Day 66: September 15th, 2010 (Route: Weldon, NC to Raleigh, NC)

Day 66: September 15th, 2010 (Route: Weldon, NC to Raleigh, NC)

Technical Data:

Distance, miles: 85.62
Ride Time 5:45:01
Work, kJ: 3689
Average Power, watts: 175
Normalized Power, watts: 209
Average Speed, mph: 14.58

Forecast: HOT!!!

Waking up behind a convenient store was a first for me, however it wasn't too bad to be honest! Last night though, around 10PM a guy was standing next to the edge of the car wash I was camped out behind, he just stood there smoking a cigerette. I said something, like hey you, unzipped the tent to see what he was doing. By the time I climbed out of the tent he was gone. I thought this really odd to be honest, I sure did scare him off though. Had the feeling of nervousness the rest of the night before I cashed out. I had been warned by so many people in this small town while I was there about the crazy's in Weldon. I thought this guy may have been one of them for sure as it was an odd experience. I got out of the tent to make sure I was taking care of myself to be honest. I've been on the road for 65 days now and I'm not about to let anyone take anything from me, especially the bike! I have often thought about this on the trip, after the kid in Corvalis, OR was looking at it I have been extremely carerful not to let it out of my sight!

The rest of the evening was quiet, just typed up my blog and fell sleep, it was hot so I didn't really need a sheet or blanket, just lying there sweating!

Up and at 'em first thing this morning though. I wanted to get on the road before the heat hit as yesterday was a hot one and today was not supposed to be any cooler! Being this close to facilities I used them and changed, packed up a wet tent from the condensation and headed out to find a place with wi fi to upload the last two blogs. I have found the best place for this is a hotel, there always open and the wi fi is free. Not to mention the bathrooms are always clean!

After uploading my blogs I head out onto highway 48 South. This stretch of road was short, about 17 miles or so. Legs really didn't feel like pedaling today, once onto the bike I felt great, then I started to push a little power and the legs didn't like it. Today would have been one of those training days where you pedal over to the RedBox, grab a movie and head home to rest. However I don't have the luxery on this trip to enjoy such a day. The goal today is Raleigh, NC my Uncle Steve's house. Having a destination is nice, when I am just riding and find a place to sleep I'm not to motivated to really hit the throttle, however today was a little different!

The terrain was nice and rolling with long climbs, short climbs, and climbs you just want to attack! The terrain reminded me a lot of a Time Trial in Oklahoma I did a couple years back, hard to believe it was that long ago! I thought a lot about this TT on this trip, hitting the throttle heading down some of the descents, while powering up the accents I was having so much fun! I think next year the plan is to have two "A" races if I am in Oklahoma. The Tribbey 40k TT and the Kansas State Championship 40k TT, and the goal of course is to win! I have really given up on the time committment it takes to race Ironman and since my future is unknown I think its more realistic to race a shorter distance race that will keep me in shape and allow for a life outside of training and racing. This trip has opened the eyes a little wider to the world outside of training and racing all the time and I'm looking forward to exploring as many avenues as I possible can once I'm back home (home will have to be where the heart is as I'm not sure of the location).

Thought a lot about flying kites today, the headwind must have sparked the thought! I used to lie out in the field next to where I grew up and just fly my kite, I didn't do it often but it really brought me down to earth when I did. I love to feel the power of nature, whether it be the wind, the ocean currents, river currents, and all the weather that is produced by the gentleness of winds that fly my kites. Nature sure is an amazing piece of beauty that should never be over looked or taken for granted! Without all the those air molecules we wouldn't be able to fly or sail for starters. Chemistry is nice when you think of in terms of things you can do that put the wind in your hair! lol Maybe a little too abstract today, however thoughts are thoughts!

Temperature is rising fast today and I failed again to don some sunscreen. The legs are nice and tan, however the arms got a little too much sun yesterday, on the West coast I was almost always wearing sleeves, looks like I'll have to make sure I put it on first thing in the morning as today was brutally hot! I thought September the weather was supposed to change, I guess living in the South you get heat up till November and possible even December, not sure, I'll have to ask the locals!

Continuing the ride I fill with the warmest of emotions. The last couple of days I have been riding on a somewhat busy highway and now I'm really in the country away from the busy free ways and rushed people. The spaces are open, which reminds me of home and I'm really enjoying riding today! The feeling was that of being at peace within side, the feeling of comfort vs. the discomfort I have felt riding in Southern California and in most metropolitan areas. The feeling of being out in the country feels at home for me! Having been raised in a similiar environment it just reminded me of home today. The ability to sneek out into the country and look for miles upon farm land with the wind and sun beating down on me. Really nice to have this on the trip and at a most needed time on the journey as lately the thougths have been a little overwhelming, I think just do to the amount of people I have been exposed to.

Being naturally introverted, with great moments of being an extrovert I just needed some time alone. This is how I recharge my batteries per se, and I know it works! I need people though as I think most everyone does, however when I get like I have been its usually because I need some time alone, to reflect, to enjoy nature, to just be. Everyone has these types of moments, moments of wanting to be in an area of comfort, its a balancing act of course, and if this balance is able to balance the stress levels never venture into the red. Having this balance will also keep the depressed thoughts at bay, which I need.

So many thoughts today on the road and I'm really enjoying this ride, though its getting extremely hot! I think they were calling for high 80's today, however right now the bank sign reads 94 and I'm soaked with sweat so the humidity levels have to be up there as well. Only a few more miles, 30 to be exact and I should be close to my destination for the evening! Rolling out of Louisburg, NC I continue pedaling and enjoying the rolling terrain. I love this type of terrain as I really never lose focus on the task at hand, the down hills capture enough speed to get a little thrill, in return the uphills cause me to work so I love it, allowing the body to adjust, the lactate to flush, and so on and so on!

Riding my bike for me is something that has become a part of who I am. I really don't see myself driving much any more. With a small trailer like this, trips to the store will be easy and pedaling around to see friends and events will be easy, now I just need to find a place to make it happen. Life slows when your on a bike, allowing for the release of endorphins, allowing for exercise, allowing to have the feeling of accomplishment and so many other wonderful thoughts. Making a difference...

Almost to Raliegh and the traffic has started to pick up a little, navigating by memory and the help of some notes I made I make it to Neuse Falls road. This road was quite busy for 3PM in the afternoon, however I make it safe and sound to the Starbucks near Uncle's house. House is only .5 to a mile away. I hang out at the Starbucks for a while as my phone died and I needed to charge it. So many people in and out, collecting electrons I sit down to people watch and type a little. Pleasant little place, with so many people, make a little conversation but really just sit and take in the moments!

After making a couple calls I get ahold of Uncle Steve and plan on meeting him at the house in 5, then walks in my Aunt Leslie, we exchange hugs and greetings and its so nice again to see a familiar face! Chatting a little bit we head to the house and catch up. I haven't seen them since a trip they took to Arkansas a few years back and its nice to have made the time, though some might think crazy (500-600 miles by bike off the route), I thought necessary as I'm on the this side of the country and its not often I get to see them, so what the heck I'm doing what I love whats another 600 miles!

After catching up we head to dinner...I'll be taking a couple of days off here in NC and then back on the road after the tropical storm decides on what its doing off the coast! Also, yesterday it sounded like Kansas got hit with some interesting weather as well so the trek home is going to be a fun one!