Monday, May 27, 2013

Day 16 - Marching Across Georgia

Another good day!  The first 30 miles were filled with long rollers (grunt!) but after that it was a pretty fast and flat roll to Dublin, Georgia.  The three of us (Clay, Steve, Rob) worked together and were just behind the first group of three riders (Will, Tom, Jeremiah) all day.  At the last rest stop we decided to ride in together (our same group from a few days ago) and had a fast run into town, arriving around 4:40p.  We averaged 19.1 for the day, without pushing too hard (after the hills). 
Everyone else made it in successfully!  There were a number of riders that have been straggling a bit, but they all got in by 7:30p, in time for the ice cream and cake social.  Logistics for tomorrow were reviewed and confirmed.  Tomorrow is Lon and Susan's 30th Anniversary!
 
All of us are thinking about what life after ET will be like.  Some of us are savoring the last days, knowing it will be great to finish the ride, but will want to get back on and ride some more, after a few days break.  Others may need a few weeks to really appreciate their accomplishment.  This was a tough ride!  The heat and hills in California and Arizona, more hills in New Mexico, thunderstorms and headwinds in Oklahoma, not to mention the Talimena Parkway, and the long days across Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama.  It is hard to believe all that went on in the past 16 days - but it will be a special memory for all of us for a long time.

Everyone is tired.  Many riders have sore tushes (big surprise), numb hands, sore shoulders, achy knees, etc., etc..  Several of us have sunburned lips from not getting enough SPF lip balm on in time.  This is bearable until you eat any spicy food or salty chips.

Overall I am doing very well.  I have lost some weight, but it will take several days before the extra fluids wash away.  I am still a ways from what should be my ideal weight, but hopefully I can maintain a reasonable diet and take advantage of the fitness I now have.  Watch out Minnesota Randonneurs and TCBC riding friends, I will be ready to kick butt in a couple of weeks.

When my Brooks saddle broke over a week ago, I was concerned that a replacement saddle wouldn't work as well, but the Selle Ana-tomica that Lon loaned me has been great.  I have had no problems and am actually more comfortable than with the Brooks. 
Everyone is a little brain dead and fatigued by now, but spirits are good.  Tomorrow's ride is 143 miles of pretty flat riding to the coast.  If we get ahead of the time a little bit, we may spend a little time in Savannah before convening at the collection point, a few miles from the finish in Tybee Island to ride in together, jump in the Atlantic Ocean and take a bunch of pictures. 

Thanks to all of you that have been following and commenting on the blog - the notes are appreciated and enjoyed.
 

2 comments:

  1. Well done Rob! Thank you for taking the time to document and share your journey. Hope to see you on the road again some day soon. Have a great ride to the beach tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Like John said, thanks for taking the time to document your experiences on this incredible trip. Very well done! RAAM next year??? Think you have set yourself up to be the designated Jens Voight of the TCBC & Man Randos. Enjoy that trip to the beach, you have earned it!
    Rick Hall

    ReplyDelete