A Great Great Ride

July 11,2010,

Day 9 - 117.4 miles

Some days everything goes right. Today it was perfect for me. I met a friend, Bob Rosa at 6 am. He agreed to ride about 50 miles with me which he did. Bob is a good rider and pushed the pace for me. I needed it. I rode in the big gear the whole time and attacked all the hills. I really felt that I got stronger as the ride progressed. It is so much easier mentally if you ride with someone. I really want to thank Bob for the company.I rode the whole ride west where there are rolling hills.

After Bob left and I was riding along, a group of 30 cyclists came up behind me. After they all passed, I upped my tempo and caught them and rode with the "peleton" for the next 3 miles. I had no problem pushing the pace and keeping up with them. I used every hill as my own race and blasted up the hills. Never went to the small gear. Legs burned but that was something I needed after being on the flats for several days.

The weather was hot but there were clouds at times that were really welcomed. The only problem I had was water. While riding west, there is a space where there are no stores. I saw a lady watering here garden and she was gracious enough to fill my water bottle withe water and ice. I needed it.

Tomorrow is a rest day and I will rest. I will take the time and write in the blog some thoughts about the first 9 days. Hard to believe that I have done nine days.

Total Distance: 118 miles
Total Time: 8 hours
Total Elapsed Time: 8 hours and 30 minutes

Phil