAAAAAPk/M62ImP8mtdc/s1600/IMG_1892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tUxuNB47QgU/TcSijbBrTmI/AAAAAAAAAPk/M62ImP8mtdc/s320/IMG_1892.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Our only stop today was at 38 miles and we had a look at the Dalton Gang Museum which was run by a lady from near Cork. Obviously. She told me that she arrived in New York on December 2nd, 1957. So now you folks know too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-enbLKo2ACIQ/TcSimthmtTI/AAAAAAAAAPo/6z9nObxzgi4/s1600/IMG_1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-enbLKo2ACIQ/TcSimthmtTI/AAAAAAAAAPo/6z9nObxzgi4/s320/IMG_1897.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T8rVDbf_8cc/TcSpSuTHIQI/AAAAAAAAAQM/Q0KBM4EDLOI/s1600/DSCN0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T8rVDbf_8cc/TcSpSuTHIQI/AAAAAAAAAQM/Q0KBM4EDLOI/s1600/DSCN0108.jpg" /></a></div><br />
We steamed into Dodge...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bjXiHoolv6E/TcSpde78eQI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/2AcFEto7q6A/s1600/DSC01840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bjXiHoolv6E/TcSpde78eQI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/2AcFEto7q6A/s1600/DSC01840.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iE34l55cyAE/TcSi24o8niI/AAAAAAAAAPs/V7KRpyTNWVo/s1600/IMG_1901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iE34l55cyAE/TcSi24o8niI/AAAAAAAAAPs/V7KRpyTNWVo/s320/IMG_1901.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
...and I spied this mint '70 Challenger.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B3t0u1eqC9Q/TcSi4A2xDjI/AAAAAAAAAPw/jD4UBw8q4HY/s1600/IMG_1902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B3t0u1eqC9Q/TcSi4A2xDjI/AAAAAAAAAPw/jD4UBw8q4HY/s320/IMG_1902.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Beef this, beef that...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-97rB8ZWn7_o/TcSjef6vSYI/AAAAAAAAAP0/HnvgjTASfV8/s1600/IMG_1903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-97rB8ZWn7_o/TcSjef6vSYI/AAAAAAAAAP0/HnvgjTASfV8/s320/IMG_1903.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i-vRBYUJi6M/TcSjgCMKuaI/AAAAAAAAAP4/HCdYHSs5Ytg/s1600/IMG_1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i-vRBYUJi6M/TcSjgCMKuaI/AAAAAAAAAP4/HCdYHSs5Ytg/s320/IMG_1904.JPG" width="234px" /></a></div><br />
At the Boot Hill Museum we felt it prudent to tie-up our horses...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WJdaoOY3eFA/TcSjkcizYGI/AAAAAAAAAP8/88dvTUWopls/s1600/IMG_1908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WJdaoOY3eFA/TcSjkcizYGI/AAAAAAAAAP8/88dvTUWopls/s320/IMG_1908.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Our kinda museum as it goes, with beer served...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmkRPhx0uIU/TcSjmlD9V3I/AAAAAAAAAQA/v2mySOcq2_o/s1600/IMG_1910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmkRPhx0uIU/TcSjmlD9V3I/AAAAAAAAAQA/v2mySOcq2_o/s320/IMG_1910.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
...and a bartender who plays a mean tune.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8tW1-KyoX04/TcSjrJSy_dI/AAAAAAAAAQE/qtn6kZYrcjg/s1600/IMG_1912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8tW1-KyoX04/TcSjrJSy_dI/AAAAAAAAAQE/qtn6kZYrcjg/s320/IMG_1912.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Tonight we stay right on the city limits- almost as if Mike (doing well for 203) wishes us out of harm's way...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t53cikCboHQ/TcSkheAPpuI/AAAAAAAAAQI/hiIKlXK_Ad8/s1600/IMG_1914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t53cikCboHQ/TcSkheAPpuI/AAAAAAAAAQI/hiIKlXK_Ad8/s320/IMG_1914.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Another short stage tomorrow but this will be one featuring confused winds. We'll see!<br />
<br />
Stats...get them here...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/83855047">Three from the top...</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-31763109065346682642011-05-06T03:50:00.003+01:002011-06-01T17:02:24.294+01:00Blowin' In The Wind...Day 12...Dalhart to Liberal, KS...Thurs 05/05/11Well, we were told that the winds would blowing from the N.N.E., and that our track would be N.E., so you can work the rest out...<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We were away just at sunrise...a tad fresh into the wind...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NM6JYMyZLJg/TcNWsn5ksYI/AAAAAAAAAO0/l4PxHrHiEHw/s1600/IMG_1856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NM6JYMyZLJg/TcNWsn5ksYI/AAAAAAAAAO0/l4PxHrHiEHw/s320/IMG_1856.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>As we worked our way out of Texas and into Oklahoma there were plenty of these grain silos to feed the cattle...<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6q4NoUgWMlI/TcNWh9O20BI/AAAAAAAAAOw/doLzQx3D-dM/s1600/IMG_1852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6q4NoUgWMlI/TcNWh9O20BI/AAAAAAAAAOw/doLzQx3D-dM/s320/IMG_1852.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Fastest in the West meets the slowest...in Conlen.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AonEOrBdVxI/TcNW6cxl_eI/AAAAAAAAAO4/NfdFBqHE594/s1600/IMG_1861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AonEOrBdVxI/TcNW6cxl_eI/AAAAAAAAAO4/NfdFBqHE594/s320/IMG_1861.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
It was good to see that a few of us formed groups (pacelines as The Colonials have it, ahem) to share the workload and take turns at the front.<br />
From the left...Lasse, Craig, Anthony and me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kn61yxBkyo/TcNXG9MJh-I/AAAAAAAAAO8/y_HxdtZ-Ih0/s1600/IMG_1863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kn61yxBkyo/TcNXG9MJh-I/AAAAAAAAAO8/y_HxdtZ-Ih0/s320/IMG_1863.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And no, there wasn't any ropey attempts at singing like Howard Keel, mercifully.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the left...Ed, Anthony, Craig, Lasse and me. Second state of the day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UPp_PWjVJww/TcNXpMDoFpI/AAAAAAAAAPE/gliMndfov7o/s1600/IMG_1867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UPp_PWjVJww/TcNXpMDoFpI/AAAAAAAAAPE/gliMndfov7o/s320/IMG_1867.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">That lasted in various guises until lunch at 70 miles when the fast guys did their own thing i.e. we couldn't stick their pace anymore.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">From then on I was solo until the end. Joy. I couldn't honestly say that I enjoyed today but there was a sense of some satisfaction in having done it, and in a reasonable time, all things considered.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lonnie's big hit...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KV6KJZj6Hds/TcNXNwcIztI/AAAAAAAAAPA/NAeWX7P0sn8/s1600/IMG_1869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KV6KJZj6Hds/TcNXNwcIztI/AAAAAAAAAPA/NAeWX7P0sn8/s320/IMG_1869.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Mile 91 brings through the town of...you can do your own gags.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dqIYIhd1w00/TcNX0tMOSQI/AAAAAAAAAPI/UfHTFyHfM7I/s1600/IMG_1871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dqIYIhd1w00/TcNX0tMOSQI/AAAAAAAAAPI/UfHTFyHfM7I/s320/IMG_1871.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
And finally into our third state. Still blowing a hooley.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hhXTlA2h5a4/TcNX6mtijhI/AAAAAAAAAPM/uxV-VLspRLk/s1600/IMG_1876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hhXTlA2h5a4/TcNX6mtijhI/AAAAAAAAAPM/uxV-VLspRLk/s320/IMG_1876.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Post-ride steaks (yeah, the ambivalence lasted a whole day) all round.<br />
From the left...Mark, me, Lasse, Anthony, Jay, Clay, Chris and Steve. Shock and horror when we ordered beers and the waitress said that they didn't have a licence. Food was top-notch though!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lKqpfuCok4Q/TcNZNTq2n9I/AAAAAAAAAPc/fKl-oVUR7SE/s1600/IMG_1884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lKqpfuCok4Q/TcNZNTq2n9I/AAAAAAAAAPc/fKl-oVUR7SE/s320/IMG_1884.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Being Kansas they go a bundle on 'The Wizard Of Oz'. Oh dear, and goodbye...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CgVeb5RJrEk/TcNZBB122UI/AAAAAAAAAPY/fBxg0IJ_MHc/s1600/IMG_1880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CgVeb5RJrEk/TcNZBB122UI/AAAAAAAAAPY/fBxg0IJ_MHc/s320/IMG_1880.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Our daily numbers...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/83687683">Stats...stats...stats...</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182787237520724201.post-27013046563231221402011-05-05T00:41:00.002+01:002013-03-26T20:24:58.752+00:00(I'm a) Road Runner...Day 11...Tucumcari to Dalhart, TX...Weds 04/05/11This did promise to be a 'champagne' day's cycling thanks to the short length at 95 miles and the forecasted favourable winds...well, I think that we were all upgraded to Jacuzzi Class!<br />
It was almost like a rest day, except for a few of the fast guys who took the opportunity to post insanely quick times: how about 3 hours and 45 minutes for 100 miles? For what it's worth, they had to cycle a few extra miles to clock the distance but didn't enjoy cycling back into the wind to the hotel, hah-hah!<br />
<br />
The good roads department people of New Mexico making good some tatty tarmac, which held us for a few minutes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhbjnHg7bI4/TcHVptdRNSI/AAAAAAAAAOA/JnevrgFphSA/s1600/IMG_1819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhbjnHg7bI4/TcHVptdRNSI/AAAAAAAAAOA/JnevrgFphSA/s320/IMG_1819.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Never ceases to amaze <em>how much </em>freight is shifted in this country both by road and rail.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dp0MuVffRUI/TcHWLlKCGvI/AAAAAAAAAOE/3Y-BQ2WsBrU/s1600/IMG_1825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dp0MuVffRUI/TcHWLlKCGvI/AAAAAAAAAOE/3Y-BQ2WsBrU/s320/IMG_1825.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Well, it's almost 'Dallas', isn't it? Alright, I'll get my coat...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5WErVAO_IzM/TcHWTNQcgqI/AAAAAAAAAOI/XJkk6D9x9YE/s1600/IMG_1826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5WErVAO_IzM/TcHWTNQcgqI/AAAAAAAAAOI/XJkk6D9x9YE/s320/IMG_1826.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Had to take a picture as the fast fifty rolled-up...ridiculous.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aJEWMFeZIdc/TcHWWNzpyHI/AAAAAAAAAOM/ET_vg_7Dtsk/s1600/IMG_1827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aJEWMFeZIdc/TcHWWNzpyHI/AAAAAAAAAOM/ET_vg_7Dtsk/s320/IMG_1827.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
The obligatory set of photos on about 10 different cameras which explains the rather half-hearted and frankly, limp effort on display here.<br />
From the left we have...Daryl, Mark, Me, Lasse, Steve, Bob, Jason, Jim, Patrick and Steve.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4WHtn05TyB8/TcHXw9q5VmI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/sLoccqGt5CA/s1600/IMG_1829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4WHtn05TyB8/TcHXw9q5VmI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/sLoccqGt5CA/s320/IMG_1829.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh yeah, we lost another hour today, so now am only 6 hours behind the Motherland. Good day to lose it on, though.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SK7nuj2jeNU/TcHX99wOnuI/AAAAAAAAAOU/mGjUxdruyuo/s1600/IMG_1831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SK7nuj2jeNU/TcHX99wOnuI/AAAAAAAAAOU/mGjUxdruyuo/s320/IMG_1831.JPG" width="158" /></a></div>
<br />
Shot to ribbons. The sign, that is.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PSz4cd4Mzks/TcHYH57CRBI/AAAAAAAAAOY/dUoyAsIEUV8/s1600/IMG_1834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PSz4cd4Mzks/TcHYH57CRBI/AAAAAAAAAOY/dUoyAsIEUV8/s320/IMG_1834.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
You heard The Can.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LPvawdc8az0/TcHYQKcNQTI/AAAAAAAAAOc/LMP7YOATdcw/s1600/IMG_1835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LPvawdc8az0/TcHYQKcNQTI/AAAAAAAAAOc/LMP7YOATdcw/s320/IMG_1835.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
More freedom to roam...make the most of it, lads. You'll see why shortly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n7aW4wTTJDk/TcHYUEvWsPI/AAAAAAAAAOg/ukJGGRTsQUE/s1600/IMG_1836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n7aW4wTTJDk/TcHYUEvWsPI/AAAAAAAAAOg/ukJGGRTsQUE/s320/IMG_1836.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
But before that, here's a lucky escape...I was cycling beside Mark at 25mph explaining to him how that despite what he had heard Stateside, all the arseholes haven't quite given-up on killing in N.I. yet (he asked me, honest), when his rear wheel goes BANG and he manages to remain upright.<br />
<br />
As you can see, a nail had decided to get acquainted with his tyre and rim. Good job it wasn't his front, eh? Jim the mechanic was with us before too long and had it sorted. I had only just changed a tube myself so we were glad of no further dramas.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hmq9oV62WOM/TcHYd-9C9aI/AAAAAAAAAOk/7_5RLThRn8A/s1600/IMG_1841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hmq9oV62WOM/TcHYd-9C9aI/AAAAAAAAAOk/7_5RLThRn8A/s320/IMG_1841.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Dalhart is a cattle town and below is a tiny section of the many thousands of animals who are sent here to eat constantly for 6 weeks prior to being offed. And then scoffed. Their weight will increase from around 800lbs to over twice that in that time-span.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FS0qxdnbeWM/TcHYpbg83vI/AAAAAAAAAOo/ZD9SKGg90bA/s1600/IMG_1843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FS0qxdnbeWM/TcHYpbg83vI/AAAAAAAAAOo/ZD9SKGg90bA/s320/IMG_1843.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There are quite a few of these vast feed stations along both sides of the highway, and as we caned-it past there were cattle trucks arriving and departing constantly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Una4-FjiaMo/TcHYzksuHzI/AAAAAAAAAOs/L4uJ2ZVo544/s1600/IMG_1846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Una4-FjiaMo/TcHYzksuHzI/AAAAAAAAAOs/L4uJ2ZVo544/s320/IMG_1846.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Didn't really fancy a steak tonight.<br />
<br />
Embarrassed stats time...<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/83486997">fantasy conditions=jacuzzi cycling stats!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5