Anchorage, Alaska: August 14, 2011

Finished!  All done!  All 50 done!  What a relief!  Bobby arranged a special celebration for me with cake and a big balloon and congratulations from a lot people in the area.  We went out to eat at the nicest restaurant in town – Simon and Seaforts…really good food.  We both had lobster tail and it was cooked to perfection.  Well done, Bobby.  The finish would have been a little anti-climactic if Bobby hadn’t gone with me and arranged all this.  I guess I would have been sitting in my room and looking at my data and writing my blog.  Instead, I had a great time and here I am now writing my blog FOUR DAYS late!

Well, I am a little ahead of myself.  I only needed a bit over 35 miles, but did almost 37 miles and finished Alaska with 101.8 miles…well “one of us did” while the other was lying down…more about that below.

As I have said every day, “poor Bobby.”  I don’t mean, “poor” as in skinny, because that “he ain’t.”  I’ve told him he looks like a porker, but he just pointed right back at me so I have refrained from stating the obvious!  What I mean by “poor Bobby” he is a wuss when it comes to temperatures below 70°.  You may recall yesterday that he swore he would never ride again after we finish Alaska, but today was different.  He finally found the right amount of clothes to keep warm.  It is amazing what it took.  Here are a series of pictures:

First and second layer (left):  Underlayment shirt, jersey, biking bibs, leg warmers, and arm warmers. (Notice: The jersey is just like the one I wore in all the states except mine is black and his is pink…his color…to match his hair.   Third layer (right): Vest.

Fourth layer (left):  A coat.  Fifth layer (right):  A second coat!  Special Note: Candy Fiddes is Bobby’s mom.  She was worried about her little boy.  You can look at her comment on yesterday’s post:  “Okay, hope today goes better. Can Bobby put on more clothing to keep warmer or maybe some hot chocolate before he rides?”  What do you think, Candy?  Does he have enough clothes?  🙂

And this is what I wore:  Two layers if you count the underlayment shirt as the first layer.  I also wore arm warmers.  I wouldn’t say I was “toasty” but I definitely was not cold

After experiencing the Alaskan bike paths, we decided to take to the streets. We went south on one of the major arteries and then went back north on a different road paralleling the road south.  Along the way going south,  Bobby shot this picture of an Alaskan Husky hanging out the window…he loves dogs and animals, in general.   We then made our way to part of the bike path we rode on our first day.  We wanted to ride on Highway 1 which parallels the bike trail, but it appears to be a limited-access highway which prohibits bicycles.  The maps below show the rides we did on the first and second day.  As you can see, we used some of the same route today from the first day.  And the map on the right circumnavigates Anchorage, mostly on bike paths.  But as I said yesterday, we left the trail at about mile marker 30 and made our way back to the hotel on surface streets.

After heading south and then turning west at about MM8.  We stopped on the overpass over Highway 1 to take several pictures.  We then detoured down a side road and saw some beautiful homes and scenic spots.  This part of the ride was the prettiest part of Anchorage that we saw other than the scenic spots on the bike trail.  I should have taken some pictures of some of the homes in the area.  Bobby commented that it looks like we finally got out of the ghetto. 

We had a pretty good ride until about 15 miles into it, when Bobby spotted a taco wagon.  He whipped into the driveway so fast that I had to go to the next driveway and turn back.  They were Indian tacos large enough to share.  Even then we only ate about half.  When we got back on the bikes, I could feel that taco weighing me down…heavy on my stomach.  After about 20-22 miles into the ride, I noticed Bobby had dropped way back.  He did that several times on our rides just caught up.  So I didn’t think anything about it until I realized he wasn’t in sight at all.  I went to this bridge which I had taken pictures on the first day and decided to wait for him.  I figured there were several possibilities:  a flat tire (very doubtful), a natural break, to take a picture, sick from the taco, or something else.  After waiting for about 5 minutes at the bridge, I decided to go to the turnaround, about 1.5 – 2 miles.  I was really surprised and a little worried when I got back to where I had last seen him.  When I arrived back at the hotel, he said he had been there about 10 minutes.  It turned out to be what I was most suspected.  The taco had weighed on him also and he thought the woods beside the trail needed some color so he painted it “taco brown.”  He laid on the ground and waited for me but after about 15 minutes, he headed for home.

The ride was possibly one of my most enjoyable rides for several reasons:

• The last ride of my Grand Adventure,
• The weather was good…nippy but no rain and the sun was bright in the sky,
• I felt good on the ride,
• And, probably the most important reason:  Bobby wasn’t whining about the cold!

Anchorage, Alaska: August 13, 2011

This was to be our longest ride today.  We wanted to do about 50 or 60 miles and only have 10 or 20 miles to do tomorrow.  But, alas, it was not to be.  Four reasons for our riding only 35 miles:  The first Bobby, the second Steve, the third the weather, the last being related to the first, the fourth tired of the bike paths and getting lost.

• Bobby and the Weather:  It was still cold and Miss Prima Donna doesn’t do well when the temperature is a few degrees “cooler” than 70.  The temperature was actually pretty close to the same it was yesterday, but as I said yesterday, “poor Bobby.”  Bobby was so miserable that he “swore” he will never ride again after finishing Alaska with me.  He plans to pack up all his road bikes and only ride his mountain bikes.  He said he was not enjoying riding any more…even said he “hated” riding.  I mean he was miserable.
• Steve and the Cleats:  I had an even worse time today with getting clipped in than I did yesterday.  Out of self defense, I have to say when I use my regular road bike cleats, I have absolutely no problem.  But with the Time mountain bike cleats I have to use the shoes that I first started riding with and they have lost their stiffness.  Bobby even swapped his cleats with mine and there was no improvement.  At the end of the ride, Bobby told me to point my toes down as I was clipping in and that did the trick.  So tomorrow’s ride will be better!
• Bike Paths and Getting Lost:  The bike paths are very poorly marked, but more importantly, we were just tired of riding bike paths that switched back and forth and had big holes and even larger rises due to tree roots.  So we decided to get off the paths and meander a bit on our way back to the hotel.  We finally made it back to the hotel and had been on the road for about 4 hours with all the stops and starts, etc.

However, I did enjoy the ride.  I wasn’t nearly as cold as Bobby, but I was disappointed in the bike paths.  However, I have never cared much for bike paths; preferring to “ride amidst the traffic.”

Before we got on the path, we saw an elementary school with this sign in front.  It is an interesting scene of school children playing. Bobby also caught me “in full flight”!

Right after we got on the trail, Bobby saw a convenient place to stop…claimed he was looking at a moose…Whatever!  The name of one of the bike paths we rode is the Tony Knowles Coastal Bicycle Trail which is very popular with both the locals and tourists.  And there were a lot of people enjoying an Alaskan summer.  We saw a lot of fishermen in what I believe is the Eagle River.

This man is basking on a rock.  Bobby saw him and said, “Dude, I have got take a picture of you sitting on the rock – you look like you are living the dream.  The man chuckled and said that sounds like a song, “Dude on the Rock.”

There were lots of beautiful scenes of marshes and rivers and railroad trestles along the way and even Bobby taking pictures of some of them.  I think scenes such as these is what makes me continue trying to enjoy the bike paths.

I’m still working on the blog and in a pensive mood.

At dinner, Bobby met a kindred spirit, Christie (I think).  They both “oohed and aahed” about the other’s hair.

Anchorage, Alaska: August 12, 2011 – Part 2

We were really disappointed in the room we had at Hampton Inn because it was much too small.  With the bikes unpacked and assembled, we would be even more cramped, so since we had time on our hands, we decided to move to the Embassy Suites.  This was a really good decision, not only because of the space issues.  The picture of Nytasha should have been the last because I call this her “Okay, Bobby, I give up” picture.

We met Nytasha, who checked us in at the Embassy Suites, and is more than a great representative, she is a truly warm and friendly person.  Bobby charmed her from the outset and she had BOTH of US charmed.  She is truly very quick witted and knew how to react to Bobby’s pokes and she gave it right back to him.

Briana (left) started helping us before we even arrived.  She arranged for our room to be ready when we arrived well before check-in time.  Briana was always ready with a warm smile.  She and Nytasha are spectacular – warm, friendly, effervescent, bubbly, beautiful, just the best…Thanks to both of you for making our stay so special.  Speaking of a smile, can anyone beat Corrin.  Bobby met her first and she had him from the beginning.  Miss Personality was always helping us in some way.  I was so impressed that all of them knew our names, first and last, without having to ask.  It was just such a special treat to be treated so special…redundancy intended.  The class and style of the Embassy Suites representatives is due, in very large part because of Stacy, the manager, who was also especially kind to us.  I would like to think that they all were so nice to us because of “the old guy,” but in reality it was clearly because of Mr. Charm himself…this guy…the one with the pink hair.  Bobby never meets a stranger and from the time he met Nytasha until the very last, he was “turning it on.”

When you are around Bobby, you have to be prepared to either be embarrassed or “tickled to death.”  I chose the latter because when you are hanging around the pink-haired guy, you will be the pink-faced guy if you choose the former.

Speaking of Bobby, what do you think?  Look at this picture…please, look at this picture.  If you can somehow dampen “the blinding glow” by looking at it…please, please look.  Seriously, Bobby’s hair is a “babe magnet.”  I don’t know how many girls told him, “Love your hair,” – in the airport, at the hotels, even when riding our bikes – two different girls on two different days leaned way out of the car and yelled, “I love your hair!”  Of course, the male counterpart had a different reaction.  A couple of different guys asked him, “Is that your natural hair color?” And I am serious!  What does that say about the genders?

Jenny was on the same plane as we were flying from Austin to Salt Lake City.  Of course, they both had a mutual admiration for the other’s hair.  I have to admit Jenny’s hair color was the prettiest I have seen on those brave souls who are willing to buck the trends of naturalness.  Jenny is a truly nice person.

Well, as you can tell by the pictures of Bobby, my bike did come in.  It arrived about 5:15 p.m. and Bobby had it put together within a few minutes.  We “hurriedly” got dressed to ride.  We finally took off about 6 p.m.  However, we didn’t actually start riding for nearly a half hour. Bobby got me some new cleats – Time mountain bike cleats.  He said they are very easy to clip into and that I would really like them.  Too bad he hasn’t realized how slow I am when it comes to learning new things.  I had a terrible time clipping in…I just couldn’t seem to get my cleats in the right position.  If he said it once, he said it a dozen times:  “Just step into the cleats; you don’t have to wiggle your foot.”  And, I was quick to respond, “but I have to have the cleats in the right position before I ‘step into the pedal.’”  When I finally got my right foot clipped in, I then had to mount the bike, start riding, avoid obstacles, keep my balance, and get my foot into the right position to just step into the pedal.  Right!  After attempting this feat about a thousand times or less, I finally said let’s go…I’ll eventually get it clipped in…several blocks later I did…only to have to stop at a red light and start the process all over again…I got lots of practice because of our many stops.  By the time I got back, I thought I had the hang of it, but I still had trouble.

About the weather in Alaska…it’s cold even in August.  Weather reports said it was in the low-60’s, but it felt more like the mid-50’s.   As you can see, Bobby is not a happy rider.  Poor Bobby…he wore several layers of clothes and still froze – to hear him tell it – to death!   He wore, long-fingered gloves, bike bibs (shorts with shoulder straps), jersey, leg warmers, coat, and shoe booties.  I wore a light underlayment shirt, bibs, jersey, regular gloves, and arm warmers.  I felt pretty good.  It was a bit chilly when we started but I quickly warmed up.  I told Bobby it could be worse – it could be raining.  Guess I shouldn’t have said that…because about half way into the ride, it started sprinkling, but we didn’t get soaked…Bobby promised NEVER to ride in the cold again AFTER we finish our rides here. 

We rode most of the way on a bike path.  Unfortunately, the bike path was developed many years ago and I don’t think any repairs have been done since.  I’m thinking former Governor Palin was a hunter of big game, but not a cyclist.  This could have been one of the prettiest bike paths in the U.S., but I can’t be sure because my eyes were glued to the ground to avoid potholes and pavement that had buckled due to tree roots growing under the path.  Bobby says the bike path is used for bicycles just one month out of the year and the other eleven months it is used for crosscountry skiing. We were really very disappointed in the condition of the bike path.  But there were some beautiful spots along the way.  The one on the left shows that “the Jersey” made it to Alaska and the one on the right shows a beautiful waterway.

As I said earlier, the sun doesn’t set until after 10 p.m. at this time of year; however, it got very dark by 8:30, when we got back home, due to the completely overcast skies and rain.  You can barely see me in the shadows as Bobby took the picture over his shoulder.  We had to take to the streets for the last 8-10 miles, but the traffic was pretty sparse so we had no problems even as it got darker.  We rode just under 30 miles.  Hopefully, it will be warmer tomorrow.  The picture on the right shows me “working on the blog.”  The pictures of the staff shown above didn’t turn out initially so I had to wait to get beter pictures.  I didn’t actually finish this entry until our last full day in Alaska.

Anchorage, Alaska: August 12, 2011

Well here we are, all dressed up, with no “way” to go.  Bobby and I flew into Anchorage last night.  We arrived about 12:30 a.m., but my bike didn’t.  How can they lose a checked “bag” that large and that heavy?  I’m very disappointed because the weather today is supposed to be ideal for riding.  I have no idea why it didn’t make it on the plane; but, I understand it was still in Austin.  The baggage representative,  Liana, was very helpful.  She wasn’t sure why, but she surmised it might be because the plane we left Austin on was small and may not have had enough room for it.  While it is large, it only weighs 55 pounds; however, it is pretty bulky to handle…Thanks to Bobby, I didn’t have to manhandle it.

As I said Liana was very helpful and really knows how to keep people in check.  No one…not even me, was upset and I attribute that to her qualities.  I mean, how could you not like someone who asks if she can keep your card which shows the blog link on it and especially when she asks for your autograph.  I just thought that was very sweet.

The bike is supposed to arrive on a 4 p.m. flight and was promised by the baggage delivery man (whose name I didn’t get) to be delivered as soon as it arrives.

Since the sun doesn’t set until after 10 p.m., we may still ride before the day is over.

Foster, Ohio: June 30, 2011

Riding in West Chester (Cincinnati area) has me a little skittish probably because of having had a couple of crashes in the last couple of months so I decided to ride on the same bike path today that I rode on a couple of days ago.  I started in a little town that I didn’t know existed, Foster, and went through a lot of other small towns or townships along the way.  I started about 5 miles north of where I started on my previous ride and rode south – the opposite direction. 

The bike path is very serene and seems to be heavily used by bikers, runners, skaters, and walkers.  The picture at the left is, I believe, a converted rail bridge over the Little Miami River, pictured at right.

There is evidence of the rails to trails all along the bike path.  There are more than 150 miles (one way) in the system of bike paths and they are all concentrated in the Greater Cincinnati area; however, you can take one part of the bike path  from near downtown Cincinnati to Dayton, Ohio.

All good things must come to an end. The path continued, but I didn’t.  I rode a little over 15 miles and this is where I turned around.  The picture at the right shows a busy street that parallels the bike path.   There is a posted speed limit of 20 mph on the path which is a little higher than most bike paths.  I actually broke the speed limit for a little while.  Like a good citizen, I slowed down…or maybe it was because I started up a little ascent or into a headwind.

Very near the end of my ride, I saw a group of 12 riders in two pace lines.  They looked good, but I’m not sure why they had two pace lines because they crowded the path.  As a lone rider going in the opposite direction, I had no problem getting by them, but I am sure a lot of others in all user categories were a little intimidated by the group.  I really wondered why they would use a  bike path for training (if that is what they were doing). Of course, with the lack of shoulders and country roads in the area there just aren’t a lot of places to ride.

As Candy Fiddes, Bobby’s mom, said in a comment on my last ride, it is good to enjoy the “beautiful scenery…nothing nourishes…like being out in nature.”  I do like this bike path; however, there are so many stop signs to slow you down…and even bring you to a stop.  I didn’t count them today, but I believe there were at least 10 one way and I did an out and back so that makes 20.

 I was pretty tired at the end of a 31-mile ride.  I am sure some cynics would say I was just feeling my age; however, I had rather think this fine-tuned body needs a little time, after being off the bike for 17 days, to get back to peak performance.  Oh, yeah, and all you young guys can stay off for even 3 weeks and have no problem jumping right back on and doing a century, that is, if you have been riding for 20 years.  Of course, I am the eternal optimist…on some days.  I think I can continue riding as long as I can still lift my leg over the seat…I may have to lower my seat some to get a few extra years…or months.  I already tilt the bike a good bit to get my leg over. 

It’s funny how “peer pressure” shapes us.  Until my first event, I always put my left foot on the pedal and pushed off and threw my right leg over…it was much easier to mount; of course, I was still wearing tennis shoes and platform pedals.  Then I entered my first event (again, let me stress, these aren’t races, but no one wants to be last).  I found my way close t the front of the pack and then I noticed everyone was already straddling their bike.  There it is…peer pressure…I threw my leg over, straddled and stood there waiting just like everyone else.

Loveland, Ohio: June 28, 2011

Due to my crash in Florida, it has been 17 days since my last ride.  Even though I had 16 stitches for the crash on May 7^th, the crash on June 11^th was worse due to the lasting “aches and pains.”  The first crash looked a lot worse because of the blood, but in the crash in Florida, I had a lot more road rash.  I was treating 18 different rash spots both large and small from my last crash.  I also had a huge bruise on my right leg and my right shoulder has a pulled muscle which has been very sore.  As you can see, my face has returned to its original…not pretty but certainly better than the last picture I posted.  Of course, this picture shows that I actually do wear different jerseys. If you look closely, you can see the final stages of the road rash on my face.  I even had road rash on my lip and below it.  My knees still have signs of the accident, but are much better than when initially posted.  See the original post, dated June 11, 2011.

So I went on my ride today with a little trepidation…no, a whole lot of trepidation.  I was a little worried about riding the hills in this area due to my aching shoulder and there are so few roads here that have a shoulder and the lanes aren’t wide enough to accommodate a car and a bike so I decided to go on a very flat ride.  I rode on the same bike path that my granddaughter, Emily, and her dad, Nathan, and I rode when I was doing Ohio in August of last year.  See the original post, dated August 7, 2010.  (Use the search box and input “Loveland.”  (Without the period).  It is a beautiful path with the Little Miami River (or Scenic River) flowing along side the path.

The bike path is the flattest ride I believe I have ever ridden.  I only ascended 204 feet in 30 miles and I felt pretty good about my 16.3 mph speed considering the time since my last ride, still having the aches and pains from the crash, and having to slow or stop for cross streets and pictures.  These bike paths are a part of the “rails to trails” paths that are being created in many states.  So you cross bridges and trestles and pass old train depots and railroad cars. It makes for a very nice ride.  And, of course, there were lots of these…picture at right.

I’m not sure, but I think the picture at right shows an old telegraph…it could be a telephone pole, but it seems a little older to think of it as the former.

I was surprised to see as many riders, walkers, and runners on the path on a Tuesday morning, but it definitely had not reached the point of being de trop.  (I learned a new word last night by trying to prove a point. I was “combing” the dictionary looking for 2-word entries.   By the way, the “p” is silent.)  In case you aren’t familiar with this word, it means “too much or too many.”  Of course, I may be using it incorrectly, but it still sounds good!

The Little Miami River aka Little Miami Scenic River doesn’t have the beauty of the Spokane River in Washington State, but it is nice to see glimpses of it as you are riding a pretty good bike path. It was good to be “on the road again” and I want to do some riding along the way home.  If I do so, I will be posting the rides.

Wildwood, Florida: June 11, 2011

Wildwood is my birthplace…many years ago.  I was here for a family reunion and I thought it would be fun to ride in an area I have been only to visit since my childhood.  I planned a 33-mile ride for today after the reunion and a 50-mile ride for tomorrow morning.  Good flat land with very little wind…what’s not to like?  I’ll tell you, no shoulders on a fairly busy highway…that’s what not to like.  Well there was a paved but unopened roadway where they are constructing a 4-lane road.  I hopped over the his very smooth road only to discover in a short distance there were workers today, Saturday afternoon, using heavy equipment.  I thought which is better a 2 ton car or a 10 ton road compactor.  Then I spotted a third option…a paved but unopened sidewalk.  Being a purist, I don’t like riding on sidewalks, but this one looked like a pretty good option. 

Sorry I didn’t get any pictures…except for my injuries…

One thing I haven’t learned yet about cycling and that is to look before you leap!  I headed for the sidewalk without noticing a 2” rise from the roadway to the sidewalk (not a curb, just an opening).  I saw it just in time to think to myself, “I’m going down!” And I did.  Well if anything, I am an equal opportunity kind of guy so I decorated the right side of my face just a month after I decorated the left side of my face.

This wasn’t nearly as bad as my last crash, but it isn’t good either. This time I bent a piece that is designed to bend so that the bike doesn’t get more seriously damaged.  For those who are familiar with bike parts, it is the rear derailleur hanger.  I will have to wait until I get to Cincinnati where I am headed to see my sons, their wives, and more importantly their children…that would be my grandchildren!  In fact, I am “babysitting” them (3 girls, aged 16, 12, and 5) while their parents (my youngest son and wife) who are going on their 20th anniversary.

I am really disappointed in myself for this crash because I had also planned a ride in Georgia and would ride through Plains, birthplace and home of President Jimmy Carter.  I think it would be a nice place to ride.  I do hope to do some riding while in Cincinnati as soon as my body is ready for more punishment and on the way home in a couple of spots.

When I return to Texas, I would like to do some overnight rides 3-7 days just to see how I fare and how many miles I can ride a day. I have the Southern Tier routes from Adventure Cycling so I will likely start in Texas and make my way east…Bobby keeps saying I should get out of Texas to some prettier parts of the country. Not a bad idea, but at this point I would just like to see how I do.

I will keep you posted as soon as I get off the disabled list and my bike is again in working order.

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii: June 5, 2011

Coach Bobby said we needed to do a recovery ride today because of all the hard riding we have been doing.  I pointed out that I had read ice cream was a good recovery “meal,” so we were all set.  We would ride our backs back to the ice cream parlor where we were yesterday.  That’s about ½ mile away…1 mile round trip…great recovery ride.  I took the yellow jersey on this ride…they weren’t even in sight when I arrived and parked my bike!  I had the need for speed.  I think speed is relative to the goal! 

They each had one scoop…I had two (twice) because I had worked the hardest…well it felt like I had anyway.

We then scouted out a restaurant for this evening’s meal.  When we got ready to go, Bobby found that he had a flat so he rode slowly home on his flat. 

I wanted to do a few more miles – against Coach’s better judgment.  I rode about 12 miles.  All the beach scenes were taken along the road we rode on for several of our rides.

I finished Hawaii with 113 miles total and it only took us 6 days to do it in.  As I said yesterday, it was very relaxing and enjoyable.  I really enjoyed having someone along to ride with me; however, Bobby said it’s a good thing he was with me on the entire trip because we would still be trying to finish up the 48 states.  Probably a bit of an exaggeration; however, he did say he has gained a bit more admiration for the tenacity of doing the 50-state ride…It’s kind of special for Coach to say that.

One more state to go…Alaska here we come.  We, Bobby and I, plan to go to Alaska in early August…if he can close his shop again.  We will only be gone for four days and we plan to do it over a weekend in Anchorage.

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii: June 4, 2011

Bobby forgt something so we had to wait for him to go back to the hotel room and return.  These shots were made while we were patiently waiting.  Mac is our leader to make sure we don’t get lost.  He has visited Kona many times.

What utilitarian equipment a bicycle is.  Today our ride served multiple purposes:

1. Mac wanted to get information on a massage facility that he had heard about.
2. Bobby wanted to get a lens cap for his camera.
3. We all wanted to stop at the Kona outdoor café for refreshments.
4. I wanted to stop at the ice cream shop that Mac mentioned a couple of days ago.  It was as good as Mac had said.
5. And…oh, yes…to finish my 100 miles in Hawaii.

Of course, on the way, Bobby rides with abandon…as though he were in the Tour de France.  If you look closely, you will see that he is riding with flip flops and very small pedals.  On the other hand watching me try to clip in is an ugly sight.  

This tiki – I think that is what they are called – was in front of the camera shop where Bobby got his camera lens.  Mac parked his bike in front of the statue, but Tike doesn’t know how to ride.

 

I appear to be deep in thought and actually, I remember exactly what I was thinking.  I am using mountain bike cleats here because the shoes can be more easily used for walking.  There is a steep drive to go down so I backed off into the corner to give me plenty of “runway,” because I have been having a lot of trouble clipping in…that’s exactly what I was thinking about!

Mac and Bobby at the outdoor café.  Bobby attempted several times to get a picture of the mongoose which kept coming in.  He tried feeding him, but still couldn’t take a picture quickly enough to get more than a blur.  Mac and I agreed the mongoose was imported to eliminate some of the snakes on the islands, but the locals said they were brought in to control the rat population.  Whatever the reason, they are interesting looking creatures and extremely fast.

I finished the 49^th state by riding 5.56 miles today for a total of 100.67 miles.  It took “only” 5 rides to do it.  Our rides here have been the most laid back rides for any state so far.  Of course, why not, we are in Hawaii where everything slows down a bit because almost everyone here is on vacation.  Maybe we could bill this ride as the Tour “de” Hawaii…may the slowest rider win…that would be me!

We are in the “talking stage” of riding tomorrow; however, we haven’t agreed on a route.  Mac and Bobby want to do a mountain course and I want to do a flatter course.  There is no such thing as a completely flat course!  The course Bobby and Mac want to do is much prettier with lots of shoreline and the route I want to do is the lunar landscape ride.  We have been on both routes and since it is 2 to 1 against me, I suppose I will lag a bit (actually a whole lot) behind them on a very hilly course.  Some of you may recall my discourse on ascents in my blog post, dated October 17, 2010.  The mountainous ride they want to do rates second only to the rides in Missouri, with gains of 68’ – 78′ per mile and tied with Kentucky with ascents of about 59’ per mile.  Oh, my aching legs.

If we ride, I will do a post.  If there is no post, you will know reason prevailed.  I mean, after all, we need a rest day after riding for five straight days in the Tour of Hawaii.

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii: June 3, 2011

We had a lot of fun today…just riding…I wanted to do 22 miles to finish up Hawaii and Bobby wanted to “savor the moment” by taking as many days as possible to finish Hawaii.  Mac was willing to do whatever we wanted to do…good old easy going Mac.  We ended up doing what the whiney guy wanted and did less than 16 miles…but we did them fast…12.7 mph!!  Picture at right shows Bobby’s preferred way of getting in 100 miles.  See below for better pictures of the wheelies.

On the way out, we stopped by a bike shop for a piece for Mac’s bike and then went by the old airport, above left.  The pictures are of the old runway and “Bobby Cool” riding on the runway.

We then rode on a part of the route Bobby and I were on a couple of days ago.  Mac pointed out some beautiful flower bushes, but I didn’t stop until I got to these scraggly (in comparison)bushes.  I also stopped to get some pictures of the lunar landscape.  As I mentioned previously, these islands were created by volcanoes…which gives parts of the area a very barren appearance.  This is what I beliueve is a mimosa “bush” or “tree” or something…I’m not very good with flora…but it is very pretty whatever it is.

Bobby was bringing up the rear and giving us SAG support; however, he wasn’t carry any extra supplies.  But he does love to show off his “jewelry.”

Actually, it was a thoroughly fun day.  We got separated when we got back into town.  I stopped to take pictures in the downtown area and around “The Tree.”  “The Tree” is probably the most photographed feature on the island…very few pass without pausing to admire its strange beauty.  Beside it is a patch of beach that doesn’t quite make it all the way to the water.

This young rider was getting low to prevent getting in the way of my picture-taking; however, it made him appear that he was “going for gold.”  There is every form of transportation including skateboarding. 

Mac stopped at a café for coffee and Bobby…well you know Bobby.  Mac, at some point, saw Bobby riding and called out to him and everyone around turned to see who was calling “Bobby” even those who were well beyond Bobby.Bobby was evidently deep in thought and didn’t hear Mac.Bobby was probably wondering how best to get back to the hotel in the shortest distance possible!

When I started riding, I saw Bobby on the opposite side of the road and called out to him so he stopped and took we some pictures by the tree.  The picture at the left is of Bobby talking with Mike whom he had already met.  The other pictures are of Bobby and me near The Tree including one of “The Doofus.”  I’ll let you guess which has been given the doofus nickname.


Today’s blog entry is dedicated to Bobby.  I can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed Bobby’s and Mac’s being here.  We are having a great time.  Bobby is very entertaining… almost slapstick at times.  I call him my grown up Kid Friend.  Just like any kid, he can, at times, be very infuriating, but that passes so quickly that you forget it as soon as you think it.  These are various pictures of Bobby doing wheelies as described in yesterday’s blog entry.  In one of them, I thought he was about to hit the deck, but he assures me he wasn’t.  For some reason, he didn’t want me to even say he was about to crash because it might hurt his image among his mountain bike riding friends.  I will also say that doing wheelies is difficult but I believe there is an increase to the difficulty by doing them on a Bike Friday because of its low center-of-gravity and length.

We only need about 5 miles tomorrow so he told me we need to go to bed early tonight to be ready for the long ride tomorrow.  He ate pasta tonight as part of his training to be sure he had plenty of carbohydrates.  He told me we need to make sure all our gear is laid out and ready to go tomorrow…we need to get an early start!  I mean, he is a really serious rider…NOT!  As someone once said, “You’re never serious, Bobby.  You need to be serious sometime.”  Actually, I am sure he has heard something like that more than once!! J

Doesn’t he look angelic…”fat” angelic, but angelic, nevertheless.  Those who know Bobby, know that he is only serious when he is fixing a bike…and no one fixes a bike as well as Bobby…when Bobby fixes your bike you know it is going to be right.  If you already know Bobby, you can’t help but like him and if you don’t know him, you have missed a rare treat in life…But, don’t ever give him your phone number unless you like being awakened in the middle of the night to get a picture of one of his dogs…which you may have already received several times.