We rolled out about 7:30 this morning. As always, I had trouble getting up and out :). Anyhow, Bruce (the fastest rider out here) and I took off to catch a group of 4 that had a 10 minute lead on us. Our goal was to catch them over about 20 miles... The trip started with an excellent 40MPH descent out toward the South Exit of Clifty Falls State Park. Right in the middle of the descent, Bruce hammered on the brakes and came to a stop... to inform me that ... we were supposed to exit the North Exit! 40MPH descents are steep to climb back up... We hadn't even left the park - and we were climbing a 13%-ish grade because of a navigation mistake :). And - the group of 4 had a bigger lead on us now.
The first 30 miles were tough - getting warmed up took that long. At about mile 35, it started to rain - and rained hard enough to soak all out clothes, socks, shoes, wallet, phone, camera, etc in my pockets. My route sheet was soaked.
Route Sheet
We were planning to stop at mile 62 in Scottsburg for lunch (at the same Arby's we stopped at yesterday). The first rest stop was at mile 30 - and I skipped that one (carrying 3 water bottles, I was fine). Then - the second stop was at mile 57. Just before that rest stop, I saw a lightning strike way off to the west... so the plan is - if a lightning or hail storm approaches - find a building. Likely, that would be on the porch of someone's house or in a barn or similar building. I wasn't interested in being stuck in a barn with a farmer and his chickens for 3 hours while the storm passed. I put the hammer down and made it to Scottsburg - but my legs were beat! I rode the first 61 miles and 2483 feet of climbing without stopping (3 hours, 26 minutes).
Statistics at Lunch
Statistics at LunchAnyhow, there were three riders there when I got there. We all ate lunch and then rested and watched the rain (both outside and checking RADAR from our phones :)). Unfortunately, it was cold in there - and the rain on our shirts was evaporating - we were freezing in the restaurant. About and hour was all we could handle - so we headed back out into the rain with about 50 miles to go. The rain let up after 15-20 minutes and the next 47 miles was uneventful. Although I intended to ride straight thru, I saw Bruce at the last stop at mile 93, so I stopped for about 2 minutes... Otherwise, I did not stop during the last 50 miles.
Oh yeah - we had some spectators!
Spectators...
At about mile 108, I was cruising along at a pretty good clip in the flats... I crested a small hill and started to descend. I saw that there were two dogs on the porch of a house about 50 feet off the road. In the countryside, we have seen LOTS of dogs - dozens every day. Many of them will "chase" you. Usually, they are 1) breeds that are not concerning (golden retriever), 2) behind a fence, but run "with you" as you ride by or 3) run on their property near the edge of the road for fun or to "protect" their property. These two dogs saw me coming down the hill and took off running. This wasn't that abnormal - but I grabbed my pepper spray anyhow... one was a Pit Bull... there was no fence... he crossed onto the street about 30 feet behind me. Unfortunately at this point in the ride, I was not interested in trying to outrun a Pit Bull that was in a full sprint (I was probably doing 18 MPH). When he got about 5 feet behind me, I hit him with the pepper spray... he IMMEDIATELY hit the ground. His "buddy" decided that chasing me wasn't a good idea... I didn't have enough presence of mind to check my heart rate monitor - but one of those spikes at the end of the graph - its not hill!
Two ladies were about 5 minutes behind me on the route... When they crested the hill, the dogs got up and looked at them. The ladies saw the dogs... and then the dogs sat back down. Obviously, I don't want to spray a dog - but if you leave your Pit Bull unfenced & unchained in the front yard... that's what happens. And - the pepper spray works! I did however learn one additional lesson --- after you spray that stuff, rinse the top off with your water bottle... about 3-4 minutes after I put the pepper spray back in my pocket, my back started to sting :).
Then - I finally rolled into Spring Mill State Park. While we were eating, the tour mechanic washed everyone's bike! My parents came down from Loogootee to have dinner with us - but I kinda had to eat and run (sorry). Between our meeting about tomorrow's route and my 6:30PM appointment with the massage therapist we have with us on the tour...
So - today's stats:
111.37 miles (including two wrong turns)
6 hours, 40 minutes
6,757 feet of climbing
16.7 MPH average speed
140 BPM average heart rate (this number needs to stop climbing :))
6,779 Calories burnt!
The route can be seen here (this shows elevation, heart rate, etc as well): Day 3 Route
Cumulative Stats (3 days):
323.89 Miles
16,919 feet of climbing
20,144 Calories burnt!
Oh yeah - we had some spectators!
Spectators...
At about mile 108, I was cruising along at a pretty good clip in the flats... I crested a small hill and started to descend. I saw that there were two dogs on the porch of a house about 50 feet off the road. In the countryside, we have seen LOTS of dogs - dozens every day. Many of them will "chase" you. Usually, they are 1) breeds that are not concerning (golden retriever), 2) behind a fence, but run "with you" as you ride by or 3) run on their property near the edge of the road for fun or to "protect" their property. These two dogs saw me coming down the hill and took off running. This wasn't that abnormal - but I grabbed my pepper spray anyhow... one was a Pit Bull... there was no fence... he crossed onto the street about 30 feet behind me. Unfortunately at this point in the ride, I was not interested in trying to outrun a Pit Bull that was in a full sprint (I was probably doing 18 MPH). When he got about 5 feet behind me, I hit him with the pepper spray... he IMMEDIATELY hit the ground. His "buddy" decided that chasing me wasn't a good idea... I didn't have enough presence of mind to check my heart rate monitor - but one of those spikes at the end of the graph - its not hill!Two ladies were about 5 minutes behind me on the route... When they crested the hill, the dogs got up and looked at them. The ladies saw the dogs... and then the dogs sat back down. Obviously, I don't want to spray a dog - but if you leave your Pit Bull unfenced & unchained in the front yard... that's what happens. And - the pepper spray works! I did however learn one additional lesson --- after you spray that stuff, rinse the top off with your water bottle... about 3-4 minutes after I put the pepper spray back in my pocket, my back started to sting :).
Then - I finally rolled into Spring Mill State Park. While we were eating, the tour mechanic washed everyone's bike! My parents came down from Loogootee to have dinner with us - but I kinda had to eat and run (sorry). Between our meeting about tomorrow's route and my 6:30PM appointment with the massage therapist we have with us on the tour...
So - today's stats:
111.37 miles (including two wrong turns)
6 hours, 40 minutes
6,757 feet of climbing
16.7 MPH average speed
140 BPM average heart rate (this number needs to stop climbing :))
6,779 Calories burnt!
The route can be seen here (this shows elevation, heart rate, etc as well): Day 3 Route
Cumulative Stats (3 days):
323.89 Miles
16,919 feet of climbing
20,144 Calories burnt!
Random PhotoToday's diet:
Breakfast:
Large bowl of Cream of Wheat with Apples
Lunch:
Chocolate Milk
Medium Beef and Cheddar (Arby's)
Dinner:
3 slices of ham
2 large scoops of mashed potatoes and gravy
1 wheat roll
2 pieces of corn bread
1 large bowl of cottage cheese with cherry pie mixed in :)
1 piece of cornmeal pie
1 piece of pumpkin pie with whipped cream
On the bike:
3 packages of shot blocks
5 energy gel packets
1 package Gu chomps
1 PowerBar 20G protein bar
Breakfast:
Large bowl of Cream of Wheat with Apples
Lunch:
Chocolate Milk
Medium Beef and Cheddar (Arby's)
Dinner:
3 slices of ham
2 large scoops of mashed potatoes and gravy
1 wheat roll
2 pieces of corn bread
1 large bowl of cottage cheese with cherry pie mixed in :)
1 piece of cornmeal pie
1 piece of pumpkin pie with whipped cream
On the bike:
3 packages of shot blocks
5 energy gel packets
1 package Gu chomps
1 PowerBar 20G protein bar
Just Getting Started with DinnerTomorrow is 7,000+ feet of climbing. Going from Spring Mill State Park to Bloomington... Gotta get some sleep...
Good Night.
-- Marcus
Good Night.
-- Marcus
That ham and cornbread looks pretty good. Tomorrow is hump day. If you make that in good shape you should be alright.
ReplyDeleteWhen you are coming into Shoals, your left onto second st (unsigned) is the last turn before hiway 50 and easy to miss. After you make that left, our old house was the second house on the left. Unfortunately, there are no houses there now, only an old auto repair garage. You go on up the street and turn right on main st. Just after the rr tracks on the right side is Velma's Diner. We MAY be out front drinking coffee and cheering you on.
Just past Velma's is hiway 50. I think you turn left there and go to hiway 450 to Williams. That stretch of 50 is very busy and could be treacherous for bikers....BE CAREFUL. I rode my back there 55 or so years ago but there was far less traffic.....Of course I did have my dog Rusty in the basket on the front of my bike.....
More and more impressed every day. :) Keep it up!
ReplyDelete