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Epilogue

This ride was a case study of “groundhog day”.  Every day started and ended the same way, regardless of where we were.  We would wake up at 6:00 am, get dressed, take the bike and the laptop down to the parking lot... Read More...
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Day 26, Metter Georgia to Tybee Island Georgia

Well, the ride is finished.  2,848 miles ridden as we crossed the United States.  We went through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and finally Georgia... Read More...
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Day 25, Perry Georgia to Metter Georgia

Again, very cool temperatures at the start of the ride.  Today offered not as much climbing as yesterday, and we were thankful for that.  The first part of the ride was along a well traveled highway... Read More...
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Day 24, Eufaula Alabama to Perry Georgia

Tonight finds us in Perry Georgia.  Georgia is the last state we will visit on this Epic Journey... Read More...
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Day 23, Greenville Alabama to Eufaula Alabama

I am spending this evening in Eufaula Alabama, just across from the Alabama - Georgia border.  Today’s ride was 111 miles with 4900 feet of climbing... Read More...
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Day 22, Livingston Alabama to Greenville Alabama

Today was an interesting day.  For some reason, I have had some Gastro-intestinal issues.  I was up for a good part of the night, using the bathroom.  Susan gave me some Imodium this morning... Read More...
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Day 21, Kosciusko Mississippi to Livingston Alabama

Very late in the ride today, we crossed over into the beautiful state of Alabama.  The temperature in Kosciusko was in the middle 40s, so it was quite cool... Read More...
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Day 20, Indianola Mississippi to Kosciusko Mississippi

This is our second nights stay in Mississippi.  We are in the town of Kosciusko.  The town is on the Natchez Trace and is Northeast of Jackson Mississippi... Read More...
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Day 19, Monticello Arkansas to Indianola Mississippi

Today, we hit three milestones - 1) Left Arkansas and entered Mississippi, 2) Crossed the Greenville Bridge over the mighty Mississippi River, and 3) Traveled over 2000 biking miles... Read More...
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Day 18, Arkadelphia Arkansas to Monticello Arkansas

Tonight, we find ourselves in Monticello Arkansas.  Lots of places to eat along this stretch of road by our Super 8 hotel.  Monticello is on the very eastern edge of Arkansas... Read More...
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Day 17, Mena Arkansas to Arkadelphia Arkansas

Last night, I woke up at around 3:00 pm and witnessed an amazing thunderstorm to the south.  The storm was popping off lightening at the rate of several per second... Read More...
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Day 16, McAlester Oklahoma to Queen Wilhelmina Lodge Arkansas

Today was one of the “day of days” on the ride.  We left McAlester OK on relatively flat roads.  They remained flat until around mile 50+, when we turned onto the Talimena National Scenic Byway... Read More...
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Day 15, Purcell Oklahoma to McAlester Oklahoma

Day 15 is complete.  We rolled on from Purcell, OK to McAlester, OK today.  The weather was cloudy and cool in the morning.  Most mornings have been cool... Read More...
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Day 14, Weatherford Oklahoma to Purcell Oklahoma

Weather was great today.  No Rain, not much wind, and in the afternoon, the sun was shielded by clouds.  Couldn’t ask for better weather... Read More...
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Day 13, Shamrock Texas to Weatherford Oklahoma

Today, we reached a milestone - we are half way in days, and over half way in miles.  So far, we have traveled 1,460 miles in 13 days, and have climbed a total of 52,880 feet... Read More...
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Day 12, Amarillo Texas to Shamrock Texas

We woke up to a very cold, gray, dark, overcast windy morning.  The weather reports had rain in the forecast for the morning.  Turns out that the forecast was not wrong... Read More...
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Day 11, Clovis New Mexico to Amarillo Texas

We have covered approximately 1260 miles in the past 11 days.  What a trip!!  Today, looking at the weather before we left, the forecast was for NE winds, just in the direction we were heading... Read More...
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Day 10, Roswell New Mexico to Clovis New Mexico

This morning started off with a group picture taken (see the photos).  What a great group of riders!  It is such a pleasure to be on this trip with so many wonderful people who really love cycling... Read More...
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Day 9, Ruidoso New Mexico to Roswell New Mexico

Today, we went over 1000 miles total mileage (1040) for the ride in 9 days.  Very significant total.  We are essentially 1/3 of the way done... Read More...
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Day 8, Socorro New Mexico to Ruidoso New Mexico

Unfortunately, when I got ready to do the daily blog, I discovered that I had left the computer charger in my hotel room in Socorro.  So, I should have a new charger when I get to Clovis NM... Read More...
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Day 7, Springerville Arizona to Socorro New Mexico

Today was the longest day of our journey.  The stats on my Garmin bike computer were:  154.18 miles; 8 hours, 32 minutes in the saddle;  18.0 mph average speed.  I was very satisfied with the ride... Read More...
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Day 6, Winslow Arizona to Springerville Arizona

Well, we made it to Springerville AZ today.  121 miles and 4350 feet of climbing.  Thankfully, no large climbs, only long rolling ups and downs for the most part.  It was a tough haul, going so far... Read More...
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Day 5, Cottonwood Arizona to Winslow Arizona

Well, this day is over, and I am thankful!  111 miles, with 7000 feet of climbing.  There was a long, steep, tough grade outside of Cottonwood.  I had more difficulty with this climb... Read More...
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Day 4, Wickenburg Arizona to Cottonwood Arizona

Today was a day of serious climbing.  The climbs out of Wickenburg were gradual ascents, and that worked fine until we started the first serious climb.  The first rest stop was at the bottom of the climb, and I got my first flat... Read More...
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Day 3, Blythe California to Wickenburg Arizona

Today’s ride took us from California into Arizona.  The ride distance was 115 miles with 3430 feet of climbing.  Thankfully, the climbs were gradual ascents, with no real steep climbs during the ride... Read More...
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Day 2, El Centro California to Blythe California

Last night in El Centro at the hotel, I was not able to connect to the internet, so I wasn’t able to post a daily blog.  So today, while I have an internet connection... Read More...
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Day 1, San Diego California to El Centro California

Today was an epic sub-ride of the epic journey.  127 miles with 7000 feet of climbing!  A good test for my long riding ability.  And yes, I did make it... Read More...
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First day in San Diego

Yesterday after lunch, I started on the drive from Albuquerque to Phoenix.  The weather was cloudy with scattered rain showers the whole way.  In fact, there was so much hail in spots from Flagstaff to Phoenix... Read More...
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Packed up

Well, the bag is packed and the bike is ready to go.  Today is the first day of travel to San Diego.  I will depart Albuquerque... Read More...
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Last of the pre-rides

I have finished riding my semi-long pre-rides.  I did a couple of 60+ mile rides in the east mountains of Albuquerque Saturday and Monday.  Yesterday, I rode a 35 mile city loop through Albuquerque... Read More...
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Climbing Around Albuquerque

Just a few more days before I head off to San Diego.  I have planned a few rides with some climbing, since I know there will be a lot of climbing... Read More...
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Last Philmont ride

My last ride while working at Philmont was on August 31.  As usual, the weather was moderate, being about 60 degrees... Read More...
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Missing the summer

My summer at Philmont Scout Ranch will be over in 3 days, and it is a bittersweet ending to an awesome summer.  Over 23,000 Scouts and Scouters experienced a “wilderness experience that will last a lifetime”... Read More...
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Pre-ride readiness - part 2

This morning, I rode from Philmont Scout Ranch out on highway 64 to the hill overlooking Cold Beer, New Mexico (yes, there really is a place called Cold Beer, New Mexico (yes, there really is a place called Cold Beer, a favorite hangout for Scouting folks, bikers, and cowboys!!)... Read More...
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Pre-ride readiness

The alarm clock rings at 3:45 am, as it has for most of the summer.  After checking email, something to eat and a cup of coffee, I begin to prepare myself for the morning ride... Read More...
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