Living the Dream - Rod & Charles' Trans America

User: rodtaylor
Dates: 2 Jul 2010 - 9 Sep 2010
Duration: 2 months, 1 week

  • Thursday 9 Sep 2010 8:30

    9 sept- Due to tropical storm rain, I have decided to take a rest day to day.
    Holed up in Houston hotel room
    Watching USA vs Russia world championships basketball. Spoke to Helen in Sienna on her Italy walk and all well. RHOD Webb reports house still standing and All well in Sydney With the boys

    Posted: 1 day, 7 hours ago

  • Thursday 9 Sep 2010 6:59

    Note to family and friends: Thursday 9 Sept, Houston, Mo- all well, no time this morning to file waypoints. finished at 6.40 last night and now trying to beat the hurricane rain so will file later today from sommersville or eminence.

    Posted: 1 day, 8 hours ago

  • Wednesday 8 Sep 2010 18:39

    Overall day 68, Ride day 53, 8-Sep Marshfield to Houston, Mo
    Miles ridden - 68.60
    Ave speed - 9.20mph
    Max speed - 39.40mph
    Ave cadence - 70.0mph
    Ride time in saddle - 7.25hrs
    Notes/highlights: Start 8.10, finish 6.40, 1900ft climb, I made it Through another Long day. Those roller coaster mntns are so different than western mountains.you start at
    Top and at Bottom you're doing 30-38mph. Then you start
    Shifting down maintaining momentum until 1/3
    Of the way up you are
    In low-low out of the saddle pumping up to the top. For those who know It, it is Similar to Cootamundra to Binalong Big ride but with weight. In the middle of day, ran into road construction on biggest mountain of Day. At top, after riding Up hot asphalt, my tube melted anD
    Blew out. ben and Marty at The feed Store in Ben Davis

    Posted: 1 day, 20 hours ago

  • Wednesday 8 Sep 2010 16:15

    Marty and Ben in Bendavis at only shop in town-a feed, farm supply shop with a few drinks and pizzas? Spent a fun half hour chatting about short horn and jersey Cows differences and hillbillies - which they swear they aren't. I'll yield To their Superior knowledge but.....

    Posted: 1 day, 23 hours ago

  • Wednesday 8 Sep 2010 15:36

    I have seem more
    Houses and trailer homes vacant than anywhere else in USA. Assume Missouri Ozarks have suffered more through current downturn than any other state we've been through

    Posted: 1 day, 23 hours ago

  • Wednesday 8 Sep 2010 10:19

    It seems I am going back in time again

    Posted: 2 days, 5 hours ago

  • Wednesday 8 Sep 2010 8:10

    Ride day 53, 8-Sep, Marshfield to Houston, Mo
    Started day by returning new tyre to walmart as It turned out to be too big

    Posted: 2 days, 7 hours ago

  • Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 21:10

    67 52 7-Sep Everton to Marshfield Mo 122.00 96.00 2.04 2251.00 58.10 9.30 38.20 71.00 6.11 Start 7.50, finish 5.15, 1700ft climb Notes/highlights: last nights Accomodation at running spring hunting lodge,meeting Bill the owner, making it through a tough day of roller coaster climbs, new wildlife-badgers, bought new front tyre at Wallmart. Lack of tent is a problem. Route taken is through small towns and not many motels-many have closed as result of tough times. Tents and tarps at Walmart are not appropriate -too heavy. I still have sleeping mat and bag. no other places to buy tent so will be looking to sleep in churches, schools and ?'when I can't find motel. When I get to Illinois it should change.

    Posted: 2 days, 18 hours ago

  • Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 15:57

    Speaks for itself

    Posted: 2 days, 23 hours ago

  • Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 15:40

    Some of my new friends now that Charles is gone

    Posted: 2 days, 23 hours ago

  • Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 9:54

    Posted: 3 days, 5 hours ago

  • Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 9:04

    Ben and Luke, westbound Virginia lads getting a late start for Oregon. They are likely to miss the high passes due to snow closing them

    Posted: 3 days, 6 hours ago

  • Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 8:00

    Posted: 3 days, 7 hours ago

  • Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 7:41

    Bill the owner,very generous and trustworthy, runs the nicest
    Lodge I've ever seen,
    wants to ride his motorcycle to Yellowstone but wife won't let him

    Posted: 3 days, 7 hours ago

  • Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 6:43

    Ride day 52,7-Sep, Everton to Marshfield Mo
    Arrived late last night and haven't processed yesterday waypoints. Will do so later today

    Posted: 3 days, 8 hours ago

  • Tuesday 7 Sep 2010 6:31

    Overall day 66, ride day 51, 6-Sep, Pittsburg Ks to Everton Mo
    Miles ridden - 65.10
    Ave speed - 10.10mph
    Max speed - 35.40mph
    Ave cadence - 72.00rpm
    Ride time in saddle - 6.26hrs
    Notes/highlights: Start 9.20, finish 7.00, started into ozark mountains with 1000ft
    Of Climbing, my Accomodation is
    Top notch found at Last minute when I discovered others had gone out of business

    Posted: 3 days, 9 hours ago

  • Monday 6 Sep 2010 17:16

    They are an up and down and around the corner kind of mountain range. Short (200 ft), sharp (up to 14% grade) with lots of turns and twists.

    Posted: 3 days, 22 hours ago

  • Monday 6 Sep 2010 17:07

    The Ozark Roller coaster has begun. The mountains have begun again

    Posted: 3 days, 22 hours ago

  • Monday 6 Sep 2010 15:34

    Soybeans

    Posted: 3 days, 23 hours ago

  • Monday 6 Sep 2010 13:32

    Aaron, a westbounder to San Francisco, very basic equipment and 35 year old bike but highly spirited young guy from Indiana

    Posted: 4 days, 1 hour ago

  • Monday 6 Sep 2010 10:37

    Into Missouri, my 7th state-the show me State!

    Posted: 4 days, 4 hours ago

  • Monday 6 Sep 2010 9:22

    Ride day 51, 6-Sep, Pittsburg Ks to Everton Mo
    Excited to be riding again after 6 days off the bike

    Posted: 4 days, 6 hours ago

  • Monday 6 Sep 2010 7:45

    Overall day 65, ride day 50, 5-Sep, Chanute to Pittsburg, Ks
    Miles ridden - 42.70
    Ave speed - 10.20mph
    Max speed - 25.10mph
    Ave cadence - 73.00rpm
    Ride time in saddle - 4.11hrs
    Notes/highlights: Start 1.48, finish 7.20, 500ft climbing, made it out of Chanute without Charles and didn't get lost(1 false turn), seeing Tom Bolitho, old school friend from Ada, Oklahoma, wind is still not helpful-10 miles of 25 mph headwind,30 miles of 3/4 head/side wind, b&b in Gerard was closed-Tom gave me a ride last 15 miles to Pittsburg to get a motel
    I am now on my own and all is well. My health is good and the world is full of great people-the people of Walnut Ks (232 people) were celebrating their heritage with free beer at the only pub in town yesterday. They invited me into their celebration. Unfortunately I had to pass to meet Tom 20 miles away but....
    Picture is our last together of the tour-Charles is now off the tour!

    Posted: 4 days, 7 hours ago

  • Sunday 5 Sep 2010 16:23

    Break time

    Posted: 4 days, 23 hours ago

  • Sunday 5 Sep 2010 13:48

    Ride day 50, 5-Sep, Chanute to Pittsburg, Ks
    And now there is one solo rider and he is excited to be going to the end of this great adventure

    Posted: 5 days, 1 hour ago

  • Sunday 5 Sep 2010 9:43

    .....Elite long distance athlete Charles Gardner- in transit to London then Ramsbury in Wiltshire.
    More photos of rest break festivities in Kansas as I get time to post

    Posted: 5 days, 5 hours ago

  • Sunday 5 Sep 2010 9:42

    Beware of this Old Romanian woman, suspected global trouble maker traveling in disguise as .....

    Posted: 5 days, 5 hours ago

  • Friday 3 Sep 2010 23:09

    Mom and Dad took us all out for a chinese dinner

    Posted: 6 days, 16 hours ago

  • Friday 3 Sep 2010 16:41

    hmmmmmmm. Too bad the fundamentalist are the only ones who do billboards. But then moderate philosophy like 'build understanding with those who are different' doesn't make a good billboard

    Posted: 6 days, 22 hours ago

  • Friday 3 Sep 2010 15:47

    Charles and Goerge took this electric bike out for a spin whilst we were in Topeka. George took a particularly liking to the bike

    Posted: 6 days, 23 hours ago

  • Friday 3 Sep 2010 7:36

    Going out to breakfast with my Dad has always been a special enjoyment we've enjoyed. Stems back to when we used to do it before we went hunting or fishing

    Posted: 1 week ago

  • Wednesday 1 Sep 2010 16:28

    George comes to the rescue as it slides into the box. A bigger box would have been helpful

    Posted: 1 week, 1 day ago

  • Wednesday 1 Sep 2010 15:45

    Hacksaws are produced but only to lighten the moment

    Posted: 1 week, 1 day ago

  • Wednesday 1 Sep 2010 15:43

    Brother Jeff, the most mechanical of the brothers is trying to provide advice to Charlles but it is slow going

    Posted: 1 week, 1 day ago

  • Wednesday 1 Sep 2010 15:39

    My brothers George, Jeff and sister in-law Marcia. We stayed at George and Marcia's house in Emporia

    Posted: 1 week, 1 day ago

  • Wednesday 1 Sep 2010 8:09

    Dan and Janet providing last minute advice on how the truck operates and route

    Posted: 1 week, 2 days ago

  • Wednesday 1 Sep 2010 8:09

    Our luxurious vehicle for traavel in eastern kansas thanks to Dan and Janet - it was perfect to get my bike fixed and Charles most of the way to the airport in Kansas City

    Posted: 1 week, 2 days ago

  • Tuesday 31 Aug 2010 21:53

    dan kelly playing cribbage contemplating a poor crib

    Posted: 1 week, 2 days ago

  • Monday 30 Aug 2010 19:23

    We have arrived at the Kelly Hacienda in Chanute for the beginning of our Week off the bike. Charles has now officially
    Finished the tour. Dan met us 15 miles outside of town with ice cold water. Dan and Janet have welcomed us with their normal wonderful hospitality they always show me.
    This week we are in Chanute until Wednesday morning, then off to Emporia. A highlight on friday, Charles and I have been asked to speak at Olpe High School. On Saturday morning, we go up to Lawrence, home of Kansas University for a visit and luckily, attendance at
    A KU football game (gridiron) thanks to Dan. Then back to Topeka to spend the evening with Ed And Jisoo. On Sunday Charles Flies to UK and I return to Chanute to resume my Transam adventure.
    More entries from The last few days will be posted in next 24 hours.

    Posted: 1 week, 3 days ago

  • Monday 30 Aug 2010 17:39

    Overall day 59, ride day 49, 30-Aug, Eureka to Chanute, Ks Miles ridden - 63.30
    Ave speed -10.60mph
    Max speed - 31.60mph
    Ave cadence - 72.00rpm
    Riding Time in saddle-5.56hrs
    Notes/highlights: Start 8.38, finish 5.30, 1500ft climbing, Charles last day, Lizard Lips restuarant in toronto was very interesting, dan's cold drinks at 16 miles out, arriving into airconditioned luxury and fabulous welcome dinner (Charles getting his fill of steak I think), seeing old friends Dan and Janet

    Posted: 1 week, 3 days ago

  • Monday 30 Aug 2010 14:17

    Ivan-90 year ols guy who opened up Coyville community hall to cool us down and give is water. He regularly rides 10 miles on his bike and is strong

    Posted: 1 week, 4 days ago

  • Monday 30 Aug 2010 12:47

    Near Toronto, don't miss it-interesting locals. It was here I was Almost picked up by a very friendly, 18 year old who at The cashiers looked at me and said 'you Look really sexy in your cycling Gear'. It was rather awkward but the lizard lady told me she was rather simple

    Posted: 1 week, 4 days ago

  • Monday 30 Aug 2010 11:33

    Janeen-a Single aussie woman living in New York currently, from near Tamworth, NSW. Westbound rather late due to 2
    Months off the bike as a
    Result of broken wrist sustained in bike accident inVirginia where she came off the bike going down mountain and was
    Knocked out for 2 hours. I can see it

    Posted: 1 week, 4 days ago

  • Monday 30 Aug 2010 10:54

    Posted: 1 week, 4 days ago

  • Monday 30 Aug 2010 8:38

    Rise day 49, 29-Aug, Eureka to Chanute, Ks
    Charles last day-started with a front flat tyre. Here he is post tyre fixing ready to go

    Posted: 1 week, 4 days ago

  • Sunday 29 Aug 2010 20:00

    Overall day 58, ride day 48, 29-Aug, Newton to Eureka, Ks Miles ridden - 74.70
    Ave speed - 9.90mph
    Max speed- 24.60mph
    Ave cadence - 71.50rpm
    Notes/highligts: Start 7.11 finish 6.30, 1200ft climbing, arriving in one piece much of the day in strong 25mph headwind or 3/4 wind, pizza hut for being open, pulled pork sandwich in Cassoday, 2 power naps in ideal circumstances - in the bug infested weeds and a concrete path - one of our favourites, Flint Hills scenery we saw was Disappointing compared to what I know it is

    Posted: 1 week, 4 days ago

  • Sunday 29 Aug 2010 17:37

    Posted: 1 week, 4 days ago

  • Sunday 29 Aug 2010 15:26

    Posted: 1 week, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 29 Aug 2010 14:04

    Charles sightseeing in the Flint Hills. The 19 miles of head winds were so exhausting we had two naps - this one in a clump of
    Trees near a stream, full of bugs and the second in our favorite napping spot, on a
    Concrete footpath/sidewalk In the shade

    Posted: 1 week, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 29 Aug 2010 10:57

    Flint Hills of Kansas - characterized by very few trees

    Posted: 1 week, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 29 Aug 2010 9:25

    Met Ron and Bill At a break in Mennonite country near Cassoday. Westbound, carrying no luggage with their own sag wagon, they seemed to be cruising with a tailwind. We are not seeing
    Many westbounders As Most seem to have gone
    By now. With September just around the corner, they will struggle to clear
    The high mountain passes of Hoosier, Togwottee, Lolo and McKenzie as snow is
    On the way

    Posted: 1 week, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 29 Aug 2010 7:11

    Ride Day 48, 29-Aug, Newton to Eureka, Ks
    Leaving today knowing today will be full of wind going in the wrong
    Direction

    Posted: 1 week, 5 days ago

  • Saturday 28 Aug 2010 12:20

    Overall day 57, ride day 47, 28-Aug, Hutchinson to Newton, Ks Miles ridden - 48.30
    Ave speed - 11.20mph
    Max speed - 22.60mph
    Ave speed - 74.00rpm
    Time in saddle -4.18hrs
    Start 8.20, finish 4.30, Yoder heritage festival, pancake feed at festival, relaxed day with low miles, high class motel, blowout in rear wheel with slime tube(2200 miles isn't too bad) makes a significant mess- same tyre is still going strong after'2500 miles. Relaxed start with nice goodbyes to our friends
    This is what a rear slime tube blowout looks like - very messy all over panniers, bike and ones legs

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 28 Aug 2010 12:03

    Our first country road-unsealed. We went off the Transam route and had a few miles of this stuff culminating in my third flat
    Tire of the trip.

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 28 Aug 2010 10:42

    Young people hanging and chilling

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 28 Aug 2010 10:38

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 28 Aug 2010 10:34

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 28 Aug 2010 10:31

    Parade time but first a performance of the national anthem

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 28 Aug 2010 10:21

    Maidens await

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 28 Aug 2010 9:51

    We decided to detour to Yoder, Ks, an Amish and Mennonite community not far Off our route.it was their Heritage Festival so we saw some of their community life. This is the classic fundraiser,
    all you can eat Pancake Feed (sausages, oj, milk and coffee as
    Well).
    Fabulous!

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 28 Aug 2010 8:13

    Ride Day 47, 28-Aug , Hutchinson to Newton, Ks
    I am sporting my new KU Jayhawks jersey, A Great Gift from Rick and Chris.
    Thanks Guys!

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Friday 27 Aug 2010 23:14

    Angelic duties being performed by Connie. She served us Amish made cherry and apple pie that was 4.5 pounds uncut-wonderful flavor and great carbs
    With vanilla ice cream - or so I am told!

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Friday 27 Aug 2010 22:58

    Rick learning bad habits and finer points of being a gentleman from Sir Charles

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Friday 27 Aug 2010 21:48

    Charles sporting his new tie - very fetching chas and you are certain to be the only one with one on in next meeting at Unilever in London

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Friday 27 Aug 2010 21:46

    Charles receiving his bollo tie gift - see next piture

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Friday 27 Aug 2010 21:40

    To Christopher, we award a 'Downward Facing Rabbit' for his always cheery nature even when nauseous and after hitting 'the wall', great application to finish 365 miles even without adequate preparation , self belief he can do more miles even when knackerd (tired), traffic Management (although doing email whilst doing it isn't recommended), for his extreme speed in first 50 meters of his turn at Leading peloton (although we'd like to see Him focus on last 50 meters In future ).For Next Ride, we'd suggest expanding wardrobe beyond yellow, and lift your head to more emulate Upward Facing Rabbit and give up your habit if eating last nights dinner leftovers from a polystyrene box at 4am as it's unsanitary and certain to lead to intestinal difficulties. Thanks Christopher for all the fun!

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Friday 27 Aug 2010 21:37

    To Ricky, we Awarded An 'Upward Facing Jack Rabbit'
    For his high energy, sharp and effective lookout front and rear of us, keen focus on making miles (416) and cold beer management. We do believe he needs to upgrade his on bike jerseys to cycling style with pockets in back and pouch on the front for that growing trunk he is packing. Let it be known that for the first time In our 48 year relationship, Rick davis is approaching my weight-rod =178pds, Ricky=174pds, I like it! Thanks for the fun Ricky -
    We love you brother

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Friday 27 Aug 2010 21:06

    We award both of these lads the 'Older Woman Management 'award for their liaison, influence, and great interpersonal relationships with OW which has smooothed our travels and enhanced our Accomodation,
    Diet, Fun and overall adventure. these guys have talent above
    The rest.
    Thankyou

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Friday 27 Aug 2010 19:20

    The Angel of Hutch

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Friday 27 Aug 2010 17:59

    Presentation of Angel Award to Connie and Dana for hospitality and care afforded us in their wonderful home. To the 'Angels of Hutch' Thank you

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Friday 27 Aug 2010 16:30

    Poolside beers with Dana, Rick and christiopher

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Friday 27 Aug 2010 15:35

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Friday 27 Aug 2010 15:32

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Friday 27 Aug 2010 15:31

    Rocky enjoying a
    Swim

    Posted: 1 week, 6 days ago

  • Friday 27 Aug 2010 15:20

    Dana and Connie

    Posted: 2 weeks ago

  • Friday 27 Aug 2010 14:18

    A few shots of their beautiful home

    Posted: 2 weeks ago

  • Friday 27 Aug 2010 14:15

    Rest day at the Richmond's resort on the prairie in Hutchinson

    Posted: 2 weeks ago

  • Thursday 26 Aug 2010 21:35

    Overall day 55, ride
    Day 46, 26 Aug , Larned to Hutchinson,Ks
    Miles Ridden -74.30
    Ave speed - 13.20mph
    Max speed - 23.20mph
    Ave cadence - 76.00rpm
    Ride time in saddle - 5.35hrs
    Notes/highlights: Start 7.03, finish 3.35, 200ft climb, early morning competition of guessing when adriel and chris would catch up (they were sleeping in) Quivera refuge and birdlife, Kurt and cold drinks, riding w adrial and tooley in peloton, arriving in to richmond prairie resort, hospitality and great company, Rick and Christopher have safely finished a great ride(416 and 369 miles respectively). Tomorrow is rest day
    This is Dana and Connie, our most gracious host for rest
    Day

    Posted: 2 weeks ago

  • Thursday 26 Aug 2010 19:57

    Dana has loaned us his beemer convertible to use while we
    Are
    In hutch. After 55 days, I'm not interested in driving but christopher is ready to go

    Posted: 2 weeks ago

  • Thursday 26 Aug 2010 15:35

    Dana Rick and christopher at dana's
    House

    Posted: 2 weeks ago

  • Thursday 26 Aug 2010 15:14

    About 5 miles out, Dana met us and gave us an escort into Hutchinson (Hutch). After a week of riding together, it was time to split with Chris and Adriel. They are now
    Focussed on getting to knoxsville tn To attend oregon Tennessee gridiron game on September 10. With over 800 miles and only 15 days, they need to focus to get there.

    Posted: 2 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 26 Aug 2010 14:29

    Strong South east winds meant we spent most of day riding in the 'parallelogram' configuration, sheltering in the pocket out of the wind 80% of time

    Posted: 2 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 26 Aug 2010 12:10

    Instead he started reaching in to Mack of his pickup and pulled out an ice chest of cold Gatorade and water. Kurt gets our good Samaritan of the week acknowdfement. as
    Quickly as he arrived, he turned
    And sped off. Kansas hospitality is special!

    Posted: 2 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 26 Aug 2010 12:08

    We had just left Quivera,
    The national refuge when we decided to stop on the road and have lunch. We could only
    Find a Suitable spot at
    The end of a row of trees near a
    Farmhouse. Aa we set there, this truck comes screeching to a Halt in front of us. We though we had an angry farmer on our hands

    Posted: 2 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 26 Aug 2010 10:12

    Quivera national wildlife refuge- one of two nationally recognized byways in Kansas - the other is the Flint Hills which we ride through on Sunday

    Posted: 2 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 26 Aug 2010 9:38

    The famous K-pot - indigenous marijuana - traditional very poor in quality(ie no need to smoke it as it will give you no high but plenty of headache). Cortez the Spanish explored harvested it to make hemp rope for his ships. It grows everwhere along the 75 mile route today

    Posted: 2 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 26 Aug 2010 8:25

    In the end, the boys caught up with us 84 minutes late at 8.24- Rick won the bet with 1 minute to
    Spare

    Posted: 2 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 26 Aug 2010 8:06

    We left town without Adriel and Chris Tooley as they overslept. The 4 of us wagered different times we thought they would catch up with us. We then had a tension between us as some wanted to slow down and others wanted
    To speed up. I took this
    Picture of chris and charles who were slowing down and somehow talked Rick into slowing down with them. I had of fun trying to break the peloton

    Posted: 2 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 26 Aug 2010 7:02

    Ricky is Ready but Christopher is not quite awake yet-he didn't get his Normal 5 am snack of leftover
    Night before dinner he likes!

    Posted: 2 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 26 Aug 2010 7:01

    Ride day 46, 26 Aug, Larned
    to Hutchinson,Ks
    Rick and Christopher's final
    Ride day

    Posted: 2 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 20:25

    Overall day 54, Ride day 45, 25-Aug, Ness City to Larned, Ks
    Miles ridden - 66.10
    Ave speed -13.50mph
    Max speed- 21.80mph
    Ave cadence - 76.00rpm
    Time in saddle - 5.05 hrs,
    Notes/highlights: Start 7.02, finish 3.45, 1000ft climbing, ideal riding weather - cool start, warm during the day, beautiful sunset, low wind. Fort Lenard, peloton riding today - straight line, cribbage match won by chris and rod (who are not fighting tonight)with a big margin
    Chris Tooley tanking up on Chinese buffet

    Posted: 2 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 18:36

    Chris and rod on a roll in the cribbage decider. They won it with a big Cushion

    Posted: 2 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 13:54

    Charles anD Chris Tooley sightseeing at Ft Lenard

    Posted: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 13:37

    Posted: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 13:36

    Ft Larned,
    Major military post on the santa fe trail, an early freight trading route between USA and Mexico

    Posted: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 9:02

    Adriel brushing his teeth in the peloton to save a few minutes in the morning

    Posted: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 8:57

    Posted: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 8:56

    Posted: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 8:31

    Perfect riding weather

    Posted: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 8:28

    Hmmmm....bible belt

    Posted: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Wednesday 25 Aug 2010 7:00

    Ride day 45, 25-Aug, Ness City to Larned, Ks
    This is the suite(bottom floor) we had forThe evening in Ness
    City

    Posted: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 18:39

    Overall day 53, ride day 44, 24-Aug, Scott City to Ness City, Ks Miles ridden-56.00
    Ave speed - 10.30mph
    Max speed - 17.30mph
    Ave cadence - 75.00rpm
    Ride time in saddle - 5.25hrs
    Start 7.08, finish 3.20, 800ft climb, Notes/highlights: cool day, 78f high, peloton working well to rest and stay out of the wind (10-20mph), brunch in Dighton bowls and cafe, Christopher telling Rod he was half an inch from punching his fucking lights out, Charles fish and chips in ness city, all you can eat tacos for 4.50 dinner, having a fold up tire and one last tube when I needed it (Charles)

    Rick bought Charles A bottled conditioned ale, very similar to an English Bitter. He loves it and can have it!

    Posted: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 18:06

    Start 7.08, finish 3.20, 800ft climb, Notes/highlights: cool day, 78f high, peloton working well to rest and stay out of the wind (10-20), brunch in Dighton bowls and cafe, Christopher telling Rod he was half an inch from punching his fucking lights out, Charles fish and chips in ness city, all you can eat tacos for 4.50 dinner, having a fold up tire and one last tube when I needed it, a little bit of heart pressure/no pain-less than yesterday, seems to be early only when I'm cold

    Posted: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 13:28

    Dare I say it, Charles is having a more than his share of flats but you can't really complain about 2500 mrs on a
    Rear tire. I am thankful we
    Had a
    Spare with us or
    It would have been 100 miles to closest bike shop.

    Posted: 2 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 13:24

    Charles had a tire blow out in the sidewall in a
    Very busy spot on the road.
    We Had no way safer spot
    Further off the road so Chris elected himself road monitor. Unfortunately, he was
    More interested In doing His
    Email. He is struggling
    With turning work off as he is excited by a big deal in the making. We Are Making allowances.....

    Posted: 2 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 9:13

    Christopher enjoying The Scenery

    Posted: 2 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 9:13

    Western Kansas

    Posted: 2 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 9:12

    Water Stop

    Posted: 2 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 9:03

    With a north east Wind Today, the peloton started
    In half A Flying V in the opposite direction from day before. But as we were 6 Riders, we stuck out too far. So we retreated to a
    Chevron like The day before but running in the opposite
    Direction. As you can tell,
    We Have alot of time, (miles and wind) on our hands-it is wonderful until the wind blows the spark out of you around 3pm or 60 miles!
    The boys are still with us and we are all enjoying each other

    Posted: 2 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 8:13

    At morning stretch session In Grigston, Ricky captured me for those who want to see me weighing 173 pounds (79kgs) - haven't been this light since late 70's.

    Posted: 2 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Tuesday 24 Aug 2010 7:01

    Ride day 44, 24-Aug, Scott City to Ness City, Ks

    Whilst We Are Leaving in
    The Dark, it's mostly due to being
    On central time and
    Having lost an hour yesterday

    Posted: 2 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Monday 23 Aug 2010 21:28

    Note on Christopher end day 3: Christopher is getting stronger in his riding as long as We Don't Let him self-desruct. He carried his own weight In the peloton today only sliding off the back of changes a Few Times. Considering he and Ricky are riding with 4 Transam riders who have clocked up 2300 miles of mountains, they're both doing bloody well

    Posted: 2 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Monday 23 Aug 2010 17:07

    Overall day 52, ride day 43, 23-Aug, Tribune to Scott City, Ks
    Miles ridden - 49.90,
    Ave speed - 12.70mph
    Max speed - 20.40mph Ave cadence - 76.00rpm
    Ride
    Time in saddle - 4.05 hrs
    Start 6.20 finish 1.00(mountain time), 700ft climb, Notes/highlights: windmills, basketball game, hearty laughs at dinner, good peloton riding (2x2x 2) and changeovers, Chris making it today on his own in peloton,

    Rick and the lads in a bit of post game relaxation and debrief.

    Posted: 2 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Monday 23 Aug 2010 14:37

    Charles complaining after I called a foul on him. I ignored the first 20 fouls but as we've known for years, rugby players are just too rough for a game of Finesse.
    Adriel and Chris showed
    Up so we played 3on 3. Christopher,
    Adriel and I won a very hotly contested, controversial contest
    10-8

    Posted: 2 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Monday 23 Aug 2010 14:19

    We arrived at our motel and it had a basketball hoop. Christopher insisted we play so here we are teaching Charles to play in 95f, in cycling clothes and poor shoes

    Posted: 2 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Monday 23 Aug 2010 11:09

    Wind farm And Christopher with his Kansas Wind polo shirt on

    Posted: 2 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Monday 23 Aug 2010 10:57

    Wind farm near Scott City

    Posted: 2 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Monday 23 Aug 2010 6:13

    Ride Day 43, 23-Aug, Tribune to Scott City, Ks
    Charles fixing yet aNother flat, this one caused by a goats head thorn. What a way to start the day when you are trying To get away early to beat the wind and heat

    Posted: 2 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Sunday 22 Aug 2010 19:43

    Overall day 51, ride day 42, 22-Aug, Eads, Co to Tribune, Ks Miles ridden - 57.60
    Ave speed - 10.20mph
    Max speed - 18.60mph Ave cadence - 74.00rpm
    Ride time in saddle - 5.37hrs Start 6.10, finish 1.30, 800ft climb. Notes/highlights: chatter box lunch and robyn, el presidente and his secret service protection, 6 person peloton with cris and adriel, our b & b cottage accomodation, bingo at vfw,

    The bingo caller is the local sheriff

    Posted: 2 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Sunday 22 Aug 2010 19:17

    Robyn from the Chatterbox
    Restaurant invited us to bingo after we knocked on her closed restaurant door and she decided to reopen the restaurant to feed 6 hungry cyclists-Kansas hospitality as No good open alternatives

    Posted: 2 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Sunday 22 Aug 2010 18:36

    Emma and Lydia-bingo maniacs, sisters who took pity on us and explained the 16 different games(let see straight line bingo, blackout, crazy t, 6pack, tuen the corner, etc) we played. Lydia mArked up our cards to give us clear guidance

    Posted: 2 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Sunday 22 Aug 2010 18:33

    Our night of Bingo and new Friends at local VfW. Chili
    Dogs and apple pie, home made ice cream for dinner

    Posted: 2 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Sunday 22 Aug 2010 11:51

    Kansas boys and Charles at
    State
    Line

    Posted: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 22 Aug 2010 10:36

    The Kansas state flower-sunflower, here under cultivation.
    They turn their heads to follow the Sun during The day then droop at night(sleeping?)

    Posted: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 22 Aug 2010 10:15

    The wind has really worked this d
    Flag over

    Posted: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 22 Aug 2010 10:12

    Nothing could protect El Presidente from the dust storm on Kansas Colorado border, location of original dust bowl 75 years ago

    Posted: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 22 Aug 2010 9:55

    With the 6 man peloton stretching across the road, we decide to go to a 3 Man, half a chevron (2 rows) formation. Works a treat to keep El Presidente (the tender bottom, energy beuracrat, old 'bull' who still thinks himself a young 'bull'[red jersey]) in the 'pocket' and out of the wind preserving his energy. Note: this is a one time deal-if he can't ride on his own tomorrow, he will be looking for a
    Rental car!
    Note: dust storm approaching

    Posted: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 22 Aug 2010 8:08

    Christophers riding snacks are
    Part of his problems - dorritos cheeseburger flavored chips. He is resisting subtle guidance to change

    Posted: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 22 Aug 2010 7:33

    Morning exercises and stretching

    Posted: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 22 Aug 2010 7:11

    Only problem is we stretch across the road into other lane

    Posted: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 22 Aug 2010 7:10

    6 man peloton at 2am headwind (15-25mph), in a Flying V formation

    Posted: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 22 Aug 2010 6:16

    Dawn Riders
    Actually at
    Dawn

    Posted: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 22 Aug 2010 6:15

    Sunrise on the prairie

    Posted: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 22 Aug 2010 6:02

    Ricky Getting ready to go

    Posted: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 22 Aug 2010 6:01

    Ride day 42, 22-Aug, Eads, Co to Tribune, Ks

    Posted: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Saturday 21 Aug 2010 15:44

    Overall day 50, ride day 41, 21-Aug, Ordway to Eads, Co
    Miles ridden - 62.00
    Ave speed- 11.90mph
    Max speed - 21.60mph
    Ave cadence - 75.00rpm
    Ride time in saddle- 5.11hrs
    Notes/highlights: Start 6.22, finish 1.15, 800ft climb, Christopher being on board, being back on the prairie-beautiful and flat, back road with little traffic. Rosemary going home to make coffee, ferari (christopher) ran out of gas and will be hitching tomorrow. Riding in the peloton and teamwork required, It's great to have 3 close mates who i have known for so long on the ride

    Posted: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Saturday 21 Aug 2010 11:47

    Cultivation begins - note the dust devil (willy-willy) in the field

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 21 Aug 2010 11:47

    This is the last piece of raw prairie range in 50 miles before cultivation starts In next picture

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 21 Aug 2010 11:26

    Headwind was coming in direction of 2 oclock which made
    The peloton stretch in a diagonal (flock of geese) manner. Here Rick, Charles And Christopher
    Lead out with each taking a turn at leading.

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 21 Aug 2010 10:52

    This is Rosemary whose sons own Haswell Propane. She was visiting when we Arrived looking For fresh coffee. She decided to race home 3 blocks and
    Make us a fresh pot. Wonderful ! Another angel

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 21 Aug 2010 10:51

    The boys at Haswell Propane waiting on Rosemary to
    Bring us our fresh coffee

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 21 Aug 2010 8:52

    The only toilet in 50 miles

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 21 Aug 2010 7:20

    These are rail cars
    For Transporting new Autos. There are miles and miles of
    These Sitting Idly unused on this siding indicating
    The state of auto industry in USA

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 21 Aug 2010 7:08

    Promised the best cinnamon rolls
    Around, We arrived In this little town, Sugar City(279), to find the cafe closed and lady owner out at yard Sales

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 21 Aug 2010 6:23

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 21 Aug 2010 6:20

    Chris and Ricky ready to go

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 21 Aug 2010 6:13

    Ride day 41, 21-Aug, Ordway to Eads, Co,
    Christopher getting Ready

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Friday 20 Aug 2010 20:17

    Winners all around with the decider match played later

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Friday 20 Aug 2010 19:52

    For the game to tie it 1-1

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Friday 20 Aug 2010 19:43

    Christopher having a good
    Time saying "before the night is over I'll be drinking beer and smoking cigarettes"!

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Friday 20 Aug 2010 19:42

    Rules explanation/debate - looks whose not involved

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Friday 20 Aug 2010 19:41

    Lagging for the break

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Friday 20 Aug 2010 19:28

    Gilfird and Patsy - our new mates we met at the VFW (RSL ) club. Check out the suspenders with the shorts

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Friday 20 Aug 2010 17:33

    An old favorite with the boys, beer and cribbage. Charles has become quite a proficient devotee!

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Friday 20 Aug 2010 17:31

    Charles and I sporting fresh $10 haircuts

    Posted: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Friday 20 Aug 2010 14:26

    The 'Young Buddha' has arrived and started eating immediately even though he hasn't turned a pedal yet!

    Posted: 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 20 Aug 2010 8:12

    Overall day 49, 20 Aug, Ordway, Co, Rest day sit around post breakfast waiting for Christopher to arrive

    Posted: 3 weeks ago

  • Thursday 19 Aug 2010 20:37

    Overall Day 48, Ride day 40, 19-Aug, Pueblo to Ordway, Co Miles ridden - 50.50
    Ave speed - 13.30mph
    Max speed - 24.70mph
    Ave cadence - 77.00rpm
    Ride Time in saddle - 3.47hrs
    Notes/highligts: Start 6.45, finish 12.20, RWD's first day, 5lb hamburger challenge , nice easy ride in pleasant conditions of temp and cloud cover, the prairie is calling me and i'm enjoying its beauty. Tomorrow is rest day and Chhristtopher joins us

    Posted: 3 weeks ago

  • Thursday 19 Aug 2010 17:05

    The Ordway Hotel, our digs for rest day - nice spot, population 800

    Posted: 3 weeks ago

  • Thursday 19 Aug 2010 17:04

    A community asset for the without the resources of a pool

    Posted: 3 weeks ago

  • Thursday 19 Aug 2010 12:03

    Ricky in the peloton, drafting nicely behind that wide body od Charles - Ricky had a slow leak 6 miles out of or stopping point so we chose to ride fast, stop and add air vs stopping in the heat and fixing it

    Posted: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 19 Aug 2010 11:11

    Check out that burger - 5lbs (over 2kgs) - part of one of those 'eat the whole, plus 2bs of fries in ann hour and itss free' - I'm not even tempted

    Posted: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 19 Aug 2010 8:45

    'Yosemite Sam' (check out the mustache) in Boone, a true ambassador for service providers on the Transam. Owner of thee Boone mercantile wh provided us with filtered water and care

    Posted: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 19 Aug 2010 8:05

    Anyone for fired onions? Trucks and trucks of onions

    Posted: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 19 Aug 2010 7:56

    'Oh yeah, thee delight of leaving those mountains and riding on the prairie. I like this......''

    Posted: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 19 Aug 2010 6:41

    All pumped up and ready to go

    Posted: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 19 Aug 2010 6:41

    Ride day 40, 19-Aug, Pueblo to Ordway, Co
    Dr Ricky falling riight into the morning b'fast ritual day 1

    Posted: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Wednesday 18 Aug 2010 18:05

    Overall day 47, ride day 39, 18-Aug, Cannon City to Pueblo, Co
    Miles ridden- 50.70
    Ave speed -12.40mph
    Max speed- 42.40mph ave cadence - 72.00rpm
    Ride time- 4.05
    Notes/highlights: Start 7.10, finish 12.30, 1000ft climb, Rick and Debbie visiting and Ricky joining tour, first 10 miles to Florence where the feet didn't feel like they were touching the pedals and you are sailing along.
    We have left the mountains today and are now on the plains. It hasn't come a minute too soon.

    Posted: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Wednesday 18 Aug 2010 12:52

    Charles trying to check-in but Gator has other things on his mind

    Posted: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Wednesday 18 Aug 2010 10:06

    Yippee! 9%,
    let's roll

    Posted: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Wednesday 18 Aug 2010 10:01

    This is the site
    Facing westbound riders as they approach the Rockies. These are 8-9000' mountains cyclist see
    As They come in from Kansas. What they don't see are
    The 14000' ones behind

    Posted: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Wednesday 18 Aug 2010 9:36

    But before we leave the mountains, one more 1,000' climb

    Posted: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Wednesday 18 Aug 2010 9:08

    My first live snake sitting in my part of the road. I went around.

    Posted: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Wednesday 18 Aug 2010 8:29

    And now For the great plains and the prairie

    Posted: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Wednesday 18 Aug 2010 8:02

    We leave the mountains behind....

    Posted: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Wednesday 18 Aug 2010 6:42

    Ride day 39, 18-Aug, Cannon City to Pueblo, Co
    Not our favorite way to start the day but at Least it's warm - 67f at 6.15am.

    Posted: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 17:36

    Overall day 46, ride day 38, 17-Aug, Fairplay to Cannon City, Co
    Miles Ridden-79.90
    Ave speed - 13.90mph
    Max speed - 42.6mph
    Ave cadence - 70.00rpm
    Ride time in saddle - 5.40hrs,
    Notes/highligts: Start 7.20 finish 3.50, 800ft climb, Rita's place and major downhill - dropped from 9900' to 5500' but climbing in the middle, headwinds in places and shallow gradient made all but a few descents relatively disappointing - no personal best maximum speed.' Charles and I are breathing easier at this elevation. Tomorrow We pass the half way mark of the tour

    Posted: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 15:48

    Charles heading down

    Posted: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

  • Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 14:16

    Posted: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 13:49

    Posted: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 13:06

    A beautiful little weed I've spent alot of time looking at

    Posted: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 13:05

    Definitely worth a visit and the 1 mile steep climb required to get there-Guffey, Co. It's an oasis at the top of a 3,500' climb. Fortunately, we were going down

    Posted: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 11:37

    Posted: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 10:39

    Goodbye to the big mountains we leave behind-now to the smaller stuff

    Posted: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 9:55

    Posted: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 8:30

    Today's scenery

    Posted: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Tuesday 17 Aug 2010 7:20

    Ride Day 38, 17-Aug, Fairplay to Cannon City, Co
    Fairplay Court House

    Posted: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Monday 16 Aug 2010 20:02

    Overall day 45, ride
    Day 37, 16-Aug, Silverthorne to Fairplay, Co
    Miles Ridden -39.10
    Ave Speed - 8.60mph
    Max speed -31.30mph
    Ave cadence - 64.00rpm
    Ride time in saddle -4.31
    Notes/highlights: Start 6.35, finish 2.30, 2800ft climb then 11,539' pass, we survived the climb and descent in difficult weather. We've got bragging rights now

    Posted: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Monday 16 Aug 2010 17:23

    Our digs for The night - Fairplay Hotel, Fairplay, Co.
    A national listed hotel with a
    License for Prostitution, currently not Operating. I stumbled in here after the descent frozen to the core,On the edge Of hypothermia. Having not seen Charles for A couple of hours, I was delighted when he turned up 30 minutes after I arrived and was thawing out

    Posted: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

  • Monday 16 Aug 2010 12:10

    This is it- the top. It's all downhill from here-1800' In 12miles but it is freezing(soaking wet, no feeling in fingers or toes), slippery and side Wind. With brakes hard to operate, it was a controlled descent -- only 31mph max

    Posted: 3 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Monday 16 Aug 2010 10:32

    It is raining and cold- looks like this is going to be with us for a couple of hours to the top- must keep moving

    Posted: 3 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Monday 16 Aug 2010 10:00

    Breckinridge art

    Posted: 3 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Monday 16 Aug 2010 8:48

    Nice Bike path

    Posted: 3 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Monday 16 Aug 2010 8:41

    Posted: 3 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Monday 16 Aug 2010 8:40

    In Frisco trying to find bike path to Breckenridge

    Posted: 3 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Monday 16 Aug 2010 7:14

    Posted: 3 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Monday 16 Aug 2010 7:13

    Dillon Reservoir

    Posted: 3 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Monday 16 Aug 2010 7:03

    Buffalo mtn and red peak in silverthorne, co

    Posted: 3 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Monday 16 Aug 2010 6:43

    Ride day 37, 16-Aug, Silverthorne to Fairplay, Co

    Excited to be climbing Hoosier Pass and our last mountain pass in the west - it's all down hill to Kansas from Hoosier Pass. The
    Last 3 days Charles and
    I have been having
    Trouble Getting Enough oxygen due To altitude. Hopefully it won't get Any worse on the way up

    Posted: 3 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Sunday 15 Aug 2010 15:09

    Overall day 44, Ride day 36, 15-Aug, Kremmling to Silverthorne, Co
    Miles ridden - 41.20
    Ave speed - 9.90mph
    Max speed - 38.00mph
    Ave cadence - 70.00rpm
    Ride time in saddle - 4.08hrs
    Notes/highlights: Start 8.40, finish 2.45, 1800ft climb, slow start today but finished by 3.00, coldstart-35f, rock and mountains scenery gorgeous,'late afternoon nap, broke through 2000 miles overall for the trip, will go to half way mark in couple of days, tomorrow we climb to Hoosier pass-highest point on the Transam ride

    Posted: 3 weeks, 4 days ago

  • Sunday 15 Aug 2010 12:51

    Posted: 3 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 15 Aug 2010 10:49

    Posted: 3 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 15 Aug 2010 9:31

    Mt Powell 13,534

    Posted: 3 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 15 Aug 2010 8:52

    Posted: 3 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 15 Aug 2010 8:52

    Our destination

    Posted: 3 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 15 Aug 2010 8:49

    Posted: 3 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 15 Aug 2010 8:49

    Ride day 36, 15-Aug, Kremmling to Silverthorne, Co
    Mountain scenery in Kremmling

    Posted: 3 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Sunday 15 Aug 2010 6:26

    Overall day 43, ride day 35, 14-Aug -Walden to Kremmling, Co
    Miles ridden- 78.90
    Ave speed- 10.70mph
    Max speed- 37.20mph
    Ave cadence 69.00rpm
    Ride time in saddle - 7.20
    Notes/ highlights: Start 6.40, finish 6.00, 1800' climb, bob the collector, Tom the gogo guy, easy pass comparatively at 9621', Rick Davis's arrival/visit and emergency Gatorade he brought. Downer- Charles front right rack is broken and will have to be replaced on Sunday(we hope ). This brought forward our decision 5 days to dump camping gear which we have now done. The loss of 10pounds is welcome as we approach penultimate
    Climb of the ride (Hoosier Pass-11,542') tomorrow (Monday USA time). It Is then downhill to emporia Kansas and 1200' over 14 days.

    Posted: 3 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Saturday 14 Aug 2010 16:06

    Posted: 3 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Saturday 14 Aug 2010 16:05

    Posted: 3 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Saturday 14 Aug 2010 15:11

    Posted: 3 weeks, 5 days ago

  • Saturday 14 Aug 2010 14:07

    Posted: 3 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 14 Aug 2010 12:51

    Tom-the Go Go gum man. He found us napping on top of a picnic table at our lunch spot and gave us this high energy gum. He's in his late 60's

    Posted: 3 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 14 Aug 2010 12:09

    Getting up to tree line

    Posted: 3 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 14 Aug 2010 12:07

    Great rocks

    Posted: 3 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 14 Aug 2010 11:46

    One of our last crossings

    Posted: 3 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 14 Aug 2010 9:44

    Bob the collector - stopped for water in rand co, and met bob who took us on a tour of his treasure collection.is this everymans secret desire?

    Posted: 3 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 14 Aug 2010 9:23

    Posted: 3 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 14 Aug 2010 8:04

    Posted: 3 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 14 Aug 2010 6:45

    At 34f, i have all cold weather equipment on including 2 pairs of wool socks.

    Posted: 3 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Saturday 14 Aug 2010 6:38

    Ride day 35, 14-Aug - Walden to Kremmling, Co
    This is the scenery out our front motel door. It is 34f this morning

    Posted: 3 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Friday 13 Aug 2010 19:46

    And my weight increase program indicatted these ribs and potatoes(no butter, low fat sour cream please) were required

    Posted: 3 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Friday 13 Aug 2010 19:46

    Rest da steak for Charles

    Posted: 3 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Friday 13 Aug 2010 19:24

    13 August, Rest day in Walden, Co - much needed after 4 heavy days into the wind.
    For those not on facebook, Charles has decided to leave the ride after we arrive in eastern Kansas.
    I am sad at the imminent loss of my partner. He will be sorely missed but it is all for the right reasons. We still have many rides which we will now savour anew. But the quest continues...I am going to continue to Virginia on my own

    Posted: 3 weeks, 6 days ago

  • Thursday 12 Aug 2010 19:27

    Overall day 41, ride day 34, 12-Aug, Saratoga, Wy to Walden, Co
    Miles Ridden - 68.00
    Ave speed - 9.30mph
    Max speed - 44.10mph
    Ave cadence - 68.00rpm
    Ride time in saddle - 7.16hrs
    Notes/highlights: Start 6.32, finish 6.00, 2500ft climb. we made it to Colorado under extremely difficult circumstances of 68 miles, mostly into a constant 15, gusting to 35mph wind for the 4th day in a row! Biggest calorie ride by 25%-3800 burn. Power nap on the road 20 miles from end and lunch in a gravel dump on the side of the road out of the wind. Small pleasures!
    After viewing wind projections for next couple of days, We have decided to Take rest day a day early tomorrow (Friday)(yippee!). Both of us are pooped!

    Posted: 4 weeks ago

  • Thursday 12 Aug 2010 14:55

    Even Bruce Is Struggling to stay upright in the breeze

    Posted: 4 weeks ago

  • Thursday 12 Aug 2010 14:50

    Power nap on the road-I snapped this before I joined him
    For much needed snooze

    Posted: 4 weeks ago

  • Thursday 12 Aug 2010 13:39

    State Number 5

    Posted: 4 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 12 Aug 2010 11:33

    Going down fast at 7%grade

    Posted: 4 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 12 Aug 2010 10:41

    Jim and Linda - motorcyclist we met at rest Stop out in country from Kansas City, Mo

    Posted: 4 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 12 Aug 2010 9:23

    Where did I put those bloody cable ties-running repairs In Riverside on Chas's rack

    Posted: 4 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 12 Aug 2010 8:17

    Morning tea

    Posted: 4 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 12 Aug 2010 8:12

    Scenery for the day

    Posted: 4 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Thursday 12 Aug 2010 6:33

    Ride day 34, 12-Aug, Saratoga, Wy to Walden, Co
    Charles building bridges with locals to dispel the 'Broke Back Mountain' perception that seems to surround us when we Are in Lycra

    Posted: 4 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Wednesday 11 Aug 2010 20:08

    Overall day 40, Ride day 33, 11-Aug, Rawlings to Saratoga, Wy Miles ridden - 43.30
    Ave speed - 9.30mph
    Max speed - 22.60mph ave cadence - 70.00rpm
    Ride Time in saddle- 4.37hrs
    Notes/highlights: tough day fighting the wind, Start 8.02, finish 2.50, 400ft climb. lie in (till 6am) and Late start, coped with 15-30mph headwind (tomorrow
    Looks worse and we have a long ride to bush camp) , township of Saratoga and Thai buffet which has been open 1 week and Jerry, the local dirt moving entrepreneur we met over dinner

    Posted: 4 weeks, 1 day ago

  • Wednesday 11 Aug 2010 12:23

    You can't tell it but the wind is a constant 15 gusting up to 30mph. Tomorrow is supposed to be worse

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Wednesday 11 Aug 2010 12:22

    This is the look of a dejected and worn out cyclist after 30 miles of riding into a headwind

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Wednesday 11 Aug 2010 9:58

    We had 11 miles on our first freeway today-I-80, hope its our last-very noisy!

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Wednesday 11 Aug 2010 8:37

    Sinclair Wy-home of Sinclair refinery and a Mexican enclave

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Wednesday 11 Aug 2010 8:03

    Ride day 33, 11-Aug, Rawlings to Saratoga, Wy
    Charles trying To come to terms with complicated get out of town directions

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Wednesday 11 Aug 2010 7:12

    Overall day 39, Ride day 32,
    10-Aug, Jeffrey City to Rawlings, Wy
    Miles ridden - 69.50
    Ave speed - 10.30mph
    Max speed - 24.60mph
    Ave cadence - 71.00
    Ride time in saddle - 6.44hrs
    Started 7.10, finished 6.00, 2000ft climb. Notes/highlights: breakfast at Split Rock and our waitress,'Vicky, first 25 miles we had a tail wind and we
    Buzzed along at 25 mph,
    then 45 miles of headwind - very wearing, especially as it was second day in a row. Wildlife -'pronghorn deer and antelope are plentiful, scenery rugged and expansive, much nicer Accomodation tonight

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 16:15

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 13:19

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 13:18

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 11:23

    We made two crossings of the divide today

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 10:57

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 9:13

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 8:27

    Scenery of the day

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 8:27

    Intersting job ad

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 7:44

    Split rock in the distance

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 7:43

    Early morning light

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 7:06

    Charles breakfast Is on the left and mine is on the right (Carbo loading deluxe). This is another installment in Charles
    Plan to fatten me up

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 6:37

    However, I have an Englishman, Sir Charles, who has the touch and managed to turn this crotchity, older woman into
    A Smiling helpful waitress
    Vicky turned out to be ok

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 6:20

    You begin to get the feel at
    The front door 'with no public toilets, customers only' sign. Walk in and all heads turn and look at you like you are from outer space. Dressed in Lycra this is not a total surprise. The sign above greets you with frowns and grunts and "I expect you want a glass of icewater'

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Tuesday 10 Aug 2010 6:19

    Ride Day 32, 10-Aug - Jeffrey City to Rawlings, Wy

    Woke up this morning after a bad nights sleep in green mountain motel(see yesterday's entry) and it was blowing a gale and 50f
    -not A Good start to the day.
    The only place in town to eat
    Is the Split Rock Cafe-notorious with transam cyclists as an unfriendly,Bad service and bad tempered place

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Monday 9 Aug 2010 18:35

    The Green Mountain

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Monday 9 Aug 2010 18:35

    Overall day 38, Ride Day 31, 9-Aug, Lander to Jeffrey City, Wy
    Miles ridden - 61.80
    Ave speed - 10.10mph
    Max speed - 31.60mph
    Ave cadence - 70.00rpm
    Ride time in saddle - 6.04
    Notes/highlights: Start 7.15, finish 4.00, climbed 1500' in stretches of 6 percent grade over 5 miles. Mormon hand carts tribute at sweetwater junction and Elder Mason's guided tour. Downers-mossies and Green Mountain Motel - the most run down motel I've ever been too. Every mining camp I've been too was better than this place!

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Monday 9 Aug 2010 11:29

    Looking nw from top of climb towards Wind river range -Mt Gannett from beaver rim

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Monday 9 Aug 2010 11:10

    Looking nw from top of climb

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Monday 9 Aug 2010 9:01

    The end Of Our climb for the day

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Monday 9 Aug 2010 8:20

    Scenery was wide open today-a real sense of being remote

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Monday 9 Aug 2010 7:18

    Helen and RHOD Webb will appreciate this sign. I wonder if Steve is still involved

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Monday 9 Aug 2010 7:05

    Ride Day 31, 9-Aug, Lander to Jeffrey City, Wy
    We started today with a trip to Safeway for Starbucks instant coffee. How Boring but a necessity

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Saturday 7 Aug 2010 16:48

    End of Wave 6, Overall day 36, Ride 30 - 7 Aug, Dubois to Lander, Wy
    Miles ridden - 75.60
    Ave speed - 13.60mph
    MMax speed - 31.10mph
    Ave cadence - 75.00rpm
    Ride time in saddle - 5.32hrs
    NNotes/highlights: Start 7.30, finish 3.40, 500ft climb but 1700ft descent over the day. We've now gone from 9,658' down to 5376' over last two days - our next challenge is climbing back to 11,542' in Colorado at Hoosier Pass, fun interactions with other riders(Rita and Maggie), Marty, Debbie and Abbie (Pennsylvania couple our age dropping off their daughter for innterrnnship in Lannder. First 35 miles in first two hours! Meeting Bear and Shasta, he an apache and she a shashoni indiAn at Ft Washakie, scenery was different but stunning-classic badlands and Clint Eastwood. Lander rest day stop looks good.
    At end of this wave, Chas and I are feeling strong - after 135 miles iin last 2 days, we managed too stay up till 10.30 and go for evening walk!!

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Saturday 7 Aug 2010 13:28

    Bear and Shasta, he an Apache and she a Shashoni, picked uup conversation with us at our lunch. She gave us a indian charm she had made. They were off to a "sun dance ceremony'

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Saturday 7 Aug 2010 12:00

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Saturday 7 Aug 2010 11:59

    Top of climb

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Saturday 7 Aug 2010 11:25

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Saturday 7 Aug 2010 10:21

    Maggie, an eastbound rider rode up t o us yesterday as we were frantically putting on our rainccovers out in the middle of no where and ask us if we were afraid of melting. We laughed and said no and she rode off. We tried to catch her but she was too fast (riding a 30 year old bike - the wonder of youth). Today, she and Rita both popped up in a general store/petrol station on the Wind River Indian reservation. Unemployed and Riding only to Denver to relocate her bike

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Saturday 7 Aug 2010 10:08

    Rita - teacher from Rhod Island ridding westbound on her own after her friend had to go home in Kentuuky to look after sick mum. Check out the back panniers - kitty litter containers converted - great idea and very practical.

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Saturday 7 Aug 2010 9:13

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Saturday 7 Aug 2010 8:37

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Saturday 7 Aug 2010 8:08

    Dressed and Ready for rain - yesterday we had our first rain on the trip. Moderate with small hail, it lasted about 30 minutes and we didn't quite get our covers on quickly enough so we paid the price - today they are on at first appearance of rain and of course it doesn't rain at all

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Saturday 7 Aug 2010 7:55

    We're expecting Clint Eastwood to come riding out any time

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Saturday 7 Aug 2010 7:55

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Saturday 7 Aug 2010 7:30

    Ride Day 30, 7 Aug - Dubois to Lander, Wy
    This is a scene from my youth growing up inn Kansas - beatup pickup truck with easy rider rifle rack in rear window cradling a 303 rifle - note truck doors are unlocked

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Friday 6 Aug 2010 16:27

    Overall Day 35, Ride Day 29 - 6 Aug - Colter Bay (Grand Teton) to Dubois, Wy
    Miles ridden - 61.80
    Ave speed - 10.10mph
    Max speed - 31.80mph
    Ave cadence - 70.00mph
    Ride time in saddle - 6.04hrs Notes/highlights: Start 7.00, finish 4.45 time, Climbing Togwoottee Pass - 3000ft climb over 4 hours, lunch stop on togwottee pass, and the roadworks on the way down, leavinng Grand Teton and scenes from the east, nice beer at end of day (stayed up late [9.30] and had 2 beers)

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Friday 6 Aug 2010 16:26

    We've entered butte country again

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Friday 6 Aug 2010 14:52

    Pinnacles Butte - 11,516'

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Friday 6 Aug 2010 13:59

    Our lunch spot at the top

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Friday 6 Aug 2010 13:56

    Charles, clearly a little worse for wear at the top of Togwotteee Pass where we stopped for lunch. This beautiful lake and rock formations is not on any map we've scene.

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Friday 6 Aug 2010 10:19

    And finally...........

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Friday 6 Aug 2010 10:15

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Friday 6 Aug 2010 9:49

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Friday 6 Aug 2010 9:39

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Friday 6 Aug 2010 7:57

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Friday 6 Aug 2010 7:54

    All of the remaining shots of Graand Teton are from the east. Can you imagine coming up over Togwottee Pass on a horse/covered wagon from thee plains and have these babies uncover themselves? Wow! We have aa big day of climbing ourselves today to clear the pass and get to Dubois

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Friday 6 Aug 2010 6:30

    Ride Day 29, 6 Aug - Colter Bay (Grand Teton) to Dubois, Wy
    This shot of Mt Moran was taken from our camping spot. The morning light is so different . Unfortunately, we leave thee ppark behind today and start the next phase of our trip. For some r reason, I've always seen the leg from the Tetons to Emporia Kansas as part 2

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Thursday 5 Aug 2010 17:34

    Overall day 34, Ride Day 28 - 5 Aug - Grant Village (Yellowstone) to Colter Bay (Grand Teton), Wy
    Miles ridden - 42.20
    Ave speed - 11.20mph
    Max speed - 35.70mph
    Ave caadence - 72.00rpm
    Ride time in saddle - 3.46hrs
    Notees/highligts : Start 8.32, finish 3.30, Enjoyed some down time off the bike, the Tetons - spectCular! Nice ride crossing the Continental Divide again(4th time - 2 to go), nice dinner at local restaurant and got to speak with helen and Luke on Skype - Lowlight - longest 500' climb i've ever had

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Thursday 5 Aug 2010 17:32

    Charles and I are out of Yellowstone and into The Tetons.
    We have many waypoints we will file over the next few days. David has left with his 'Order of the Grizzly' today -
    More on this later

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Thursday 5 Aug 2010 13:48

    view from the north

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Thursday 5 Aug 2010 12:36

    Arrival to this beautiful scenic park. My opinion is that approaching this range from the east is truly one of the most breathtaking views in the world. Unfortunately we approach from the north but leave via the east. Whilst Yellowstone was the first national Park in the World (Royal in Sydney was the 2nd),, Grand Teeton didn't become aa park until early 1900's thanks to John D Rockefeller purchasing and deeding the property to the US government for this purpose

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Thursday 5 Aug 2010 10:28

    Lewis canyon and river

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Thursday 5 Aug 2010 10:05

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Thursday 5 Aug 2010 9:35

    DJ trying to get in the drivers seat but it is on the other side of the car

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Thursday 5 Aug 2010 9:23

    Dj and chas discussing volcanic sand composition at Lewis Lake. He leaves us here to drive to Jackson and catch a flight home. Charles doesn't really look very interested

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Thursday 5 Aug 2010 7:09

    Ride Day 28 - 5 Aug - Grant Village to Colter Bay, Wy
    DJ's last breakkfast with uus and it was a cool 34f. note the englishman has even got a hat and jacket on

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 20:07

    Overall day 33, Ride day 27,
    4 Aug - Madison to Grant Village, Wy
    Miles ridden - 41.10
    Ave speed - 9.40mph
    Max speed - 40.50mp
    Ave cadence - 69.00rpm
    Ride time - 4.21hrs
    Notes/highhighhts: Start 8.17, finish 2.45, crossed the Continental Divide twice today, climbed 2200', DJ kindly took us on a car based buffalo elk expedition which was fabulous, Adriel and Chris (Portland lads) came along as they were camping with us, had dinner together and awarded DJ the Grizzly Medal. DJ has had a great tour and we've really enjoyed having him. His stellar riding and climbing mountains with full panniers shows alot of preparation, training and commitment over the last few months. He was able to 'run with the big dogs and stay the distance in style.'
    We finished evening with camp fire and homemade choc chip cookies from Chris's care package from his girldfriend

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 18:32

    calf

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 18:31

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 18:30

    Close encounters with the Bison in heat - what fun - the buls are frisky with cars and emit this loud grunting whist arcing their backs. The cows looks very indifferent. hmmmmmmm

    Posted: 1 month ago

  • Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 14:02

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 13:05

    Two crossing today - we are becoming blasse

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 13:02

    These lilliess right on the stream which feeds the river which defines the divide at this spot

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 13:00

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 12:50

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 12:21

    Lunch spot

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 11:32

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 9:36

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 9:08

    Beginning of geyser territory

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Wednesday 4 Aug 2010 8:23

    Ride day 27 - 4-Aug - Madison to Grant Village, Wy
    This is the area where we camped and Dave hid his car and snuck i not campground - only cyclists allowed

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 19:41

    Overall day 32, Ride Day 26 - 3-Aug West Yellowstone to Madison with side trip to Old Faithful
    Miles ridden - 47.90
    Ave speed - 11.40mph
    Max speed - 32.10mph
    Ave cadence - 71.00rpm
    Ride t ime - 4.11hrs
    Notes/highlights - Start 8.06, finish 6.30, 800' climb, wildlife observed ( deer, elk, prairie dog,swan) and geyser area, particularly painted pots area and camping in Yellowstone

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 18:16

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 18:15

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 18:02

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 17:49

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 17:48

    Elk cow - a closer encounter

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 17:48

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 16:08

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 16:08

    Old Faithful

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 15:47

    Chas and DJ rockin into an afternoon waiting for Old Faithful - note the one sleeping - Dj is wide awake as he is having a partial rest day

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 14:04

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 13:56

    Fountain paint pot

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 13:54

    Silas
    Springs

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 9:37

    Mt Haynes, 8,235'

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 9:25

    First elk - cow

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 9:08

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 9:02

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 9:00

    Riverside serenity

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 8:13

    Our entry to a wildlife haven and
    Collection of natures wonders

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Tuesday 3 Aug 2010 6:47

    Ride day 26 - 3-Aug - West Yellowstone to Madison with side trip to Old Faithful then back to Madison
    DJ doing his best Steve Williams impersonation with "I think I'll stay in bed and have a restday" "you boys go on and I'll catch you up"

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Monday 2 Aug 2010 13:02

    Overall day 30- ride day 25 -
    1 August- Cameron to West Yellowstone, Mt
    Miles ridden- 60.70
    Ave speed -10.80mph
    Max speed-34.70mpjh
    Ave cadence -74.00rpm
    Ride time in saddle-5.34hrs
    Notes/ highlights: Very long day. Start 8.30 and finish 6.00, 1500ft climb over 25 miles then 35 miles into rolling mountains and valleys all into a headwind. 27 miles of peloton work with Chris, Adriel, Charles, dj and i made a bad situation manageable with the headwind. Nice to have a couple of energetic 22 yo's around. Quake lake is fascinating, great camping with the boys seeing the world from their perspective. We have made Yellowstone- significant milestone in my mind-1385 miles at average of 55miles a day

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 1 Aug 2010 14:18

    At Quake Lake

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 1 Aug 2010 14:09

    What's left of the mountain that collapsed in 56 killing 27 and forming Quake Lake

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 1 Aug 2010 13:49

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 1 Aug 2010 13:48

    The peloton working hard into a headwind-nice to have a couple of young Bulls near the front but DJ is pulling the train. We had to teach these guys about peloton riding as it was their first time

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 1 Aug 2010 13:17

    Our lunch stop-madison ranges

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 1 Aug 2010 11:40

    A first - mobile phone tower dresses like a tree-I like it. Jon Wilkie take note please

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 1 Aug 2010 11:17

    Osprey nest and hungry chick waiting for mum

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 1 Aug 2010 10:36

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 1 Aug 2010 8:42

    30 25 1 August Cameron to West Yellowstone

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 1 Aug 2010 8:41

    Overall day 29, Ride
    Day 24-31 July -
    Virginia City to Cameron, Mt
    Miles ridden - 25.90
    Ave speed -9.60mph
    Max speed -44.00
    Ave cadence -69.00
    Ride Time-2.42 hours
    Notes/highlights: Start 7.00, finish 4.30, 1200ft climb then 2100ft descent over 10 miles! Wow! Vast expanse with Beaverhead and Madison ranges opening up as we summited. Gorgeous series of 10'and 11k mountains. Long shopping, planning stop in Ennis, riding into headwind to Cameron slowed and tired us, arrived to find closed down general store, campground and post Office. Whilst there was no water we managed to use our leathermen pliers to open tap on side of post office. Thanks to uncle sam we has water. in rainstorm but dry. Chris and Adriel showed up and spent nice night withus

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 31 Jul 2010 20:40

    A cool evening. Chris's description of Charles is he looks like an old Romanian woman

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 31 Jul 2010 20:39

    Big Montana rain then the color show-we are camping and just got the tent up in time

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 31 Jul 2010 19:52

    Evening meal camping.
    Elk bolognese(without tomato paste but with corn, peas and mushroom) over spaghetti with parmesan cheese - yum

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 31 Jul 2010 13:11

    Beas spray at the ready...now
    Which way is The wind blowing

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 31 Jul 2010 9:44

    Trout art reminiscent of Prague and the cows

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 31 Jul 2010 9:03

    A very nice cinammon roll - Part of Charles' 'fatten up Rod' diet at
    The Ennis Cafe

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 31 Jul 2010 8:14

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 31 Jul 2010 8:13

    That's the Sphynx in the middle

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 31 Jul 2010 8:13

    Our new valley and Madison ranges - getting a little bigger at 10 and 11,000'

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 31 Jul 2010 8:03

    Here we go...the fun starts

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 31 Jul 2010 7:41

    Charles coming up the
    Climb

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 31 Jul 2010 7:39

    DJ coming up the
    Climb

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 31 Jul 2010 7:02

    Early morning shots of Virgina City

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 31 Jul 2010 6:57

    Ride day 24 - 31 July - Virginia City to Cameron, Mt - this is our b &b run by a simpleton and his aunt, neither who Have a bone of customer responsiveness in their body

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Friday 30 Jul 2010 17:55

    Check out the guns on this 4 wheeler!
    Overall day 28 - ride day 23, 30 July - Dillon to Virginia City, Mt Miles Ridden - 56.80
    Ave speed - 12.40mph
    Max speed - 30.10mph
    Ave cadence 74.00rpm
    Ride time - 4.33
    Notes/higjlights:
    Start finish 7.00, finish 4.30, 1200ft climb,hollyhocks outside Norms weaving and coffee shop, the cowgirls in Twin Rivers flirting with us, slower stArt (7pm), more relXed day, Virginia City is well down

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Friday 30 Jul 2010 17:50

    In Virginia City

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Friday 30 Jul 2010 15:14

    Nevada City outside Virginia City, both towns preserved as liking museums to reflect their
    Original life-well done and worth a visit

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Friday 30 Jul 2010 15:01

    Beaver Dam

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Friday 30 Jul 2010 10:28

    Norm and Charles at Weavers and coffee studio

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Friday 30 Jul 2010 9:36

    Twin Bridges - great little
    Town with nice people and great coffee

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Friday 30 Jul 2010 8:35

    Beaver Head

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Friday 30 Jul 2010 8:27

    Tobacco Root range

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Friday 30 Jul 2010 8:22

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Friday 30 Jul 2010 8:20

    Beaver head rock

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Friday 30 Jul 2010 7:20

    DJ frantically looking for rental car company phone number at 7am so he can book transport from West Yellowstone to jackson hole airport

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Friday 30 Jul 2010 7:00

    Ride day 23 - 30 July-Dillon to Virginia City, Mt
    Veterans Memorial in Dillon

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Thursday 29 Jul 2010 20:35

    Overall Day 27, Ride Day 22 - 29 July, Wisdom to Dillon, Mt
    Max heart rate (HR) -
    Average HR - 99.00
    Time in zone - 2.29
    Calories burned - 1969.00
    Miles ridden - 65.70
    Ave speed - 12.20mph
    New Max speed - 46.70mph!
    Ave cadence -71.00rpm
    Ride time in saddle -5.20hrs
    Notes/higlights: Start time 6.40, finish time 3.00, 2100ft climbing (2.5 hours), highest (7360') point in ride yet. early morning cold ride(37 degree), contrast of cold and hot day, steep ascent and descent, Dillon and bike shop fixing dj's 5 broken spokes. No B'fast In jackson was a black spot

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Thursday 29 Jul 2010 13:10

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Thursday 29 Jul 2010 13:09

    Mores shots from the top

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Thursday 29 Jul 2010 11:23

    Mt Tweedy and Torrey, ew companions after we pass through our first pass today which is the highest we've climbed to date (7,360) - Big Hole Pass

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Thursday 29 Jul 2010 10:14

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Thursday 29 Jul 2010 10:14

    some of the fauna we spend hours looking at on road side - I really like these as the tops bleach out to a pink colour on top - Charles tells me its y sunglasses causing the pink but I still like them

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Thursday 29 Jul 2010 10:13

    some of thee scenery along the way

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Thursday 29 Jul 2010 7:12

    Note the differrence in costume - you'd swear it was a case of mad englishman - no covering on legs or fingers or ears. DJ and I bothh had on long finger gloss, ear muffs, arms and legs, plus I had a hat on under my helmet plus two pairs of wool socks! it was 37 with a head wind. Coldest start yet

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Thursday 29 Jul 2010 6:35

    Ride Day 22 -29 July, Wisdom to Dillon, Mt - View from our front door

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 18:20

    Overall day 26, Ride Day 21,
    28 July -Darby to Wisdom, Mnontana
    Max heart rate(HR) -133.00
    Ave HR -106.00
    Time in zone - 3.54hrs
    Calories burned - 2856.00
    Miles ridden-58.20
    Ave speed - 9.70mph
    Max speed - 39.30mph
    Ave Cadence - 70.00rpm
    Hours in saddle - 5.57
    Notes and highlights - Start 6.30, finish 4.30, 3200ft climb,good overall and satisfying ride - big climb then whoosh down the other side. DJ getting to the top of the pass, Big Hole visitor center, started day feeling rested and energised and finishing day not feeling exhausted - first day without Low back pain related to tight hamstrings

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 18:16

    Enjoying a cold one at the Antler Saloon

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 14:52

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 14:52

    Near big hole battle scene

    Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago

  • Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 14:02

    Lunch on the road

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 12:49

    Our goal of the day- dj's first real challenge which he passed brilliantly. 3200', 3.5 hour climb it is our second highest climb

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 9:11

    Jack and Lauren, young 'eastbounders' from Melbourne we've become friendly with. They are camping 6 out of 7 nights and speed along

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 8:21

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 8:17

    Scenery enroute

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 28 Jul 2010 7:02

    Ride Day 21 -28 July - Darby to Wisdom, Montana
    Scenery continues to be spectacular as we head back into the mountains. This is Trapper Peak at 10,158'.
    Yesterday's spontaneous rest day appreciated by all-time
    Spent eating, napping, librrary and watching tv. Energy and body feeling renewed.

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 27 Jul 2010 21:19

    Steve's final dinner. Presentation of his momentos - box of special k as he has grown to hate it, compass to help h find his
    Way when his gps's run out of batteries and grizzly travelling mug. He has been with us for 4 weeks and will be missed

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 27 Jul 2010 18:50

    Packing up - Steve leaves us in the morning to travel home

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 27 Jul 2010 9:51

    Card carrying NRA members who tried some soft recruitment on DJ and Steve

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 27 Jul 2010 9:43

    We have decided to call an additional Rest day in Darby -

    These boys and their toys just came down out of the mountains for provisions. They've travelled 800 miles off and on road from Vegas

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Monday 26 Jul 2010 11:43

    Overall Day 24 - Ride Day 20 26 July
    Missoula to Darby, Montana Max heart Rate (HR) -
    Ave HR - 102.00
    Tiime in zone - 3.25hrs
    Calories burned - 2472.00
    Miles ridden - 65.90
    Ave speed - 11.80mph
    Max speed - 27.70mph
    Ave cadence - 76.00rpm
    Time in saddle - 5.34hrs
    Notees/highlights: Start 6.31, finish 4.20 - long day, slowly uphill (800') with some big breaks - just got to Derby in time to get to post office and mail gear home that has been accumulating in Steve's car - he leaves in 2 days. Finding the soda fountain and ice cream in Stevenville was a real treat for me. Rhod Webbb tracked us down on the road and we had lunch with him in Corvalis. Steve had another rest day and caught up on his sleep. Charles, DDJ and I are all tired and considering an addition rest day tomorrow.

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Monday 26 Jul 2010 11:42

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Monday 26 Jul 2010 11:10

    MMmmmmmmmmm................I'mhaving Moose Tracks and Firesticks

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Monday 26 Jul 2010 10:50

    I discovered this soda fountain in a drug store whiles searching for optical screw driver to fix my new glasses. Reminiscennt of a lost era fromm my childhood, we had to sample their goodies which were scrumptious. Owner is chatting with Sir Charles and the Honorable Commissioner Johnson. Iinteeresting bloke who spent a number of years sailing round Oz and Kiwi until his wife becamme pregnant and he had too find hhis land legs. he is now plannning to return to sailing and livinng out of North Coast New South Wales.

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Monday 26 Jul 2010 8:56

    DJ now has his own fun spot!

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Monday 26 Jul 2010 8:54

    We are headed back into the mountains today. Whilst Missoula is surrounded by mountains,
    It is fairly flat.

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Monday 26 Jul 2010 7:39

    This is Joel - possily the first bicycle break down and towing service in the world. $20 pickup feee and $3 a mile to take you wherever within Missoula and 20 miles out.. You ride on the back and provides fresh bottled water. There are more bikes in Missoula than anywhere I have ever seen. They nave 9 bike shops to service 53,000 people. Emporia Kansas pop 30000 has 1 bike shop!

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Monday 26 Jul 2010 6:19

    Ride Day 20 - 26 July- Missoula to Darby, Montana
    Leaving Missouuula reluctantly after a hectic, productive and fun rest day. Charles acquired his netbook so he is wired to the world now, Rhod Webb showed up with his 'A game' for a dose of Webby fun and frivolity - he should travel more often. Preventatiivve Bike shop tme getting new chain, more work on steering/front wheel, headlight and glasses for me. Off to REI for a new heavier, down sleeping bag as my own fat no longer keeps me warm at night and I refuse to sleep closer to Sir Charles. My own weight has t he boy's concerned and I can't tellll how much of the concern is jealousy. I am however participating in a fatten up Rod campaign currently
    We are all leaving town a little mentally jaded and tired today

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Sunday 25 Jul 2010 20:27

    rhod............we will miss yoou. Thanks for stopping in for 36 hours. Why don't you come bbaack on your way home an get on a bike with us for a few weeks?

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Sunday 25 Jul 2010 20:25

    Rest day in Missoula - Rhod Webbb is in town - what else can i say. This is kara, accounting law student from uuniversity of montana

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Sunday 25 Jul 2010 13:55

    Rest day in Missoula - all of the East bound riders spontaeouuusly showed up aat the Opeen Road bike shop for needed service and repairs. We've got a great tortoise and hare thing going on w with these young blokes and we are holding our own. They like to drink lots, stay uup late, start late and ride in thee heat and late aternoon/early evenniing. We like to have a few drinks, start early, aid the heat and finishh shortly after they start

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Sunday 25 Jul 2010 9:27

    Mr Webb has arrived for his Montana sojourn enroute to Orlando for his conference starting Wednesday. It's rest day today

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Saturday 24 Jul 2010 18:06

    We finished day by riding over to Best Buy and helping Charles buy a new netbook to help hm with his communications after Steve leaves Wednnesday. I HAD A VERYY NICE 20 MINUTE CONVERSATION WITH HELEN.
    Ride day 19 - 24 July
    Lochsa Lodge - Powell to Missoula
    Max Heart Rate (HR) - 133.00
    Ave HR - 103.00
    TIME IN ZONE - 3.10
    Calories burned - 2463.00
    Miles riddden - 63.80
    Ave speed - 11.60mph
    Max speed - 32.30mph
    Ave cadence - 73.00rpm
    Time in saddle - 5.29hrs
    Notes and highlighhts - Start 7.00 finish 4.30, 1500ft climbing, peloton worked well and we coverred 25 miles quickly (18mph) in a headwind, Charles feeling and looking strong, dj getting to Lolo pass - his first signnificant climb of the tour, dj losing a bet on distance to town - provided some light relief in the headwind

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Saturday 24 Jul 2010 14:12

    Bruce - west bound cyyycliest we spent 15 minutes with out side missoula - best thing so far - people n kannsas, worst was driverss in missourri - very hostile

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Saturday 24 Jul 2010 13:37

    Back to the snow t opped mouuntains, although it is melting quickly iin this heat - miid 90's today

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Saturday 24 Jul 2010 9:46

    We made it - 3rd state

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Saturday 24 Jul 2010 9:43

    Our goal achieved on the Idaho Montana border. Our first crossing of continental divide - 5 or 6 more to come. Rivers now run to the east

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Saturday 24 Jul 2010 6:57

    Ride day 19 - 24 July
    Lochsa Lodge - Powell to Missoula

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Friday 23 Jul 2010 18:40

    Overall day 21 ride day 18-
    23 July - Wilderness Gateway Camp to Powell
    miles ridden -40.30
    Ave speed -11.00mph
    Max speed19.20mph
    Ave cadence -74.00rpm
    Time in saddle -3.39 hrs
    Notes and highights: No HR monitor today. Strange day-1500ft climb over 40 miles, high ave speed but very taxing. Started at 7.55 and finished at 1.15. Staying in Lochsa Lodge, only place in Powell, due to a last minute cancellation (or we would be camping again). Scenery beautiful but I can't take much more of whitewater and pine trees. Dj fitting in well

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Friday 23 Jul 2010 10:21

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Friday 23 Jul 2010 9:55

    Lewis and Clark are very interesting...great way to follow their story

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Friday 23 Jul 2010 9:08

    This scenery is nice but I am getting tired of whitewater and pine trees

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Friday 23 Jul 2010 7:57

    Ride day 18 - 23 July- Wilderness Gateway Camp to Powell- start 7.55 - dj's 2nd day, already holding us up putting his creme on outside ladies toilet, 'bull williams' having another rest day

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Thursday 22 Jul 2010 20:02

    Dinner -.Pasta bolognaise
    Overall day 20, Ride Day 17,
    22 July - Kooski to Wilderness Gateway Campground
    Max Heart Rate (HR) -
    Ave HR 96.00
    Time in zone -1.15
    Calories burned -1702.00
    Miles ridden -49.90
    ave speed - 12.60mph
    Max speed -25.70mph
    Ave cadence -78.00rpm
    Time i saddle - 4.02
    Notes and highlights: started at 10am, finish 5.20 (pacific time), coffee and Barista Mary, reasonably successful integration of David into adventure although he is bridling at mild guidance, campsite,brisk swim Ii Lochsa river

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Thursday 22 Jul 2010 19:25

    Camp fire always makes the site better

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Thursday 22 Jul 2010 18:16

    Bath time in the Lochsa - we are camping for the night

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Thursday 22 Jul 2010 16:24

    What the?!

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Thursday 22 Jul 2010 16:03

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Thursday 22 Jul 2010 14:40

    Dawn Riders back in formation with 'Bull' Steve Williams back with whip hand

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Thursday 22 Jul 2010 12:54

    Confluence of Clearwater and Lochsa River at Lowell

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Thursday 22 Jul 2010 12:51

    DJ checking out clear
    The river is - you could seenthw bottom even though it was 15ft deep

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Thursday 22 Jul 2010 12:02

    Middle fork of Clearwater river

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Thursday 22 Jul 2010 11:20

    This Mary the Barista at Bear Essentials, 6 miles outside of Kooskia on the banks of the middle fork of Clearwater river. Spotting it as our only likely espresso where we were headed, we stopped for some of her fine brew. Highly Recommended - real family touch, Granny and all 5 generations and us seemed to be in the dinning room all at once. Very nice people, could have stayed for another cup but we had to keep moving

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Thursday 22 Jul 2010 9:45

    Obligatory start picture

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Thursday 22 Jul 2010 8:36

    For those Of you who know him will recognize this man as David Johnson or DJ. He came in late last night and after couple of beers, 3 hours sleep and hurriedly reassembling his bike, we are off into the Idaho wilderness. Right now he's a little hassled trying to get ready

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Thursday 22 Jul 2010 7:52

    DJ has arrived and fallen into
    Early morning Viewing Of tour over breakfast. With 3 hours sleep he's ready

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 22:03

    19 16 21 July Riggins to Kooskia, Idaho 220.00 100.00 3.28 3016.00 75.40 10.50 31.40 70.00 7.08 Start 5.59(mountain time), finish 5.20(pacific time), 2500ft climb then 3000ft descent over 45 miles! 75 miles and we were not buggered at the end! We are getting in shape. The taxidermy lodge and the friendliest Sheriff in the west. Tempature was good most of day

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 14:43

    Wild life abound. I saw about 12 deer today, couple of beaver, and a few snakes on the roads

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 14:42

    Posted: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 12:22

    The lodge owner

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 12:21

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 12:17

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 12:17

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 11:06

    Whilst repairing Charles flat tyre at this sign, a woman stopped her car and said she owned a lodge down the road and invited us to stop in for water on our way down. Next few pics are what we found

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 11:05

    The top

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 11:04

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 9:47

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 9:47

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 9:03

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 8:55

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 8:36

    On the way up the Salmon River Valley

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 7:34

    This is the bottom

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 7:33

    Fortifying ourselves with an early Espresso

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 6:42

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 6:26

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 6:09

    Waking up with the Mighty Salmon River and headed downhill to another big climb

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 21 Jul 2010 5:52

    Ride Day 16,21 July
    Riggins to Kooskia, Idaho
    Start 5.59am
    We will not have phone contact until Saturday, 24 July. Email is the best emergency contact option

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 20 Jul 2010 20:48

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 20 Jul 2010 13:05

    Chris and Adriel getting started at 1.05 pm

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 20 Jul 2010 11:55

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 20 Jul 2010 11:52

    Rest day in Riggins- "doing nothing and ain't it great"

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 20 Jul 2010 11:51

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 20 Jul 2010 8:08

    Rest day - We are off the bike today. Juust getting organized for early morning viewing of Tour on steve's computer over wifi and breakfast. This is becoming our rest day habit. The day holds laundry, blog updates, late
    Morning coffee and
    Planning seSsion with Charles (dj's Arrival Wednesday Night and integration to the adventure -
    We Don't want to blow him out first week, RHOD Webb's arrival on weekend-what fun he can join us for a couple Of Days), a
    Little shopping (need a
    Hat), lunch, nap.....steve is off to the whitewater rafting - he has so much energy

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Monday 19 Jul 2010 21:04

    These are the college grads from Portland we met earlier in the trip - Chris and Adriel. We raan into them as they rode in to our restaurant at 8pm. Their fresh perspective and learnings about us have been fun - 1) They see us as 'grown up' because we plan our day and trip somewhat (they are completely unstructured) and 2) They believe its easy forr us to Get Up and be on the road at 6.30(they make It Sometime By 8.30, usually later) because we've been trained By having jobs. Clearly they aree inn transition ffrom student life to first job professionals.
    Overall day 17, Ride Day - 15, End of Wave 3 - 19 July
    Council to Riggins, Idaho
    Max Heart Rate (HR) -
    Ave HR - 121
    Time in zone - 1.32hrs
    Calories burned - 2927.00
    Miles ridden - 61.40
    Ave speed - 11.60mph
    Max speed - 28.50mph
    Ave cadence - 72rpm
    Time in saddle - 5.17hrs
    Start time - 6.38am
    Finish 2.20pm,
    Notes & highlights: Cooler day in high 80's - everythinng is easier when cooler, 1400ft climb first thing in morning was slightly easier grade, lunch on the road was a sit down inside restaurant event (my favorite vs on the road 10 minute break), young 15yo Calab arguing BP with Charles, Charles not being bolloxed at end of the day, almost 40 mile downhill but with a 20mph headwind, Deer, obvious large animal experience on road and Steve saw a coyote - REST DAY on Tuesday

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Monday 19 Jul 2010 13:32

    great stop - find Cal and ask him about BP

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Monday 19 Jul 2010 13:31

    In the moment experience - This is 15 yo Calab. He was ouur waiter as His Dad owns Pinehurst Trading Post right on the Little Salmon River. He took Charles on over BP and thhee gulf oil spill. We were immpressed with his bolshy, fuun loviing nature. Hoping to study mathmatics and engineering at Boise State University, we enncouraged him.
    It was great lunch and fun 45 minutes. Even Steve turned up after we ordered our meal. He's on rest day early and saw our bikes sitting outside. 13 miles to go all downhill - too bad about the 20mphh headwind.

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Monday 19 Jul 2010 12:00

    For Luke - cheek this full court out. These guys live miles from anywhere at the foot of this big mountain and they've built this great full court. They've gone concrete with glass backboards - very classy for backyard

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Monday 19 Jul 2010 11:53

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Monday 19 Jul 2010 11:46

    Steve saw a Bear yesterday which ran out in front of his car, Charles saw one yesterday on his Bike running into the weeds and I Am certain I passed near one yesterday in the bush who was loudly growling and snorting. I stopped to get my camera and all went quiet. Wildlife is obviously present particulary deer walking through these small towns In Morning and eveving. Chipmunks, coyotes, raccoons,
    Skunks and almost ran over snakes on two different occasions who
    Were on the road and somewhat camoflaged.
    I suppose it will Intensify as we
    Head into the rockies

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Monday 19 Jul 2010 11:44

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Monday 19 Jul 2010 11:42

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Monday 19 Jul 2010 10:42

    Our oasis, these modern day marvels are a tribute to American ingenuity, infrastructure and taste. Roll in, get a fine coffee, connect to the Internet for free and stay as long as you like. Some young
    People sit in there and run small businesses. They also do the drive through Espresso.

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Monday 19 Jul 2010 9:23

    At the top, 18 Mile climb, 1400 ft, 980 calories burned, 2.15 hrs, 8.3 mpg ave - then the down hill starts for Approximately 40 miles. Yes!!!

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Monday 19 Jul 2010 8:56

    we are heading into one of america's wild and scenic river zones today and will be there for next week. This is such a gorgeeouus area. Enjoy but come see it yourself sometime

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Monday 19 Jul 2010 6:21

    Ride Day - 15,
    End of Wave 3 - 19 July
    Council to Riggins, Idaho
    6.38am - As we leave townn, Here is Steve, all tucked up in bed with computer and tv geting ready for his own declared extra rest day! He did ride 73.1miles yesterday carrying weight (his own plus three water bottles and 2 muesli bars) so he is entitled? Good luck to him - lucky bastard, I'm a little envious

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Sunday 18 Jul 2010 19:16

    We made it to Counncil Idaho. We have been out of mail and phone contact for 2 days. We are now a day behind (on this wave) but with many memories of Hell's Canyon and a sense it was good to get out. After close to a 2 hour nap, we decided to take in a little of the local nightlife with a pizza and salad. (We left early as it was just too loud). One more day until rest day
    Overall Day 16, Ride Day 14
    18 July - Brownlee Reservoir to Council, Id
    Max Heart Rate (HR) - 122.00
    Ave HR - 100.00
    Time in zone - 2.51hrs
    Calories burned - 2041.00
    Miles ridden - 48.70
    Ave speed - 10.00mph
    Max speed - 36.90mph
    Ave cadence - 66.00
    Time in saddle - 4.49hrs
    Start - 7.28
    Finish - 2.15

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Sunday 18 Jul 2010 13:16

    Apples anyone?

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Sunday 18 Jul 2010 10:05

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Sunday 18 Jul 2010 9:50

    We made it! 9.7 mile climb, 5.3 mph ave speed, 2300 ft, 1.50 minutes, 843 cal.

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Sunday 18 Jul 2010 9:21

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Sunday 18 Jul 2010 9:18

    I've looked at so much of this stuff i had to have a picture of it

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Sunday 18 Jul 2010 6:42

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Sunday 18 Jul 2010 6:42

    on thee climb out

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Sunday 18 Jul 2010 6:25

    Dawn light

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 20:05

    Dusk

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 19:31

    Our front door view

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 19:31

    Our home for the evening just before dinner

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 18:54

    "I want to get late up Late and leave early'
    " - Charles in response to my question of how he wanted to play tomorrow morning.
    It's only a steady climb - Steve when describing our upcoming 2,300ft climb - of course he was desribinig it having driven up it in the car!
    All of these comments came after aa couple of glasses of wine

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 14:36

    5 miles up further we stopped t o get some cold water at a picnic ground and wait for Steve.. We decided to sit inn the shade at this table and down we both went for a nap and what turned out to be a decision we couldn't face the late afternoon 2300ft climb in the heat. So we stumbled next door to the campground and found aa camp spot and spent the rest of the afternoon eveninng trying to recover.

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 13:24

    We continued around thee top of tthee reservoir and Steve appeared out of nowhere in the car having just returned from the canyon bottom. He did his Florence Nightengale thing with cold water, grapes and cherries - fabulous! He then left to ddrive 20 milles and then ride baack to us on his bike

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 13:08

    climbing up and above the dam wall was the last straw. It was a 14% climb with no shade but only about 20 minutes

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 12:55

    passing into Idaho and leaving Steve behind to continnue down to the actual canyon and dam, we continnue on our own. Temp is on the increase and shade is hard to find. We found a nice spot on the river and had a quick lunch but clearly we were very tired and hot

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 11:30

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 10:34

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 10:33

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 10:12

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 10:12

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 9:34

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 9:28

    Mimi's Place

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 9:25

    Mia and Eric - reatauranteurs who served us the best coffee we've had even though they were
    Closed. We had a great chat, like long lost friends and wanted
    To spend the day with them. But we tore our selves away to ride on fuurter to He's Canyon. It was 93f

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:46

    These wood silos were used to burn scrap wood leftover from logging process until early 70's.
    Made from iron they would
    Glow red when in use

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:46

    The Granites in Halfway, Or

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:19

    We Made It To the summit! 1309 ft 5.6 miles 69 mins

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:17

    Thanks Steve for bringing back my computer. Now which way do we go?

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:46

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:39

    panorama 4 - end

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:38

    panorama 3

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:38

    panorama 2

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:38

    panorama 1

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:37

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 8:23

    Interesting scenery today but mostly high desert, mountains and rivers

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Saturday 17 Jul 2010 7:35

    Leaving Richland heading to Hell's Canyon.
    Ride Day 13, 17 July , 7.00 am start - Charles having a bad start - HHis alarm didn't work and slept in 30 mins and then locked his compuuter in the motel room just aas we were leaving. Reception closed until 8am - not good. Steve to the resuue staying behind withh the car to retrieve and deliverr to us later

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 20:53

    Steve cooking up a storm - amazing what energy a rest
    Day generates! Well
    Done Steve! We
    Need it as tomorrow we ride into Hell's canyon and 110 degree heat.

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 16:18

    14 12 16 July Sumpter to Richland, Or 127.00 100.00 3.08 2260.00 71.40 13.40 35.90 74.00 5.17 Relatively easy as 71 miles in 90's temp can be - left 6.32, finish at 2.05. Scenery stunning, Baker City pumped up for local mining festival with highlight being bed and duck races down main street. Last year it was porcupine races. Highlight beside 60 miles of downhill (2000 ft descent) were best cup of latte since Eugene and a tub of low fat,'plain yoghurt-the small pleasures in life!

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 13:35

    Last hill of day - not on the topographical map

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 13:09

    I am tucked up under a sage brush slathering my self with creme wishing Charles to show up so i don't have to ride back and look for him. It is high 90's and I am melting. Just as I started up the road looking for him he showed up. Coverres in grease from Chain problems

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 12:40

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 12:18

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 11:22

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 10:53

    Terrain is definitely on the change to high mountain desert.

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 10:53

    Mountains we are headed into in Idaho

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 10:24

    Greg and Tai, 2 of 3 young lads we've met who are 'eastbounders' as Well. They are also riding back to Seattle, doing it on the shoestring, using foodstamps and ltd money from family and friends. They are staying in parks doingnit on the cheap

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 10:21

    Outside Baker City looking at where we've come from

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 9:05

    Local duck race sales lady

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 9:01

    Chas and I enjoying a coffee planning dj's integration to the adventure (we don't want to break him the first couple of days) and a
    Potential visit with RHOD Webb in Missoula

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 7:59

    This was at the front gate of mountain log cabin-and they say Americans aren't eccentric

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 7:43

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 7:42

    Fish are jumping as we
    Speed by

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 7:27

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 7:02

    Scenery is vastly different today. This is Phillips lake Near Sumpter

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Friday 16 Jul 2010 6:28

    Ride day 12, 16 July - leaving the stockade, named by those southern rebels transplanted to the North. The rivalry still exists. Should be a good day as 90% is downhill! Wow, I can really use an easy day. Steve's having an impromptu rest day enjoying the Tour and British Open

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Thursday 15 Jul 2010 16:33

    With the comforts of home built in.

    Overall day 13-
    Ride day11 - 15 July
    John Day to Sumpter
    Max heart rate (HR) - 214.00
    Ave HR - 109.00
    Time In Zone- 4.19hrs
    Calories burned - 2965.00
    Miles ridden - 57.20
    Ave speed - 9.90mph
    Max speed - 38.00mph
    Ave cadence -68.00rpm
    Ride time - 5.46hrs
    Notes: Tough day - Started 6.42, finished riding w lunch at 3.20, 98f at finish, 3 peaks and 3,800ft of climbing over 24 miles. Fabulous mountain scenery on low traffic roads, potable spring water out of mountain, lots of deer-family of 5 on road in John Day, 2 others during day including 1 which ran out in front of motorcyclist who hit it and deer had to be put down

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Thursday 15 Jul 2010 16:32

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Thursday 15 Jul 2010 16:20

    Our abode for evening - built to replicate 1880 us army frontier fort

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Thursday 15 Jul 2010 12:24

    Where's Steve??after 4360 ft he's having a kip. Today Steve did more climbing than we did due to thenfact that he drives to
    The end and rides back to meet us. Today he got to ride 2 of
    The peaks back and forward.

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Thursday 15 Jul 2010 12:23

    Steve catching a nap....waiting for us at the top. See next photo

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Thursday 15 Jul 2010 9:52

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Thursday 15 Jul 2010 9:31

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Thursday 15 Jul 2010 8:58

    Hmmmm...we share the road with many of these guys. I am surprised at how many of them there are on the roads. Did someone say something about financial crisis?

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Thursday 15 Jul 2010 8:57

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Thursday 15 Jul 2010 7:21

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Thursday 15 Jul 2010 7:20

    Some of the scenery enroute between John day and Sumpter - Baldy mountain, 7362 ft

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Thursday 15 Jul 2010 6:15

    Ride day 11-leaving john day and rest day behind - A great way to start the day - watching the tour, having breaky and planning assault on 3 peaks. Expected temp today - 97f

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 14 Jul 2010 18:12

    a rest day insituution started on first bi ride in 2001 n Gllen Innes, NSW with Chris Mulvey, Steve, DJ and I - hot chip and cold beer inn the local park - nirvana. We are off for 3 peaks of climbing in the morning

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 14 Jul 2010 18:04

    Posted: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 14 Jul 2010 12:02

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 14 Jul 2010 11:46

    Chris and Adriel, two young Oregonians who are also ''Eastbounders'. Straight out of uni, carrying less weight and riding slower than we are - i like it

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 14 Jul 2010 11:38

    Rest day in John Day - not much happening here

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 14 Jul 2010 8:56

    Insights from Steve

    Rod has finally allowed Charles and I onto the blog!
    We are currently watching the Tour de France which is the usual inspiration at the start of each day. I, of course, then need to watch some formula one before I get into the car to zoom to the predicted end of day destination. I then don the road bike and head back to meet the boys somewhere and then join them for the end of the day. The car has given me much flexibility to get to sights of interest - such as yesterday- viewing the John Day fossil parks and monuments.
    <see photos on my facebook if I have accepted you as a friend!! >.
    I marvel at Rod and Charles riding some of the climbs (grades over 10% at times) with all the weights - they are getting fitter each day.
    Purchased a Garmin bike computer (model 705) which is fantastic - tells you almost anything you want to know - even how many times you fart o each section - with graphs - important information for a gastroenterologist.
    Also got a Garmin car GPS which has been invaluable so a don't end up in a different state to the lads. Now, of course, i am a strong supporter of The Garmin Tour team (and feel I am almost one of them).
    Health is good - heart still going, usually regular - no spills thus far.
    DJ will be expected to take over my role wen I leave the tour at the end of July. Duties include :
    1. having cold beer at the end of the day so he will have to carry an esky on his bike
    2. being the domestique on hills and against head winds so that the boys can draft behind
    3. have a level of whit and humour appropriate at the end of each day to cheer up tided riders.

    These are just to mention a few of the duties. I am sure DJ will be up to the task.
    Great trip thus far.
    Steve x (luv use all)

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Wednesday 14 Jul 2010 8:28

    Reflections from Charles after 10 ride days.
    1. The country side that we are riding through is stunning and very different from Wiltshire - the whole thing is worth it just for that alone.
    2. 10 ride days and approx 550 miles with our kit is making a step change in fitness which is very reassuring for the coming weeks
    3. Forward planning becomes more important - to avoid too many hours in the saddle in the hottest part of the day which seems to be mid afternoon and tot ensure we get som relaxation time. We have that cracked over the last few days
    4. People we come across are very friendly and happy to give advice - the advice is not always high quality (like no chance of getting a motel in the next town, better ride on to the next one its only 20 miles - 20 minutes later we have checked in) but it is well intended
    5. There is an unexpected bond between cycle tourists and Harley Davidson riders - one core topic of conversation is saddle comfort
    6. A more interesting Tour de France would be on touring bikes, carrying 25kg, with the riders camping and doing their own laundry
    7. Perspectives on the requirement for fashion police change as the days go by - as little as a week ago the fact that both my companions wear socks with open toes sandals seemed important , now even for a fashion guru such as myself it is becoming acceptable

    More reflections in the coming weeks!
    Charles

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 15:13

    Our rest day digs for 2 nights with the critical free wifi..
    Day 11 - 13 July
    Mitchell to John Day
    Maximum Heart Rate- 136
    Ave HR - 107
    Time in Zone - 3.56hrs
    Caalories burned - 2608 - there inconsiderable debate as to whether this is correct. We think it should be higher but are guided by the computer. Do we have an expert out there who wants to comment?
    Miles ridden - 69
    Ave speed - 13.1mph
    Max speed - 37.8
    Cadence - 74rpm
    Ride time (in saddle)- 5.14hrs
    Notes and highlights:1400ft climb, high average speed due to tailwind and long downhill. Our new formula was a success. We arrived at 2.30 after 69 miles. finding our zen spot throughout the day which allowed us relax, be in the moment, and open up to the locals along the way eg Tom and bikers. Fabulous - its the people you meett along the way that make a trip a true journey and remarkable experience.

    We enter rest day tiredd but satissfed we are climbing up to a suitable level of fitness. After 70 miles today, I actually felt I could ride on.

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 11:24

    The Pony Express morphed into Post Office. What will t hey become next?

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 10:40

    An original merchantile - a walking through the store is walking back a 100 years in time

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 10:07

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 10:06

    Picture George -- interesting stuff

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 9:52

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 9:51

    On the edge of the Painted Hills again, we enjoy them as we ride buy - truly some of natures great art work. Oregon is geologically and scenically (and socially progressive) a special state. I think I could live here

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 9:47

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 9:43

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 9:27

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 9:26

    The terrain is slowly moving toward arid and semi-arid. With massive irrigation, a strange combination of air and temperate coexist and boost not only desire plant life but alot of undesired as well. Of course bird and other wildlife also increases significantly. We saw a family of 6 deer this morning within 2 miles of town this morning

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 8:40

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 8:07

    We made it. Nice and hot now ready for a long downhill. Highlight on the ascent was a lady stopped next to a rest stop we were having and gave Charles 4 choc chip muffins

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Tuesday 13 Jul 2010 6:42

    Day 11 - Many of you noticed our absence from the blog over a thhe last couple of days. We were without cell phone and wifi for a couple of days. That will happen from time to time until we hit Misouri. For today, we re leaving Batesville and Norman behind-we all
    Made it through the night ! Leaving 6.45 and it is 7c/43f! very chilly for the 2 Aussies. With an 1400ft climb, with 6-7% grade straigghht out of the gate should warm us up.

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Monday 12 Jul 2010 19:39

    Day 10 - 12 July
    Ochoco Lake to Mitchell
    Max Heart Rate 125
    Average HR 97
    Calories Burned - 1360
    Miles covered - 40.9
    Ave speed - 11.6 mph
    Max speed - 41
    Ave caadence - 71rpm
    Ride time - 3.31 hrs
    Notes: 1800 ft climb, early finish (2.30) and nap today, highlight Painted Hills and agreement that we need to be less busy, start earlier (6.30), ride done by 2.30 and 2.5 hours breaks and lunch during the day. that means 5.5 hours max in the saddle ride time each day (assuming 11 mph ave)
    We've got a new plan!

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Monday 12 Jul 2010 19:29

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Monday 12 Jul 2010 19:28

    Our digs fo r the night -the Sky Hooks Motel - could be the Bates Motel (Psyho) as you will see in the next few shots

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Monday 12 Jul 2010 19:07

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Monday 12 Jul 2010 19:07

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Monday 12 Jul 2010 19:06

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Monday 12 Jul 2010 19:05

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Monday 12 Jul 2010 18:54

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Monday 12 Jul 2010 18:49

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Monday 12 Jul 2010 18:39

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Monday 12 Jul 2010 18:38

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Monday 12 Jul 2010 18:30

    A highlight of thee day was a visit to the Painted Hills. Fascinating! Next few photos capture some of the beauty

    Posted: 1 month, 4 weeks ago

  • Monday 12 Jul 2010 12:27

    Another eco system and terrain change to drier, more semi-desert like. As Charles says, I expect to see John Wayne or the indians come over the top of those mountains anytime.

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Monday 12 Jul 2010 11:30

    At the top, 3 hour climb and 30 minute descent which was easy compared to McKinsey pass (4.15 climb).

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Monday 12 Jul 2010 8:23

    Day 10 start - planned Ochoco Lake to Mitchell, 41 miles and 1800ft climb.

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Sunday 11 Jul 2010 20:29

    Day 9- 11 July
    Sisters to Ochoco Lake, Or
    Max heart rate (HR) -125
    Ave HR -87
    Calories burned -1232
    Miles coverred- 51.3
    Ave speed - 11.8mph
    Max speed- 35.4mph
    Ave cadence- 73
    Ride time - 4.18hrs
    Notes: Fairly flat but hot (92f)

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Sunday 11 Jul 2010 20:02

    Hmmm...dinner time

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Sunday 11 Jul 2010 19:07

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Sunday 11 Jul 2010 19:04

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Sunday 11 Jul 2010 16:07

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Sunday 11 Jul 2010 15:19

    Buying dinner for first night camping

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Sunday 11 Jul 2010 13:07

    Locals frolicking in the irrigation channel

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Sunday 11 Jul 2010 12:06

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Sunday 11 Jul 2010 12:05

    Our first butte

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Sunday 11 Jul 2010 11:49

    Last look at the Cascades

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Sunday 11 Jul 2010 11:48

    Mt Jefferson

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Sunday 11 Jul 2010 9:57

    Mt hood

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Sunday 11 Jul 2010 9:56

    Appreciating the Cascades

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Sunday 11 Jul 2010 9:37

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Sunday 11 Jul 2010 9:37

    The terrain is changing so quickly - Almost Spain like

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Sunday 11 Jul 2010 8:21

    Leaving the Ponderosa - nice overpriced. Charles and are I off for 51 or so miles of flatish ride. Such a contrast to the 4 hour, 3800 ft climb yesterday. Steve is having a extra rest day watching the tour and world Cup final

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 16:16

    Day 8 - 9 July
    McKinsey Bridge to Sisters
    Miles covered today - 42.3
    Ave speed - 8.4mph
    Max Speed - 36.3
    Ave cadence- 66
    Ride time- 5.01hrs
    Note: 3900ft climb today, left hotel at 8.40 and arrived in town at 4.15

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 15:31

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 15:13

    Charles and I at the Sisters

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 15:07

    North and Middle Sister

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 15:06

    Mt Jefferson

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 15:05

    Mt Washington

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 14:58

    Built In 1937 from volcAnic rock, this observatory shows the mountains around through small widows which frame each one making it easy to see each one

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 14:32

    Three sisters

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 14:21

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 14:14

    Our first smow

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 14:09

    Belnao

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 14:05

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 14:04

    Two buttes

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 14:03

    Scott mountain - moving into The Volcanic zone

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 13:46

    Scotty, beam me up the last 4 miles please!

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 12:15

    Slowly getting there

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 12:15

    A real beauty

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 10:40

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 9:50

    Through the forest

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 9:25

    Sorting the men from the boys - 22 miles of climbing to the top, by far the longest climb
    Ever

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Saturday 10 Jul 2010 7:28

    Day 7 - first ride post rest day - 9 July Eugene to McKinsey Bridge
    Max heart rate -128.00
    ave heart rate -99.00
    Calories burned- 2241.00
    Miles covered - 61.10 ave speed -11.30 mph max speed -26.70mph
    Cadence -72.00
    Ride time -5.22 hrs
    Notes: 2 blowouts today, 1 yesterday on rest day

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Friday 9 Jul 2010 21:55

    Out evening digs - camp grounds were full

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Friday 9 Jul 2010 17:01

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Friday 9 Jul 2010 16:59

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Friday 9 Jul 2010 15:49

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Friday 9 Jul 2010 15:48

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Friday 9 Jul 2010 12:42

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Friday 9 Jul 2010 12:41

    Oregon has many of these beauties built around 1900

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Friday 9 Jul 2010 12:01

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Friday 9 Jul 2010 11:50

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Friday 9 Jul 2010 11:49

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Friday 9 Jul 2010 11:48

    Our visit to the salmon nd trout fisheries -fascinating!

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Friday 9 Jul 2010 11:21

    Taking in the day and resting his backside

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Friday 9 Jul 2010 11:20

    What the? Straight out of Cinderella in the Cascades

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Friday 9 Jul 2010 10:00

    On the way

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Friday 9 Jul 2010 7:54

    The bike and Bruce ready to roll waiting on Charles and his tyre. Rest day activity Included bike shop, phone company, walmart
    For new electric razor and haircut
    So we are hitting the road today sporitng new short haircut (picture to follow), bike which is not shaking nor grinding gears and US phone plan which works with Chas. Reallocation and sort out of gear to final load looks like 27 kgs of panniers and handlebar bag plus 23kgs of bike.
    Tomorrow(Saturday), we have our first major challenge: climbing McKenzie pass-3,500 ft climb to 5,300 ft, through 3 ecosystems ending in volcanic lava flow fields and snow - only openned 2 weeks ago for the summer. We are anxiously anticipating how we will go.
    More later...

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Friday 9 Jul 2010 7:40

    A bad start to part 2 after a great rest day! Charles over exerting himself on the tube ripping the valve out of the tube. Oh dear!

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Friday 9 Jul 2010 7:33

    Rod, what do I do with this stem? How do I get it out of the pump? Charles examining the fruits of his strength!

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Thursday 8 Jul 2010 14:12

    Rest day attire - check out those socks. And these guys have the gall to complain about my socks with my sandals when I wore them one foolish, 45f/7c, morning.

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 20:16

    We made it!
    Day 5 - 7 July,
    Monmouth to Eugene, Or
    Max HR - 144
    Ave HR - 97
    Calories burned - 2752
    Ridden today - 73 miles
    Ave - 12.4mph
    Max speed - 32.9mph
    Ave Cadence - 73
    Total ride time - 5.5 hrs
    This was our first really hot day. Many more to come and much worse I expect. We have to start earlier and carry more water - at least 3/4 litres. Need better sun hat. Rest today tomorrow - yippee!!

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 17:56

    These are some hot, tired dudes in 100f, out of water after 11.5 hrs on the road, looking for a hotel, Steve's car and quickly moving into meltdown. Where is that humor when you need it? I left mine at the lunch stop

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 15:36

    Steve contemplating his burgeoning nappy rash and rooing his Forgetfullness at
    Not applying Chamois butter this
    Morning. He won't Do that again. Fellow Transam riders: please note the pained expression on his face

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 15:32

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 14:48

    Lunch stop in the cool of a 1960's
    Style diner. We Are trying to find Steve. He has gone to Eugene to drop car and ride back. We are now at 46miles and Eugene is supposedly 11 miles away. We
    discover he has had two flats and been riding into a headwind. Staggering into lunch he is terribly warm and moving into dehydration

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 11:56

    Modern cookie ladies and young entrepreneurs are thriving. We
    Gladly paid .50 for an iced lemonade and warm chocolate chip cookie out in the middle
    Of nowhere. Temp 92 And Climbing

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 11:12

    Morning coffee in Corvalis, 10.45 and 23.4m

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 9:22

    'Grapes of Wrath' working family housing Dormitories being restored

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 9:05

    'Wiley' Coyote not so Wiley !

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 8:11

    Day 5 - 8.04 departure,65f, heading to Eugene and rest
    Day tomorrow

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Wednesday 7 Jul 2010 8:10

    finish Day 4 - 6 July, Neskowin to Monmouth, Oregon
    Calories burned- 2944
    Miles- 64.7
    Ave mph- 10.6
    Max speed-38.4
    Ave cadence- 70
    Ride time- 6.03 hrs
    Our first 60m plus day, started at 8.am and finished at6.30 in 85f heat. Started by taking wrong turn and climbing 700-800' mountain unexpectedly. It cost us 10 miles and almost 2 hrs. Chas is now stopping AT every turn and checking map. Body is
    much better, bike is limping into our first rest day in Eugene tomorrow Thursday 8-July.
    Today is predicted 95f so need to get on road.

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Tuesday 6 Jul 2010 17:38

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Tuesday 6 Jul 2010 17:35

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Tuesday 6 Jul 2010 17:34

    Steve "the bull" Williams providing Much needed locomotion through a head wind allowing his mates to ride 16mph (instead of 11). please note DJ, Rick D, christoher, Stuart and Greg - we have a similar expectation of anyone with fresh legs!

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Tuesday 6 Jul 2010 16:32

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Tuesday 6 Jul 2010 16:31

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Tuesday 6 Jul 2010 14:49

    At the Casino

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Tuesday 6 Jul 2010 11:09

    Breakfast spot on Salmon river

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Tuesday 6 Jul 2010 11:08

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Tuesday 6 Jul 2010 9:51

    Corner that got away

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Tuesday 6 Jul 2010 8:02

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Tuesday 6 Jul 2010 8:02

    Steve trying to memorise his directions for day(he has no cycling map)

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Monday 5 Jul 2010 18:00

    End Day 3 - 47.4 miles today, 10.3 mph ave, 70 rpm ave cadence, 4.35 hrs ride time, 2448 calories burned, 1500' climbing with 2 good hills (800
    & 400') today. Left 9 am today and tomorrow shooting at 8am. It was a Breakthrough day - rediscovered my normal position at front of peleton. ThanksTo Charles, I discovered I
    wasn't eating enough. I Increased calories by 50% and soared to the front. heart coach clearly didn't quite understand what carrying 26kgs up a mountain means!

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Monday 5 Jul 2010 17:12

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Monday 5 Jul 2010 14:50

    Hmmmmmmm.....and where's my spray!!

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Monday 5 Jul 2010 14:19

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Monday 5 Jul 2010 14:18

    Wow!!!

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Monday 5 Jul 2010 13:37

    Heading towards our 800' after lunch climb-steve is off in the car
    To find a motel And have a nap - wouldn't that be nice

    Posted: 2 months ago

  • Monday 5 Jul 2010 11:35

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Monday 5 Jul 2010 11:35

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Monday 5 Jul 2010 11:34

    Wow!!

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Monday 5 Jul 2010 11:24

    Bruce and Charles

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Monday 5 Jul 2010 11:23

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Monday 5 Jul 2010 8:58

    I'm free!!! I just turned off my work email!!! How freeing-like running down a beach with no clothes on

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Monday 5 Jul 2010 8:55

    Steve looking for one of his 2 new Garmin gps's(1 for the bike and for car). No sag wagon here, our luggage rides on our bikes with one small concession- end of day cold beer! Cool days and colder 45f/5c nights are keeping us rugged up. Supposed heat wave tommorrow. Day 3 start finds the body tired (come on rest day), bike shimmy problem isolated Handlebar bag)and resolved and, spirit renewed-bring on the coastal roller coaster! Morning routine shaping up to5.30 up to watch tour, drink coffee, breaky, repack and update track my tour

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 4 Jul 2010 21:57

    The evening celebration over Hawaiian barbecue, fireworks went on an hour!

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 4 Jul 2010 19:20

    Finish line Tillamook, Or
    Daily totals: 57 miles, 11.1 mph average speed, 5.06 hrs ride time. Learnings today- don't put your nuts and Bolts at risk out in the bush, eat More and carry more emergency energy on the bike, Charles does occasionally have what you need

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 4 Jul 2010 15:51

    Enroute drink stop on Wilson River

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 4 Jul 2010 14:05

    Half way down and barely able to pedal! I need food! I am not managing to get enough calories-did find half a cinnamon roll late
    Afternoon-wonderful'

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 4 Jul 2010 13:43

    Summit - 6.5 miles, 1568 ft and I am dying packing my 26kgs.
    Charles is awesome in his fitness, he has truly arrived at a new level and is much different rider then ever seen before. He is kicking my tail all over the mountains.

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 4 Jul 2010 12:09

    A new friend

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 4 Jul 2010 11:29

    At a weak moment at the berries

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 4 Jul 2010 10:49

    More on this later - check out that smile

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 4 Jul 2010 9:42

    What the? In western Oregon? Feeling good today, though bike developing transmission trouble and bike shops are closed next 2 days.

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Sunday 4 Jul 2010 9:08

    Day 1 finish and our motel

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 3 Jul 2010 23:32

    Eventful first day - classic Dawn Rider first day departure at 10.41! 9 miles and Walmart visit before Yum Cha lunch. Steve drove to his start and started back. Chas and I took wrong turn and missed Steve coming other way. Rode with Steve about 1 min. Daily total: 41 miles at tortoise like 10.3 mph average. Bikes
    Working well but i have a weight shimmy I trying to solve.
    Repacking and getting
    Weight down may solve. More tomorrow...

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 3 Jul 2010 17:17

    Great American Entrepreneurialism - kids and parents organizing fireworks stand as fund raiser and all the kids buying their bangers there

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 3 Jul 2010 15:05

    Beautiful Mt Rainier hiding in the clouds

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 3 Jul 2010 15:04

    Downtown Portland

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 3 Jul 2010 10:41

    We're off

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 3 Jul 2010 10:07

    Going back to Kansas and then to Virginia

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 3 Jul 2010 10:05

    Oh my god, 27kgs-where did that last 6 kgs come from? Could it be the roo? Thank heavens I lost 11 kgs.

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Saturday 3 Jul 2010 9:20

    Steve and Charles doing what looks like a new Daily ritual, checking email. Looks like Chas is saved from Internet cafes for until Steve heads home in 5 weeks.

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Friday 2 Jul 2010 22:30

    Agreed on the way forward

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Friday 2 Jul 2010 22:26

    Setting up the bikes when you've
    been up for 42 hours

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Friday 2 Jul 2010 20:23

    Seriously planning the first day

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Friday 2 Jul 2010 9:06

    Charles finally arriving 15 hours late and no sleep

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Friday 2 Jul 2010 9:04

    Staging base

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

  • Friday 2 Jul 2010 8:59

    The beginning - launching pad

    Posted: 2 months, 1 week ago

Map of 2010 trip from Portland Oregon to Yorktown Virginia

  • The more rest days the better!

    Posted: 10 Sep 2010 by Charles

  • Hey Rod you must be softening up a bit - since when has a small rainstorm kept you indoors ? Just checked the blog and good to see you making progress alone. Can't see the banjo on the bike, where do you hide it ?
    Cheers, DJ

    Posted: 10 Sep 2010 by David Johnson

  • Rod,
    Remember, Mizzerouri, 6 million people, 5 last names.

    Posted: 9 Sep 2010 by DK

  • Hi Rod,

    Great jouney! Fab photos. All the best.

    Mike T (Oman)

    Posted: 2 Sep 2010 by mike taylor

  • Hi Guys,
    We farewelled Helen and Carrie with dinner at Kits on Friday. Today a glorious ride to Manly - though only a few of us out. You all look like you're having a blast! Great to see you're having soooo much fun!
    xx Barb and Omar

    Posted: 29 Aug 2010 by Barb

  • Glad the mountains and tail winds are over.Rod you'd better head over here for some chicken soup to fatten you up!
    Looking forward to seeing Helen next week and spending some time together .Maybe we should start our own blog - though cant imagine it would be much competition to you guys
    Keep spirits up
    Sue

    Posted: 25 Aug 2010 by Sue

  • Shame about the tyre blowout Charles! Good thing Rod carried had a spare! Rod, are you getting a bit too too skinny? We fatties back home just aren't putting in the k's to burn that much off.

    Posted: 25 Aug 2010 by Barb

  • Met Adriel and Chris with my friend Suzanne in Missoula. Wondered where they were and was actually able to find out. Cool! Hope you all continue having a fantastic time.

    Posted: 24 Aug 2010 by David Lewis

  • I've been enjoying the cool of Northern California and cycling in the redwood trees for a couple weeks while you guys are staring at the hard time of the plains. Looks like you are on Rod's home turf; if you go through 'downstate' Illinois you'll go near mine (carbondale); have a beer and submarine on me. Has Rod stopped losing weight, or did he 'forget' to get rid of that pesky gold ring?

    Posted: 24 Aug 2010 by Michael

  • Riding thru Missouri alone in Lycra? Hmmm.. reminds me of that back alley in Belize 35 years ago.

    Posted: 19 Aug 2010 by DK

  • Congratulations on getting over those big mountains! You guys are amazing :-) Glad to see you're still smiling!! (or more like... glad to see you're still alive!!). Great to know you're now on the flat section for a while. Wishing you a few tail winds!

    Posted: 19 Aug 2010 by Barb

  • Well done boys - new motto "long and strong, now high as well"
    Who needs oxygen?
    Be safe

    Steve.
    PS catching up with DJ and others at the Diddy this friday to no doubt embellish some tales.

    Posted: 18 Aug 2010 by steve

  • You've had bragging rights for ages - now you're legends!

    Posted: 17 Aug 2010 by SUE & WAYNE

  • Great trip Rod - wish I was doing something similar. Just returned from the US and was quite close to your current location seeing some coal mines in Paonia (out of Grand Junction).
    See you on the other side.
    Col

    Posted: 16 Aug 2010 by Colin Bloomfield

  • It must have been great to see Rick! I am glad to hear you have pitched the camping gear - staying in motels seems like a much better way to go.
    Is John Jones going to drive out for a visit as you go past Denver?
    Good luck with Hoosier Pass.
    Love, Helen

    Posted: 15 Aug 2010 by Helen

  • Poor Bruce! Wind obviously causing great trouble back there. Hope you enjoy your rest day. We're keeping everything crossed that the wind dies down!! (well almost everything)
    Love Barb and Omar

    Posted: 15 Aug 2010 by Barb

  • Hey guys have a great day on the bike tomorrow we know you won't let a little wind faze you !! Good on you for sticking to your guns and look forward to more pics.
    Lots of love
    S & W

    Posted: 13 Aug 2010 by SUE & WAYNE

  • Hi guys,
    Gosh it looks tough at the moment... up hill & into headwind. Glad you've still got your sense of humour.
    You're an inspiration.
    Brent

    Posted: 13 Aug 2010 by brent

  • Sorry I wasn't there to lead the train into the headwind but was there in spirit - hope you could feel it.
    Looks to me that Charles may be in need of a weight stabilizing diet as well.

    Take it easy

    Steve

    Posted: 12 Aug 2010 by Steve

  • Just arrived back home to PA - meeting you was a highlight of our trip! Your endeavor is an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your dream with us! We will try to live the motto - DO IT NOW!!! Marty had had three surgeries in the last year - so he is ready!!!!! Best of Luck and maybe we shall cross paths again!!!!

    Posted: 11 Aug 2010 by Debbie and Marty and Abbie from Pennsylvania

  • What a fantastic pair you are!! Such beautiful country! As part of our honeymoon Omar and I went backpacking in the Popo-Agie wilderness, just west of Lander - really lovely memories. And thanks so much for sharing your pictures of the Tetons - yes, from the east they are a truly amazing sight! One of my all time favourite places (apart from Lane Cove ;-). Glad to see that Romanian woman has disappeared. xx Barb

    Posted: 9 Aug 2010 by Barb

  • Caught up on yr blog and all the photos tonight, what spectacular scenery and gruelling riding by all accounts. You are doing brilliantly for old codgers! Very proud of you. Shame you couldn't see Joanna and Hank,hope you enjoyed yr rest day and feel refuelled for the next stage. J xx

    Posted: 8 Aug 2010 by Jean

  • Just finished my weekly catch up and still open mouthed .Rod - you need some jewish chicken soup to out those kilos back on .Just shared your blog with Chloe and Dan her boyfriend as think young people should see what the older generation can do !!! PJ was with us last Sunday night .Great to catch up with her and Karen and Sam coming for supper on Thursday and looking forward to that .Really looking forward to Helens arrival on 3rd September and Italy .Im in training for the wine rather than the walk but thats me !!
    Take care and look after yourselves
    Sxx

    Posted: 8 Aug 2010 by sue g

  • Rod, Dick passed me your Blog, awesome my friend way to go! Writing to you from Bali where Ina and I are based for a few months, will follow your progress with interest! JP

    Posted: 6 Aug 2010 by Jon Pounder

  • Fabulous miles into the wind !! How old are you buggers again !!?? Very envious of the environment that you guys are traveling through and thrilled with your progress. Keep turning those pedals boys! Love Sue & Wayne

    Posted: 5 Aug 2010 by SUE & WAYNE

  • Missing uall.
    When I tried to put my bike back to-gether the deraillier became too much so now serviced and cleaned - working a treat.
    Sydney is such a beautiful city.
    Stay well

    Steve

    Posted: 5 Aug 2010 by Steve

  • Guys, we're back in the saddle again after a 2 week 'lay-off' getting ready to join you in a while. Keep up the fun and enjoy, we're looking forward to hearing about the trip firsthand.

    Posted: 3 Aug 2010 by Stuart G

  • You're making fantastic progress!! Don't worry about extra rest days if that's what the body needs - you guys are awesome!! Though I'm a bit worried about that Romanian woman you picked up - whatever happened to Harrison Ford?

    Posted: 3 Aug 2010 by Barb

  • Caught up on yr progress this week and looked at the photo's, out of breath just looking at the scenery let alone climbing those hills. Having skied in Wyoming I know exactly how steep it is. Well done all. Meanwhile have booked our overnight stay for Helen and I in Paris. We might burn a few calories out on the town! xx

    Posted: 1 Aug 2010 by Jean

  • Went on the Sun morning ride with the crew - to Manly. Took the tourer to give me a slight feel for what you guys are doing weight wise.
    Keep it up.
    My advise - don't flirt with too many cowgirls as behind every cowgirl there is a big burly gun totting cow boy.
    Stay well

    Steve

    Posted: 1 Aug 2010 by Steve

  • Hi Rod, Amazing photos!!! It must be dream come true for you. I'll be sure to keep tracking progress.

    Dan Clifford

    Posted: 30 Jul 2010 by Dan Clifford

  • Home safe and sound. Upgraded to !st class for the flight. Hard to take. Saw Lyn and Helen briefly before their Fri ride.

    Take care

    Steve

    Posted: 29 Jul 2010 by steve

  • Hey uncle just wishing you good luck and hope everything continues well! As of right now we are in Alamagordo, New Mexico finally heading home to Kansas:) Hope to see you soon!

    Posted: 29 Jul 2010 by Sierra

  • Things have improved : now sitting in the 1ST class lounge at LAX sipping a glass of Taitinger champers and eating some delectable canapes.
    Nice way to finish my USA leg of the trip.

    Assume to-day went well. let me know all the details. Hope you all enjoyed the pass. It is a cracker.

    Steve

    Posted: 29 Jul 2010 by Steve

  • Sadly left this morning. Did not all go smoothly.
    1. Held up at road works for an hour
    2. sped to try to catch up time - did'nt
    3.Pulled over doing 93mph in a 75zone - on the spot fine of only $40 -- felt lucky
    4. missed flight anyway.
    5. rebooked through San Fran - initially told that it would cost over $1000. -got it down to $168
    6. My advise - stay on bike
    Have fun and be safe. don't do anything I would'nt do.

    Steve

    Posted: 28 Jul 2010 by Steve

  • Led astray by a wandering Kiwi.........! Carole

    Posted: 27 Jul 2010 by Carole

  • A little concerned that the last report came from the local Hooters resteraunt and now 48 hours later no reports.
    What could have happened?

    Posted: 27 Jul 2010 by roger hannan

  • Rod,
    Greetings from the office. you guys are amazing. Photos look fabulous. Surely you would be having more fun with us back at the office! Some of those climbs don't look like my cup of tea. So glad you are having such an adventure. Lots of love from all of us. TIna

    Posted: 27 Jul 2010 by Tina

  • Now le Tour is over you guys have our undivided attention. Really enjoying the trip and pics.Thanks for doing it for us. The group seems to be swelling with people from Oz - long way to go for a catch up - where are the Americans?

    Posted: 26 Jul 2010 by SUE & WAYNE

  • Now is that a kettle in front of you? Imagined a bottle or two? Enjoy your few precios days together and Rhod don't be tempted to hire a bike, a car will do. Carole & Alex XXX

    Posted: 25 Jul 2010 by Carole

  • What, no heart rate monitor ! Very risky Rod. Alot of our conversation at Pain Quotidien this morning was about your heart rate. Craig, Pete, Ross, Omar and Jon are graphing it, making sure it doesn't flatline ! Now what are they going to do?
    Hugs for all, love the photos (and heart rate readings !)

    Posted: 25 Jul 2010 by Sarah

  • finally looked at all the photos and read the comments from start to finish. Awe inspiring guys, truly great, well done.

    Posted: 24 Jul 2010 by Jean

  • Hi All
    Rhod is now winging his way to meet you all. After the amazing climbs of the last week sounds like a little downtime is much deserved. Have fun together. And now there are 5...........
    Much love Carole & Alex

    Posted: 24 Jul 2010 by Carole

  • Hi Guys,

    Enjoying following your progress - inspirational! Forget about bears and mountain lions - I've just seen the Twilight movies and you appear to be in vampire/werewolf territory! Good luck and stay safe.

    Love Carrie

    P.S. Dave, did you see the R.V. Rod posted on Thursday? Forget the Ultimate Camper!!

    Posted: 24 Jul 2010 by Carrie

  • Hey Rod

    Very impressive. Enjoyed reading your track updates. Keep up the good spirits. When do you anticipate completing your journey?

    Cheers

    Warren

    Posted: 21 Jul 2010 by warren smith

  • No other word than AMAZING.I am exhausted just reading about your journey and in deep admiration .But what a terrific experience .Has been 28 degees in london today and i feel exhausted just walking from the car to the front door ! Need to take an eg from you and from the girls to get fit for Italy .Continue to enjoy the experience and take good care
    Sue and Haydn

    Posted: 19 Jul 2010 by sue

  • Hey Rod,
    You've been missing some lovely COOL 5C deg morning rides on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
    Great to see your progress. Keep it up. Ross

    Posted: 19 Jul 2010 by Ross F

  • Hey guys I don't know if we're gonna be able to keep up with you ! Sensational week, keep the photos and commentary coming it's great reading. Am starting to get back on track again and looking forward to more from your travels.

    Posted: 18 Jul 2010 by Stuart Gula

  • Dear Rod and Charles
    We've been tardy in being in touch and wishing you all the best. We wish you 'Godspeed' and a safe and enjoyable journey from a steamy Beijing. hope to hear from you over the next little while. Plan to be in England in Oct.
    Cheers - Don and Sue

    Posted: 18 Jul 2010 by Don and Sue

  • Chas,
    It's been very dry here but the allotment is fine. Feasted on many leaves and stuff tonight... are you doing anything interesting currently?
    Love as ever P&C

    Posted: 17 Jul 2010 by Pete

  • Guys - the trip looks fantastic pity I am the other side of the states and so unable to stop by and cheer you on from the side lines like in the tour.
    Heading back to OZ from Pittsburgh tomorrow and will keep watching the blog from OZ

    Posted: 16 Jul 2010 by Jon

  • Beware of the occasional mountain lion and watch out for the wolves in Idaho. They are doing well- lets hope not at your expense. As fit as you guys look there is probably not much incentive for them.
    Enjoying this.

    Posted: 14 Jul 2010 by DK

  • Interesting to see how mature Charles has become; he meets a lady on the route and is happy he gets chocolate muffins!
    Also good luck as you go from 'progressive' Oregon ( still not taking advantage of your constitutional right to ride naked) to deep mid-westBible belt; Charles strict C of E upbringing will bear dividends

    Posted: 14 Jul 2010 by Roger Hannan

  • The combo of you guys doing the great adventure and the tour de France - we're having the most wonderful armchair cycle trip.
    Thanks

    Posted: 14 Jul 2010 by SUE & WAYNE

  • RT, enjoying your blog and pics.After viewing your comments I will have a 10,000 calorie meal waiting for you in Chanute. Looking forward to following your adventure.
    Rock Chalk.. DK

    Posted: 12 Jul 2010 by DK

  • Hey Rod, just read Saturday, thought it a bit slow but then checked your ascent - take it easy man we want you back later on! Am on my hols from Wednesday, bit of safari in Botswana, not as tough as yours but I am older than you...
    take care
    Peter H

    Posted: 12 Jul 2010 by Peter H

  • Dear Friends, thankyou to all who have posted comments.
    We All take great enjoyment in reading them between legs on the bike. Our days are very full without much energy to do anything but get ourselves ready to ride and keep in contact with families and blogs. Steve and Charles both have significant facebook pages to view with some great photos-worth a visit. In time we will have energy to return email comments. Unfortunately, we Can't do that from this blog.
    Thanks again,
    Rod,
    Charles
    And Steve

    Posted: 11 Jul 2010 by rodtaylor

  • AWESOME day 8. V impressive guys! We did a lovely little 35k's through Tomerong and Huskisson today and thought of you.
    Happy peddling

    Posted: 11 Jul 2010 by SUE & WAYNE

  • Looks like you are riding through some beautiful countryside - hope you can enjoy it while toiling up the hills!
    Love, Helen

    Posted: 10 Jul 2010 by Helen

  • If the Butt Butter doesn't do the trick. Boudreaux Butt Paste will take care of it. Sold at finer stores along your route. Wow. You guys are really doin the business. Hang in there you will reach Donner Pass pretty soon.

    Posted: 9 Jul 2010 by George

  • Good work! Hope you enjoyed the rest day. xx p.s. Rod - NEVER wear socks and sandals :) x

    Posted: 9 Jul 2010 by Karen

  • Congratulations guys on your first week. It seems like once you've worked out the best combinations of food, water and butt butter thsoe smiles will grow even wider.
    Don't forget to tune in your 'mates' planning to join you !!!
    Keep it up sensational work.

    Posted: 9 Jul 2010 by Stuart

  • Rod forgot to mention that I was in extreme (and I mean extreme) agony from blisters on my feet from wearing there new sneakers and could barely walk without socks. Look at the pain on my face. Rod had no such excuse apart from a little cold weather - barely cold I would say!!!!

    Posted: 9 Jul 2010 by Steve W

  • We have watched the televised Tour de France and those folks don't have anything on the Dawn Riders.. Have a safe trip. Good job posting pictures and events on the site.
    George and Marcia

    Posted: 8 Jul 2010 by George & Marcia

  • Upon further review you will still be West of your starting point
    GO EAST YOUNG MEN

    Roger H

    Posted: 7 Jul 2010 by Roger Hannan

  • Enjoy your rest day!
    Looks you will be East of your starting point;GOOD JOB

    Roger H

    Posted: 7 Jul 2010 by Roger Hannan

  • Hey guys, ENJOY the opportunity to eat HEAPS!Enjoy sleeping in beds while it lasts. When is the first camp out?
    Keep up the photos
    Lots of love
    Sue

    Posted: 7 Jul 2010 by SUE & WAYNE

  • Nothing for it Rod your'e just going to have ride naked afterall need that extra lightness

    Posted: 6 Jul 2010 by jenny L

  • Rod : I log in to see where you are - first town I see on map is 'Vancouver'. "5 days and he's already in the wrong country" - I thought his cycling partner would have his work cut out, but this is beyond belief !

    Posted: 5 Jul 2010 by Mike Horner

  • Rod with all this worry about weight you had better locate that American rarity - skim milk, fast!

    Posted: 5 Jul 2010 by Sarah

  • Is it me or are you heading the wrong way?

    Posted: 5 Jul 2010 by Ant

  • Wow, you're finally on your way. Have a great time and keep us posted.
    Love Jan

    Posted: 5 Jul 2010 by Jan

  • Great to see you are on the way, sore bums yet? Helen sounds fine, 2 of yr girls coming to see me this w'end Chas. Will post some facebook photos for you. Love to you all Jxx

    Posted: 5 Jul 2010 by Jean

  • Good luck guys. Portland brings back many memories. It was the city I visited on my very first trip to the States in 1978 and I went there several times in the 80s and 90s. I therefore know that there are a few miles between Portland and the WEST coast and that there is a bit of cheating going on. But I'll forgive you!!

    Stay safe.

    Ian

    Posted: 4 Jul 2010 by Ian

  • Make sure Charles and Steve take some pictures of you too Rod!

    Posted: 4 Jul 2010 by Helen

  • The dream is now reality! Have a wonderful time. Love, Helen

    Posted: 3 Jul 2010 by Helen Taylor

  • ...actually, I won't swap - just remembered it's Pete Willetts BBQ this evening!

    Posted: 3 Jul 2010 by Ant

  • With screaming children surrounding me - I'd gladly swap places..

    Posted: 3 Jul 2010 by Ant

  • Hey Guys, Hard to believe that it's almost kick-off. Take it easy and stay upright; Don't get too fit or ahead of schedule before I join you! See you in 3 weeks.
    Luv DJ

    Posted: 1 Jul 2010 by David J

  • Wish you great weather and safe travel. Keep me posted regarding progress and arrival in Denver.

    Posted: 30 Jun 2010 by Rick Davis

  • Jealous already.
    Have fun!
    Love Sue

    Posted: 30 Jun 2010 by Sue Leppan

  • Hi Rod,
    Steve is winging his way - picked up his replacement passport on the way to the airport - have fun looking after each others lost belongings!
    Lyn xo

    Posted: 30 Jun 2010 by Lyn

  • Hey Rod,
    I think that you've already lost your drink bottle.
    If you're looking for it it is back in the office.
    Good luck to you guys, Ross

    Posted: 29 Jun 2010 by Ross

  • trust that same drink bottle will appear in the closing photo! good luck Rod and Charles
    j

    Posted: 29 Jun 2010 by jenny L

  • Hey man looks
    Like you guys are having A Great time

    Posted: 28 Jun 2010 by Rod