RING! RING! RING! Alarm is off and Ella wants out of the tent! Its a beautiful morning and there is a terrific sunrise. The sun is bathing the clouds in its rays, creating the illusion of fire across the sky.
I pack up the tent and organize my gear back on to the bike. Finally Ella and I leave the campground to head for Harrodsburg, KY. A few miles of pedaling in, I stop at a gas station to pick up breakfast and more water. It looks like it might rain today so I check the weather reports while eating a banana and a pop tart.
While I'm indulging myself, an older woman comes up and asks if I was riding the TransAm route. She got very excited and went to get her husband. He was an avid blog reader and cyclist who wanted to do a similar adventure to my own. Darrel and Loretta Byer from Michigan. Loretta gave Ella a cookie, who promptly took it and hid it away in her basket. After a few more words about cycling, Loretta, who was raised in South Africa, gives me a beautiful little wire lizard she made. I was very grateful and glad I made some new friends this morning.
So off I went into the grey morning, pedaling to avoid non existent rain. The landscape had completely morphed from run down trailers in the mountains to HUGE neatly kept farm houses and perfect lawns. The barns had to be the best part of my ride. They sat on these massive hills, silent and unmoving. There was a certain solitude about them, that made them truly beautiful to look at. It was almost spooky in a way, sending shivers down your spine. You, the looming barn, empty fields, and a car-less road. So on I pedaled.
The rolling hills seemed to only roll up! Reach the crest of one incline then a short, flat break, and on to the next hill! On and on, hill after hill, but it was alright, I loved the scenery around me. I would stop every once in awhile for a picture or two of a barn or a landscape. After awhile I come to a highway intersection and cross to stop at the gas station. Ella is excited to leave the basket and run around for a bit! The people at the gas station ask all about her as she jumps through the grass. I walk inside and grab a Gatorade. While back outside, an older gentleman informs me that Harrodsburg is over twenty miles away still! With a Gatorade and a happy Ella, I head up the highway.
Now I hit the fun part. HEAD WINDS!!!!! The entire ride I had an insane amount of head winds. It felt like I was being tugged back with a rope even when I tried bombing down hills! And hills that I should have been able to fly up, became almost impossible to pedal. The flat straight aways were not much better. It was almost like trudging through sand the entire way. Eventually I saw the signs for Big Hill. I knew that once I reached this town, it wouldn't be much farther to my destination.
Well, I now know why its called Big Hill! It sits on top of a mountain! Not a Hill! The whole ride was up. I took a few breaks every once in awhile so I wouldn't wear myself out. At last, the top is in sight! Sweet, Sweet victory! And there is only one way down the mountain of course! The most beautiful part of Kentucky I had ever seen was along that road. It was two miles of downhill, through a massive cut out in the mountain. You could see all around you for miles and miles. The coloration in the stone cuts were phenomenal. Hues of orange, brown, red, tan, and green swirled around me as I glided down Big Hill. It was a rush, speeding down the Kentucky landscape for two straight miles. The rest of the ride paled in comparison.
I road through a few more small towns and they were pretty interesting. A lot of these quaint little neighborhoods looked like something out of a fifties family television show. All that was missing were the classic cars. A few more smalls hills, and a lot of headwind still sat in my path. I saw a sign that said Harrodsburg 4 Miles. Yes! I can do that! Those last four miles took me an hour to complete. An hour. 4 miles. But at last, I made it!
It seemed to be graduation night for the high school and the whole town seemed pretty busy. I called my mom and we found a hotel not far from the main little downtown. I finally get checked in and find some food to chow down on. I turn the AC on full blast and wait for the snow flakes. Here i am, sitting by the blizzard machine, playing with the hyper little fur ball Ella. Another day is complete and tomorrow and new adventure begins. Hope you enjoy my journey and continue to read about our daily adventures! If you are reading and keeping up with our journey, please be sure to leave us comments. We love to hear your feedback and encouraging words!
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Day Five (50.9 miles, 170.7 total): Bang! Goodbye Appalachia!
Bang! Flashes of white fill my vision... Bang! Bang! Im awake! That was a shotgun!
They just shot off the top off a tree no more than 100-125yrds to my left! Its 2:00am. Joel is up and awake now too. VRRROOOOMM!!!!! A truck flys up the road in front of the church. VVRROOOOMMM!!!! Down the hidden driveway into the back field. They shine their brights on and off at us then fly out of the parking lot. VVRROOOOMM!!!! Off they go. Now we are debating on what to do when we hear it again.... VVRRROOOMMMM!!! Back in the lot again shining their brights on and off. They pull to the front of the church. We can hear low voices and a truck door slam.
My knife is out, my finger is on 911 and I'm ready to go. Joel is on the same page. The truck speeds off again. No chance of calling the police now. We don't know who's related to who around these parts and certainly don't want to piss off the wrong people here. VVRRROOOOOOMMM!!! It makes another pass by. Joel and I are completely on edge now. I send a message to my dad to call me when he wakes up. No real chance of sleeping now. Fortunately, a power company truck comes by to check out a power line issue. Thankfully we never saw the truck of crazies again.
Good Morning world! How about a nice bowl of buckshot! Later that morning we are packed up and ready to get out of Boonesville as fast as we possible can. Its pretty overcast with heavy fog, but we didn't care as long as we were out of there! Out on the road, we immediately hit the first climb of the day, its a long low grade accent. A good warm up without a good sleep. I'm getting better at these hills to say the least! At the top, Joel and I part ways, he has a different agenda but we will meet again along the journey. I truck on, music from my speaker driving me on along the narrow winding mountain highways.
Berea, KY is the gateway out of the Appalachian mountains and my goal for the day. Its a slow day with a few difficult climbs but nothing I can't handle. As the day goes on, it becomes more humid with steeper and shorter hills. The hills really do add up. 10 small hills are going to tire you out as much as one big hill will. The trees of the mountains become fewer and the golden grass of the farmlands become more abundant on my way west. I reach a gas station on top of a hill and figure its a good place for a break. I let Ella out to run around and stretch her little legs for a bit. After downing a Gatorade and a snack, I'm ready to roll and push on through to Berea.
One of the locals stopped at an intersection where I was checking my map and pointed me in the right direction. He said cyclists frequently make a wrong turn right there and he wanted to help out. He saved me quiet a few miles extra! Pretty soon I was almost to my destination, then there were the hills... Quite a few short steep unexpected hills at the end of a long day. I put the metal to the grindstone and away I went. It was slow progress but I made it!
Berea is actually a pretty cool little town and everyone was really friendly while I was asking around for directions! A few miles later and I was at the campground. The owner was very nice and of course she loved Ella! Soon camp was set up and I enjoyed a nice hot shower! Completely famished I decided to use my Cracker Barrel gift card and pedaled across the highway to enjoy some tasty food.
So here is the situation; I called ahead and asked if I could bring Ella in since I had no where to put her. They said yes that would be fine. I get to the Cracker Barrel, sit down enjoy some sweet tea and wait to give my order. The manager comes out and tells me only service dogs are allowed. I explain that I called and he interrupts, saying "no, you need to tell me she 'is a service dog'". OHHHH okay well I go along and he asks me all about my trip and then says have a nice evening, enjoy your meal etc. I completely devour every last crumb of food not realizing how hungry I was. When I get up to go pay, the manager takes my receipt, shakes my hand and says "I'll take care of that for you". It was the nicest gesture along with allowing my dog in. I am truly appreciative to the manager of that Cracker Barrel.
I am now fat and happy writing about today's adventures. I hope you continue to follow us on our journey across the US! If you are reading and keeping up with our journey, please be sure to leave us comments. We love to hear your feedback and encouraging words!
They just shot off the top off a tree no more than 100-125yrds to my left! Its 2:00am. Joel is up and awake now too. VRRROOOOMM!!!!! A truck flys up the road in front of the church. VVRROOOOMMM!!!! Down the hidden driveway into the back field. They shine their brights on and off at us then fly out of the parking lot. VVRROOOOMM!!!! Off they go. Now we are debating on what to do when we hear it again.... VVRRROOOMMMM!!! Back in the lot again shining their brights on and off. They pull to the front of the church. We can hear low voices and a truck door slam.
My knife is out, my finger is on 911 and I'm ready to go. Joel is on the same page. The truck speeds off again. No chance of calling the police now. We don't know who's related to who around these parts and certainly don't want to piss off the wrong people here. VVRRROOOOOOMMM!!! It makes another pass by. Joel and I are completely on edge now. I send a message to my dad to call me when he wakes up. No real chance of sleeping now. Fortunately, a power company truck comes by to check out a power line issue. Thankfully we never saw the truck of crazies again.
Good Morning world! How about a nice bowl of buckshot! Later that morning we are packed up and ready to get out of Boonesville as fast as we possible can. Its pretty overcast with heavy fog, but we didn't care as long as we were out of there! Out on the road, we immediately hit the first climb of the day, its a long low grade accent. A good warm up without a good sleep. I'm getting better at these hills to say the least! At the top, Joel and I part ways, he has a different agenda but we will meet again along the journey. I truck on, music from my speaker driving me on along the narrow winding mountain highways.
Berea, KY is the gateway out of the Appalachian mountains and my goal for the day. Its a slow day with a few difficult climbs but nothing I can't handle. As the day goes on, it becomes more humid with steeper and shorter hills. The hills really do add up. 10 small hills are going to tire you out as much as one big hill will. The trees of the mountains become fewer and the golden grass of the farmlands become more abundant on my way west. I reach a gas station on top of a hill and figure its a good place for a break. I let Ella out to run around and stretch her little legs for a bit. After downing a Gatorade and a snack, I'm ready to roll and push on through to Berea.
One of the locals stopped at an intersection where I was checking my map and pointed me in the right direction. He said cyclists frequently make a wrong turn right there and he wanted to help out. He saved me quiet a few miles extra! Pretty soon I was almost to my destination, then there were the hills... Quite a few short steep unexpected hills at the end of a long day. I put the metal to the grindstone and away I went. It was slow progress but I made it!
Berea is actually a pretty cool little town and everyone was really friendly while I was asking around for directions! A few miles later and I was at the campground. The owner was very nice and of course she loved Ella! Soon camp was set up and I enjoyed a nice hot shower! Completely famished I decided to use my Cracker Barrel gift card and pedaled across the highway to enjoy some tasty food.
So here is the situation; I called ahead and asked if I could bring Ella in since I had no where to put her. They said yes that would be fine. I get to the Cracker Barrel, sit down enjoy some sweet tea and wait to give my order. The manager comes out and tells me only service dogs are allowed. I explain that I called and he interrupts, saying "no, you need to tell me she 'is a service dog'". OHHHH okay well I go along and he asks me all about my trip and then says have a nice evening, enjoy your meal etc. I completely devour every last crumb of food not realizing how hungry I was. When I get up to go pay, the manager takes my receipt, shakes my hand and says "I'll take care of that for you". It was the nicest gesture along with allowing my dog in. I am truly appreciative to the manager of that Cracker Barrel.
I am now fat and happy writing about today's adventures. I hope you continue to follow us on our journey across the US! If you are reading and keeping up with our journey, please be sure to leave us comments. We love to hear your feedback and encouraging words!
Friday, May 29, 2015
Day Four (45.7 miles, 119.8 total): Over The Hill and Through The Woods
Its a good morning. Alarm goes off at six and I'm refreshed, ready to take on the world. Seems like Ella is feeling the same way too; JUMP JUMP JUMP!!!! Apparently I look like a good trampoline in the morning! I let Ella out for a few minutes and check out the weather conditions. Its a nice cool morning with a soft haze of low hanging fog. Back in the room, I use the coffee pot to quickly heat some water for my oatmeal and well, of course, coffee! After scarfing down my morning feast, I make sure everything is packed correctly and ready to go. A last minute scan of the room and I'm out the door!
A few minutes later, Joel joins me in the parking lot and soon we are cruisin' down the highway. Almost a half mile in we jam straight up a hill.
Definition of a Hill (noun): Long steep thing trying to kill you with absolutely no mercy.
I reach the top of the unforgiving monster gasping like a 90 year old smoker. A refreshing gulp of water and I'm warmed up for the rest of the day! Nothing warms you up quite like hills to start the day! Soon we are trekking through the mountains of Eastern Kentucky once again. Absolutely breath taking mountains, visually and physically. Unfortunately there are some people who don't appreciate the beauty and destroy it with their garbage. Litter is a very common sight among these hidden mountain roads.
About an hour and a half into the ride we face the demons of the woods: Kentucky dog packs. The first of these packs is led by a bear sized dog pictured in a few other blogs (crazyguyonabike). The bear-dog ends up being quite friendly as long as we were off our bikes and walking past his turf. Its kind of like taking your shoes off before walking on the carpet. His mountain, his rules. The next pack isn't quite so accommodating. Joel ends up having to spray another pit bull and keep two other dogs back as well. Fortunately for us, the dog packs are becoming fewer the farther west we go. Go west.
The day drags on like the second day. Its almost as if we are sifting through the same neighborhoods. With less dogs of course. The humidity builds as the sun burns higher in the sky. Im roasting like a thanksgiving turkey as we climb up another Goliath hill. I can feel the weight on my bike with each turn of the pedals. I just passed a post office, my mind is swimming through my gear, sifting through what I need and don't. At last a few clouds mute out the suns rays and I push on. My bike reaches the crest of another hill and I fly down the winding road. The cool wind on your face, the green flashes of trees passing by, the low buzz of your tires gripping the asphalt; it truly is an amazing sensation, worth every last ounce of energy used to make it to the top.
Like a beacon in a storm, I finally see Buckhorn in the distance. Just around the bend, a magnificent old wooden church stands tall and proud among the low building cowering at a distance. We stop for lunch at a small store that used to be a gas station. Inside, several old men and women who probably remember WW1 were sitting around chatting amongst themselves. They were all very kind and asked myself and Joel about our trips. The old women loved Ella of course and asked all about her. I bought a gallon of water to refill my depleted supply and snacked on some food. The old men frequently rode their motorcycles along our route and gave us a heads up on the next few hills.
Eventually we rode on into the afternoon sun. Of course they were right about the next hills and Joel left me in the dust as he powered up the mountain. Wearing down in the heat, I slowly eased myself along the narrow mountain passage. Making it to the top, I down another water bottle and load the next into the rack. Lock and loaded, I shoot down the twisty slopes. Ella is hanging her head out of the basket, tongue waving in the wind, enjoying the moment of cool air.
The next few miles are rolling hills through the wild Kentucky woods. The occasional abandoned home or trailer, overgrown with trees and vines, appear on the sides of the road. After about an hour, I come to the finally big hill. I am motivated to get this done and start hauling up the hill. Fired up, I cruise along the roads with everything I got. I reach the top, feeling like I had conquered the world.
What the old guys didn't tell us, was that there were at least six more smaller, but still good sized, hills leading into town. But we pushed on against the afternoon sun and dwindling water supply. We finally made it to Boonesville! Asking around town, we eventually locate the church that allows cyclists to stay overnight. It actually ends up to be a nice little covered pavilion in a freshly cut grass field! Cold showers are availible too! After a refreshing subzero rinse, its time for some food! And with food on the brain, I must leave you! Keep reading for more adventures from me and Ella!
A few minutes later, Joel joins me in the parking lot and soon we are cruisin' down the highway. Almost a half mile in we jam straight up a hill.
Definition of a Hill (noun): Long steep thing trying to kill you with absolutely no mercy.
I reach the top of the unforgiving monster gasping like a 90 year old smoker. A refreshing gulp of water and I'm warmed up for the rest of the day! Nothing warms you up quite like hills to start the day! Soon we are trekking through the mountains of Eastern Kentucky once again. Absolutely breath taking mountains, visually and physically. Unfortunately there are some people who don't appreciate the beauty and destroy it with their garbage. Litter is a very common sight among these hidden mountain roads.
About an hour and a half into the ride we face the demons of the woods: Kentucky dog packs. The first of these packs is led by a bear sized dog pictured in a few other blogs (crazyguyonabike). The bear-dog ends up being quite friendly as long as we were off our bikes and walking past his turf. Its kind of like taking your shoes off before walking on the carpet. His mountain, his rules. The next pack isn't quite so accommodating. Joel ends up having to spray another pit bull and keep two other dogs back as well. Fortunately for us, the dog packs are becoming fewer the farther west we go. Go west.
The day drags on like the second day. Its almost as if we are sifting through the same neighborhoods. With less dogs of course. The humidity builds as the sun burns higher in the sky. Im roasting like a thanksgiving turkey as we climb up another Goliath hill. I can feel the weight on my bike with each turn of the pedals. I just passed a post office, my mind is swimming through my gear, sifting through what I need and don't. At last a few clouds mute out the suns rays and I push on. My bike reaches the crest of another hill and I fly down the winding road. The cool wind on your face, the green flashes of trees passing by, the low buzz of your tires gripping the asphalt; it truly is an amazing sensation, worth every last ounce of energy used to make it to the top.
Like a beacon in a storm, I finally see Buckhorn in the distance. Just around the bend, a magnificent old wooden church stands tall and proud among the low building cowering at a distance. We stop for lunch at a small store that used to be a gas station. Inside, several old men and women who probably remember WW1 were sitting around chatting amongst themselves. They were all very kind and asked myself and Joel about our trips. The old women loved Ella of course and asked all about her. I bought a gallon of water to refill my depleted supply and snacked on some food. The old men frequently rode their motorcycles along our route and gave us a heads up on the next few hills.
Eventually we rode on into the afternoon sun. Of course they were right about the next hills and Joel left me in the dust as he powered up the mountain. Wearing down in the heat, I slowly eased myself along the narrow mountain passage. Making it to the top, I down another water bottle and load the next into the rack. Lock and loaded, I shoot down the twisty slopes. Ella is hanging her head out of the basket, tongue waving in the wind, enjoying the moment of cool air.
The next few miles are rolling hills through the wild Kentucky woods. The occasional abandoned home or trailer, overgrown with trees and vines, appear on the sides of the road. After about an hour, I come to the finally big hill. I am motivated to get this done and start hauling up the hill. Fired up, I cruise along the roads with everything I got. I reach the top, feeling like I had conquered the world.
What the old guys didn't tell us, was that there were at least six more smaller, but still good sized, hills leading into town. But we pushed on against the afternoon sun and dwindling water supply. We finally made it to Boonesville! Asking around town, we eventually locate the church that allows cyclists to stay overnight. It actually ends up to be a nice little covered pavilion in a freshly cut grass field! Cold showers are availible too! After a refreshing subzero rinse, its time for some food! And with food on the brain, I must leave you! Keep reading for more adventures from me and Ella!
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Day Three (much needed recovery): Rubber Bands and a Not So Super Eight
BEEP BEEP BEEP! My alarm is screaming at me to wake up. I lazily open my eyes and find my phone lying on the bedside table. Click! The screaming stops and I drift back to sweet sweet sleep. RING RING RING!!!!! What now?! "Mom Calling" She probably wants to know if I'm going to ride today. Carefully I wait for feeling to return to the rest of my sleepy body. NOPE! Not going back to sleep this time! Feels like someone decided to beat me with a pillowcase full of soap while I was sleeping. Every part of me is too sore to move. My legs feel like rubber bands when i stretch them out, all they want to do is snap back into place. The fetal position. Well i guess that settles the fact that I overestimated my abilities the day before.
Finally, after about 10 minutes of Ella crawling all over me like a jungle gym, I decide its time to get up and smell the roses. Ella hates collars, leashes, harnesses, and every thing else that might possibly contain her. Unfortunately, most people don't like dogs off leashes no matter how well behaved they are. After a few minutes of battle, I secure the little tike in her harness and have successfully put the leash on too. Victory! We head outside and make for the small patch of grass near the hotel parking lot. Ella happily does her business then decides to play tug-o-war with my ankles to let me know shes done. I'm guessing she is still upset about the leash. Locking the fur ball back in the room, I treat my self to what is supposed to be a hotel continental breakfast. I skip the burn remains of biscuits and pour a bowl of cereal instead. Scarfing down the Frosted Flakes, I skip along back to the room, half expecting it to be torn apart by the annoyed mini pooch. Ella is happily waiting for me instead. Surprise!
I call back mom and update her on my plans. Recovery. Sleep. Find a toothbrush. About half an hour later I'm back out the door in search of a tooth brush. Might as well ride my bike around town so the ol' muscles don't tighten up too much! A few minutes of pedaling later i have found the grocery store. Well it passes as a grocery store. I try my best to find a toothbrush but to no avail. After asking a clerk, he points me down the aisle Ive been down twice already. End of the aisle, down on the left. Okay the scavenger hunt begins. At the end of the aisle, its like playing a game of 'Where's Waldo?'. Boxes are just stacked everywhere, on every aisle, nothing is organized. Once i put down the shovel, i have succeeded in locating a small box of toothbrushes in the back of the shelf. Finally we are getting somewhere! Next up is some bananas. As it turns out, they are on the produces aisle! No need for a warm up game of 'I Spy'! Back to the room!
Today is turning out well, I have my toothbrush and some bananas to snack on. Some stretching, a few bananas and a stock of Tylenol later, I'm feeling great and ready to get back on the road! Joel is still at the hotel as well and we decide to go get some dinner. While inhaling the carb and salt loaded dinner, we plan our next days ride. Hills! Hills! Maybe some dogs! Finally after a glass of 'Cougar Bait', their only beer on tap, we head in for the night. I'm still trying to figure out where my taste buds went after that one glass.
I take Ella out one last time for the night and start organizing my gear. Gear is pack, loaded, and ready to go! A few tune ups on the bike and at last I'm ready to settle in. Of course a last phone call to mom and dad as well. Its always good to hear from home, my morale system on the road. Its almost 10 here in Kentucky and its about time I close up shop for the night! Thanks for reading our adventures on our journey across the US!
Finally, after about 10 minutes of Ella crawling all over me like a jungle gym, I decide its time to get up and smell the roses. Ella hates collars, leashes, harnesses, and every thing else that might possibly contain her. Unfortunately, most people don't like dogs off leashes no matter how well behaved they are. After a few minutes of battle, I secure the little tike in her harness and have successfully put the leash on too. Victory! We head outside and make for the small patch of grass near the hotel parking lot. Ella happily does her business then decides to play tug-o-war with my ankles to let me know shes done. I'm guessing she is still upset about the leash. Locking the fur ball back in the room, I treat my self to what is supposed to be a hotel continental breakfast. I skip the burn remains of biscuits and pour a bowl of cereal instead. Scarfing down the Frosted Flakes, I skip along back to the room, half expecting it to be torn apart by the annoyed mini pooch. Ella is happily waiting for me instead. Surprise!
I call back mom and update her on my plans. Recovery. Sleep. Find a toothbrush. About half an hour later I'm back out the door in search of a tooth brush. Might as well ride my bike around town so the ol' muscles don't tighten up too much! A few minutes of pedaling later i have found the grocery store. Well it passes as a grocery store. I try my best to find a toothbrush but to no avail. After asking a clerk, he points me down the aisle Ive been down twice already. End of the aisle, down on the left. Okay the scavenger hunt begins. At the end of the aisle, its like playing a game of 'Where's Waldo?'. Boxes are just stacked everywhere, on every aisle, nothing is organized. Once i put down the shovel, i have succeeded in locating a small box of toothbrushes in the back of the shelf. Finally we are getting somewhere! Next up is some bananas. As it turns out, they are on the produces aisle! No need for a warm up game of 'I Spy'! Back to the room!
Today is turning out well, I have my toothbrush and some bananas to snack on. Some stretching, a few bananas and a stock of Tylenol later, I'm feeling great and ready to get back on the road! Joel is still at the hotel as well and we decide to go get some dinner. While inhaling the carb and salt loaded dinner, we plan our next days ride. Hills! Hills! Maybe some dogs! Finally after a glass of 'Cougar Bait', their only beer on tap, we head in for the night. I'm still trying to figure out where my taste buds went after that one glass.
I take Ella out one last time for the night and start organizing my gear. Gear is pack, loaded, and ready to go! A few tune ups on the bike and at last I'm ready to settle in. Of course a last phone call to mom and dad as well. Its always good to hear from home, my morale system on the road. Its almost 10 here in Kentucky and its about time I close up shop for the night! Thanks for reading our adventures on our journey across the US!
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Day Two (68.2 miles, 74.1 total): How Overconfidence Kills...
6:00AM The alarm of my phone is screaming at me to peel myself off the floor. Ella starts climbing all over me like some sort of jungle gym so I will take her outside. It's an overcast morning but thankfully doesn't look like rain. I go back in and put away what little I took out of my packs. Joel is already up and making coffee. I decide to boil some water for my breakfast. Two packs of oatmeal and a cup of joe. The breakfast of champions. Joel and I compare the maps and GPS before we head off. The topo maps show 5 decent sized climbs but a fair amount of coasting as well. Off we go, into the ramble of hillbilly hell and Trailer parks 'R Us. Kentucky is a beautiful state don't get me wrong, but it fills every single stereotype of redneck hillbilly white trash you can think of, at least in this area of the state. If you don't see an emaciated dog on a chain and confederate flag every 50 yards, you're obviously not in Kentucky.
Joel and I lock up the church and begin the days ride. No more than 30 minutes into the ride, I am attacked by a pack of trailer dogs. These animals look like they haven't been fed in days, ears flat on their head, teeth barred and no chance of stopping their advance. Three dogs chase me through 3 trailer yards before the big one decides to lunge. I am ready for him and spray him right in the eyes with pepper spray. He drops back confused and irritated, thankfully the other two drop back as well. I keep on riding through "Deliverance" country with no twang of banjo music yet... Finally I reach my first big hill. I climb and climb and climb....
By the time I reach the top I feel like my lungs are going to explode and my legs melt off. Ella looks at me annoyed from the shaking of my struggling up the hill. I let her out to stretch and then get ready to bomb the backside of the mountain. We start flying, cruising around each corner and tearing up the asphalt. It's a great feeling, like nothing in the world could stop you, worth every grueling moment of the uphill. Joel catches up with me at the bottom and we take another look at the map. We memorize each route to turn at and head off again. At last we reach a check point on the GPS before the next big climb. Some podunk little town I don't remember the name of at the moment. I refill my water bottles and down some energy chews. And we're off!
Joel is a much better hill climber than I am and he is soon out of sight. I slowly begin urging myself up the narrow winding gap. About 45 minutes of climbing later, I finally reach the top and Joel is on a business call. He works on the road. He gets done and we start jammin' down the hill. A car comes flying up on my ass and won't go around. I can see him in my mirror and wave him around. He gets closer to my tail. WTF?! I can't slow down on a hill of this magnitude and there is plenty of room for this ass-hat to go around me. If I crash, Ella and I are going to be little smears in the asphalt. I come to a bend in the road where it opens up into, yet again, another trailer park! This dude finally decides to go around me, but of course he would get really close to my side first.
Once at the bottom of the mountain, I have enough speed to cruise for a few miles at a pretty quick pace. Joel and I come to a bridge and take a break for a minute to stretch our legs and nom on some snacks. Ella is more than happy to get some time out of the basket! While I'm off the bike, I go ahead and give it a once over. Suprise, Suprise! Both of my toe straps have broken off. I quickly put a few screws in them and I'm ready for another big climb. The map shows the next climb isn't as long as the first two! Woo! A break! In a good mood to champ a quick hill, I head off down the twisty road of Kentucky. I spoke too soon... the hill is twice as steep as the other two. I make it as far as I can before I'm off and pushing 80lbs of bike up a hill in 88 degree bright and sunny weather. I feel like I'm baking under the afternoon sun. I knew I should have listened to my mom. I can feel my skin starting to crisp with the lack of sunscreen. Hell, all you need now is 11 herbs and spices and I'm a meal for the vultures. At last! The end is in sight! Once at the top, I down about a gallon of water. Ella laps up some water and I pour the rest on her head before we head on down the hill. Coasting feels great after a brutal climb under the direct sun. I feel like I could conquer the world.
I have another 9 miles of rolling hills before my next big climb. Cruising through, of course, more trailer parks, I notice a big pure white pit bull in a yard. It growls and starts barking. It jumps up, and to my relief its on a thick chain. Unfortunately, it's those kind of people that give pit bulls a bad name. There are plenty of sweet pit bulls in the world. About a quarter of a mile later, another dog comes flying down a hill at me. Full speed this dog is determined to run me down. I am pedaling as fast as my legs can take me but the gear weighs me down to much to outrun him. The dog is about 65 pounds, a German Shepherd mix by the looks of him. I have no other option, I grab my spray can and slow down enough so I have control of the blast. He comes up on my right side and lunges for my calf. Spray! I get him right in the face and he immediately drops back and quits his chase. When I started I didn't think I would actually ever have to use it and now I used it twice in one day.
The second to last hill comes up and I break to refill my water and grab a quick energy bar. I hop on and begin my charge. I make it about three quarters of the way up before my left leg spasms. I jump off and stretch it out, this is no time to stop. With determination and a cold shower in mind, I haul my bike up the mountain. Hell yeah! Only one more to go before my destination! Ella yips at me and I let her out for a minute to do her business and get some water. She jumps up and lets me know shes ready to go. We bomb the slope and enjoy every moment of the cool air rushing by. The miles before the last big climb end up being a constant gradual incline. I pass more trailers and a few schools. I see plenty of elementary and middle schools but didn't see a single high school in Hicksville Kentucky.
Tired and sunburned I push on up the last hill. I reach a traffic stop in the middle of a hill which lasts about twenty minutes. AP was doing some work on a downed powerline. By the time I get through, I've been standing too much to start pedal on the hill again. I push on knowing that it'll be all downhill into Hazard, KY. Civilization outside of trailers is finally coming into view! Full buildings, stores, traffic lights! Its something a little less then a town! I pull into the shade of a worn old store and ask a passing woman how far away Hazard was. She told me, "Honey, you're in Hazard". All I can think is "Oh shit!" this cant be right! there is supposed to be a hotel! I asked her where the nearest hotel was and she told me it was about 5 miles away!
So I pedaled on, hungry and exhausted. Its about 5:00pm now and I've been pedaling since 7am. I make it to the end of Hazard and ask another woman where to go from there. She kindly pointed me to a FOUR LANE INTERSTATE WITH NO SHOULDER TO RIDE ON. So there I am pedaling up Highway 80 during rush hour with cars barreling past me like they are some kind of rockets. After a game of human Frogger I make it to the hotel. Which happens to be full! Just my luck! He tells me there are three more several miles away up another big-ass hill! I start up the hill, its now about 5:45pm, and a kind man asks where I'm headed and offers a ride. He just happens to be the County Jailer and lives along the TransAm route. He frequently helps cyclist who pass him by. Grateful for the help I put my bike in his truck and He drives Ella and I up the hill. This hill was ridiculous! It just kept going and going and going! I was saved from rush hour hell!
Finally at the hotel, I wait in air conditioning for a good 30 minutes. Its all good, I enjoyed the chance to catch my breath! Ella and I get in the room and put the air on full blast hoping for some snow flakes! Ella crashes on the floor, happy to be out of the sun and out of her harness. I poured some ice water in her bowl and she gulps it down like she had never had any before! I down two full bottles of water, then jump in the shower, the greatest thing ever invented. After a bit of stretching and relaxation, I get some food and another two full bottles of water. So here I am, enjoying a bit of food and writing this daily blurb about the Wild and Wonderful Kentucky! Keep reading for more adventures from me and The Cycle Shepherd!
By the time I reach the top I feel like my lungs are going to explode and my legs melt off. Ella looks at me annoyed from the shaking of my struggling up the hill. I let her out to stretch and then get ready to bomb the backside of the mountain. We start flying, cruising around each corner and tearing up the asphalt. It's a great feeling, like nothing in the world could stop you, worth every grueling moment of the uphill. Joel catches up with me at the bottom and we take another look at the map. We memorize each route to turn at and head off again. At last we reach a check point on the GPS before the next big climb. Some podunk little town I don't remember the name of at the moment. I refill my water bottles and down some energy chews. And we're off!
Joel is a much better hill climber than I am and he is soon out of sight. I slowly begin urging myself up the narrow winding gap. About 45 minutes of climbing later, I finally reach the top and Joel is on a business call. He works on the road. He gets done and we start jammin' down the hill. A car comes flying up on my ass and won't go around. I can see him in my mirror and wave him around. He gets closer to my tail. WTF?! I can't slow down on a hill of this magnitude and there is plenty of room for this ass-hat to go around me. If I crash, Ella and I are going to be little smears in the asphalt. I come to a bend in the road where it opens up into, yet again, another trailer park! This dude finally decides to go around me, but of course he would get really close to my side first.
Once at the bottom of the mountain, I have enough speed to cruise for a few miles at a pretty quick pace. Joel and I come to a bridge and take a break for a minute to stretch our legs and nom on some snacks. Ella is more than happy to get some time out of the basket! While I'm off the bike, I go ahead and give it a once over. Suprise, Suprise! Both of my toe straps have broken off. I quickly put a few screws in them and I'm ready for another big climb. The map shows the next climb isn't as long as the first two! Woo! A break! In a good mood to champ a quick hill, I head off down the twisty road of Kentucky. I spoke too soon... the hill is twice as steep as the other two. I make it as far as I can before I'm off and pushing 80lbs of bike up a hill in 88 degree bright and sunny weather. I feel like I'm baking under the afternoon sun. I knew I should have listened to my mom. I can feel my skin starting to crisp with the lack of sunscreen. Hell, all you need now is 11 herbs and spices and I'm a meal for the vultures. At last! The end is in sight! Once at the top, I down about a gallon of water. Ella laps up some water and I pour the rest on her head before we head on down the hill. Coasting feels great after a brutal climb under the direct sun. I feel like I could conquer the world. I have another 9 miles of rolling hills before my next big climb. Cruising through, of course, more trailer parks, I notice a big pure white pit bull in a yard. It growls and starts barking. It jumps up, and to my relief its on a thick chain. Unfortunately, it's those kind of people that give pit bulls a bad name. There are plenty of sweet pit bulls in the world. About a quarter of a mile later, another dog comes flying down a hill at me. Full speed this dog is determined to run me down. I am pedaling as fast as my legs can take me but the gear weighs me down to much to outrun him. The dog is about 65 pounds, a German Shepherd mix by the looks of him. I have no other option, I grab my spray can and slow down enough so I have control of the blast. He comes up on my right side and lunges for my calf. Spray! I get him right in the face and he immediately drops back and quits his chase. When I started I didn't think I would actually ever have to use it and now I used it twice in one day.
The second to last hill comes up and I break to refill my water and grab a quick energy bar. I hop on and begin my charge. I make it about three quarters of the way up before my left leg spasms. I jump off and stretch it out, this is no time to stop. With determination and a cold shower in mind, I haul my bike up the mountain. Hell yeah! Only one more to go before my destination! Ella yips at me and I let her out for a minute to do her business and get some water. She jumps up and lets me know shes ready to go. We bomb the slope and enjoy every moment of the cool air rushing by. The miles before the last big climb end up being a constant gradual incline. I pass more trailers and a few schools. I see plenty of elementary and middle schools but didn't see a single high school in Hicksville Kentucky.
Tired and sunburned I push on up the last hill. I reach a traffic stop in the middle of a hill which lasts about twenty minutes. AP was doing some work on a downed powerline. By the time I get through, I've been standing too much to start pedal on the hill again. I push on knowing that it'll be all downhill into Hazard, KY. Civilization outside of trailers is finally coming into view! Full buildings, stores, traffic lights! Its something a little less then a town! I pull into the shade of a worn old store and ask a passing woman how far away Hazard was. She told me, "Honey, you're in Hazard". All I can think is "Oh shit!" this cant be right! there is supposed to be a hotel! I asked her where the nearest hotel was and she told me it was about 5 miles away!
So I pedaled on, hungry and exhausted. Its about 5:00pm now and I've been pedaling since 7am. I make it to the end of Hazard and ask another woman where to go from there. She kindly pointed me to a FOUR LANE INTERSTATE WITH NO SHOULDER TO RIDE ON. So there I am pedaling up Highway 80 during rush hour with cars barreling past me like they are some kind of rockets. After a game of human Frogger I make it to the hotel. Which happens to be full! Just my luck! He tells me there are three more several miles away up another big-ass hill! I start up the hill, its now about 5:45pm, and a kind man asks where I'm headed and offers a ride. He just happens to be the County Jailer and lives along the TransAm route. He frequently helps cyclist who pass him by. Grateful for the help I put my bike in his truck and He drives Ella and I up the hill. This hill was ridiculous! It just kept going and going and going! I was saved from rush hour hell!
Finally at the hotel, I wait in air conditioning for a good 30 minutes. Its all good, I enjoyed the chance to catch my breath! Ella and I get in the room and put the air on full blast hoping for some snow flakes! Ella crashes on the floor, happy to be out of the sun and out of her harness. I poured some ice water in her bowl and she gulps it down like she had never had any before! I down two full bottles of water, then jump in the shower, the greatest thing ever invented. After a bit of stretching and relaxation, I get some food and another two full bottles of water. So here I am, enjoying a bit of food and writing this daily blurb about the Wild and Wonderful Kentucky! Keep reading for more adventures from me and The Cycle Shepherd!
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Day One (5.9 miles): The Adventure Begins
Waking up this morning was like any other day; grumble and flip the covers back over my head wishing for a few more minutes of sleep. Get up, shower, get dressed, then proceed to drag my half-awake self up the stairs. Its a morning better than most, breakfast has already been made for me. After a hearty meal, I am finally ready to face the day. It's like a madhouse, my family rushing around, throwing my gear in the car, finding all the last minute tidbits. We jump in the car and speed off toward the start of my ride. Once we arrive at the start, the magnitude of my journey finally hits. I am at the start of 5000 miles and wont see my family again for almost 5 months. I already miss them and I haven't even left yet. Gear is loaded on my land yacht and I'm ready to go. Tiny Dancer plays over my speakers, an appropriate song to christen my cruise across the nation.
Now it's the middle of the day and the sun is blaring down on my back. I feel the sweat pouring off my brow as I start chuggin' my way up the mountain. Lungs burning, tearing up a droning incline. Ella is just having the time of her life, tongue out and enjoying the wind. Then there's me, tongue hanging out gasping for air and desperately needing water. I finally make it to the very top, triumphant as I am tired.Flat roads are a godsend after that never ending incline Hill of Hell. I cruise my way through Backwoods Hicksville Nowhere Kentucky. After monetarily enjoying my sweet relief, I slam right into another hill. This one is much steeper but much shorter as well. I do my best to haul my ass and 80 pounds of gear up this monster. Almost to the top, I can pedal no more. I take what energy I have left and march the last 100 yards to the tip top. Thank God its a massive downhill! Blasting my way down the other side, Ella is enjoying every moment of the rushing wind. Flying past a small church, I am waved down by a little old woman named Anne. She offered me a place to stay, warm showers and food for the night, along with another cyclist. Anne Whitetree runs Freeda Harris Baptist Center and ended up saving us from a storm that night. If I had passed that church, it would have been another 60 miles to the next destination. So I thank her for that and unfortunately I do not have a picture of her to share. I also made new friends with another cyclist named Joel on his way to Seattle. 60 years old and still kicking ass on the road. His daughter literally kicks ass, she is a professional MMA fighter. So for tonight I end with a bowl of Mac and Cheese and a cold glass of water.
Meet Joel
Christian, my brother and Hannah, my sister
Ready to roll...
Ella says "Let's go dude"
I love my Doggie Cocoon!
Don't be sad, I'll see you soon...
My bub chub....
I love you dad.
I love you mom.
One last squeeze before I hit the trail!
Thanks family for supporting me and giving me the courage to follow my own path.
Thanks family for supporting me and giving me the courage to follow my own path.
Monday, May 25, 2015
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