Day 64: September 13th, 2010 (Route: Davidsville, Maryland to Hanover, VA)

Day 64: September 13th, 2010 (Route: Davidsville, Maryland to Hanover, VA)

Technical Data:

Distance, miles: 102.06
Ride Time 7:02:05
Work, kJ: 4528
Average Power, watts: 178
Normalized Power, watts: 203
Average Speed, mph: 14.75

Forecast: Just doesn't get better than today! 65-70 degrees with clear blue skies, light winds switching from a tail wind to a head wind throughout the day.

Waking up this morning was tough as woke around 3:30 and just couldn't get back to sleep. I wrote a little while up and tried my best to get back to sleep however it just wasn't happening! I did get back to sleep around 5:45 or so and grab just a few minutes of shut eye. Up at 6:45 and eager to ride today, I have had so much rest I was starting to go a little stir crazy. I grab a quick shower, packed up my things and said my fairwells to Howard and his wife, along with little Beth! The boys were either gone or getting ready for school, I'm not sure!

I have to give the Marks family a huge "Thank You" for putting me up for a couple days while I recover from all the mileage on the bike and the jet lag from traveling cross country! The food was exceptional while I was there, I have never seen a house full of so much food, however when you have three children with the two oldest boys I understand why. Growing up with an older brother and a younger sister that were all active I'm sure we had just as much food! It was great to observe another family, how they interact, what goes on a daily basis at there place. So much love inside this place I wasn't sure I wanted to leave to be honest! Howard had a large remodel project going on which I was curious about, I wish I new more about the trade of remodeling a house so I could have lent a better hand!

I spent most of the time sleeping though as I was pretty beat up from all the riding the last 60 days to be honest. The rest in LA and San Diego appeared to be just a start to what was to come when I landed in Baltimore. I slept on the plan, wrote a little and read, however once to the Mark's house I just turned the mind off from riding and it kicked in, it being much needed recovery! I was fortunate to help Howard out with a little project in the bathroom, setting me up with the knowledge to tackle the two baths at my place when the time is right. The icing on the cake though was I got to play chess on a chess board that was close to 50-75 years old with Howard. When we used to work in Wichita together I played a lot of chess of the lunch hour, and this is where Howard and I first played! I'm not sure who won the game in ICT, however I was the victor on this go around. I'll remember his quote probably for the rest of my days! (Two rooks worth one queen, I dont' think thats a good move!) Little did he know I was looking 5-6 moves down the board and after capturing his queen, I took two rooks, a knight and a bishop!

Heading out this morning I failed to eat breakfast, however I wasn't really hungry as I had ate way too much the last four days! Four lefts, a right and I'm on hwy 301 heading to North Carolina to see my Uncle Steve. I have always wanted to visit and being 300 miles to north I figured I would "b" line it to his place before heading to York town to start the rest of the TransAm. Nothing like adding another 500+ miles to the third leg! I'm also contemplating heading to another city once in Missouri if the weather holds. Speaking of weather, I sit here right now enjoying some of the most beautiful weather I have got to experience on my journey! Green trees only to be changing soon, sun set dropping on the timber line, and the simpliest of evenings!

Heading south on 301 was great, the shoulder was about the size of another lane and I was really enjoying myself! I was singing and really just dancing on the pedals this morning, like I said I was eager to ride! The trailer felt a lot lighter than it has, nothing has really changed weight wise. I have just been able to absorb some of the fitness gains over the last week! Nothing really exciting on this stretch to be honest, I was just trying to be in the moment and enjoy the day. The roads here are lined with trees so seeing anything spectacular today was not really on the agenda. Like I said I am heading to my Uncles and trying to utilize the most direct route possible! Feeling great today I journey along, stopping for water and using the facilities a couple times.

Spending a little time on the tape recorder today, I haven't done this much at all, however when the mind is sharp I like to talk into the mic about all kinds of things, mostly thoughts and planning for the next chapter in my life. The mileage is fading today quickly as I feel extremely strong, I sure can't wait to hit up that Wednesday night ride if I make it back in time, those boys aren't going to know what hit 'em! lol

The terrain here is more like what I have experienced in Oklahoma and Florida of all places. Long gradual grades that just keep going and going, which I like! Well, I like it all when it comes to riding. Maryland is a nice looking state from what I have seen, pretty clean and the trees everywhere makes it nice to just sit and wonder. Pulling up to a little store to fill my bottles I notice I have a low back tire, sure enough I have a slow leak. After changing it I change the batteries in my hug as it appears they have gone dead over the course of resting. I started the day off with being mad at PowerTap, thinking they need to make a better product, however I have been on the road a while so I can't hold them too accountable. About 50 miles in to the ride and at the base of the bridge that goes of the Potomac River I get directed to the Maryland Transportation Office. It appears I need to be taken to the other side via a truck as they don't allow bikes on the one mile length bridge. I'm game with it as I really don't have a choice.

Once over the bridge I shake hads with Brian the maintanence man that took me across. We shared stories about the unemployment situation and a few questions regarding the area, then I pushed on. Heading into Virginia now I notice the shoulder has dwindled down to a few inches and I'm thinking this is going to suck. I have another 50 miles or so before I try and locate a place to crash and the traffic is pretty thick, the good thing was it was a four lane divided highway so traffic has room to get over, plus the speed limit was 55 and not 65 so that's also a bonus. Still feeling great I continue to motor on down the highway. Having 120 psi tires and a tap thats now working I enjoy the remainder of my ride.

Sipping on sustained energy all day was the plan for nutrition and it seems to be working. Talking into the recorder I mentioned that I need to refocus my eating habits as they have been pretty poor lately, I want to be in great shape when I return! Okay, riding 6K-7.5K miles is going to make me in great shape, however I want to fly up those climbs on the Wednesday night ride for some reason.

Back to sunscreen and lip balm as the sun feels like its middle of summer, just without the high temperatures. I'm sure I'll tan up now that I'm in the South! Many thoughts today, about what I plan on doin once this journey changes chapters to what's the climbing going to be like in the Northern part of Virginia, will the weather change the trees while I'm out here. I sure hope so, summer to fall transition and I'll be living outside for the complete change, this is going to be awesome! Howard offered me another flight up to Maine, however I thought this might take to long and I don't want to get caught in winter like weather in the North, just not appealing, though the foliage would be worth it!

One small town after another today! Coming to Hanover, VA I stop for water a little filling station and mention I'm going to be camping out some where south of Richmond, VA. The plan was to ride 100+ miles and find a "free" place to camp. Found one, Bill the owner of the store heard me talking to an elderly women about my journey and said just throw your tent over there in the grass, I thought well looks like I'm done riding for the day. I did plan on riding 120 miles, however what's transposing two digits going to matter, 102 will do! Heading into the shop for some water, Bill offers to make me a sandwich and a bowl of soup with crackers. i think this isn't happending. Head outside to move my bike and get things set up. After adjusting some things I head back into the shop to collect the generosity of a true southorner! He greets me with a warm smile and wishing my best in my travels. After looking at a map I am on the TransAm - of all the places to stop while heading to my Uncles house I happen to stop directly on the route I will be on in the next couple of days after spending time with family. Every thing happens for a reason!

I'm sitting here after had enjoyed a ham/cheese sandwich on white, with a bowl of chicken noodle soup and four zesta crackers, along with three bottles of water. This is all the food I have taken in all day and I still fill full from all the food I ate at the Mark's place. I didn't think I had that much, however I must have! Lots of things going on here, I'm outside this shop on hwy 301 that leads into Richmond, VA. Couple cats are at the shop and one is dining on a baby squirrel, not the best entertainment for the evening, however I can't seem to get him to take it some where else. As a biologist I can understand this is just nature, however I really would like him to enjoy his meal some where else!

Its a very peaceful evening and my mind is right here tonight, not thinking about anything besides just being in the moment! Two jackasses are in the pens next to me, the cats are doing there thing, and it looks there is going to be some construction tonight as signs are getting put out on the highway. I'm not that far off the hwy myself tonight, not an ideal place to camp for sleep, however I'll take what I can get when traveling on a budget like I am. The plan tonight is to read and try and finish Steinbeck as I want to try and complete all of Hemingway's works by the end of the year. Well, I may write a little later as its only ten til seven. Going to prep things for tomorrows ride, I'm close to 170 miles NorthEast of my destination where I will take one, possible two days to visit and then push on. The weather is a concern as I don't want to get caught in one of those fall ice storms in the midwest out here on the bike. I know its still early, however I'm looking at close to 30 days left before the next chaper begins...