Well we did something that I never thought I would do in this heat and humidity and HILLS. Friday was 104+ miles and Saturday was 120 miles. There are heat index warnings out because the temperatures with humidity are in the 105-110 range. My friends that is hot. I have done further than that 2 times before - 1 time in Western New York in April and one time in Iowa and I can tell you it was about 50 or so at the most. I miss those days!!!!
I calculated that I drank 400 ounces of gatorade/powerade/water on the bike Saturday. Then I ate dinner and the poor waitress brought me 3 glasses of water and 4 Arnold Palmers. Then I drank more water at the hotel before bed.
Our bodies are amazing vessels that can take a lot of stress but boy was I glad to get off the bike yesterday. Then I woke up and we had to do 60 in the heat, humidity, and hills again. This is the first time that I contemplated taking a taxi - LOL. Humbling, but we made it.
I have pictures but I don't have the energy to download them. I will do another picture day soon. Tomorrow is supposed to be 45 or so, down the trace so it should be a pretty good day to catch up on stuff.
Until then have a great night and go out and ride your bicycle.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Week #1 Recap
One week ago today we were flying down to Panama City Beach, FL and then driving over to Mobile, AL as we prepared to leave the following morning for our 1700 mile adventure north along the Underground Railroad. The first day was as smooth as any day could ever be and we felt confident heading into Friday morning's departure.
Friday we grabbed some breakfast and headed out. We first met Dre and Eldred at the hotel. They are 2 union iron workers working on a new steel plant in Mobile, AL. They thought (and probably still do think) that we were crazy for doing what we were doing and they kept telling us we were rich. Rich in the Lord was our response. What other rich is as awesome as that? Lunch was great at the Stagecoach in Stockton, AL and then we settled in for the night at Little River, AL post office campground. It was not a very restful night because of 3 dogs that felt barking all night long would be helpful to our sleep. 70+miles 5hrs 10min
Saturday was hot right from the start. We knew we had a hotel waiting for us so we pushed off. We made a wrong turn right off the start and I "felt" it was wrong because of the sun placement. I checked the maps and we had to back track a little bit but got back on track. We made it to the Econolodge in Jackson, AL and the staff offered to do our laundry for us - that was awesome. 72+ miles 5hrs 53min
Sunday was a trying day. I knew there was a long distance with no services so we loaded up in the last town and headed out. There is a service station marked on the map and when we got there it was closed on Sunday. Oh boy. Rationing time now. I even called the emergency number to see if the owner would could open up for us but I had no service. We were getting closer to our stopping point so I pushed on ahead of Todd just so I could get some cold fluids ready for us. I made the first gas station and went right to the cooler and bought 2 gatorades and waited outside for Todd to pull in. How refreshing is that after going 55 miles with warm water and gatorade only at your disposal. It was better than nothing though. 75+miles 5hrs 41min
Monday was the long day of the week. We could not find anywhere for breakfast so we made it to Jefferson, AL and had a great chat with the store owner, her friend, and grandson. We got to see some church history with them and then continued on. The one thing that stuck out to me about this was the still very strong prejudice aura that you could sense. We decided that if it is something that you are taught from such an early age that they must think it is right. We wondered if God could even break that stronghold in their hearts. 80+miles 6hrs 3min
Tuesday was a shorter day and we took it a lot easier knowing so. We were heading to West Point, MS and a new state which was exciting. We saw a church that started the year the Civil War ended and just contemplated what the members had seen and done in their lifetime! Amazing. 63+ miles 4hrs 45min
Wednesday was another short day and we were headed to our second night of camping but the southern storms fired up so we skipped that and made a bee line for the Days Inn in Fulton, AL. Nothing like taking rest in A/C and protection from a southern doozy. 65+ miles 4hrs 59min
Be checking back in tomorrow night after our 100 miler. Have a great day and go ride your bike!
Friday we grabbed some breakfast and headed out. We first met Dre and Eldred at the hotel. They are 2 union iron workers working on a new steel plant in Mobile, AL. They thought (and probably still do think) that we were crazy for doing what we were doing and they kept telling us we were rich. Rich in the Lord was our response. What other rich is as awesome as that? Lunch was great at the Stagecoach in Stockton, AL and then we settled in for the night at Little River, AL post office campground. It was not a very restful night because of 3 dogs that felt barking all night long would be helpful to our sleep. 70+miles 5hrs 10min
Saturday was hot right from the start. We knew we had a hotel waiting for us so we pushed off. We made a wrong turn right off the start and I "felt" it was wrong because of the sun placement. I checked the maps and we had to back track a little bit but got back on track. We made it to the Econolodge in Jackson, AL and the staff offered to do our laundry for us - that was awesome. 72+ miles 5hrs 53min
Sunday was a trying day. I knew there was a long distance with no services so we loaded up in the last town and headed out. There is a service station marked on the map and when we got there it was closed on Sunday. Oh boy. Rationing time now. I even called the emergency number to see if the owner would could open up for us but I had no service. We were getting closer to our stopping point so I pushed on ahead of Todd just so I could get some cold fluids ready for us. I made the first gas station and went right to the cooler and bought 2 gatorades and waited outside for Todd to pull in. How refreshing is that after going 55 miles with warm water and gatorade only at your disposal. It was better than nothing though. 75+miles 5hrs 41min
Monday was the long day of the week. We could not find anywhere for breakfast so we made it to Jefferson, AL and had a great chat with the store owner, her friend, and grandson. We got to see some church history with them and then continued on. The one thing that stuck out to me about this was the still very strong prejudice aura that you could sense. We decided that if it is something that you are taught from such an early age that they must think it is right. We wondered if God could even break that stronghold in their hearts. 80+miles 6hrs 3min
Tuesday was a shorter day and we took it a lot easier knowing so. We were heading to West Point, MS and a new state which was exciting. We saw a church that started the year the Civil War ended and just contemplated what the members had seen and done in their lifetime! Amazing. 63+ miles 4hrs 45min
Wednesday was another short day and we were headed to our second night of camping but the southern storms fired up so we skipped that and made a bee line for the Days Inn in Fulton, AL. Nothing like taking rest in A/C and protection from a southern doozy. 65+ miles 4hrs 59min
Be checking back in tomorrow night after our 100 miler. Have a great day and go ride your bike!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Day 7 in photos
The morning sky was dark but we felt it was moving out towards the north (the direction we are heading of course). We got out of West Point, MS and took refuge in a shell station, then a church overhang, then we had hot and humid all the way to Fulton, MS. Pulled in just ahead of some wicked storms - after a lady up the road said no rain in the forecast. Guess she did not take weather 101 because I saw it coming!
The morning sky from our Shell Station hideout!
The church where we took cover. Todd waving to cyber world! We left our card and hopefully they follow us that would be cool!
The history around here is unbelievable. But just think what Europe has on us?
More history
Mission work done back in the 1800's. God has always been at work through willing vessels!
The morning sky from our Shell Station hideout!
The church where we took cover. Todd waving to cyber world! We left our card and hopefully they follow us that would be cool!
The history around here is unbelievable. But just think what Europe has on us?
More history
Mission work done back in the 1800's. God has always been at work through willing vessels!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Freedom Tour Day #6
Here are some more pictures from Day #6 of the Freedom Tour. It was an enjoyable 65 miles today. We were in no rush so we saw a lot of sights, braked often enough but not too much, and then got some awesome pool time in!
We hit a new state - that is always exciting right?
Local Lock and Dam on the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway. A sailboat was coming up river to use the locks but we pressed on!
Steamship that was used to clear river debris. One of the last active ones but it is retired now!
This church began right after the Civil War ended. That is one long church history filled with some interesting stories I bet. They had just recently built a new building right next door so it must still be flourishing!
The Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway from Mississippi this time.
All in all it was a great day on the bike again. I don't think I fully appreciate and/or understand what a blessing it is that I am able to do this. I just smile and pedal onward to home.
Thanks for stopping by - now get out and ride your bike!
We hit a new state - that is always exciting right?
Local Lock and Dam on the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway. A sailboat was coming up river to use the locks but we pressed on!
Steamship that was used to clear river debris. One of the last active ones but it is retired now!
This church began right after the Civil War ended. That is one long church history filled with some interesting stories I bet. They had just recently built a new building right next door so it must still be flourishing!
The Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway from Mississippi this time.All in all it was a great day on the bike again. I don't think I fully appreciate and/or understand what a blessing it is that I am able to do this. I just smile and pedal onward to home.
Thanks for stopping by - now get out and ride your bike!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Freedom Tour 2010 - Days #1 & 2 (Only 1 on the bike)
I am going to do a quick recap of our first 5 days away from home. This has incorporated 4 on the bike and I am feeling good so far. This will mainly be pictures. I will tell the story in July when I get back. I am keeping a journal and I look forward to sharing it with you when it is finished. You can track our progress at our blog or my spot page or here! Enjoy the pictures!
The flight down - this picture is my favorite of the trip so far. It is impressive with the lighting and the clouds. It looks like the ocean or the sky. So cool!
Mile 0.0 in Mobile, AL. All loaded up and ready to go!
Thank you for your service - USS ALABAMA (BB-60)
Thank you for your service Mr. Woolf
Our first nights camping area - Little River, AL. This is the post office so you have an idea of how rural this area truly is!
The flight down - this picture is my favorite of the trip so far. It is impressive with the lighting and the clouds. It looks like the ocean or the sky. So cool!
Mile 0.0 in Mobile, AL. All loaded up and ready to go!
Thank you for your service - USS ALABAMA (BB-60)
Thank you for your service Mr. Woolf
Our first nights camping area - Little River, AL. This is the post office so you have an idea of how rural this area truly is!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Tomorrow is the Day
I cannot remember what month we actually started discussing the Freedom Tour but it is upon us. Tomorrow is departure day for Panama City Beach, FL and then we drive over to Mobile, AL.
Good thing we get in early because we have to rebuild our bikes back up, test them out to make sure everything is working, pack all of our gear, get some food, and sleep.
We know we are without lodging Friday (our first day on the road) but we have also heard of a possible situation that we are praying works out. Then we start to rotate hotels/camping/camp grounds the rest of the tour. They are calling for hot temps and thunderstorms but hopefully they miss us for the first couple of days until we get our legs! But at the end of the day we know we don't control the weather and it is what it is :)
You still have time to follow us - just click on the link above, go to the blog section, enter your e-mail address, and you will get e-mailed about blog entries we have made.
Thanks for your prayers and I look forward to sharing an incredible story when I get back!
Good thing we get in early because we have to rebuild our bikes back up, test them out to make sure everything is working, pack all of our gear, get some food, and sleep.
We know we are without lodging Friday (our first day on the road) but we have also heard of a possible situation that we are praying works out. Then we start to rotate hotels/camping/camp grounds the rest of the tour. They are calling for hot temps and thunderstorms but hopefully they miss us for the first couple of days until we get our legs! But at the end of the day we know we don't control the weather and it is what it is :)
You still have time to follow us - just click on the link above, go to the blog section, enter your e-mail address, and you will get e-mailed about blog entries we have made.
Thanks for your prayers and I look forward to sharing an incredible story when I get back!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Pictures from the weekend
I have done the major write up so now I shall post some photos from over the weekend:
The weekend started with my son's 12th birthday party with his buddies. We went to the high school field and they played football, soccer, and other fun games. It was nice to see these young boys outside enjoying the beautiful weather instead of withering away playing games inside!
Single track came to play over the weekend. I love riding single track and being on my mountain bike.
This is my training meadow during the winter. It looks a lot different without 2' of snow on top of the grass. I love both seasons but I always miss the other season when it is away - so now I am missing my snow time. The winter picture is the same area.
Happy Memorial Day and thanks for your service to the veterans out there (which I am one of) and thanks for your giving to those that never came home.
The kids after dinner on Sunday night. Yes that is my goofy (but beautiful) daughter hogging the frame and my son comparing his calves to mine - he still has some work to do - LOL
Creek crossing at Sprague Brook - if you zoom you can see my wet tire tracks on the gravel and the single track starting back up across the water. It is awfully low because it has been dry but that keeps my shoes dry!
Sunshine - plenty of it this weekend!
One of my favorite pictures from the weekend. Looking up through the tall tress on the single track performing a perfect sun filter.
Good night - Sunset in West Falls, NY Sunday May 30th, 2010. I took about 5 different shots on the way up the hill but this one stood out.
The weekend started with my son's 12th birthday party with his buddies. We went to the high school field and they played football, soccer, and other fun games. It was nice to see these young boys outside enjoying the beautiful weather instead of withering away playing games inside!
Single track came to play over the weekend. I love riding single track and being on my mountain bike.
This is my training meadow during the winter. It looks a lot different without 2' of snow on top of the grass. I love both seasons but I always miss the other season when it is away - so now I am missing my snow time. The winter picture is the same area.
Happy Memorial Day and thanks for your service to the veterans out there (which I am one of) and thanks for your giving to those that never came home.
The kids after dinner on Sunday night. Yes that is my goofy (but beautiful) daughter hogging the frame and my son comparing his calves to mine - he still has some work to do - LOL
Creek crossing at Sprague Brook - if you zoom you can see my wet tire tracks on the gravel and the single track starting back up across the water. It is awfully low because it has been dry but that keeps my shoes dry!
Sunshine - plenty of it this weekend!
One of my favorite pictures from the weekend. Looking up through the tall tress on the single track performing a perfect sun filter.
Good night - Sunset in West Falls, NY Sunday May 30th, 2010. I took about 5 different shots on the way up the hill but this one stood out.
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