June 13, 2011

Today's report from my Ride

Started at 6:00 am and finished at 2:30 pm.     

Covered 104 miles, ave speed of 14.8 mph.  Max speed - 30.7 mph

Riding time - 7 hours and 2 minutes.  

Feet of elevation climbed - 2381'. 

Wind - out of the SSE.  On the "Hurt/Help" Wind scale, today was a +1.0. 

The "Hurt/Help" Wind Scale is my way of saying "this is how much the wind hurt/helped me over the course of the day".  It can Hurt me up to a -5, or help me up to a +5.

About today:

Today was AWESOME!!  I'd have to say, it was the best day of the ride so far!  However, I definitely did not know that starting out.  When I left my host home at 6am it was misting quite heavily.  (FYI - You know it's misting when water is dripping off the front of your helmet.  It's raining if it's dripping off your helmet and the end of your nose.  It's raining hard if it's squishing out of your shoes.  And you know it's pouring when your attitude shifts from "This rain is a nuisance" to "Hey, this is kind of fun.  I can not get any wetter, so I'm just gonna have a good time!!")

Anyway, I started from Lake Maloney, south of North Platte.  I didn't even get to NP before I had a flat tire from a "sticky rock".  It's much easier to get have a puncture when it's raining as tiny shards of rock stick to the tire because it's wet.  If they hit point first, sometimes they "work through the tire" (being driven in a bit further each time the tire goes around) until they puncture the tube.  Then you're sitting in the ditch putting on a new tube.  That's where I found myself just 6 miles after I started, quite "damp" from the heavy mist, sitting on wet grass, surrounded by a swarm of little phlebotomist wannabes, putting a new tube in my back tire.  This was NOT a good way to start a long day.  But, then it occurred to me, "Hey!  This is probably the worst thing that's going to happen to me today.  That means you've got the "rotten thing of the day" out of the way before it's even 7am!"  And that is indeed what happened!!!

The day really turned around at the 30 mile mark.  I had an average of 12.6 mph and was still pretty wet from the mist earlier.  But just south of Stapleton is where my sag driver caught up with me, Kirk Shuck.  And the rest of the day was fantastic!  He always had a smile and a word of encouragement for me.  Thanks Kirk!!!!

Just look at that smiling face of encouragement!!!!

Here's a pic of me when he arrived.  

Mike and Bike covered in a coat of glorious grime!

         














 Well, after Kirk arrived, the wind seemed to actually help me a bit, the mist went away, and I just felt strong, and I mean STRONG for the rest of the day!  Over the next 74 miles, I rode fast enough to raise the 12.6 mph (for the first 30) up to 14.8 mph for the entire 104 miles!  Wow!  My hands did not really hurt.  My "undercarriage" was not as tender.  My ankles didn't really bother me (beyond being stiff for a bit when I got off the bike).  Ten miles east of Mullen we "gained" an hour by entering Mountain Time Zone, and then when I thought, "This can NOT get any better!", the sun came out about 6 miles east of Mullen!!  Now, it's a sunny, hot Sandhills afternoon and I feel great!  Marvelous day!

the Dismal River

      Here are some other pics from the day.  The Dismal River valley area is beautiful!!!!  There is a scenic loop (about a mile perhaps) which crosses over the Dismal just east of the main bridge.  It's part of old Hwy 83.  That's where we took this picture, looking east.  Take this loop!  It leaves Hwy 83 before the bridge and then rejoins Hwy 83 on the other side of the bridge.  Neat!

The Dismal River area

The Dismal River area

The Dismal River valley

 When we arrived at Mullen, we were met by Gerri Peterson.  This friendly young lady is the owner of the Hooker County Tribune.  She interviewed me and snapped a couple of pics.  Kirk took this picture while she was also taking one for the paper.

Glidden Sandhills Motel

It's by the sign for the Glidden Sandhills Motel here in Mullen.  Owner, Patty Glidden, gave Kirk and me two rooms for free as her way of supporting Make-A-Wish Foundation of Nebraska.  Then she gave us $20 to help pay for our supper tonight!  Thank you for your generosity!!  If ANY of you ever have a chance to stay overnight in Mullen, please check in at the Glidden Sandhills Motel.  They are great folks!!!!  They also have canoe rentals besides the motel if you want some outdoor adventure on your trip.  Check out their Facebook page and an information page on them listed below.  

 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sandhills-Motel-Glidden-Canoe-Rental/103342909701882
 http://sandhills-motel.mullen.nebraska-hotels.tel/

Bible verses dealing with Jesus and “wishes”.  A WISH…

    To thank Jesus for His forgiveness – Luke 7:36-50

Quote of the Day: 

I have always struggled to achieve excellence. One thing that cycling has taught me is that if you can achieve something without a struggle it's not going to be satisfying. - Greg LeMond

New Spin Home Wisdom story: “Don’t just ride into the wind.  Tear the wind apart!"  Tomorrow and Wednesday are the long awaited Spin Home Wisdom on dogs entitled, "Caution - Cujo Wannabe Ahead!"

Closing thoughts for the day: 

I have put the original route in below for tomorrow.  We were told that the road between Tryon going west to Arthur was closed due to flooding.  Not really flooding so much as high ground water that's over the highway.  Wow!  So, I'm going to bike south to Tryon and if the road is open, I'll head west to Arthur.  If it's still closed, we'll drive back to Mullen, then I'll bike west to Hyannis, and then south to Arthur.  It'll all work out. 

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.  Please keep telling others about this journey.  As more and more people know, I believe the donations will continue to rise.  They've been a little slow starting, but bottom line is I'll be happy with whatever amount we end up with.  Having said that, I WOULD like to top $100,000 though...(-:).


Forecast for the next day:

30% chance of rain.  Wind out of the NW at 13 mph.  In the 80's for the high. 

Route/Towns for the next day:

June 14 - Mullen to Tryon (maybe) to Arthur to Hyannis