Today's ride began at 5:50 AM, before sunrise. My front and rear flashing LEDs provided visibility to motorists, but were not powerful enough to improve my visibility of the road. There was enough light to allow me to ride safely, but I do plan on rigging out a more powerful headlamp tonight. Riding in the morning is sooo much better than in the blazing heat of day. It's cooler, of course, and very peaceful. If a headlamp allows me to begin earlier in the day, I'll do so for sure.
Today's highlights include stumbling across a bourbon barrel factory. One of the workers let me in to poke around and take pictures. I also met another cross country rider, Christian. British, it seemed from his accent. What a difference from my April riding, when I hadn't met a single xc rider. Now I'm seeing several a day, a number of whom are traveling westbound. It's gonna be *hot* biking across the the NV desert. Most everyone seems to be carrying more panniers than I, and camping. I'm down to just one pannier, and I'm warming to the idea of camping. I plan on buying a tent in Carbondale, IL, the next sizable town through which I'll travel.
Today's 'kindness of strangers' events: a free ice pop at Lucy's convenience store, and a $9 cyclists' discount on my motel room.
Falls of Rough, where I'm staying tonight, is a lake resort. Lacking a boat and not wanting to bike miles to the lake or elsewhere, I'm left w/ little of interest to keep me occupied. I arrived at my decidedly run down motel at 12:30, benefiting from a time zone change. I've exited Eastern Std Time and now set my watch to Central Time. I'm feeling increasingly confident I'll reach Pueblo, CO; my Achilles are feeling fine so far. I hope it lasts. I'd enjoy being home, but I want to finish this trip w/o being forced off my bike due to injury. Pueblo's my near term objective. Now that my journey's been interrupted, there's no magic to completing it w/o further breaks. Unless the spirit moves me beyond Pueblo, I'll head back to Jersey from there, returning to CO later this year to finish the last 1,500 miles.
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7 comments:
You sure had good weather for your ride today. We thought about you as we traveled east across Kentucky and West Virginia about 375 miles and crashed at the Greenbriar Resort! I'm glad that you're meeting up with other X-country bikers.
Love, MOM
You sure had good weather for your ride today. We thought about you as we traveled east across Kentucky and West Virginia about 375 miles and crashed at the Greenbriar Resort! I'm glad that you're meeting up with other X-country bikers.
Love, MOM
Hi Steve,
I grew up about an hour north of Carbondale in Mt. Vernon. So fun to think of you riding thru the area.. I learned to sail on Crab Orchard Lake, which you may ride right by. Then, I think you are headed to the mighty Mississippi. Love the idea of the headlamp because boy is it humid near that river. Ride safely. Glad to know you are feeling strong. xxLeslie
Thx for ur well wishes! :) Mom, I'm staying at the Economy Inn in Harrisburg, IL tonight. Much nicer place than the Greenbriar.
hi steve glad to see you're staying in the best places
Hey Denise! I stayed in a dump in Falls of Rough. Stayed at Boone Tavern in Berea; best place in town. Stayed in what appeared to be a converted tool shed last night and slept (well, mostly) on a plywood "bed". No charge there, so I was grateful. I'm staying in a "hostel" tonight...one of the nicest imaginable. Cyclists only. It's in a converted jail, and looks like a cool NY loft apt. Okay, so that's a bit of a stretch...but not far from the truth! Having an interesting journey...
Steve and Denise: Check out "The Greenbriar". A once in a lifetime experience. Except I had such a good time that I think I'll go back.
Love, MOM
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