A Long Hard Lonely Day

July 20, 2010

Day 18 - 124 miles

This is getting harder each day. For the past several days I was lucky to have people to ride with. Today I was by myself for the full 9 1/2 hour ride. Since the last 5 days were inland on the hills I decided to go to Sandy Hook and do loops there. When I got up this morning my back was really stiff from the hard push I did yesterday to miss the rain. I had Rene leave me water and food on the Hook. I went first south to Sea Girt and then to the Hook. Once on the Hook I did five 10 mile loops. Not easy with a strong wind blowing in one direction. It might seem that it is an easier ride because there are no hills and you have access to water and food right away. Wrong. Going over the same route again and again really tests you mentally. With my saddle sores it is better if I am constantly changing positions as I do when I go west with undulating roads. Anyway, will be at the Hook one more time on Thursday but I will be joined with a friend for a couple of hours which should help.

If you wonder what I think about for 9 hours alone, a lot of it is what will I write in the blog. Most of it never makes it to the blog because I m to tired to sit and write all my thoughts. Maybe a book someday. I am getting really tired. One week would have been great. Two weeks would have been OK. Three weeks is testing you physically and mentally. Absolutely no question that the riders in the real Tour de France are the best athletes in the world. Me, I am just one crazy old man who thinks he can turn back the clock. 4 days of riding left. Tomorrow is a est day.

Total Distance: 124 miles
Total Time: 8 hours and 57 minutes
Total Elapsed Time: 9 hours and 30 minutes

Phil