Day 63, June 26 (later), Norfolk, Virginia Beach VA
I was so excited to do the last miles of the trip I did them at the end of the 63rd day. Still beautiful with some overcast skys and more decent roads to ride on including some bike paths leading up to Virginia Beach and on Virginia Beach Boardwalk. I did record on tape the moment of the last several feet of the trip into the water. 3,568 total miles and 173,104 feet elevation gain for the entire trip, but more of the extra effort was due to wind either in my face or side winds. Also reflecting back on how many road obtacles there were, including, animal and reptile carcuses, all manner of human discards and auto and truck part debris and only one tube replaced and one sliced tire. I feel very fortunate to have been able to make this trip and am proud of my accomplishment on my personal health challenge.
(28.4 miles, 746 ft elevation gain)
(Grand total for the east-bound trip, 3,568 miles, 173,104 ft elevation gain)
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Williamsburg VA
Day 63, June 26, Richmond to Williamsburg, VA
This was a great but long day with visits to President John Tyler's home and plantations along the James River. Beautiful scenery and over 30 miles of bike trails along Rt. 5 to Williamsburg. Also visited Colonial Williamsburg. Beautiful day weather-wise with some overcast to protect from the sun.
(71.9 miles, 2179 ft elevation gain)
This was a great but long day with visits to President John Tyler's home and plantations along the James River. Beautiful scenery and over 30 miles of bike trails along Rt. 5 to Williamsburg. Also visited Colonial Williamsburg. Beautiful day weather-wise with some overcast to protect from the sun.
(71.9 miles, 2179 ft elevation gain)
Richmond VA
Day 62, June 25, Richmond VA
Another early start with cool early temperatures and morning mist prior to sun-up. The road was especially good with few exceptions and very litte elevation which got me down the road in record time. Also visited the Historic Richmond sites later on.
(71.1 miles, 2752 ft elevation gain)
Another early start with cool early temperatures and morning mist prior to sun-up. The road was especially good with few exceptions and very litte elevation which got me down the road in record time. Also visited the Historic Richmond sites later on.
(71.1 miles, 2752 ft elevation gain)
Gordonsville VA
Day 61, June 24, Ruckersville, Stanardsville, Gordonsville, VA
Early start today reaped big benefits in Traveling from Ruckersville to Stanardsville, the absolutely beautiful and scenic Skyline Drive then the other direction to Gordonsville, with good roads and great weather, at least till the sunny day made it hot and humid at the end of the ride. This was the most challenging day since Whitesburg, with serious elevation getting up to the Skyline Drive.
(64.6 miles, 4319 ft elevation gain)
Early start today reaped big benefits in Traveling from Ruckersville to Stanardsville, the absolutely beautiful and scenic Skyline Drive then the other direction to Gordonsville, with good roads and great weather, at least till the sunny day made it hot and humid at the end of the ride. This was the most challenging day since Whitesburg, with serious elevation getting up to the Skyline Drive.
(64.6 miles, 4319 ft elevation gain)
Culpeper VA
Day 60, June 23, Ruckersville, Madison, Brightwood, Reva, Merrimac, and Culpeper
, VA
Most of the morning was good rolling with safe and relatively clean shoulders. The rain began about half way into the ride and was welcome as the cool rain was refreshing and allowed me to go a bit further than I normally would have.
(57.9 miles, 3196 ft elevation gain)
, VA
Most of the morning was good rolling with safe and relatively clean shoulders. The rain began about half way into the ride and was welcome as the cool rain was refreshing and allowed me to go a bit further than I normally would have.
(57.9 miles, 3196 ft elevation gain)
Charlottesville VA
Day 59, June 22, Charlottesville VA
Almost no rain today except just as the very end of the ride. Hot and steamy with highs in the 90's. Mostly traveled on city streets around historic Lynchburg, VA with a side trip to Timberlake and New London. There were many historic homes and buildings to be seen that were left untouched by the Civil War.
(47.8 miles, 3454 ft elevation gain)
Almost no rain today except just as the very end of the ride. Hot and steamy with highs in the 90's. Mostly traveled on city streets around historic Lynchburg, VA with a side trip to Timberlake and New London. There were many historic homes and buildings to be seen that were left untouched by the Civil War.
(47.8 miles, 3454 ft elevation gain)
Lovingston VA
Day 58, June 21, Lynchburg/Madison Heights, Amherst, New Glasgow, Tye River, Lov
ingston, VA
Took a long time to ride this relatively easy route as I stopped off for pictures and chatting with local folk. Visited this date with my first two fellow Cross Country Cyclists traveling with me east bound. The Two cyclist and I took time out to do a side trip to Appomatox Court House by car then they continued the ride with me for a while until we parted direction. Lots of great rolling hills and shops to wander through. No rain just lots of pesky gnats.
(55.7 miles, 2938 ft elevation gain)
ingston, VA
Took a long time to ride this relatively easy route as I stopped off for pictures and chatting with local folk. Visited this date with my first two fellow Cross Country Cyclists traveling with me east bound. The Two cyclist and I took time out to do a side trip to Appomatox Court House by car then they continued the ride with me for a while until we parted direction. Lots of great rolling hills and shops to wander through. No rain just lots of pesky gnats.
(55.7 miles, 2938 ft elevation gain)
Bristol VA
Day 56, June 19, Bristol VA
Early start and late finish with much rain, and a flat tire (tire has to be replaced so it was a real problem day-used the back-up bike to finish out the day when the rain stopped and after I also attended to some car trouble on a Sunday no less) There are good days and not so good days, but did make good use of a cab and some part store assistance, will get the bike tire replaced tomorrow.
(40.6 miles, 2561 ft elevation gain)
Early start and late finish with much rain, and a flat tire (tire has to be replaced so it was a real problem day-used the back-up bike to finish out the day when the rain stopped and after I also attended to some car trouble on a Sunday no less) There are good days and not so good days, but did make good use of a cab and some part store assistance, will get the bike tire replaced tomorrow.
(40.6 miles, 2561 ft elevation gain)
Bristol VA
Day 55, June 18, Kingsport TN, Bristol VA/TN (state line divides down the middle of the street)
A late start and long day with good weather early then terrific thunderstorms and winds that did some damage in the area I traveled. Only saw one cyclist all day on what were fabulous brushed bike lanes on major roads. Also got a check up for my cycle - long overdue.
(59.1 miles, 3586 ft elevation gain)
A late start and long day with good weather early then terrific thunderstorms and winds that did some damage in the area I traveled. Only saw one cyclist all day on what were fabulous brushed bike lanes on major roads. Also got a check up for my cycle - long overdue.
(59.1 miles, 3586 ft elevation gain)
Dorton KY
Day 54, June 17, Whitesburg, Jenkins, Dorton, KY
Another good weather day, with a cool morning start ending with more humid and warm at the end of the days ride. Saw more mountain scenery, especially beautiful in the early morning at sunrise, while passing through Payne Gap and Jenkins on the way to Dorton, KY.
(47.3 miles, 3972 ft elevation gain)
Another good weather day, with a cool morning start ending with more humid and warm at the end of the days ride. Saw more mountain scenery, especially beautiful in the early morning at sunrise, while passing through Payne Gap and Jenkins on the way to Dorton, KY.
(47.3 miles, 3972 ft elevation gain)
Whitesburg KY
Day 53, June 16, Whitesburg, KY
Just getting ready to travel to Kingsport TN. Did try to take pictures at the "company mine" in Eolla, then the “welcoming committee” “greeted me” with "you can’t take pictures on company property". Almost thought I was going to get roughed up but told them it was my first visit to a mine and I didn’t know what to expect. They were less than cordial, not much conversation just watched me put my camera away, and bike off. I guess they had something to hide.
Just getting ready to travel to Kingsport TN. Did try to take pictures at the "company mine" in Eolla, then the “welcoming committee” “greeted me” with "you can’t take pictures on company property". Almost thought I was going to get roughed up but told them it was my first visit to a mine and I didn’t know what to expect. They were less than cordial, not much conversation just watched me put my camera away, and bike off. I guess they had something to hide.
Paris KY
Day 52, June 15, Lexington to Paris KY
Another cool jacket weather morning with more threatening storms, which only started only as the daily trek was ending, with lightening and high winds. Moved through the horse country again and visited one of the stables on the way. Saw lots of great thoroughbreds and well kept homes, gardens and fields.
Another cool jacket weather morning with more threatening storms, which only started only as the daily trek was ending, with lightening and high winds. Moved through the horse country again and visited one of the stables on the way. Saw lots of great thoroughbreds and well kept homes, gardens and fields.
Lexington KY
Day 51, June 14, Lexington, Winchester, and Mt. Sterling, KY
For once a very cool morning again, most refreshing and from 3-8am was jacket weather. No rain but cloudy and much less humid. The road to Winchester and Mt. Sterling were pretty bicycle friendly and hilly and gave great views of more horse country and pristinely cared for horse farms. Still didn't get to ride a thoroughbred.
For once a very cool morning again, most refreshing and from 3-8am was jacket weather. No rain but cloudy and much less humid. The road to Winchester and Mt. Sterling were pretty bicycle friendly and hilly and gave great views of more horse country and pristinely cared for horse farms. Still didn't get to ride a thoroughbred.
Fort Knox KY
Day 50, June 13, Louisville and Fort Knox, KY
A long cool early morning trip took me to Fort Knox, KY and the Post that contains all the gold bullion. The day was long with stops all over the Post and southern Louisville.
(85.2 miles, 2484 ft elevation gain)
A long cool early morning trip took me to Fort Knox, KY and the Post that contains all the gold bullion. The day was long with stops all over the Post and southern Louisville.
(85.2 miles, 2484 ft elevation gain)
Louisville KY
Day 49, June 12, in Taylorsville and Louisville, KY
Was another great day on the trail and the shoulder was much better for bicycles today than in the past. The clouds were threatening and lighting was present but no drops today just high humidity but low temperatures and great cycling hills.
(58.3 miles, 3006 ft elevation gain)
Was another great day on the trail and the shoulder was much better for bicycles today than in the past. The clouds were threatening and lighting was present but no drops today just high humidity but low temperatures and great cycling hills.
(58.3 miles, 3006 ft elevation gain)
Sunday, June 12, 2011
What happened to the MAP?
As you may have noticed, the progress map appears to have gone chaotic. This is not a technical problem, it just reflects a change in how the Health Challenge Tour is progressing. Jim has returned to Portland and is continuing to maintain the blog and edit video there, while Fred is continuing on the bike/lecture/interview tour. How is Fred doing this on his own? By driving during the day to the cities where we have interviews or presentations scheduled, and riding the bike at night. As you see, he continues to log miles every day, roughly equivalent to the distances that the original route would have covered. Riding at night is helping Fred survive, since the daytime heat can be scorching, and driving by day means that he can keep his appointments while still making progress on the bike tour.
Louisville KY
Day 48, June 11, to Louisville, KY
Did a quick trip around Louisville today due to wind and thunder showers all morning, hailed for a while.
(37.5 miles, 1567 ft elevation gain)
Did a quick trip around Louisville today due to wind and thunder showers all morning, hailed for a while.
(37.5 miles, 1567 ft elevation gain)
Shelbyville KY
Day 47, June 10, to Shelbyville, KY.
Today was a great day with mild temperatures at 2am, did rain quite hard for a short time but that cooled things off at least for a while. Passed by some of the most beautiful horse farms in the country this day in Simpsonville and Shelbyville.
(56.5 miles, 3269 ft elevation gain)
Today was a great day with mild temperatures at 2am, did rain quite hard for a short time but that cooled things off at least for a while. Passed by some of the most beautiful horse farms in the country this day in Simpsonville and Shelbyville.
(56.5 miles, 3269 ft elevation gain)
Hatfield KY
Day 46, June 9, Evansville to Hatfield, Kentucky.
Went to the south east of Evansville to Hatfield and rode along the Ohio river and saw the locks and dam. Weather was great and lots of cycle trails to take.
(52.8 miles, 1678 ft elevation gain)
Went to the south east of Evansville to Hatfield and rode along the Ohio river and saw the locks and dam. Weather was great and lots of cycle trails to take.
(52.8 miles, 1678 ft elevation gain)
Evansville IN
Day 45, June 8, to Evansville, Chandler, and Chrisney, Indiana.
This evening travel was to the east of Evansville Indiana, traveling through the farmland and small towns of Boonville and Chrisney. There was a slight wind from the southeast with temperatures at 78 at 3am.
(67.8 miles, 1851 ft elevation gain)
This evening travel was to the east of Evansville Indiana, traveling through the farmland and small towns of Boonville and Chrisney. There was a slight wind from the southeast with temperatures at 78 at 3am.
(67.8 miles, 1851 ft elevation gain)
East Frankfort IN
Day 44, June 7, to East Frankfort, Indiana.
This trip gave me an opportunity to really visit the countryside though the farmland and very rural areas of Illinois. The night was warm but pleasant with no wind and not a cloud in the sky.
(62.1 miles, 1766 ft elevation gain)
This trip gave me an opportunity to really visit the countryside though the farmland and very rural areas of Illinois. The night was warm but pleasant with no wind and not a cloud in the sky.
(62.1 miles, 1766 ft elevation gain)
Lake Murphy IL
Day 43, June 6, to Marion and Lake Murphy, Illinois.
Today I traveled from 2am to 7:30am taking a rather busy route through Carbondale and Marion IL, with lots of local business and commerce and vehicle traffic on the road after 5am. The day was warm but only really heats up after 9am. The road had very wide navigatable shoulders for cycles of which I was one of about a dozen traveling on this same road today.
Today I traveled from 2am to 7:30am taking a rather busy route through Carbondale and Marion IL, with lots of local business and commerce and vehicle traffic on the road after 5am. The day was warm but only really heats up after 9am. The road had very wide navigatable shoulders for cycles of which I was one of about a dozen traveling on this same road today.
Murphysboro IL
Day 42, June 5, to Murphysboro, Illinois.
This trip took me by lots of farmland and the friendly people of Pickneyville and Sunfield.
(65.7 miles, 1703 ft elevation gain)
This trip took me by lots of farmland and the friendly people of Pickneyville and Sunfield.
(65.7 miles, 1703 ft elevation gain)
St. Louis MO
Day 41, June 4, to St. Louis, Missouri.
Another day with warm but not hot early morning temperatures from 2:30am to 8;30am.
(61.1 miles, 2808 ft elevation gain)
Another day with warm but not hot early morning temperatures from 2:30am to 8;30am.
(61.1 miles, 2808 ft elevation gain)
Arnold MO
Day 40, June 3, to Arnold Missouri.
Started my shorter day trips in the early morning to eliminate the heat and sun as problems. Was a great morning with much cooler temps.
(27.4 miles, 1724 ft elevation gain)
Started my shorter day trips in the early morning to eliminate the heat and sun as problems. Was a great morning with much cooler temps.
(27.4 miles, 1724 ft elevation gain)
Mansfield MO
Day 38, June 1, to Mansfield, Missouri.
A hot and humid scorcher of a day with temps into the 90's but little wind just lots of cycadas.
(47.4 miles, 2504 ft elevation gain)
A hot and humid scorcher of a day with temps into the 90's but little wind just lots of cycadas.
(47.4 miles, 2504 ft elevation gain)
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