What Cyclists Know (and someday motorists will)

**Never ride on the painted strip on the shoulder when wet. Whole new definition to the term “slippery”.

**Extended mirrors on large RV’s and campers are painful and reduce your balance and ability to negotiate when you are riding.

**Vehicle lights, when turned on, even during the day….REALLY do make a difference.

**Never ride your bike in rivulets and small road streams when it is raining. The back spray up your butt and back is more than just significant.

**Cyclists do not possess the power of reading driver’s minds, or inheritantly “just knowing” that, without your turn indicator on, you are going to turn right. That not only includes city driving, but also taking freeway exits.

**2 inch wide tires with a human body balanced on them cannot “stop on a dime”; dollar maybe, not a dime. My bank is only so full. Please do not pass me, then abruptly take a sharp right turn in front of me. Your vehicle will sustain dents as I crash into it.

**Thank you to the vehicles, large and small, that just take their foot off of the gas pedal (no, don’t even have to slow down or touch the brake pedal) when passing a cyclist while riding in the rain. That “splash” made from your vehicle that you probably can’t see in your rear view mirror is WAAAYY bigger than you think!!

**When crossing Railroad tracks, Cow Guards, or any slit built into the roadway, a cyclist need to hit the slits as close to a perfect perpendicular angle as possible. So, if the slits cross the roadway at an angle, then you swerve in order to hit it as directly as possible. If you don’t, your skinny tires easily can get caught in the deep spaces … and down you go. There is a very specific reason why cyclists swerve as they cross these obstacles.

**A good cycling season ends with really weird tan lines on one’s body: *Demarcation line about 1/3 down on thighs from the groin. Can make wearing short skirts very interesting in appearance *Triangular patch of tan on the back portion of the hands, with the rest of the hands absolutely white. This absence of tan abruptly starts at the wrist from wearing of bike gloves.

*Another sharp horizontal line right below the deltoids of both arms from wearing cycling shirts. Women frequently don’t get these as sharply as many of their riding tops are variable and sleeveless.

**Good Scents -vs- Not So Good Scents when riding
Hay, freshly cultivated farm lands Slaughter houses and mass production animal farms
Freshly fallen rain Road kill after several
hours of no freshly fallen rain on it
Deep forests with streams Tyson Chicken Factory @ Storm Lake, Iowa

**Dr. Doolittle moments (yes, hours on the road does inspire one to ‘talk to the animals’):
Cows: Always look up with you talk to them. They’ll actually walk/run to the fence to check you out.
Horses: Some look, some don’t. About as many are actually fearful of you and trot/run away.
Sheep & Goats: No response what-so-ever. Just continue to chew away.
Birds are quite variable. Hawks will usually fly away; most of the smaller birds just tilt their heads in confusion and/or amusement at your presence.
Eddy's: These are non-leashed dogs that vigorously chase with definate attempts at destruction of you and the bike (from 1980's Kevin Costner movie where he was a professional racing cyclist). Fortunately, only one did we come in contact with...an Irish Red!!! (They usually don't give chase). She ran so hard and fast, but kept entirely on the left side of the rural road, never crossing over to me. Whew. She was just out for excercise.

Atlantic City & Jersey Shore

So here we are ... at the Atlantic Jersey Shore. The first pic is Mark and I at the finish of our ride ... and the start of a vacation and rest period before flying home and resuming our 'lives as we know it'.
The pic is of a happy, although really exhausted couple (Cindy more so than Mark). That night I spent the
next 12 hours in bed ... not moving. I know the nursing theory is to turn every two hours ... perhaps I turned twice. It's OK ... no pressure sores earned.
The final days of pushing on Thee bike was just a bit too much for me.
Mark and I spent the next day, Sunday, just walking the Boardwalk. No excercise needed.

We had to laugh. Of course, for those of you who have been to most any ocean resort area, these areas offer all sorts of tourist gimmicks and junk for sale. One such offering, is a bicycle being rode by the seller, and the 'buyers', (usually overweight tourists) sit in the carriage for a short trip. Should Mark and I, after riding across America, buy such a ride? Bit ironic, we decided.



The next photos are from our hotel room on the 19th floor. The first is looking directly west into the bay. The Boardwalk, as you can see by the wooden ramps, extends below.


The second pic is directly North, revealing the entrance to the Bay with the Atlantic Ocean on the right. One of their many beaches, er ... shores, are seen.

Finally, directly to the East. The very tip of the famed boardwalk is shown in the upper right corner.

I also attached, but somehow didn't, a pic facing farther to the right/south. There, amidst the huge hotels is a lighthouse ... that use to be the beacon for safe journey for all sea travelers. So sad ... completely surrounded by 30-50 story buildings, and can't even be seen now from the sea. It is a museum and tourist attraction. I just found it rather sad and dismal.

The boardwalk directly below us, being 'around the corner' from the famous Boardwalk, is used primarily by locals who show up crack of dawn until sunset and fish all day. Most of them tend to throw the catch back into the ocean, however, I have seen several diligently measuring to determine if it is legal, and taking their catch home.

Our youngest daughter (22 y/o) is due here via Greyhound in 2 hours from NYC. She'll end our vacation until we fly out on Thursday. I still have to make those reservations tomorrow (see ... the computer thing again).

Our Last Ride!!

We started our ride on the last day of Thee Adventure in Delaware and choose to drive Thee Van and Gear across the Delaware Memorial Bridge into New Jersey due to the significant traffic and lack of cycling access on this route. Note the pic, as we are packing up for the last time, the usual morning cleanliness and eager Ken ... ready to roll. Thee Bikes, of course, are strapped onto the back of Thee van.


This second pic is the huge bridge crossing the Delaware ... way different than over two hundred years ago when General Washington crossed it. Very impressive!!


We then took our turns riding on Highway 40 East, which took us all the way to the Atlantic Ocean and the famed Jersey Shore and Boardwalk. (To those 'Westerners', like myself, this is not called the Coast!! And you will be corrected for calling it such.) I rode first, fast and generally flat; generous shoulders; rapid and heave traffic, though very polite overall. Unfortunately, one more time I again saw a Veal Farm (see previous blog). Still very sad. No wonder there is PETA (although I don't support them trying to eliminate the fish throwing guys at Seattle!!). This would sincerely be a cause for them to attack.


Ken rode second and had a great, non-traumatic ride. He has grown in his cycling skills by leaps and bounds....let alone his traveling exposures and experiences.

Finally, Mark rode. This is a pic of him applying, for the last time, his "lucky chap-stick". That is a storey in itself, and way too long for this Blog. He was chosen to be the last rider due to his technical traffic skills as we entered Atlantic City and reached, somehow, in unison, the Boardwalk.

We had our pics (in previous Blog) taken at the shore. Ken ceremoniously again dipped his back wheel into the Atlantic Ocean, as he had at the start of the trip into to Pacific Ocean. We then found the hotel Mark and I are staying. In the parking garage, we did one last shuffle and re-packing of all items of the van. Mark and I took what we will need for the next few days here, and for our flight back to Spokane. Ken then drove immediately to Philadelphia to meet his wife, and they will start their 2+ week vacation drive back to Spokane.

Oh - I forgot to mention. Every evening we rode our bikes, immediately after the unpacking of Thee Van, and as the first person started to shower, we ceremoniously opened a beer and toasted one another. Very important tradition. We did go up to our hotel room so Ken could shower before taking off. Although we didn't have beer, we had a bottle (my favorite) Bombay Gin. One final toast...to us.

More Ponder This ....

**When driving a vehicle on the freeways, all signage is posted on the right side of the road. Makes sense. Avoids blockage to viewing the sign as a vehicle drives in the opposite direction. Why, then, in S. Dakota and Iowa, are the yellow triangular signs “No Passing Zone” posted on the left side of the road??

**In South Dakota we passed this lovely, fairly newly built retirement community. On the very same grounds, linked by the same surrounding fence, was a brand new Funeral Home. Would that save transportation costs?? Do they get a reduced fee?? Do you think its part of the Package Deal when signing to purchase??

**After 4 states of primarily black cattle, today there were herds of white cattle. What do you believe the bleaching process to achieve that “look”? And if it was just a “quick dip” into the bleaching vat, then how could you safely do their faces??

**In the significant heat of 90+ degrees, the horses group together standing in water or under trees. Why do the cattle continue to stand in the direct sun and heat??

**Mini-golf courses usually reflect the culture of the community they are set in. In Wyoming, South Dakota and other western states, the course obstacles have buffalo, wagon wheels, log cabins, and lariats. In Iowa one course included a small jet-fighter. What does it say of Spokane that the obstacles include Holland-like windmills?

**Leaving a town in Wyoming there was the “usual” appearing day-care: small house, lots of play items in the trimmed yard. In the midst of all that, there was the “pet goat”, complete with red collar, munching at the grass. What licensure requirements do you think the center had to pass in order to have a goat in a day-care??

**In Iowa one directional sign was for a park: Weed Park. So does one go there to inhale marijuana? Or, instead of grass, is the ‘lawn’ actually a variety of weeds?

**Throughout the rolling fields of Iowa there would be these lovely finished ponds. Is the purpose to provide a hotel and breeding ground for the mosquitoes? Two check in and a swarm checks out???

**While riding through Mennonite country, a driver of a car (obviously not Mennonite) abruptly pulled out onto the road from my right, saw me and stopped – thank-you!! Is that how they bring people closer to God??

**In Peoria, Illinois the primary 4th of July celebration was sponsored by the Methodist Church. It was titled, “Red, White and Boom”. Grand Funk Railroad was the main attraction. Is this an example of the separation of Church & State?

**Throughout Ohio were gasoline/convenience stores called, “Kum and Go”. I kid you not. Whoever in their right mind would name a store that?? Without any prostitutes involved?!?! Who allowed such a title to be spelled this way??

**2 days trough Maryland and into Pennsylvania, we followed “Peaceful Valley” route. Brings back images of the Monkees – doesn’t it?? A nice tune to get stuck in your head.

**While riding through Ohio a billboard alongside the Highway showed a picture of a box with gift wrapping on it. The ribbon had been untied and the lid was partially opened. Coming out of the box were 4 babies – 3 white with one token dark skinned. The title at the top was “God’s Stimulus Package to America”. Across the road was a medical clinic. Does one suspect the clinic offers birth control and family planning services? How are more babies being born in America helpful to its economic situation?

**In New Jersey we passes a cemetery looking pretty much like all the other cemeteries in the area – old, well kept, green lawn, surrounding black wrought iron fencing. Ken remarked, “Hey, it’s a Jewish cemetery. Looks like all the other cemeteries”. I replied, “Oh, I dunno. I’ll bet there are no crucifixes in there; and a whole lot of stars.”

**The differences between weeds and flowers are only a matter of where you live. On the west coast abundantly growing and taking over space are ferns, mosses, St. John’s Wort, Fox Glove. I shake my head at that amount of $$ I have spent in the past to purchase these only to nurture and protect them in order to get them to grow. Here in the Eastern part of the country Daylilies grow abundantly along the highways and undeveloped areas of land.

**All through Central America, oh, say from the western border of Montana up to the most Eastern states, children are allowed in bars. When I moved from Montana to Spokane, I had a 6 week old baby and was told I couldn’t sit in the bar with her. I was stunned and couldn’t figure out why. She wasn’t going to drink!! I still don’t see why, in most bars, they aren’t allowed. I get they shouldn’t be sitting at the bar, but at a table with the parent …? I also believe it could be an individual business preference; some ambiances are nicer without children present. After living so many years in Spokane, this experience caught me off-guard. I’ve become ingrained with living in Spokane and have forgotten most of the world just doesn’t always think the same way.

**In keeping with the above thought, I really am amazed that only a few of the Western states have mandatory motorcycle helmet laws. That concept of not wearing one, I would have thought, would have been long set aside.

**The far eastern states have “villages” and “boro’s”, not towns or suburbs.

**In Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware there were abundant Garage Sales, Farmers Markets, and Nurseries along the roads we traveled. One resourceful sale had (the wild and uncontrollable) “Daylilies For Sale … With Pot”. Driving the road to this sale, they were overtaking the sides of the public roadway. Are the plants sold with ‘Pot” – see earlier Thought regarding “Weed Park”? Or do you simply have to be high in order to want to buy what you could just dig up yourself?

**Listening to Comedy Central one time, one comedian reflected Bush was not an idiot. He was just an Intellilectual Celebant practicing Good Hard-core mental abstinence.

**While walking the boardwalk in Atlantic City and passing casinos, Mark and I were musing about the names. How would Caesar feel about his accomplishments being represented as a Casino? How would Prince Albert feel about him promoting throat cancer … or as a male piercing?

**Build it and they will come: In Delaware there was a large tourist attraction including rodeo grounds, cattle and horse auction yard, Western Wear clothing store, etc. Cars were parked along the Highway solid in both directions with people excited, coming and going, bringing their purses…. “But what is novel here?” asks the tourist who lives in the West.

**Throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and few eastern parts of Iowa, on the front of some houses and some in front yards, are large “stars”. They appear to be metal with the central spine of each arm pointed. They are generally painted in neutral colours, or as an American flag. At first, we thought they were just decorations. Now I’m wondering, are they hung to represent a house where the inhabitant is in the Armed Forces and serving overseas at this time? I didn’t see but one Red, White & Blue Star banner hanging on a house that usually represents a service person stationed overseas. Does anyone know the answer to this?

We Arrived!!

We arrived in Atlantic City safe and sound Saturday early afternoon!!!

Thee final day of riding was still blessed with incredible weather without rain or severe heat. Although there were some winds from the south, they were generally blocked due to buildings, trees and the environment in particular. As expected, the traffic was much more intense, even though we took a "road less traveled". Not much out in this area of the country is "less traveled".

I'm not sure which state we traveled through was the prettiest. Seems like each day of riding through the various country sides just got nicer and nicer. Each area of land we traversed had something really special to offer ... some item of "gorgeous" that "just couldn't be prettier". Each place we stayed at, each restaurant we stopped at offered us an interesting tale to discuss later on. People were interesting with various dialects, reactions to our trip, humouring statements and insights.

We loved hearing from those who bravely posted comments. Thanks to those who also provided answers: N&L for the asphalt dilemma; Patty for the WaWa explanation. Every evening as we were settling down, the question was asked, "What comments did we get today?". They were enlightening and uplifting. This is Mark's and my first vacation traveling with a computer and its links to the world and home. Very educational and it provided a different slant on the term "vacation". Also, for the three of us, it was our first trip with cell phones. Hmm.m.... Not sure I'm going to continue with mine after this week.

Would I do anything different now that I'm looking back at Thee Trip?
Only a few things: The previous 3 days of grinding to get to Atlantic City just wasn't our best decision. As noted in the previous blogs, we repeatedly climbed and climbed, then climbed some more. We really should have stuck to the original plan of arriving on Sunday. That one extra day of riding would have made the final rides much more pleasant - and easier to endure.
I wouldn't change the route we took, nor the time of summer. The northern route brought us beautiful scenery and weather, and we were able to avoid the really populated cities of Chicago, Detroit and Philadelphia.
Thee Van, sleeping in hotels, hot showers, cooked food - call me soft. Wouldn't change those items at all.
The company and friendship provided memories that will last for a lifetime ... or until our brains fail us.

Overall, the trip was near perfect as one could hope!!

I've been gathering a few thoughts as we've traveled, and will be posting those for your amusement in the next day or so. Then the Shop Will Be Closed.....and back to work and real life as we three know it.

3 States

Today we went from Maryland, to Pennsylvania, and now we are in Delaware. We took a variety of back roads with only minimally short time getting lost.

Initially Ken felt "like it was in Oregon", and some definite truth to that. The foliage became very dense, deep green with moss and ferns. The trees grew over the roads and although there were no rivers, there were multiple streams and creeks.
The farmlands have generally become much smaller. Above is a pic of the few farmlands that still have large acreage. So pretty with their patch-work appearance of harvest, new and old growth. Most of the lands are much smaller now. The corn in this field is some of the water damaged corn, and probably won't produce much a harvest. Note how short they have grown. Several points along the ride the corn stood sharply between 6-8 feet high.

Throughout today were the grand estates, horse stables surrounded by fences, (not at eloquent as yours, Janet!), huge brick and stone homes with long, narrow windows. No openly large 'picture' windows, like we are used to. Multiple tall windows. Many of the houses also have smaller "servant quarters" near-by.
I felt these mansions reflected "Old Money", romantic novels, turn-of-century stories, Great Gatsby, etc. One street was named, "My Lady's Manor". Ken was reminded of stories about espionage, CIA mysteries, hidden computers and spies. Here has been the most expensive cars, intermittently, we have seen thus far.

On a lighter side, while riding in more dense traffic after we entered Delaware, there was the official yellow sign along the side of the road, "Watch for Aggressive Driver". And ... what do you do when you find one? Do they wear signs saying they are such??? The state also has an interesting method of, hopefully, preventing tail-gating: huge white painted spots on the center asphalt of each lane. These are specifically spaced from each other in their distance. There are sign directions to keep at least 2 spots between you and the car in front of you. Actually, seems like that would work better than the counting (1-1000, 2-1000) method that most other states urge drivers to use.
There is also a new chain of gasoline and convenience stores titles, "Wawa". Who would name a store that?? The owner's infant child??

Tomorrow we finialized our ride into Atlantic City.
We are all ready for that.

I'll blog for a few more days as I've been accumulating interesting "items" along the way, then we'll call it a wrap.

One more day of riding....

I'm Not Pregnant!!

For those of you who know me, you understand the titled statement!!
See ... life is just a matter of perspective's as compared to other ones. I've always believed that even though things can get really bad ... if you just turn around, compare to the other direction, well ... things aren't quite so bad after all.

Today we took a route that wasn't complete in existence, that would disappear then, a few miles down the road, again suddenly reappear.
We started today at Morrisville, PA and finished at Hancock, MD. Much like yesterday - continuous straight up with straight down hills. Over and over and over. Spokane cannot compare to this (thank the goddesses of hill and dales).

Mark started and completed his 50 miles. Near the end was his 'hill from hell'. He even became irritated and exhausted with it. The good part of this, was the weather was again near perfect (not the 109 degrees my friends are experiencing traveling in Oklahoma!!).

Ken took up the next 50. Still very hilly over and over and over.

Then it was after 2:00 pm, and my turn. Ken was finishing his ride (somewhere back there), so Mark drove me ahead so I could start. Which I did. Abruptly uphill. I believe it was actually climbing up a tree while riding my bike. I'm really not sure bikes are made for that .... or did the guys sign me up with 'thee Tour' and just didn't tell me???? Then the same confusing road signage, with the route we were on suddenly disappearing. But I continued to climb. Mark kindly drove ahead on the winding, straight up road; and within 5 miles realized this wasn't the road we wanted to take. So back to me; I load back into thee van. Ken calls as he is done with his ride. We drive back into the town and pick him up. We'll try the Freeway for a few miles; and again found the route we wanted. I get back out and restart the whole process.

This took me up, not only the abrupt hills with curves you couldn't see around, but over two mountains - the second being higher than the first. By this point, I'm doing a lot of hill climbing standing, which then causes my left leg/foot to go numb, and I'm thinking, "I'm doing this why??".

The guys are sagging me nicely. At one portion of the climb, as they drive by they ask, "Am I OK?". My reply, "I'm not pregnant". Which means - at age 53, post menopause, spouse with vasectomy, kids grown and gone, grand kids starting adolescence ... that would be horrible!!!!! So see, life really is good and I'll just keep pedalling. All a matter of perspective.

The top and second pics are views from the "easy rolling hills" the three of us climbed over and over. Makes roller-coasters look simple. The third pic is from the top of the second mountain I accomplished. Beautiful, wickedly steep country. But really really pretty.

So we are starting the final 2 day grind into Atlantic City. We'll 'put the hammer down' as Ken's wife is flying out to meet him Saturday and we need to be done by then.

It's impressive how abruptly the architecture of the buildings change as we merely cross a state line. You wouldn't think the buildings would know that stuff. There are suddenly very tall, slender buildings built very close to one another; much more brick and stone; sharply sloped roofs; balconies. Everywhere are cemeteries, getting older and older as we near the coast.

We now again see "Share the Road" signs with a bicycle posted. Doesn't mean they do, however, these last few days people have been kind regarding the road sharing process.

Saw 2 Confederate flags flying outside of a house - one today and one when we were in Iowa. No American flag ... just Confederate.

The guys are in bed awaiting me to wrap this up and turn the lights out. Another day of hills awaiting ....

For Those With A Weak Heart ...

...Today is not a day to read this Blog.

Today we rode from Newcomerstown, Ohio to Morrisvile, PA. Do not ask for the specific road that we rode. It was winding. It wasn't on the map. The locals weren't 'really sure' about it. At once, we went back, then forth, then back again. Could that be more intense??

Ken rode first. Note the incredible, scenic lake. Truly beautiful, serene, calm, beautiful, green, ... what other adjectives can I use? He, however, did not notice. This was Ken's first "experience from Hell" riding along a Highway with minimal to no shoulder; that was made out of crap; two lanes on its best days; and was also a major trucking route. I asked about one million times ... what are they trucking in the middle of summer that could possibly require this route?!?!?!

At the end of his first ride, he said, "This was not fun. I may just decide to quit if this happens again. This was so unsafe. I did not like this." Me, being the eternal 'put my head deeply into the sand and just continue', said, "But kudos to you!!! You did it!!! How cool was that???" Ken did not think this was cool.

I took the second leg of the ride which started mid-lake route. I've done the "challenge the semi's and dump trucks and RV" route before. No, I don't like it either. I'm just more use to it. Just focus on the immediate straight line ahead of you; DO NOT flinch; DO NOT jump; just keep riding; trust in infinity and Hope To Hell They Aren't Feeling Homicidal Today.
After the lake I started onto the "hills" of the East. These were actually the Mountains, albeit shorter in duration, from Hell. As compared to our portion of the world....they were like "mini-Tetons", though shorter in duration. There is no doubt in my mind, or in Ken's (after discussion) they were easily the same steepness as the Tetons, if not more so. They did, however, sharply angle downward as a bit of reward. My max speed, briefly, was 41 MPH. I swore I was climbing a tree then jumping off. About the same intensity of high and low.

The second pic is an attempt at capturing the intensity of the angles of the mountains ... up and down ... that we rode over today. Poor depiction. Cameras just don't do justice.

Pic #3: Again, I tried to capture the strict up and downs of the road. I have nothing to compare it to. The roads went immediately up, then sharply down. Over and Over. No area of land was, however, without a house, or farm present. You could not view more than 2/10ths of a mile (I measured it) at any one time; and those were the long stretches. Abrupt 'U' and 'S' curves then entire time. I rode over 2 hours with an average of 14.3mph; and Mark (what an incredible spouse I have!!!) stopped me as he was concerned I would finish blowing out my knee due to the intensity of the climbs.

I have climbed many a repetitive mountainous route; many steep roads; many long enduring rides; but this is right up there on my scale of experiences. I would be rewarded by spinning downhill, shortly, and then ABRUPTLY have to climb a tree straight upward. And this occurred over and over and over.

Now the respectful portion of this was, this was a VERY WINDING 2 lane road, minimal to NO shoulders, that was one of their major trucking routes!!!!

Let us all bow our heads and give praise to the 18-wheelers. They always pull over. 99% of the rest were gentle and caring. Kudos to them. Especially since the posted signs ouside the towns were "End of 45 mph". Who the hell???.... I use to own the greatest Mustang GT 5L T-top; and I wouldn't roll @ 45mph on that route!!! Even back then in my crazy days.

The last pic is, in my hopes, to again persuade you to better understand the steepness of this incredible land. Note the rode we vehicles drive on, and the height of the left side of the mountain they blasted out. This same angle of incline drops to the right. Over and over and over again. I was raised in the mountains of western Montana; I am affectionately attached with Canada; those has nothing on these.

Due to the slowness of our riding because of the roads, the intensity of climbing, etc., we missed our planned motel in another 45 miles. Unfortunately, we also missed calling them to cancel the reservation because they didn't answer my initial phone call. A repeat phone call in 15 minutes was then "after 6:00 pm" and we still get the full charge.

We are exhausted. Ate pizza in our rooms as we unpacked and washed the gear, elevated and iced, and are counting down until Atlantic City. In retrospect, with a bit of ETOH on board ... it is still really worth the adventure.

Tomorrow awaits. Mark will be first. I'll have plenty of time to 'caffeine up'.

Ohio ... or Where Are We??

We must say "Where are We?" at least hourly throughout the entire day, day after day after day. Then, the real strain on the brain is in the evening as I condense and balance the budget and the guys plan tomorrow's ride, we'll say brilliant statements like, "Where did we eat last night?" "What city are we now in?" "Which state are we in now?" I, once again, am sincere. We have been through so many towns, little hamlets, small cities, counties, states ... we can remember the visual triggers, just really have to pause and debate to recall the specifics of names.

Scenery continues to be spectacular and ever-changing. Today these are some of the pics we captured along the way.

The top pic is one I took. There are still absolutely amazingly large acres and acres of mowed lawns surrounding a house on acres of land. Now, beside that work expenditure to maintain, the current trend is to place privately made ponds on the land. These sometimes include central fountains, perhaps a dock, certainly a rowboat or two, immense surrounding landscape. Who has time to do these things?!?!

We are in and out of Mennonite and/or Amish land, that is absolutely incredible. Ken took an awesome pic, which I won't tell you about, but will publish in another blog. Roads have somewhat reverted back to "Hoof 'N' Poop", so you are careful how you ride. The second pic is Thee van, parked on the sloped grassy shoulder (land is for sale, for those of you interested). I walked back to get the pic of the road sign. Yes, the carriages do ride on this road; and the cars slow down and swerve around. With that as part of their daily lives, you would think they would applaud and welcome us cyclists with open arms!!


Mark got into the spirit of photography today and took the next 2 pics. They both depict the roads we are now rolling over and over - today was primarily Ken's turn, or "Bad Luck of the Draw", to do so. A premier of where we were and where we are going. Good job, Mark!!

Until tomorrow .... !

Fatigue!!

Too many miles, ongoing winds, not sleeping in our own beds nightly, eating foods we usually don't eat, living out of a van, routine and unknown activities and schedules ... all of these conditions certainly contribute to our fatigue today.

We rode from Lima (pronounced Lee' ma [I explained we were from the Palouse area and know our beans, but they contend we pronounce it incorrectly]) on route 309 through western Ohio to Marion. At that time the guys took a winding and meandering route to Mt. Vernon (almost sounds like the state of WA, eh?), then to Cosnocton. That is where we quit, drove to Newcomerstown (I don't make these names up!!), where we are staying for the night.

The weather was, again, perfect with high of 77 degrees. The wind built as the day progressed, with the afternoon blustery in a myriad of directions. We now are moving back into sharply rolling hills with lots of ups and downs.

The pics here show Ken "gearing up" for his afternoon ride as Mark is riding. I also caught a pic of the inside of the van where we live, day by day. Good thing I didn't catch a view of the floor. That really accumulates all sorts of "stuff" as the day progresses, despite cleaning and reorganizing hourly -call me neurotic (OK you TA's ... stop laughing!!).

Then after my ride (I was first), after Mark's ride (second), and while Ken was attacking the hills, I was going to catch up on the news and read the USA Today. Mark took this pic while I was "reading".


We didn't quit meet our mileage goal, since I quit after 40 miles in order to ice and elevate. So, by the end of Ken's ride, there were about 12 miles left to complete. We were all stunned .... none of us volunteered ... none of us "Bellied Up To The Bar" to saddle-up and ride again. No one Cowboyed Up (did I get all the Western sayings in?). So, tomorrow, Ken will ride first and we will have to go back the 12 miles, to Cosnocton to start the new day.

Change of Wind

We had a delightful change of weather today ... the wind was still blowing as hard as possible, but shifted and now from the West!! How great was that?!!!





Mark started the day and rode 25 miles only, so he could ride at the end of the day with me. Quite a treat, since this entire trip we each have rode mostly by ourselves. For those of you who are non-cyclists, this strategy is a very big deal. It is one thing to ride by yourself, and yes you can reach down and pull up another BootStrap for strength, however, it is just You-Yourself doing this. When you have someone else riding with you, it makes the energy and drive much easier; and you can push yourself just a bit more. The other portion of this is, Mark and I have rode together for the past 24-25 years, so, it is a "thing we do together", and that is really nice.


So here are the pics. We rode Highway 24 from Logansport, Indiana, which magically became Highway 81 at the Indiana/Iowa border, to Lima, Iowa today. The winds were absolutely great at our backs, so we averaged between 20-27 MPH. How fun was that?!?! Mark rode first, early morning and windless. Then Ken rode as the winds picked up. He was so energized and "into it", he was ready to ride for a century mileage. I jumped in around noon. Then, really fun, Mark jumped in to ride the second half of his daily ride with me, as I neared the 1/2 mileage portion of mine. How fun to pace with someone, chat with another human being, and just move forward in this process.

So the pics are (Thank you Ken!! Really hard to get a pic of a fast moving cyclist - as he found out) : Mark and me riding side-by-side. I got rid of my riding jersey and opted for my racing top with hopes of gathering more Vit. D. to lift my spirits, create body and cellular health, and all those incredible things Vit. D. is now suppose to do to make us all well and happy (replacing all the other theories we have developed and found less than adequate over the past 50+ years). Second pic is Mark 'saluting' Ken as the pic is taken. Finally, just me as Mark, who was riding immediately ahead of me, went by way.y.y.... too fast.

As you can see, really still quite green corn & soy bean fields. All the vehicles generally nice. Great roads overall. And life is good and moves forward. Still lots of very intense Christianity and Methodism (by their documentation, not mine). This morning as we checked out of our hotel, we bought the Indianapolis newspaper (really big city with major newspaper for the whole state). On the front page, under the title of the newspaper, is a quote from Corinthians. On the second page (where the major info of the day, ownership, etc.) is listed, is the Prayer of The Day. No, I am NOT anti-Christian. I just find this heavy Christianity really really thick. Each god is great; however, no single one is correct. Again, where does this piece into the United States government? Certainly we have many miles to ponder this concept.

Tomorrow we stay in Ohio for another day. Let's hope for more "wind at my back".

Veal???

So there we were, riding along, and off to our left were about 50+ "dog carriers" in the middle of Just-No-Where. But look closer, there were no dogs ... chained to them were calves. Why and Whatever for?? I immediately said, "This is Veal".

Alas ... after Googling this, I do believe that is what this is. We went past it the next day (today), and took the pictures. I do believe, this is indeed, the raising of veal. If you don't know what veal is, or what this terrible acreage is, then Google it yourself.

Basically, it is the slaughter of 'baby cows' for their tender meat. The best way to keep the meat tender, is to take them from their mamma's, keep them chained in a very short area so their muscles don't develop, feed them only 2X daily with a high fat liquid meal, then slaughter them between 18-24 weeks of age.

So sad. And right next to the Highway 24 of Indiana. All of them were leashed to their individual "homes". One, much like leashing a dog, had caught his lower leg in the leash and could only balance on the other three legs, and cry. Too far away over fields and wire fences for me to release him. So very very sad. No wonder there is a PETA ban, and warnings to the public, about purchasing and eating veal.

What a downer for the day!!

Wind, Wind, Wind ... Fatigue

And it blew, and blew, and blew. We rode Highway 24 East from Peoria, Illinois to Logansport, Indiana. We were each to ride 60 miles, but with the wind blowing from the North East so hard and unrelenting, we reduced the mileage to each of us riding only 50 miles. And did that consume the hours!! Slowest average I have had in a really long time: 14.5 mph. Ugh.
Could have been worse, though. It wasn't directly into our faces, there was no rain or snow, and the high temp late this afternoon was only 83.

We are still in the "heart land" of America. I haven't seen these many churches in such a small space ever!! Mid-town of the town we are now in, in one block, we saw five different churches. We remind ourselves of their godliness as they (not many as now) honk, flip us off, and try to run Mark off the road once. Still beautiful, green-green-green, quaint in appearance, very well kept overall. My assessment of the acres of poor appearing corn now mixed with what appears to be beans was correct. The hotel manager from last night explained they have had one of the wettest springs/early summers in a really long time. That is why so many acreas of corn just aren't surviving. In order to selvage the harvest, they have now planted soy beans which require a shorter growing season.

So trivia: on the Atlas we are using, each state lists their state flag, motto, flower, etc. For Indiana it is "The Hoosier State". To which I naively ask, "What is a Hoosier". Yes, I know there is a basketball team, and one of the State Forest here is named that. Mark said he had to "pick his way through the dead hosiers on the shoulder of the road" - obviously, lots of road kill. However, that brings us back to the question, "What is a Hoosier?".
Ken Googled it. The site gave several explanations. The guys are now trying to help me explain this to you .... they are getting quite carried away. So, I'll let you Google it. Go ahead, then discuss among yourselves. Provides dinner conversation.

Tom, (the best XRay tech in Spokane), yes we have found numerous Road Gods. You were actually on my list of topics to blog. Since you brought it up, I'll respond now.
Road Gods, for those of you who don't know Tom, are the wonderful items you find in the road when riding along. Tom always stops for them, picks them up, analyzes a bit, and frequently brings them home. I'm usually speeding along just enough to see them, but never stop to claim them as mine- (1) I'm going too fast (2) If I get off my bike I never get back on it (3) I usually have no place to carry anything that I pick up (4) all the flies surrounding road-kill are really annoying.
Primarily, Tom, most everything is garbage. 99% of garbage along the roadways are liquid containers: water and juice bottles, beer and other alcoholic containers, pop cans and bottles.
Ken was caught in a construction zone, attempted to detour, wasn't successful, and had to cross a muddy field. He and his bike sank in a mud field, which totally gummed his gears. As he was getting back onto the Freeway, lo and behold, there was a toothbrush. Just lying there calling Ken's name. Very helpful at debriding his gears at that very moment.
I came across the most unusual Road God. While riding on the Freeway in Idaho, there - scattered over a large amount of shoulder - was a total knife & carving set. Looked brand new and in great condition (other than splattering on the ground). Scattered amongst them were pieces of the box they had been stored in. And this was not just your standard dinner knife set. These were large carving knives, curved blades, meat cutters. Hmm.m.m.... I sincerely thought at that very moment, "Tom would have stopped and picked these up". I, however, would be clueless as to what to do with them if I had picked them up. As I rode on, I envisioned I could have inserted, and possibly carried them, through the slots in my helmet. Looking a bit Neanderthal-like. Or Viking. Not really the "look" I wanted to achieve.
I wonder at those times - who packed their car??? Where would you put something like that so it could fall off, and yet, not miss it?
So Tom, that has been the sum of interesting Road Gods, thus far.

We entererd the fourth Time Zone today ... another hour lost on Mark's bike time. Yup, he rode the same distance but it took him a whole hour longer than us.
We are really tired after fighting the wind. Going to collapse as soon as I finish this glass of wine.

Until tomorrow ....

Mighty Mississippi

There is the Mississippi!! We crossed yesterday, as I noted in the previous blog. The day provided us with perfect weather!!

We passed through numerous small towns to get to Peoria, most with a population less than
300. A mere distance of 15-20 miles between each town. How picturesque!! What pride they all take in the presentation of their homes!!
Every community had numerous American flags displayed most everywhere with red, white and blue decorations where there weren't flags. There must now be an abundance of water which wasn't available through Wyoming and South Dakota. Each house and farm has acres of lawn surrounding it. Acres. And I use to groan having to mow our little house lawn. No apparent weeks; no dandelions ... amazing!! Every lawn I pass I just shake my head in amazement ... what a great deal of work to keep that appearance up.

Many of the houses still hang out their laundry. Visual pleasantry with the white sheets flapping in the wind. Brings back memories of being a child and the "etiquette" of hanging out laundry. Yes, there is a correct way and method for those of you who have never routinely done so. During the winter months it was especially challenging. After a short time we could literally bring in "sheets" of ice to defrost in front of the stove.

We awoke this morning with the constant down pouring of rain which has persisted all day. What a perfect Day Off from riding!! There is a public display of fireworks down by the Missouri River tonight, however, I suspect not many will be attending due to the rain. Our Marriott Hotel has numerous soccer players and their families that were here for a large competition. Again, rained out; though I heard they were trying to relocate it to an indoor arena.
We had breakfast, did laundry, then went to the movie, "Angels and Demons". Good job, Opie!!

Had a great late lunch/early dinner at a Western restaurant (we came how far for that cuisine??). It's been entertaining to eat, and be served, in such a variety of diners. In Moorcraft, Wyoming, for instance, they only had 2 places to eat. For dinner we choose the non-smoking establishment. We should have been more discerning when there were no cars parked at it. We were the only ones there. The "waitress" was, oh, maybe 16. She had this hair-bang thing going on which started at the crown, was firmly sprayed in an arch over her forehead down to the tip of her nose. I never really did see her eyes. And her friends were sitting in the back with her. There was, however, no cig smoke.
The food was edible. I thought I would splurge for dessert and ordered the strawberry pie with coffee. To get her attention to order dessert, I had to fully extend my arms above my head, wave wildly, and finally yell, "Hey". Actually, that upset her as she had to then work. She made it to the table, and agreed to the pie. As for the coffee, she said, "But that means I have to make it". [Again, I can't make this stuff up]. Yes, I replied, that is why it is called "service". She did the "sigh-roll-eyes" teen maneuver and started to walk off. I stopped her and handed her our empty plates telling her removing them would be a nice thing to do.
She brought back the pie, without whip cream, mostly raw crust, sliding it across the table at me. Coffee came 20" later.
The next morning we opted for the pro-smoking establishment for breakfast. The older waitress was great. The smokers were in the front and we sat in the back. As we left, near the cash register was a Highway Construction Worker who (I assume) was just getting off work. She was just finishing her second beer (both bottles still there) and probably her second pack of cigs. It was about 0645.
In Marshalltown, Iowa we found this bar/restaurant that seemed to be OK. It was fair, at best, although the waitress was very young, inexperienced, and really sweet. While waiting for our food, we were playing with the condiments on the table. Now, being as ex-bartender/waitress, I know we would fill the table plastic bottles from a central supply every night. However, the ketshup bottle was dated 1969 (I kid you not!!), the Worcestershire Sauce bottle dates 1987. Hmmm....mm.m....

As a final amusing tidbit for you: The three of our don't routinely do the 'cell phone' thing. Each of us bought one for this trip. Mark and I bought the Prepaid TracFone plans, Ken sprung for the broader plan of AT&T. Life will now be safe since we can immediately, if needed, contact each other (isn't that what people say ... "I have it only for an emergency"). Well, our phones generally haven't been able to function most of the journey due to being Out Of Service. OK, I get the tower thing. But explain this one to me. While the 3 of us were together, Ken's hone rang. We all look confused at one another as he answered it, however, it was a Voice Message. From Mark (wasn't he sitting there with us???). From 6 days prior. Mark had called Ken to inform him he had turned and taken a different direction and would be waiting at a different pick-up place. 6 Days!!! Mark said he would now be really mad if he was still sitting there waiting!! Sure am glad we payed for those cell phones!!

A very Happy 4th of July to All of You!!

Where's Waldo???

Iowa & Illinois .... how confusing can their road signs and directional system be???

Yesterday & today we wove, then switched directions, got lost, was found, and then did it all over again and again.

It started yesterday as we were riding through Iowa. Our back roads were a way better choice than the intermediate roads we initially started on. The roads were quite varied: minimal to no shoulders, then full and very clean shoulders, then rough & beat up roads, then brand new roads....all within 30 mile stretches. All the people we met were delightful and helpful (thank the goddess of Road Directions).

Mark rode first, then Ken. The roads were becoming a bit steeper in their rapid repeats of rolling hills. Still incredibly green; acres of corn sprinkled with ?beans?; and today I noticed large patches of strawberries.

Then it was my turn to ride. I reviewed the map with Mark and sketched the primary rode numbers on my left wrist in ink (I'm sure I'll have a tan line on this area by the end of the journey).

The ride was absolutely incredible. There was abundant new foliage with the appearance of dense trees & streams, yet still the acres of crops. The roads became more narrow and winding with increased frequency of up/down rolling hills.

Suddenly I was in Mennonite Country. The road I rode on loss the markings, and became a bit more pitted - think, "Hoofs-N-Poop"; literally. Although cars still use the road, the primary transportation is buggy and horses. One barn I rode by must have had 20 buggy's parked in perfect alignment.

Fenced areas with calves in one portion, horses of varied sizes in another, goats in yet a third, cattle in yet another. Hens & Chickens most everywhere.

Buildings for selling hand made items, from sewing to wood crafting, lots of produce and canning, and everything in between.

If the Mennonites believe they have found "God's Little Acre", they may very well be correct. I would move here in a moment (for the land and presence).

So there I am, riding along with the perfect weather and the perfect day; just couldn't be any higher than if I had ingested something totally illegal. I kept checking my forearm to follow the correct road signs.

Now, let's go back to the previous X2 days of blogs where I stated immense confusion regarding Iowa's sign style & placement of their directional road signs. Long story short: I followed the numbered route I had recorded, coupled with the "paved-vs-unpaved routes" I encountered, and, being from Montana, yes, I also follow the sun's direction with respect to Daylight Savings Time. And I continued to ride.

Suddenly, there I was at an intersection with the "blue" road signs: F62 crossing W62. Next to each of those signs were additional green road signs further naming each road (isn't one name sufficient???). One was Sharon's Crossing Road, and the other I can't remember. This was all irrelevant since I had on my wrist W62 merging into F62. Hmmm.m... This is a distinct 4 way intersection. No "merging" going on here.

OK ... look up at the sun since I am traveling East with some Southward direction. Crap. It is noon and slightly cloudy.

OK ... look around for satellite dishes to determine South direction. Double Crap. This is Mennonite Country. They don't do satellite TV.

One more try ... moss growth. Not a chance in hell any of these trees have moss.

I am soooo..oo.o... screwed.

Even the numbering of the "named" street signs didn't offer any direction. One was SW and the other was NE. Can't they be squared?!??????

OK ... give in and call the guys. Tell them where I am (no ... really ... I am not confused. I really am at 62W & 62F. I am NOT repeating myself. Hello ??? Can you hear me now????). So they said, "Stay there and we will be right there".

That makes sense to me since I am only 44 minutes into my ride, which means roughly an 18 mile radius. And no, I don't ride gravel, so that further eliminates my choices. And I have the route on my wrist, so I really can't be THAT far away.

Back to the "Where's Waldo" concept. Very small area ... no clue where Waldo is.

Ken and Mark start driving. I sit down at the corner in this really pleasant little hamlet, enjoying the perfect weather, watching various cars drive by (some multiple times [interestingly, no one offered to give assistance]). Thee Cop drove by at one time, asked me if I needed help. I discussed my dilemma but emphasized, my husband really isn't far away and I'm sure he will find me. He did do a "tongue in cheek" maneuver when I said that. As we continued to talk, I pointed out the confusion with 62W & F crossing (what does F stand for?? Right now I can think of something that shouldn't be on a public sign.). He laughed. Honestly. He said, "No one around here pays any attention to those signs ... we all just know the road names". Off he drove.

Mark again calls and asks, "Where are you again???". I reiterate, then repeat, the 62W&F. Can you hear me now??? He again says, "Stay there and we'll be right there".

Oh, about 20 minutes later Ken calls for Mark....then Mark talks with me....then mid-sentence some male voice is talking to Mark saying 'go here then there then turn right ......'. Great, I think, the cop is there making Thee connection for us.

I hang up and sit down, and continue to wait, a really long time.

Many cars go by.

The sun starts to move, though I'm still not sure what direction.

A truck comes by with a really nice guy who stops and asks how he can help me. He also laughs when I tell him I'm at the crossroads of 62W&62F. Again, "No one around here understands those road signs". I dial Mark, give the phone to him and direct conversation and directions ensue. He hangs up, we continue to chatter about bicycling events. Finally, Mark and Ken pull up - the entire Van and 2 attached Bicycles totally covered in white dust. And neither of the guys were what I would call "Happy and Cheerful".

So, that male voice I overheard on the phone??? 2 old guys sitting on the porch of the local hardware store who offered them directions: "Well, no, if he turns right here and continues....ya' it is a gravel road, but probably a shortcut. Oh no, turn left then circle about 180 twice, then back up a few hundred yards. Uh-huh, then go left and travel, oh, about how far .... no I'm sure it's closer than that".

Get the idea????

No foresight like hindsight.

My "incorrect turn" was only one premature turn. Had I just known when I reached the intersection the direction of each road, I could have continued. Oh well. We are all together and in agreement. I continue to ride and life goes on.

Today really wasn't much better. The map sincerely and totally does not express in ANY way what is on the road!!! We are, remember, the back small roads that roam from really-small-city-to-city-to-city. However, EVERY flipping intersection was the same nonsense. Multiple signage that didn't make any sense, didn't correlate in ANY way to the map. Then, in desperation when we asks the "local folks" ... same response: Laughter. "We don't know those numbers and names....we just know the roads!!" One corner, on just 2 of the three sides, honestly, had a total of 9 Directions Signs. Why????

One was "81" with a right-to-left arrow. Directly under it was "76" with a up-to-down-to-left arrow. Above all of those was a single sign : End. How can "81" be "76" I asked???

Silly me. It was the end of "81" and the start of "76" that also went to the left. Now, to further add to this soup-pot ... in a few random blocks, for no particular reason, "81" again starts continuing in the exact direction that it initially had started.

Add to that 'Sudden Construction'.

To and Fro ... Let's try that route ... OK, we'll go here. Thank the Goddess of Distance we only had 120 miles to go today.

And we made it. We are now in Peoria for 2 days!!! We Do Not Have To Ride Tomorrow!! (Don't get me wrong ... I love my bike but I am ready for a day off!!!)

The pics above: Ken as he starts to cross the Mississippi bridge from Iowa into Illinois. The second: Mark as he looks around trying to figure where is how and who???

I haven't a clue precisely WHAT we will do tomorrow, but it won't involve straddling my bike, nor discussing intense directions with the guys, nor eating variable food sources from the cooler in the van for lunch, nor enjoying the beautiful scenery in this part of the country.

Tomorrow......

Hello,

Cindy asked me to post a couple of remarks about our ride across the middle of America. Below are a few snippets from letters that I wrote to my children. I hope it provides you, the reader, a slight tangy flavor of our bike tour.

Ken

. . . Florence, Oregon. Our ride begins with the ritual dipping of rear bike wheel into the Pacific ocean. Off we go . . . The ride through the most western part of Oregon began with an easy 54 mile ride from Florence to Lows Pass, mostly easy pedaling.

. . . Prairie, Oregon. Stay at B&B. Riding to East of town. A working ranch, and, as you might imagine, rustic and simple. No internet! It's definitely cowboy country, where people reply, "Howdy" to my "Hello". Cowboy hats are worn everywhere. We thirsted for beer and went to an old fashioned saloon, filled with cowboys wearing Levi jeans, looking, dusty, dry and leathered from outdoor work, and wearing shit-kickers with shit. The bar was the long wooden type you see in old 50‘s western movies and TV shows; guys leaning over the bar, or turned facing round with their feet up on a brass rail, and a working spittoon close by. The decor was wagon wheels, old-fashioned laundry machines, oxen whatcha-ma-call-its; the walls were covered with huge multi-pointed elk and deer, and bear hides. The only detraction from the ambience from the beer and hard liquor watering hole was the counter filled with delicate teas, coffee, breakfast rolls.

The dinner special was "BBQ meatballs" (whaa?).

. . . Yesterday's ride took us through the Badlands. Signs posted along the route carried warnings that animals “carry the plague”, “use lots of DEET”, and “don't leave the posted highways for your own safety!”. The landscape was eerie, with pock-marked muddy mountains, scattered table top hills sprouting up on the floor, and water running white; not blue, brown, or grey. Not a soul could exist here, unless it was corrupted.

. . . We stayed at a simple motel/hunter's lodge, and except for our room, the remaining 11 rooms were filled with hunters. I asked a small party of camouflaged, overweight, over-gunned, but fun guys what they were doing. "Hunting prairie dogs - FOR THE FUN OF IT", they said, ". . . doing it for years." The sport of kill! Oh, go grow up, why don't you! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Shots fired evening long, everywhere, every direction. Forth of July!? . No, lots of dead prairie dogs. A wild existence lived in White Water. Population: 467.

. . . Today's ride was hot, and tomorrow is sure to get hotter tomorrow. The roads are in good shape, lightly traveled, and visibility good. I crossed the James River and the Missouri River, exciting to me as it stirred childhood memories of cheap paperback western novels, and writers, such as Zane Grey.

. . . Arrived along the shores of the Mississippi today. Riverboats, barges, parades of old mansions along the shore made it exciting . . . and stories and history lessons flood my mind . . . Oh, the mistake Napoleon made in 1803 selling the land West of the Mississippi for only 11 million US dollars. I think it encompassed nearly 900 million acres of land . . . all that Iowa corn, South Dakota and Wyoming oil and gas, and the National Parks that we got to experience from the perspective of a slow bike rider.

Ken