Description: I finished the 85 mile ride today in Mobile Alabama. Yup, Mississippi was just a flash! I have now ridden through California, Arizona, New Mexico, TEXAS, Louisiana, and Mississippi. I will be leaving Alabama for Florida after another 2 days of riding. Wow, am I really in the home stretch? Having my parents, Carl, Kevin, and Teresa join me has really made this trip easier and MORE enjoyable as I have been able to share my experiences in real time. Anyway, my target destination tomorrow is Gulf Beach Alabama with a 65-75 mile ride.
We all got up early, packed up, and were at the Best Western breakfast buffet at 6:30. I was once again disappointed with Best Western's offering. No eggs, no sausage, no waffles, no good. I made due with several danishes, a muffin, a big bowl of cereal, OJ, and some crappy coffee. After breakfast, Sherpa Kevin raced 35 miles east with the van to our targeted lunch destination of Lucedale. From there he headed back west on his bike at break neck speed (wind at his back) to join us half way. Teresa, Carl, and I were bundled up in our winter gear as it was around 38 degrees and very windy for our start. As with previous days, Teresa lead the group on this raw morning all the way to lunch with a very strong wind breaking effort with us boys struggling to keep on her rear wheel through the rolling hills. The Pine forests and some small farms continued to be the predominate landscape with many of the trees clear cut by loggers. As we moved further east, we started to see Magnolia trees mixed in with the Pines which signals a climate change according to Carl. The road was full of hills and this gave us a good workout. Now that the mountains are gone, I am losing some of the punch from my daily training rides. We passed through an area called "The Big Level" that we thought would bring flat ground but we were disappointed as it did not last long. After 20 miles, Kevin caught up with us and we had a party of 4 once again. After a few more miles, we took a rest break at a Chevron gas station in the middle of nowhere. We grabbed some coffee and snacks to recharge our fuel cells. I had a chicken fried steak biscuit and a Little Debbie coffee cake which hit the spot. Carl grabbed some sugar loaded garbage and went out front to sit on the rocking chairs to feast. It was there that he met his long lost identical twin that he must have been separated from at birth. Get this, another electrician who retired early. The guy retired at age 48 (this made Carl jealous) and was just hanging out BSing with customers like us. Carl started telling his tall tales and the other guy was doing the same thing back. When it was time to roll, we could hardly separate the 2 lost twins. We then motored against the wind and some steep hills the remaining 15 miles to Lucedale for lunch. Teresa was spent from dragging us guys around all morning and looking forward to hanging up her shoes for the day and playing with the dog. We ate at a place called Pockets Diner. The whole theme revolved around billiards including the menu. I went for a chicken tortilla thing, Teresa had a chicken pita (I think), Kevin went with a hogie, and Carl jumped on a grilled cheese & pickles sandwich with grilled potatoes. The food was good and we were just about the only folks in there. We asked a guy about the town name (Lucedale) and he said in French it means lice town...hmmm. We took a group picture in front of their X-Mas tree and then packed up for the road. Teresa drove the van south to Mobile to secure lodging and to begin her recovery routine. Us 3 amigos put our heads down and started cranking as we had a lot of ground to cover in a very short period of time. Kevin fought the wind for us which never backed down. When we went east in the morning, the wind blew from the east. When we went south in the afternoon, the wind shifted and nailed us again. I believe the wind gods are still angry at us for some reason that I cannot figure out. We made great time despite the conditions and rolled through the small towns of Wade and Hurley. We took a quick bio break in Wade. Then we crossed the border into Alabama which was 14 miles short of Mobile. We stopped for pictures at the border and then rode on in an attempt to race the sun to the hotel - my favorite challenge! Immediately after entering Alabama, we noticed that drivers were very aggressive, would not move over, and would not slow down. One guy nearly took me out and then Kevin (ahead of me seeing this in his mirror) stuck out his arm to the driver asking him to give us a break. Then the guy swerved over at Kevin and hit his hand with his rear view mirror - what a jerk! It was dusk as we hit the city limits and we still had 5 miles to go. Then bam, I rolled over a large object which punctured my rear wheel. It was just east of the Mobile Regional air port and just after Carl stopped to take a picture of a gigantic fire works store. I was frustrated as I had invested in heavy duty tires, tubes, and liners back in Phoenix after my prior bout with the goat heads. I changed the tire quickly as darkness was setting in. We jumped back into heavy traffic with all of our lights on and finished in the dark at 5:30. The sun had won the race to the hotel - rats. The Homewoods Suites hotel Teresa hooked us up with is awesome and she got a great rate by leveraging Kevin's AARP card. The deal came with free happy hour from 6-8 pm that included wine, beer, and a full buffet dinner of fried catfish, bratwurst, slaw, baked beans, bread sticks, and a nice salad. We feasted until we could not move any more. Kevin nearly fell asleep in his chair as he had burnt all of his matches for the day and the large meal nearly pushed him over the edge. One final observation that Carl and I have noticed since Texas. We are very surprised at how many dead animals are just laying right in front of houses on the roads. It is clear that the animals are left to decay rather than being cleaned up and buried. This includes a lot of dogs and some cats. Can you believe that people would let their family pet chase cars (and bikes), get run over, and then just leave them there to rot? They almost have to run over some of them to get to their mail boxes or driveway! Nasty.....
Good night!
Weather: cold, overcast, and a strong 10-20 mph wind in our face. It was not as cold as yesterday but it was still downright raw. After lunch, it warmed up and we actually saw the sun for an hour or two before it clouded up later in the day and threatened to rain.
Performance Metrics:
Miles: 85 Trip: 2,370
Total travel time: 9:30 Trip: 246:30
Bike Riding time: 8:40 Trip: 192:28
Avg speed: 12.25 Trip: 12.63
Max speed: 26.73 Trip: 41.87
Total ascent (ft): 1,449 Trip: 54,151
Avg pedal RPMs: 86 Trip: 86
Avg heart rate: 95 Trip: 110
Max heart rate: 149 Trip: 195
Calories burned: 5,117 Trip: 140,902
Weather Statistics:
High temp 61 Trip: 77
Low temp: 38 Trip: 27
Hours of rain: 0 Trip: 13:30
Hours of snow: 0 Trip: 0
Total days of rain/snow: 3
Wind factor: Hurt ALL day
Total good wind days: 11
Total bad wind days: 21
Misc. Stats:
Flat tires: 1 Trip: 9
Mechanical failures: 0
Hotel or camping today: hotel - Homewood Suites - Teresa did great on this one
Total hotel nights: 30
Total camping nights: 2
Cups of coffee: 4 Trip: 102
Pints: 3 Trip: 59
Mood rating (1-10): 9.5 - great day today and my cold is just about gone. One more day of riding and then I will take my first full rest day on Christmas day.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
OK ESN:0-7458562
This is Steve and I am checking in to let everyone know that I have finished my ride for the day safe and sound.
ESN:0-7458562
Latitude:30.6832
Longitude:-88.2039
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:12/23/2008 15:35:40 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=30.6832,-88.2039&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
ESN:0-7458562
Latitude:30.6832
Longitude:-88.2039
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:12/23/2008 15:35:40 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=30.6832,-88.2039&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Day 31 - Monday, December 22
Description: Finished the 70 mile ride in Wiggins Mississippi. Tomorrow is a big question mark. We want to go south and across a ferry below Mobile but it might not be running due to the high winds. Our other option is to go more south east and straight to Mobile. The forecast is for high winds in our face, cold in the morning, and maybe rain. You will have to watch Spot to see which way we decided to go.
We made our own breakfast in our rooms this morning and I had 2 yogurts, Pop Tarts, a banana, and a cup of hot Cappuccino. Carl had a similar meal. After loading up the van, Kevin performed the now routine Sherpa duty. We agreed on the day's route and then Kevin blasted to Poplarville to park the van and ride back to meet us for a brunch in Bogalusa. This way, Kevin gets just about as many miles as Carl and me. Teresa typically rides with us to the van and then takes it in the afternoon to find lodging and get provisions for the evening. This Sherpa system has worked great and I feel fortunate and spoiled. After Kevin took off from the hotel, Teresa, Carl, and I bundled up big time and braced for a cold day. Today totally redefined any prior definitions I have given for a "raw" day. Freezing cold (puddles had ice), 15+ mph winds in the face, and overcast. We should have just stayed in bed. This weather did not help my cold as well. Anyway, enough complaining. We sucked it up, bundled up, and pushed Teresa to the front of the pace line to break the wind for us. We rode out of Franklinton and into the countryside. The area was full of rolling hills (this continues to shock me) and lots of pine woods that are farm raised for lumber. Many of the forrests were clear cut. We also saw a lot of hunter's stands in the empty fields as hunting is big around here. We rode for 27 miles through Springhill and Plainview before entering Bogalusa to meet Kevin and grab a bite. Bogalusa is a big paper pulp mill town complete with a Wal-Mart and a Donut Palace. Kevin had asked that we meet further down the road but Carl's and my bike would not go past the Donut Palace (a fueling station) without stopping. We called Kevin and said to come meet us there. After pounding grease and fat and washing it down with strong coffee, we bundled up and made a break for Poplarville which was about 20 miles away. We rode in a nice pace line with Kevin doing all of the pulling. He was a man on a mission and pulled almost as good as David, Ron, Dayn, Brian, Fast Tim, Slow Tim, Josh, Teresa, Susan, Jae, Doug, Sheila, Slow Todd, Norris, Christy, Christine, my daughters, and every other rider I have ever known. He tried and we appreciated the effort. We crossed into Mississippi over the Pearl river which was flooded well over it's banks. the river had all kinds of floating houses (like house boats) on it and the area looked exactly like the location of the great movie - Frankenfish. If you have not seen this Sci-Fi flick, check it out and you will know exactly what we saw. After several border pictures, we had a long and steep pull out of the river basin. At one point, Teresa was feeling strong and spunky and passed me with a smile on her face. This hurt me real bad and I reached down deep to find the strength to pass her back. Wilson was screaming GOSTEVEGO with what little air he had left in him. Kevin was watching this race play out in his rear view mirror and had a big smile on his face. Carl just thought we were nuts. We continued battling the winds through rolling hills, cattle farms, and catfish farms until we reached Poplarville. Teresa had another great ride and did most of the work earlier in the day. She was ready to warm up and drive on to perform her Sherpa responsibilities. Kevin, Carl, and I wolfed down Snickers bars for a quick fix and rolled on for the final 24 miles of this cold and raw day. We arrived in Wiggins around 4 and celebrated with high 5s as this was a tough day. We checked into the Best Western and Teresa had snacks and beverages waiting for us. She could do this Sherpa thing for a living! We warmed up with hot showers and then walked next door to a Pizza Hut for supper. Teresa, Kevin, and I had baked pasta dishes and Carl had an entire pizza plus a salad. I also had their tater tot nacho appetizer. We all were real full and waddled back to our rooms to retire. Believe it or not, we all still had a fun day.
Good Night.
Weather: Bitter cold today. It was 23 degrees when we woke up and it was only 27 and very windy (15 mph+) when we began riding. It never warmed up above 38 all day and the strong winds fought us all day. The wind gods were very angry as the forecast was for light winds.
Performance Metrics:
Miles: 70 Trip: 2,285
Total travel time: 8:00 Trip: 237:00
Bike Riding time: 6:02 Trip: 183:48
Avg speed: 11.55 Trip: 12.65
Max speed: 22.48 Trip: 41.87
Total ascent (ft): 1,603 Trip: 52,702
Avg pedal RPMs: 82 Trip: 86
Avg heart rate: 99 Trip: 110
Max heart rate: 143 Trip: 195
Calories burned: 3,781 Trip: 133,785
Weather Statistics:
High temp 38 Trip: 77
Low temp: 27 Trip: 27
Hours of rain: 0 Trip: 13.30
Hours of snow: 0 Trip: 0
Total days of rain/snow: 3
Wind factor: Against us
Total good wind days: 11
Total bad wind days: 20
Misc. Stats:
Flat tires: 0 Trip: 8
Mechanical failures: 0
Hotel or camping today: hotel - Best Western
Total hotel nights: 29
Total camping nights: 2
Cups of coffee: 3 Trip: 98
Pints: 3 Trip: 56
Mood rating (1-10): 9.25 - need more warmth and favorable winds to get back up to 10. Overall, still loving this trip and appreciate all of the support and followers. Thanks
We made our own breakfast in our rooms this morning and I had 2 yogurts, Pop Tarts, a banana, and a cup of hot Cappuccino. Carl had a similar meal. After loading up the van, Kevin performed the now routine Sherpa duty. We agreed on the day's route and then Kevin blasted to Poplarville to park the van and ride back to meet us for a brunch in Bogalusa. This way, Kevin gets just about as many miles as Carl and me. Teresa typically rides with us to the van and then takes it in the afternoon to find lodging and get provisions for the evening. This Sherpa system has worked great and I feel fortunate and spoiled. After Kevin took off from the hotel, Teresa, Carl, and I bundled up big time and braced for a cold day. Today totally redefined any prior definitions I have given for a "raw" day. Freezing cold (puddles had ice), 15+ mph winds in the face, and overcast. We should have just stayed in bed. This weather did not help my cold as well. Anyway, enough complaining. We sucked it up, bundled up, and pushed Teresa to the front of the pace line to break the wind for us. We rode out of Franklinton and into the countryside. The area was full of rolling hills (this continues to shock me) and lots of pine woods that are farm raised for lumber. Many of the forrests were clear cut. We also saw a lot of hunter's stands in the empty fields as hunting is big around here. We rode for 27 miles through Springhill and Plainview before entering Bogalusa to meet Kevin and grab a bite. Bogalusa is a big paper pulp mill town complete with a Wal-Mart and a Donut Palace. Kevin had asked that we meet further down the road but Carl's and my bike would not go past the Donut Palace (a fueling station) without stopping. We called Kevin and said to come meet us there. After pounding grease and fat and washing it down with strong coffee, we bundled up and made a break for Poplarville which was about 20 miles away. We rode in a nice pace line with Kevin doing all of the pulling. He was a man on a mission and pulled almost as good as David, Ron, Dayn, Brian, Fast Tim, Slow Tim, Josh, Teresa, Susan, Jae, Doug, Sheila, Slow Todd, Norris, Christy, Christine, my daughters, and every other rider I have ever known. He tried and we appreciated the effort. We crossed into Mississippi over the Pearl river which was flooded well over it's banks. the river had all kinds of floating houses (like house boats) on it and the area looked exactly like the location of the great movie - Frankenfish. If you have not seen this Sci-Fi flick, check it out and you will know exactly what we saw. After several border pictures, we had a long and steep pull out of the river basin. At one point, Teresa was feeling strong and spunky and passed me with a smile on her face. This hurt me real bad and I reached down deep to find the strength to pass her back. Wilson was screaming GOSTEVEGO with what little air he had left in him. Kevin was watching this race play out in his rear view mirror and had a big smile on his face. Carl just thought we were nuts. We continued battling the winds through rolling hills, cattle farms, and catfish farms until we reached Poplarville. Teresa had another great ride and did most of the work earlier in the day. She was ready to warm up and drive on to perform her Sherpa responsibilities. Kevin, Carl, and I wolfed down Snickers bars for a quick fix and rolled on for the final 24 miles of this cold and raw day. We arrived in Wiggins around 4 and celebrated with high 5s as this was a tough day. We checked into the Best Western and Teresa had snacks and beverages waiting for us. She could do this Sherpa thing for a living! We warmed up with hot showers and then walked next door to a Pizza Hut for supper. Teresa, Kevin, and I had baked pasta dishes and Carl had an entire pizza plus a salad. I also had their tater tot nacho appetizer. We all were real full and waddled back to our rooms to retire. Believe it or not, we all still had a fun day.
Good Night.
Weather: Bitter cold today. It was 23 degrees when we woke up and it was only 27 and very windy (15 mph+) when we began riding. It never warmed up above 38 all day and the strong winds fought us all day. The wind gods were very angry as the forecast was for light winds.
Performance Metrics:
Miles: 70 Trip: 2,285
Total travel time: 8:00 Trip: 237:00
Bike Riding time: 6:02 Trip: 183:48
Avg speed: 11.55 Trip: 12.65
Max speed: 22.48 Trip: 41.87
Total ascent (ft): 1,603 Trip: 52,702
Avg pedal RPMs: 82 Trip: 86
Avg heart rate: 99 Trip: 110
Max heart rate: 143 Trip: 195
Calories burned: 3,781 Trip: 133,785
Weather Statistics:
High temp 38 Trip: 77
Low temp: 27 Trip: 27
Hours of rain: 0 Trip: 13.30
Hours of snow: 0 Trip: 0
Total days of rain/snow: 3
Wind factor: Against us
Total good wind days: 11
Total bad wind days: 20
Misc. Stats:
Flat tires: 0 Trip: 8
Mechanical failures: 0
Hotel or camping today: hotel - Best Western
Total hotel nights: 29
Total camping nights: 2
Cups of coffee: 3 Trip: 98
Pints: 3 Trip: 56
Mood rating (1-10): 9.25 - need more warmth and favorable winds to get back up to 10. Overall, still loving this trip and appreciate all of the support and followers. Thanks
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