Day 28 (August 28, 2010) FINISHED!!!!!!

This morning we did not want to leave the comfort of the hotel. However, we were also excited to finish our journey. My original plan was to be on the bike by 7 am. My revised plan had on the bike just after 8. I rode through Richmond and linked to the final road to Yorktown. I had plans to meet my friend, Jimbo, about 30 miles from the finish. I was moving at a pretty good clip despite the headwind. I even passed a few "roadies" out on their morning training ride! Jimbo and I met at a park and rode on a bike path for a few miles. After that we got on the colonial parkway for the final push to the ocean. We made it to the beach around 1:30 p.m. and I did the cerimonial dip of my front wheel!! Total miles for the day = 78.7

I will try to get the total miles, hours riding, and other useless statistics compiled and posted in a few days. Thank you everyone for your comments!! It was nice to know I not only had a great support team with me, but also a cheering section back home. I am soooo glad it is over!

LOL... this is how I'm feeling now:
http://www.drodd.com/gump/prettytired.wav

STATS:

3,347.6 = Miles ridden from San Francisco, CA to Yorktown, VA
226 hours 27 minutes = Total time to ride from coast to coast
14.78 = Average speed in MPH
47 = Max speed in MPH
3.4 = Min speed in MPH
4 = Number of tires used during trip
3 = Number of flats
1 = Number of broken funky special spokes needed to make a Shimano Aero wheel completely useless.
0 = Number of bike shops between Kansas and Virginia that stock the aforementioned funky special replacement spokes for a Shimano Aero wheel.
2 = Number of people making the best support team ever! (Thanks Deb & Kayla)

Day 27 (August 27, 2010)

This morning I got on the bike pretty early. Deb found a nice running trail in Lexington & had a good workout while I put some more miles behind me. We met late morning near Waynesboro. She suggested that we use one of my free hotel stay coupons that evening at a hilton garden inn near Richmond. That motivated me quite a bit and I had one of my fastest average days since Illinois despite riding into a slight headwind. We had on of the earliest finishing times for the day since the trip began. I checked into the hotel a little before 6 pm. We thoroughly enjoyed the pool and jacuzzi. Also, it was nice to sleep in a real bed for the first time in over a month!
Total miles for the day = 127

Day 26 (August 26, 2010)

Last night we stayed in Wythville, KY. Wythville is named for Geoge Wyth, one of the signers of the declaration of independence. After a semi late start I made pretty good time. My legs are really starting to get sore with over 3000 miles of riding on them. If I stop at an intersection my legs start to cramp and it takes me a while to get moving again. Only a few more days and then I can rest them!

Today I met a fantastic couple; Clyde and Joelle. They first did a cross country bike ride on their honeymoon... 20 yrs ago. Now they are doing another! Happy Anniversary :)

The ride today wasn't nearly as hilly as I expected and (GASP) I actually had a tailwind!!

We are spending the night in Lexinton and are hoping for a big day tomorrow.

Day 25 (August 25, 2010)

Last night we stayed in Pikeville, KY. I got up early and was on the road before 8 am. This was one of the most difficult cycling days I've had since the big mountains in the West. The first 90 miles was nothing but steep hills. Lots of ups and downs. The bad part was that after climbing for 45-60 minutes the downhill section was filled with twists, turns, and hairpins which required me to ride the brakes. This resulted in a long, slow day. (Total miles = 144.5. Saddle time = 10.5 + hours)

Deb's hand prints are still in the steering wheel from going up and down the steepest and narrowest grades we've faced since the trip began.

The good news is that I crossed into Virginia a little after 10 a.m. Only a few hundred more miles left!!!!

Day 24 (August 24, 2010)

After a great night at the campground I was ready to get up early and rack up a lot of miles. Deb was concerned because Sue looked at my mapped route and thought there would be too much coal truck traffic. After conferencing with Sue they came up with a modified route that was just a bit longer than my original route but it avoided coal transport areas. I had the new route written on my map pocket & left around 8:15. Eastern KY is absolutely beautiful. Even though it is fairly hilly I still enjoyed the scenery. I would have enjoyed it even more if I weren't chased by so many dogs. ( None of them caught me though.. ha ha ha)

We made to Pikeville around 9 pm. Total miles for the = 163.5

(The picture shows that former songwriter cat stevens isn't a muslim radical but is really selling bulldozers in Easter KY)

Day 23 (August 23, 2010)

Today was a very light bike day since we planned on meeting Deb's sister & her family in Berea for dinner. It was a good thing, too. We didn't have a very good nights sleep. I wasn't feeling so hot and the combination of hills and yet another day of headwinds really wore me down. I only did 95 miles today but it seemed to take forever. We checked in at walnut meadows campground and then met Sue & the kids at papaleonis for some great food. After dinner we went to Blondies for some ice cream.

Day 22 (August 22, 2010)

This morning we got a semi-early start from Sebree, KY. The first hour was very nice. However, after that the winds picked up and the temperature got much hotter. By the middle of the afternoon it was in the mid to upper 90's and I was fighting hills and headwinds. Kentucky is a beautiful state. The people are very friendly & creative. For example, in Geogia ,when a refrigerator needs to be replaced the old one is just set in the front yard next to the 1977 camaro that is up on blocks. In KY, they paint flames and racing stripes on it so that it blends in with the rest of the decor. Oh, I also saw Jed Clampett's oil rigs. No bubblin' crude though. It looks like they've been shut down for quite a while. Total miles = 123.5