July 19, 2010,
Day 17 - 116.8 miles
So let me tell you what happened. Last night as I was putting air into my tires, I noticed that the rear tire was completely worn out and unsafe. The front tire also had a lot of wear. I have two extra wheels already to go so I put them on. This morning I am up and out at 5:15 as usual. It is a beautiful morning and actually cool. I rode into Colts Neck and experimented by riding some new roads. But as I road up the hills I just could not get up in the big gear and found it hard to even pedal in the small gear. I told myself that the last three days just wore me out. But something still did not feel right. I just could not get any momentum going. When I stopped for water at the 40 mile mark, I check my tires to make sure they were not going flat. They wre OK. Than I noticed the problem. When I put the new wheel on, I did not align the front wheel properly and it was rubbing against the brake. Stupid me. That is like driving your car with one foot on the gas and the other on the brake. I fixed it and off I went. Within 5 miles my legs recovered and I was as strong as ever. And I needed it.
By the time I had reached the shore in Sea Girt, I looked up and there was this huge thunderstorm approaching. To bad I wasn't riding with yesterdays group because I would have blown them away. I tried to out ride the storm. I was doing 25 miles and hour down the center of Ocean Avenue in Spring Lake. Not fast enough. I was able to get to one of the pavilions just as the storm struck. Rene said she would come and get me. By the time she arrived it had stopped raining and the sun was coming out. I rode home and then continued to complete the ride.
Forgot to tell you what happened yesterday. I was coming down a 1/2 mile hill at about 25 mph enjoying the downhill when out of nowhere comes a huge groundhog. Nothing I could do. I held the handle bars tightly and closed my eyes and prepared for the worst. He never stopped and I missed him by an inch. If I had hit him I would have gone flying. Groundhogs are to bikes as deer are to cars.
I am now down to 3 long days and 2 short ones. Hard to believe that it is almost over. Tomorrow is 122 miles and I am alone. Think I will take my Ipod and go to the Hook and do loops.
Total Distance: 117 miles
Total Time: 8 hours and 20 minutes
Total Elapsed Time: 9 hours
Phil
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Phil you continue to be an inspiration! It's totally understandable you could get frustrated at this point, yet your determination and conviction is clearly as strong as ever. I love that about you! You set a goal, and you hit it. Just a handful of days left...you go!!!! And what are you going to do when this is done? Start coaching me again!!! :-) Miss you.
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