An average day on the road

Thanks for those of you following along my bike ride across America.  Here is an average day.

4:30 a.m   -- start rumbling around in my tent -- thinking about the day's ride. Start organizing my clothes and gear for the day -- quietly so as not to wake up fellow tent dwellers next to me.

5: 00 a.m. -- hit the restrooms --start putting on cycling gear and clothes -- including lots of sun block and chamis cream along with trying to figure out the best clothes for the day -- possible showers? sun? combination?

5: 30 a.m. back to tent -- start tearing it down and loading up my duffle bags with clothes and tent gear.  Most mornings have been colder and a little wet.  Nothing like putting the wet tent into the bag hoping to dry it out later in the day.

6:00 a.m.  load duffle bags into sag vehicle -- make sure bike is all set with a few things needed for the day. If we are going into the mountains -- I need clothes when the whether changes -- or like today, we were so sweaty going up Thompson's Pass -- that going down without a windbreaker and wool shirt would be freezing.

6:30 a.m.  Breakfast with the other riders.  On any given day there are about 70 of us.  Forty-five are going cross-country and the others for lesser amounts (one week or two typically).    Each day some community group tends to feed us.  Tomorrow, we ride to the Elk's hall in Tompson's Falls for breakfast.  Normally, we are in a public school and a group like the Lion's Club or a community group feeds us.   All major buffets.  Lots of fruit and oatmeal but no one leaves hungry.  

7: 00 a.m.  I roll out to begin the day riding.   Normally I'll ride out with a few others and in time connect with some one going my speed or a bit faster. Today I headed out on my own but was passed by Jerry and Frederick from New Jersey (neighbors who bike together and have done several tours both in the states and in Europe).   Leslie from Massachusets also joined us and the three of us biked all day together.    Typically though, I'll ride with several groups along the way -- some faster, some slower.  I'm finding it a bit too slow and lonely to  try to go at it alone -- riding alone is fine for periods of time and on hills, but for long stretches, you need a group.

7: 15 a.m.  I start thinking of dedicating the day to one friend or family member.  During the ride I think of them and things we have done together. Pray for them in areas of their lives and thank God for putting them in my life.  All while making sure not to crash into the bike in front of me!   This has been a nice private ritual for me to start each day and try to have it come into my mind for some of the longer and lonelier stretches.

9:00 a.m. First water break. our hosts, Cycle America, places two large coolers of water and sport drink at sections along the way.  It is sort of the cyclist way of meeting at the well.   Good to connect with others and fill up for the next stretch.

11: 30 a.m.  On longer days, we may ride for about 55 miles or so before having lunch.  The bike mechanic and several Cycle America staff set up a tent and give a good spread of food to load up and get us through the last part of the day.   One cold day in the Cascade Mountains had the staff preparing potato soup.  Another day we had  pasta salad.  But along with whatever they make -- there is plenty of food -- bread, peanut butter, granola bars, fruit, sandwhiches, and some fig bars or gummie bears on occassion.   Never leave hungry.

1 p.m. Most cyclists find any and all coffee shops and ice cream shops along the way.   It breaks up the day.

2 p.m. There are all sorts of things that come up through the day.  Some days are more "get it done days" wiht milage into the 90's.  Others take us through National Parks or fun odd sights and rivers and mountains.  Plenty o' mountains.   Idaho is beautiful.

3:30 -- 5:00 p.m.   Arrive at a local school of some sort to spend the night.  Begin immediately to get luggage from the Cycle America van.  Set up tent. Take showers.  Talk with bike mechanics.  Check on the day's schedule (when and where to eat -- time of meeting for the next day -- find locations of showers (today we walked over to the local swimming pool).

5: 30 - 7: 00 p.m.  Dinner and story time.  Sharing stories of the day eating together in a school or local community place -- occassional restaurant. 

7: 15 p.m.   All group meeting -- review tomorrows schedule of where we are going -- go through maps and directions.   Note issues of the day and special things for the next day.  Tomorrow we should be riding through Montana's finest rivers.  But, we need to be careful of the bumps on the roads that wake up cars when they go over the line (what are those called?).     Go over danger points such as crossing rail road tracks.  Several riders crashed on our first day and one woman broke her arm.

8: 00 p.m. Chat with other riders, start getting gear ready for the next day.

8:30 p .m.  Call Cindy and tell her about the day.  

9:00 p.m. Go out with other riders into the town and/or make sure everything is set for another early morning.

10:15 p.m. Back in tent --  Lay down -- think of the day.

10: 30 "Dead" Asleep

So that is a quick version of a typical day.  We are averaging about 90 miles a day.   Am I sore?  Yep -- but having a great go at it and enjoying each day as it comes.