I have been training since February 2009 with the goal of completing a cycling tour from Portland, Oregon, to Tybee Island, Georgia in 30 days. The PAC Tour group embarked on July 5th and we are traveling about 3600 miles and climbing approximately 124,000 cumulative feet. Please enjoy sharing my journey across America.
I am asking friends, family, and anybody else interested in following the trip to consider supporting this trip by making a donation to Seattle Children's Hospital, Research, and Foundation. Art and Kristin Reeck have made Children's a priority in their philanthropic efforts over the years, and I laud their achievements. I encourage donations to the Uncompensated Care Fund, to help pay the bills for children without insurance, or with inadequate insurance to pay their bills...lifting the financial and emotional burden from the children and their families. Indicate Jay Across America as the occasion for the donation so we can total the money raised.
Hopefully, someday, we won't have to raise money for causes like this. For now, however, I thank you for your support.
The donation total will be updated occasionally...Consider a donation per mile or vertical foot climbed...and follow on the GPS link, where you can see the route, the speed, the ride profile, the weather, and-yes-my heart rate.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

July 9th - Day 5







We had a hot breakfast by the red van today, including eggs and sausage. This was very exciting for me...is a cup of scrambled eggs, 6 sausages, yogurt, fruit, orange juice, and tea too much to eat right before you get on a bike? No.

Today was a kind day winding along the Snake River from Caldwell, Idaho to Mountain Home, Idaho, home of the Mountain Home Air Force Base. We were mostly treated to tailwinds and mildly rolling hills. Fields of onions, corn, and unknowns lined the roads that weren't flanked by endless scrub. A small wild dog of sorts dashed in front of me today (baby coyote in the daytime didn't make sense...but that's what it looked like), some red tail hawks were being fought off by a brave tiny bird, tons of cows were being fed...I mean TONS, and fighter planes were taking off and landing from M.H.A.F.B..

At lunchtime, we were pleasantly surprised by some accordion selections played by none other than Rebecca Haldeman...accompanied on vocals (in German?) by her boyfriend, Christopher.
Today was the easy 100 miles I anticipated (thanks to the wind), allowing us to have an active recovery day. I switched to my old saddle today...and enjoyed its added "squishiness." We also raised my bars a bit to take some stress off the neck and shoulders...and it certainly helped.

I'm loosened up after a good massage, and now we're headed off to fuel up at another interchange restaurant.

Dinner conversation on PAC Tour tonight ranged from broken spokes to saddle sores. The latter subject sparked passionate discussion and suggestions...all while gobbling up dessert. Just a little flavor of the culture for you...




Posted by at

3 comments:

  1. UnknownJuly 10, 2009 at 9:47 AM

    It's all about the "squishiness"!!! Great posts and pics. We are all really enjoying seeing the adventure unfold.

    ReplyDelete
  2. BradJuly 10, 2009 at 11:28 AM

    Yep, agreed that 'squishiness' is the key to happiness :). Great pics and narrative Jay, keep it up and wishing you strong tailwinds ahead ...

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownJuly 10, 2009 at 4:43 PM

    My first week of riding to work. Saddle sores, you bet! Everyone says hi, your pictures are great. My envy has turned to jealousy. Stay stronge.

    Connie

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)