Finally riding

Day 39 Birch run, MI - Port Huron, MI - Did not ride again today I thought it was in my best interest, even though that is not what I wanted to do. I felt very unwanted by the staff today, I got shuffled around to 3 vehicles and 3 different drivers. Really everyone was nice and it was good to talk to different people about different things. I made the most out of the day and had as good of a time as I could in spite of everything. Everyone has been really nice and encouraging and hoping that I get back on the bike soon.

Day 40 Port Huron, MI - London, Ontario I was like a kid in a candy store today, I was so happy to have some of the aches and pains back on the bike. I did not ride the full 80 mi., I rode 50 to test myself out. I got a knee brace that a doctor on the trip suggested because he had the same injury at the beginning of the ride. It worked great and I didn't have any trouble today, so I think I'm good to go. However, I need to remember to take easy for a couple more days before I start to pick things up.
Today we went over the bridge into Canada. What they did is close down one whole lane of traffic just for us to ride across, it was amazing. That was the highlight of the day other than my leg feeling really good.
We have two more days until we get to Niagara Falls. A lot of people me included got Canadian bike jerseys today.
It is very hard to believe that we are now down to 10 days and then it will all be over in a flash. I have had a lot of good times, but it is now time to see the family.

Day 35 - I don't have any pictures from that day. Along story that I will make short. I thought I deleted all my pictures so I didn't use the camera that day. I was upset and frustrated I used that pet up energy, so I rode really hard to the rest stop. After the rest stop my right thigh started to hurt and I sort of limped into the hotel. Once I arrived at the hotel I called a photography shop and they said I could restore the pictures off the memory card. As I started to put my new memory card in I found out how stupid I was, I never put the memory card back in from the night before when I was using the computer. I was able to ice my leg down several times and it felt better.
Day 36 - We took the ferry from Manitowoc, WI to Ludington, MI across Lake Michigan. It took close to 5 hours to make it across. It was a nice relaxing time, but I was actually more tired after the trip than if I had been riding the bike.
Day 37 - This was a 113 mile day. I had purchased an Ace wrap for my thigh just in case. Well, the just in case happened. I started out slow as I had planned so I would not push it an aggravate it some more. Well, it wasn't long until it started to bother me, I made it to the 1st rest stop and thought I would just nurse it the rest of the way. Well, life did not get any easier, it got so bad that I had to stop at 64 miles. I could not push on the pedals any more or even stand, so it was time to call it a day much to my disappointment. My brain won out over my heart today.
Day38 - I saw life from a different side today. Did not ride the bike, rode the SAG wagon today. It was not exactly what I wanted, but it was in my best interest. It was something to see the operation of a bike tour from the other side, all the logistics that take place during the day is quite amazing. I got a lot of encouragement from everyone. They wanted me back on the bike because I was yelling at them at the rest stop. Day light is burning, quit talking and get on your bikes and get out of here. Don't know about tomorrow yet, I'll either take another day off to be safe or only do part of the ride. Most of this is flat and I want to be ready for the climbing when we get farther east.

Tom on the BIG bike

Day 32 - La Crosse, WI 92 miles today,we rode with Steve and Larry which we hadn't before. They are very good riders, we rode with them until our 2nd rest stop where we got something to eat. After lunch we had several miles to a steep climb. As we were going there Karen, on of the staff members, joined our group. I was leading going down the hill and I heard Tom here she comes. I had to start going to stay ahead of her. I was still ahead going into the steep climb and then I heard gummy bears Tom gummy bears. I usually eat gummy bears on a ride when I need a little pick me up, but I chose jolt chewing gum this time. It was long until Karen passed me, but I hung on as long as I could and she let me pass her near the top.

We did have a great ride on a paved trail around a river for a good 12-15 miles. Near the end of our ride we crossed the Mississippi and into Wisconsin.

Day 33 - Wisconsin Dells The picture of me on the bike was from this day in a town called Sparta. This was our 1sty day of rain since we had started. We went on a rails to trails called the Elroy-Sparta Trail, it was 30 miles long with 3 tunnels. We had to get off our bikes and walk through the tunnels which were pitch black. We took flash lights to see our way through them, the longest was 3/4 of a mile. It started to rain after the 1st tunnel and it was a mess. At the end of the trail we cleaned off our bikes the best we could and then we gave them a real good bath once we got to the hotel. It was a maze of bikes all getting washed off along with ourselves. Time for laundry so it made for a long day after riding 93 miles and half of it in slop.

Day34 - Fond du Lac, WI Today was our 1st day in 5 days that we didn't ride over 90 or 100 miles, we only did 83. Sounds funny saying we only did 83 miles, before I came on this trip that would have been a killer of a ride. The other picture was of a quarry at a rest stop right alongside of the road. A lot of back roads today past farm land and a huge lake, great scenery, it seemed a lot like PA. Stopped at bike shop, they told us about a brat and beer function at the end of town so that is where we went for lunch. We had a T-shirt exchange tonight among all the bikers, which was a lot of fun and laughter.

Tomorrow is a short 57 and then a rest day with a ferry ride across Lake Michigan.

I will start from the 1st picture, that is Ken drafting behind a tractor and wagon at the high rate speed of 13 mph. this was just after we had eaten in a nice little bar, which is the next picture. All the people were curious where we were riding from and to. We had some great conversation and then one of the locals took our picture. They all wished us good luck as we were leaving. The 3rd picture on the top is from awhile back, it is the gorge in Twin Falls, ID. The one with the sun was from yesterday on our way to Mankato, MN and the last one is some falls in the park while we were at. Sioux Falls, SD.

Today was our 2nd century in a row. It was a little draggy today, the roads weren't very good and some did not even have berms. Once we got to Rochester, we got on a real nice bike path for several miles before we reached the hotel. The best part of the day was eating lunch where we talked to the locals and had our picture taken. Oh, part of the ride was a Gary Lauerman ride, we had to get off our bikes and walk in a field around road construction.

I can't wait forever for this picture to download,I'll try to do some pictures tomorrow. It has been awhile so I'll try to summarize the past several days.
Day27- Rode to Sioux Falls, it was an absolutely gorgeous day, in the 70's,saw acres and acres of corn and soybeans. Had to change my chain after 2000 mi. I must have been tired after today, 72 mi., because I fell asleep on the bed and woke up about 12:45 a.m. with all my suitcases and junk still on the bed.
Day 28- A day off in Sioux Falls. What else would we do on our day off except laundry. We ate high on the hog - Wendy's and McDonalds for ice cream, can you top that. Later I went for a 20 mi. bike ride on their bike path around the city. It was great just strolling along, taking my time.
Day29- Off to Minnesota, the day started out with rain until we got down to the lobby ready to load our suitcases and then it stopped, so we took all the rain gear off. We started out on the bike path again, but I saw parts that I hadn't seen the day before. It turned out to be just overcast the rest of the day and that was nice for a change. I was only able to hang with Ted and Ken until about mile 50 and then I dropped off and met them at the hotel. I still rode well the last 20 mi., but didn't just have enough to stay with them today. As much as I enjoy riding with them, it was nice to just ride at the speed you wanted to do. After the ride we hit the famous DQ once again, when we got back I took about a 2 hr. nap. I guess I needed it.
Day 30- The 1st of our 2 centuries back to back. Didn't start out on a good note, after about 5 mi., I noticed I didn't have my sunglasses on. Now how do you do that? I called back and someone looked for me, but couldn't find them. I stopped and Ken and Ted went on, I met them at the 1st rest stop. There was a store there so I bought a cheap pair of sunglasses which worked out fine. Right before the 2nd stop Ted had a flat and once we got to the stop, he said he forgot something where he had the flat. He went back and once he came back we asked if he had found it. With a grin on his face he said yes, in my back pocket. We really rode well the rest of the way, at one point we asked Ken to slow it down from 30mph to 25mph, I just shook my head I couldn't believe we were saying that. Passed a huge wind turbine today that was right alongside the road. Man are they big when you are up close. Tomorrow is the second century and our last day in Minnesota and then on to Wisconsin.

THE FAMOUS CORN PALACE

These are pictures from the last 2 days, thank goodness this computer works better.

The 1st picture is when we were descending into Chamberlain. That span of bridge is now closed and under repair.

The 2nd picture is of the worlds only Corn Palace. They decorate the entire outside using corn and husks. The corn used is grown within a 30 mile radius and the corn is grown specifically for that purpose. Each year they have a different theme for their pictures on the outside. They were not completely done with yet. This is what we have ridden over 1900 miles to see. Can life get any better than that!

Today was only a 70 mile ride, pushed the last part pretty good and had a fun time. Once we reached Mitchell and were on our way to the Corn Palace Ken Mengel, one of the fellows I came out with, decided to take a dive off his bike. He got stuck in a seam between 2 pieces of concrete on the road and went down hard. He hit his head on the sidewalk and rolled into the grass. Two guys came running out and asked if we wanted to call 911, we said no he should be fine.(which we did not know at the time). Luckily he only bruised his hip and a few minor scrapes. Nothing at all was damaged on the bike. He was very lucky and at 1st we were all concerned thinking that maybe he could have broken his collarbone, etc.

Tomorrow will be our last day of riding in SD, a day off, and then into Minnesota. The weather has been absolutely unbelievable, we must be living right.

Well,no pictures are coming up for some reason. I actually purchased a digital converter drive so I could download more recent pictures and it isn't letting me do it. Today we went from Pierre to Chamberlain, SD. It sounds funny, but we only went 84 miles today. We saw more of the same bales of hay, cattle, and we added something new-corn. Had a rest stop at a little store, that had a little bit of everything, it was sort of in the middle of nowhere.

There were 2 really good climbs today that I really enjoyed, the last one was right before we came into Chamberlain. It finished off with a nice downhill into town. Of course, if we had a downhill into town then tomorrow we have an uphill out of town. Chamberlain is a small little town,not to much to it. There is one store that is like a dollar store with verizon wireless and Radio Shack all in one.

Tomorrow we go to the city of Mitchell which is known for the world famous Corn Palace. It must be world famous because I have never heard of it. I will take some pictures and hopefully I will be able to download those so you can see it for yourself.

Well today was the day, we are now officially half way, so everything is downhill from here. Soon I will be living a real life again instead of just biking, eating, and sleeping. I guess all good things must come to end sometime. Although, the best thing about being done is that I will finally be able to see my family, I have never been away for this long. I get to see Sue, Katie, and hopefully Sarah( if she can get off the farm) in Portsmouth, NH.

A Lot Has Happened

Day 22-Mon. This was my favorite day so far. We had a good ride, beautiful scenery, trees(yea), rocks jutting out everywhere and Mt. Rushmore. We came in from the back side, a lot of climbing, but we got to a neat side profile of George Washington only. Then we went around to the front, what a magnificent site. Pictures don't do it justice at all, you have to see it in person to really appreciate it. Before we arrived at Mt. Rushmore we passed a sculpture of Crazy Horse that they have been working on for quite a few years and they only have his face done.

While we were at Mt. Rushmore, a lot of people talked to us and asked how far we were going. They were either jealous of though we were CRAZY. After leaving the Presidents and doing some more climbing we headed to Rapid City SD. On a great descent I had a flat tire and couldn't yell loud enough to Ken and Ted. After a couple of miles they wondered where I was. Well I was on the hill fixing my tire. They did call the mechanic to go check on me, and then they got really worried when they saw an ambulance going my direction. Got the tire changed and had to hustle to Rapid City because they were calling for severe thunderstorms, which ended up not coming to the evening after I had arrive, thank goodness.

Day 23 - Tues We went to the famous town of Wall, SD, which has all of 818 people. It is famous for the wall drug store. Quite a place, but definitely a tourist trap. Someone said it is like a Cracker Barrel on steroids, which is a good analogy. It was a short ride to there and we rode really good, had to contend with some wind part of the way and a lot of grasshoppers.

Day 24-Wed. Oh my we are done with our longest ride now, today we went 117mi. We were a little concerned that we felt really good after it. No scenery to speak of, a lot of fields with hay bales and more grasshoppers. We did have to deal with some construction and they had watered down one portion, so we got a nice bath of mud all over us and the bikes. The bikes got their bath 1st. We passed over the Missouri River right outside of Pierre and as soon as we crossed the river we went into the central time zone. Had another flat again today, never had so many before.

Tomorrow is our half way point 25 days and approx. 1800 miles. It is really hard to believe that we have come this far already. 3 more days in South Dakota and then into Minnesota. Things continue to go great, as of now I have looked forward to every day of riding. Here we come Portsmouth.

Haven't been able to use my camera card to put any pictures on lately, so the things you see are from Oregon and Idaho.

What we'll see tomorrow

First of all this is not one of my pictures,I could not get one to download. However, this one worked out just fine because we are going to see Mt. Rushmore tomorrow.

Since we left Casper, WY we have had 2 fun filled days of more wind. The wind has not been constantly in our faces like it was going into Casper.

Yesterday we left Casper on a 107 mile journey to Lusk, WY. There have been a lot of high wooden fences along the roads lately to help with drifting snow, sure wouldn't want to be the person putting them up. Rode on some interstate again today, but it was much cleaner along the berm than the last time we were on an interstate. Once we go off the interstate we rode on some back roads for awhile. We encountered some longhorn cattle along side the road at one point. Instant entertainment as Ken was snorting and stomping to get their attention. Actually, some more cattle came out from a ditch to see what was going on. Needless to say, Ted and I just sat there and shook our heads in amazement.

We had our power breakfast in a little town called Douglas, stopped at a McDonalds to get a bite to eat. For the Moore side of the family I even saw a sign for Gillette, WY.

Stayed in a little town of Lusk, population approx.2200 last night. They had a parade, it wasn't in our honor though. Nothing big, just a small town parade of about 20 minutes with horses, cars, fire trucks, and plenty of candy being thrown.

Ken I and went in the evening to see a live show called the Legend of Rawhide. Part legend and also part historical, a lot of work must have gone into it. I will not take the time to explain the legend, but there were several 100 people, 10-12 wagons, and obviously a lot of horses which were expertly ridden.

Today was a 91 mile ride, again we had headwinds part of the way. I think we can probably expect that most of the way across South Dakota, which we entered today. The scenery was a little greener today, which was something we hadn't seen in quite awhile. It was nice to see a new change. Had 2 climbs today that we long, but not real steep, tomorrow will be a different story.

We are going past Crazy Horse, that they are still working on, then we will up close and personal with Mt. Rushmore. I am really looking forward to seeing both of those things.

It is hard to believe that in 4 days we will be half way through our trip and half the mileage done, boy does time go fast when your having fun.

This is a picture of Mt Hood in Oregon.

WIND, WIND, WIND !!!!!!

I am going to start with today and work my way back 2 days. I think today's ride of 120 miles was the most exhausting both physically and mentally I have ever done. We were told last night the winds would be from the northwest, well today it didn't quite happen that way. The winds were from the northeast at between 10-15 mph for the entire ride. Beating yourself against the wind just added insult to injury. The ride itself wasn't very taxing as far as hills,but it seemed like we were climbing all day with that wind in our face. The scenery, well there wasn't any, it was just plains all the way and the road was straight, really boring. It was hard to keep focused, had a pace line of 6 people for over half the way which helped a lot. We got to Casper in one piece, that was the important thing. Now we have a rest day here, boy are we looking forward to it and then a 106 mi. day out of here. This stretch from Boise, ID to Casper, WY is the longest in terms of days and mileage.

Yesterday was supposed to be a relaxing 79 mile ride, however, we got a little antsy and pushed it at about 19mph. There were some good views when we left,but afterward there was not a whole lot to look at, that's why we decided to push it some. The day started out with Ken having trouble with his back wheel, it was changed out for a new one and he was fine for the rest of the day. Hit Dairy Queen as we got into town, that seems to be a staple of ours. At one stop, Mike Munk, a staff member showed me a newspaper of a town we went through that had 6 in. of hail a couple of days earlier, as he said timing is everything. After we got to the hotel we took showers and I was the last one. As I got ready to shampoo I noticed it looked pretty runny, it was mouthwash. So I asked who was the one that shampooed with mouthwash, it turned out to be Ted. We had a pretty good laugh about it.

Tuesday,we left from Jackson Hole to Dubois. We went through the Grand Teton National Park. As you were entering you looked to the left and There were snow covered peaks, they were absolutely gorgeous and breath taking. I know I have said that several times before. The beauty and vastness of this country is something to behold. I'm glad we are doing it at pace that things just don't flash by. We had another good climb, not as steep as the Jackson Pass. This climb was taking us to the Continental Divide. As we were getting close there was construction and they had to take us across it. Our ride was a pick-up truck pulling a flat bed trailer. We sat on the trailer and held our bikes as we went over the bumpy road, what an experience. Right before we got stopped for construction, I saw a female moose along side the road, but she hurried back into the trees for protection, before I could get my camera out in time.

We have just finished our 19th day, boy is time flying by. I have looked forward to getting on the bike very day, although my bottom says no most times. Just one of the things you have to deal with, but so is everyone else.

I'm sure most of you would not want to ride a bike like we are,but if you have never been out in this part of the U.S., you have to go the beauty of the rest of the country.

Oh what a CLIMB!!

This is the 3rd time, if it doesn't work I'm done. Today was the day I was looking forward to climbing, and boy did we climb. One climb was to 6764' and the other to 8431'. The highest had a grade of 10% the last 4 miles, it was one of the hardest climbs I have ever done, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The views at the tops down into the valleys was absolutely breath taking. The United States is certainly a beautiful country. We are tired but it is a good tired.
During the ride we left ID and entered WY, so we are now in our 3rd state. Yesterday we took a small ride into Idaho Falls. Not much scenery on the way in, but we did see a pelican in the Snake River. It seems like we have been passing over it forever. Had a great hotel in Idaho Falls right across from a park that had some falls.
We have 3 more hard days before we reach Casper, WY for a day off. One of them is 120 mi. going into Casper.

4th of July

Yesterday, was an easy day on 49.5, but we saw some beautiful scenery. 1st we we down into the gorge by the Snake River at Twin Falls to a golf course. While we were climbing back up there was someone para-sailing. We didn't see them jump, but saw the parachute. Next we went to Shoshone Falls, they call it the Niagara Falls of the West. I got some really great pictures with rainbows in the mist. Of course we had to climb back up again.

We then pushed hard to get to the SAG stop, thinking we might not make it in time. We were one of the last ones there, small landing strip where the crop dusters picked up additional supplies. It was interesting watching them land and take off. The roads were really rough yesterday, needless to say it was a little hard on the ole bottom.

We celebrated the 4th of July today by riding 110 mi. It really went well, but we were tired at the end. Ken had a flat at the beginning which Ted and I didn't realize. We though he got ahead of us so we rode hard to try and catch him. After several miles we decided to call ham and tell we'd meet him at the rest stop. Then I remembered him saying that he wasn't going to turn his phone on so we didn't have any communication. Later down the road, Mike, one of the staff, came by in the van and said Ken was about 3 mi. back.

Tomorrow is an easy day only 30+ mi, but then we have 2 88 mi days with climbing, which I am looking forward to.

Fireworks tonight, but I don't think we'll be able to stay awake. It doesn't get dark till around 9:30-9:45.

Idaho

Yesterday we had our 1st day off. We made it across Oregon and now are in Idaho. We spent the 1st day in Boise. It looks like a great city. We did some walking around, went to a bike shop(imagine that), to the post office to mail some things home, and to Boise State to see the blue football field. Ted wanted todo a snow angel on the 50 yd. line which he was able to do.

In the early evening we met Ken's best friends brother, who lives in Boise. He was very kind, took us to the post office to drop off our boxes to be sent home and to REI and outdoors store, which had more biking stuff. I only looked in this store, no I did purchase a small item which I really didn't need but wanted. After that, he took to a reservoir outside of town, it is completely filled by snow melt. Then it was on to dinner,and I was good once again and did not have a beer. That has been really hard.

Today was a short 51 mi and really pretty boring as far as scenery, there was not a whole lot to look at. Most of the time we were on the highway and dodging a lot of stuff along the berm. Ted had a flat nd I had a wire in the back tire, but I was able to pull it out with out any further damage.

Tommorrow we have an early start with a 97 mi ride. Following the Snake River and will go past where Evil Knevil(sp?) did his jump years back.