Starting statistics... Today we rode from Richmond to Nashville. I figured that Nashville was further than 113 miles from Richmond, IN... but these states are not as big as California - so maybe not! Imagine my surprise when we rolled into Nashville, INDIANA! Anyhow, tonight we are staying at Brown County State Park. It is really a nice park - and the Abe Martin lodge is great.
City Center - Nashville, INThe route can be seen here (this shows elevation, heart rate, etc as well): Day 1 Route
The stats for today were:
112.36 miles
6 hours, 8 minutes
4810 feet of climbing
18.3 MPH average speed
134 BPM heart rate
7221 Calories burnt!
Interestingly, even though we climbed a total of 4,810 feet, the lowest elevation was 625 feet above sea-level and the highest elevation was 1,081 feet above sea-level. Rollers... all day. We did hit one CRAZY steep section (maybe 200 feet long) that was 21% grade!
I did the first 100 miles and 3533 feet of climbing in 5 hours, 26 minutes (on the bike).
During the day, I practiced mobi-cyclo-photo-posting -- taking pictures using your mobile phone and uploading to Facebook while riding! Of course - only when no cars were around. Please forgive me if not all of the FB photos have captions :). Unfortunately, cell service was intermittent so several of the photos I wanted to post are in the ether.
Lunch was at a Bev's Country Diner. If you have ever been to southern Indiana, or southern Kentucky, or southern Ohio or southern Illinois... well - you get the point - if you have been to the rural mid-west, you have been to Bev's Country Diner. It probably had a different name - but it's the same place... same menu (different layout). I couldn't stomach too much oil, so I made a lunch from side orders and breakfast. They thought I was nuts... and it was the most expensive meal anyone had at $7.02. Of course - I now have $0.98 that will almost certainly be lost before we reach Terre Haute. Perhaps a tax deductible donation is in order.
Bev's Country DinerWe had one rider in our group go down today... at about the 25 mile mark. He was practicing his cyclo-photograpy at the time. Should have been using his mobile phone instead of a camera - everyone knows that. Must be a rookie.
I only had one issue today - a squeak, squeak, squeak on each pedal stroke. It started early in the ride: about 25 feet from the beginning :). I showed the mechanic and we determined it was a worn out bottom bracket (the bearings / housing at the bottom of the frame where the crank arms (connected to the pedals) go THRU the frame). For the record, TruVativ bottom brackets last 4232 miles before they start squeaking. We decided it was best to ride today's ride on it as-is and then replace it tonight at Brown County State Park. When I arrived, Bill (the mechanic) took the pedals, cranks and chain-rings off... and then started removing the bottom bracket. But it was really tight. So, he got the BIG wrench to get them off (one on each side). No luck - so he got out a breaker bar and put it on the wrench... Two hands, 3 foot breaker bar, grunting, grimmacing... no luck. Unfortunately, we were at risk of breaking it... which would be REALLY bad - so he stopped. For the next three days --- squeak, squeak, squeak! Hopefully, I can get it fixed in Bloomington when I can visit a full-blown shop. It may have to be cut in half to remove it. I may just require a whole new bike...
And - the eating began in earnest today...
Breakfast:
2 bowls of oatmeal
2 bananas
1 PowerBar 20g Protein bar
Lunch:
2 bowls of oatmeal
1 bowl of cottage cheese
1 bowl of peaches
Dinner: 3 large scoops mashed potatoes and gravy
3 pieces of Salisbury steak
1 large bread roll
2 scoops of peas
1 large bowl of macaroni and cheese
1 bowl of bread pudding
2 cookies
2 glasses of chocolate milk
On the bike:
3 packages of Shot Blocks
3 Gu energy gels
1 Payday candy bar
4 bottles of Cytomax
3 bottles of water
And - for those keeping track - I downed a medium Butterfinger Milkshake after I posted last night.
1 Payday candy bar
4 bottles of Cytomax
3 bottles of water
And - for those keeping track - I downed a medium Butterfinger Milkshake after I posted last night.
Dinner: Just Getting StartedTomorrow is 100 miles from Brown County State Park to Clifty Falls State Park. I understand it is very similar to Niagra falls - only without the crowds. Breakfast is at 6:30AM and we will probably roll-out about 7:30AM.
Good Night....
-- Marcus
P.S. The weather looks like it is going to hold...
How did oatmeal, peaches, and cottage cheese end up being the most expensive? That doesn't make sense.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think it was possible to climb 4000+ feet anywhere in the Midwest, I'm impressed. I'm also impressed with your writing. Nice job on the ride and the blog!
Terra Haute is 45 minutes away from where my family lives in Illinois! Swing by and say, "Hello!" for me...lol!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the weather is cooperating for you. Sorry to hear about the pedal. I would buy a new bike if I were you....we need another velo in the family!
Don't forget to drink plenty of water...you need to flush the muscles. I'll help in about three days.
Love the pics and details....Nice Work!!