Saturday April 30: Richmond, IN to Troy, OH

Again - no sun. But only had to ride about 45 miles.

Met Will Woods shortly after leaving Richmond. He is riding from Memphis to the Atlantic by way of some town in northern Vt. A couple years ago he rode from Memphis to the Pacific - so this will complete the cross-country ride. We had lunch together and shared some experiences. One convenience we both find invaluable is libraries where we can read and write our emails.

Interestingly, after we separated he went to the local library and I rode north. 5 miles later I passed a VFW where a Texas Hold 'em poker event is to be held tonight. Previously he mentioned he is kind of a semi pro at this. So I stopped at the next library and sent a quick email about the location.

Friday April 29: Indianapolis, IN to Richmond, IN

Elsie, where I stayed last night, lives about 15 miles south of the center of Indianapolis. So even though John picked me up yesterday at the western edge of Indianapolis and drove me to Elsie's , I don't consider the car ride as cheating, since I did those extra 15 miles this am. (Doug, do you want to fix up this convoluted sentence.)

No sun today either. People say that's because I'm in Indiana.
At least Indiana people will know what time it is. I assume you all heard about the vote in the state legislature.

Wind was from the east!!!! That's not supposed to happen. All weather is supposed to go from west to east. Actually, one of the Lewis and Clark historical markers on the Missouri mentions that they did about 30 miles one day on the river thanks to a strong east wind. At that point, I remember thinking that I don't want to see one of those.

Thursday: April 28: Marshall, IL - Terra Haute - Indianapolis: About 80 miles

Well, if you believe the weatherman this morning I wouldn't have gone anywhere. But the rain held off until I got to Indianapolis. John Moe picked me up and brought me to Elsie Olsen's home where John, his wife Mary, Elsie, and Elsie's daughter Carol and I had supper. Carol specified the menu and Elsie executed it.

It's great to have four walls and a roof over your head after a long ride. Some how my odometer got reset so I don't have the exact mileage and time. But no matter.

Wed., April 27: Greenville to Marshall, IL

Rode 106 miles from Greenville to Marshall, IL in 7 hours. Marshall is about 10 miles from the Indiana border, near Terre Haute.

Wednesday April 27: Greenville, IL to Vandalia (8:56 am)

Left at 7:45 am, now in the Vandalia library - 8:56 am. Apparently, Abe Lincoln spent a good amount of time here.

Tuesday, April 26:St. Charles, MO to Greenville, IL

St. Charles is a neat, historic place - another place where we'll have to come back to in a car. Crossed the Mississippi river in Alton. Black clouds threatening most of the way. Had a few drops 20 miles from Greenville. Raced into Greenville at 20 - 22 mph to beat the rain. Greenville is another town we'll come back to.

Rode 78 miles in 5 hours, 22 minutes. Note: The time indicated here is the actual time on the bike and moving. It does count the time I visit historic monuments, Dorothy's home, and have a snack etc. I actually might be on the road from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Just thought I clear that up. Some of you might think 5 hours is a pretty short work day.

Monday, April 25: Hermann to St. Charles, MO

Rode 70 miles in 5 hour and 45 minutes. A good part of the ride was on the Katy Trail (Lewis and Clark path). The Missouri River was next to the trail and was very wide and fast moving.
Dick called this in.

Sunday, April 24: Brazito to Hermann, MO

Spent last night with the Hasslers in Brazito: Bruce, Cindy and their two girls, Jennifer (5yrs) and Holly the soccer player. I've been looking for an Italian restaurant since San Diego. Haven't seen one yet. But that's okay because last night Cindy served some great lasagna. Jennifer and I played a few board games together. Bruce made a CD of all my photos and has a copy on his computer until I get back to Bridgewater just in case I lose the CD. Thanks Bruce.

MO. has the steepest but short hills. Leaving the Hasslers on a back road, I experienced a couple. They are very much like the steepest hill on Painter Hill Rd between Painter Ridge Rd and Rte 47 in Woodbury.

Route 54 in Missouri is not a good road to ride on. First, it bobs and weaves and goes up and down. Sometimes there is no shoulder at all. Yesterday I had to stop 15 or 20 times to let trucks go by. This road reminds me on one in Hungary where traffic was a problem.

Dick just called from a B&B in Hermann, MO, which is halfway between Jefferson City and St.Louis. I think he stayed in Brazito (south of Jefferson City) last night. Hopefully he will be able to update his blog soon.

Saturday, April 23, 2005: Hermitage to Brazito

Route 54

April 22 (Friday): Fort Scott, KS to Hermitage, MO

Dick has been unable to update blogs, so is just checking in by phone. Had a tear in his tire today. Lots of dark clouds but he has yet to ride in the rain. Headed towards Jefferson City on Saturday.

April 21, Thursday: Yates Center to Fort Scott, KS

Arrived in Fort Scott, heard a popping noise, broken spoke. Repaired at bicycle shop.
Tornado warning.

Wed: April 20: El Dorado to Yates Corners - 68 mi, 5hrs

It always looks like rain in the morning and then it clears up. One of these days it going to look like rain and then pour. I'm sure of that.

El Dorado is the home of the Kansas Oil Museum and there are plenty of pumps still pumping oil from 2000+ feet.

Met Ted Noble at small convenience store halfway between Eureka and Yates Corners. He is my age and is planning to ride to Washington state in June. Apparently, a lot of bicyclists use this Rte 54 I'm on. His daughter, who runs the store, has a book riders sign.

Passed the halfway point according to the "Race Across America" directions I'm using.

What I can understand:

a) Why horse thieves were treated so harshly in the west in the 1800's. If you didn't have a horse, you were going nowhere.

b) Why people used to worship the god of the wind.

What I cannot understand:

a) Why there are no windmills in Kansas generating electricty.

b) Why I have seen no solar water heaters anywhere on my trip so far.

Tuesday, April 19; Kingman to Wichita to El Dorado, Kansas

Thomas Anderson, an ACS representative, offered a meal and a place to sleep in Wichita. Unfortunately, I got to Wichita around noon. I thought about stopping for the day but the wind from south is so annoying. Is it going shift to the SSE or SSW or what? And what would it do next week. So I thought I should continue on while I could make some forward progress.

Did another 25 miles to El Dorado.

Around noon in Wichita, a bicyclist pulled up beside me and we rode together for a while. Pat is retired Air Force with 20 years of corporate jet experience. Also does bicycle races. I told him about last year in Colorado where crazy guys were doing 50 - 55 mph down the rockies. That's what he likes to do! Crazy guy. A few years ago he broke is back in a race.

Only in America: breakfast at McDonald's; lunch at Subway; supper at Pizza Hut.

I think I got ripped off at Pizza Hut - a medium pizza and a Pepsi for $17.99. Must suppers in wester KS were costing about $8.00.

A Lazyboy recliner in my Super 8 motel room. That and a Ruby Red gratefruit drink in my hand was heaven!

Actually, I miss using my dumbells. My upper body feels weak. Could use the dumbells in a Lazyboy very easily.

Rode 84 miles in 6 hours today.

Monday April 18; 11:30 am

The prevailing winds from the south have been no help yesterday afternoon and this morning. Very stiff. I'm not sure of my destination this afternoon. It all depends on the winds.

You can tell you're in Kansas because there are white grain elevators in every town. In many cases, when you're in one town you can see the tops of the grain elevators in the next town rising out of the end of the road. Kind of comforting. Yesterday one elevator was blinking on and off. It was a partly cloudy day, so when it was in the shadow of a cloud you could not distinguish it from the blue\grey sky.

I like Kansas. In fact Platt where I am right now (in the library) has what I have always imagined as a typical midwestern main street. Gotta take a picture.

(Dick ended today's trip in Kingman, Kansas, about 35 miles east of Platt.)

Sunday, April 17: Liberal to Greensburg, Kansas

Dick just called to say he did 107 miles today in 7 hours. So far the thunderstorms have not materialized.

[Added on to Monday] Mechanically, my bike is extremely quiet. When there are no other vehicles and not wind, you can only hear my tires on the pavement. Early today, there was a section of pavement that was incredibly smooth so there was almost no sound at all.

A very steady wind picked up in the afternoon. 90 degrees off my bow. From the south. A little tough going.

Today I starting thinking about what to do with my (our)16 ft O'Day Javelin sailboat. There are some toys that you easily get your money's worth out of them - like our canoe. Other toys were a waste of money. And still other toys that - well you are not sure they were worth the hassle. We did have fun with the sailboat but that was 15 years ago. I'm thinking the best thing to do with the sailboat is to repair the transom (a common Javelin problem area) and then take 10 or 20 days and sail it (always close to the shore) up around Cape Cod to north of Boston and then give it away. It would sure make good use of a southerly wind.

Saturday, April 16:Dalhart, TX to Liberal, Kansas

Dick just called from Liberal, Kansas. He rode 115 miles in 7.5 hours. Left Texas early because thunderstorms were forecast. Weather turned out to be good. Beginning the flat part of the ride. 30 miles ahead of schedule.

Wanted: More postcard team members

I've got about 25 members of the "Postcard Team." How about some more members!! I've got plenty of time to write postcards.

The main web page explains how to become a member. Basically, it works this way.

1. If you want to make a contribution to the American Cancer Society, email me (RelayRide_Jones@Yahoo.com) your home address.

2. I will then send you a postcard from somewhere along my trip.

3. When you recieve the postcard (it's like a reminder) , you send a check made out to the ACS to my home address: 155 Keeler Rd, Bridgewater, CT 06752.

4. Your check will be part of what Shepaug Valley raises for the ACS Relay for Life.

Friday April 15: Logan, NM to Dalhart, TX - 74 mi, 5.5 hrs

In the Dalhart library - no computer restrictions. I see some usb ports on the computer. Maybe I should ask later if I could download pics from my camera.

Great Red Sox game on espn last night - caught the last two innings.

Breakfast in a cafe right beside the motel - the second prettiest waitress I've seen. (Prettiest was at the top of the first mountain in AZ, forget the town name.) You wouldn't know there was a cafe there except for the blinking arrow. I guess you are supposed to know.

Talked with a trucker and some locals at breakfast.

On the TV weather last night all they talked about rain and thundershowers, so I got up early and after breakfast left at about 7:15 am. Most of the way black clouds to my right (south east) but I never saw rain.

Route 54 is a delight. Starting to hear more birds. The shoulder so far on Rte 54 has been from 5 to 14 feet wide! Little traffic although it is a truck route. Took a pic of me at the NM - TX border - first border sign I've seen. Right after that sign was a sign saying I've entered the Central Time Zone - so I'm one hour behind the east coast. Also got a pic of me running a track repair vehicle.

About 5 miles south of Dalhart are two really huge cattle pens - what a stink. I rode as fast as I could to get beyond it.

Thursday April 14: Santa Rosa - Tucumcari - Logan, 85 mi, 6 hr

The bad things about riding on Interstate 40 (or any interstate) - the fumes and the noise. You can't smell the fumes but it must be like living in NYC since every two seconds a vehicle passes you. And the roar of tires is much louder than the engines.

Rode Interstate 40 from Flagstaff to Tucumcari except for Route 66 from Albuquerque to Moriarty - this section of 66 is probably the closest to what was the old route 66. Well some NM congressman must be on the highway subcommittee because these main streets are now 4 lanes separated by a ten foot median. They burried rte 66.

I helped a motorist on I 40. He had a flat and stripped one of the lug nuts and couldn't get it off. NO I didn't take it off. But I have a list of all the police depts between San Diego and Atlantic City. So we called the Tucumcari police and then got a service station. (I got the list of police stations from the Race Across America website - I'm using most of their route from last year. By the way, Bob (?) Morlock,who is a Danbury policeman, road in that race in 2001 and finished in about 10 days. Look up RAAM on Google to find out more.

Great buffet lunch in Tucumcari! Complete meal and dessert for $7.00 - all I could eat and it was a lot. You really never know when you'll get your next good meal. A few times I've had no breakfast and other times no lunch - simply because nothing was around.

At Tucumcari I finally got off of I40 onto Rte 54. I have been worried about Rte 54 for the last few days because all I read about it was "be careful on this truck route". But it is quiet and has not nearly as much traffic as I thought.

Actually the ride from Tucumcari to Logan was really relaxed. I had all afternoon to ride 20 miles and took my time. I was assured that there were at least 2 motels and restaurants in Logan.

Wed April 13: Moriarty to Santa Rosa, NM

Santa Rosa is the home of Billy the Kid. His grave is somewhere around here. The Pecos River goes through this town.

Did 80 miles in probably around 6 hours. No wind for the first 5 hours. Then a head winds. I need a short sleep.

Later,

Tuesday April 12: Albuquerque to Moriarty

After a nice visit with Jim and Ellie Knight (and Ellie's mother, who I met 45 yrs ago) and a hearty breakfast and a check delivered to Patty Gillis at Whole Foods, it's off to the next stopover. On old route 66 it was about a 23 mi gradual climb up hill, 12 miles up-and-down-level, and then 5 miles down into Moriarty. Gentle breeze from the west helped a bit. Saw 10 or 12 bicyclists going toward Albuquerque.

Got here about 1:45 and as usual I look for a library with internet access. This is a good one.

Plenty of time to get to Clines Corner but some people have said there are no motels there. So I'll stay here for the night since there are plenty of motel options. Anyway, this is a planned stop and I'm on schedule.

Monday April 11: Gants to Albuquerque

Beautiful, cool, sunny day. Wind almost squarely on my back for most of the way. A plateau to my left for a good part of the way.

At one point the wind shifted and came at me directly to my left. This is a dangerous situation for the following reason. In order to compensate for the wind, you have to lean to your left - into the traffic. When a large trunk comes between you and the force of the wind, you have to stop leaning left almost instantly. It is much easier to handle wind coming directly from you right.

Spent some time on old Route 66. At the crest of a mountain, Albuquerque comes into view at the bottom of the valley with mountains in the background - quite a dramatic vew. At night I've heard it is spectacular.

Passed the Rio Grande river just to the west of the town.

Spending the night with the Jim and Ellie Knight - relatives of good friends.

Sunday April 10: Gallup to Grants

Snowed last night and when I looked up from eating french toast with real maple surup I saw more. Weather was a concern the entire way. It was cold and to the north and south there were snow showers. Perhaps I should have worn more layers, but on the other hand that may have created more sweat. I remember thinking with about 20 miles more to go, I'm just going to plug ahead even if it starts to rain.

Hit the continental divide 30 miles east of Gallup. Not dramatic like the summits in Colorado. There is not even an elevation sign at the exact point.

Wind again was behind me. I can't imagine trying to ride from east to west. I would have given up.

Swapped riding experiences with an interesting older bicycle rider I met at a Pizza Hut where I had lunch. He knew a lot about a lot and had definite ideas on nutrition - a subject that I think I should look into more.

Saturday; April 9th: Holbrook to Gallup

90 + miles in 5.5 hours. Jones, you must be kidding? No, I had a 30 mph tailwind for practically the entire trip. It was a cold wind, but I felt it only when I stopped to munch on something.

As I arrived in Gallup at 1 pm, it started to snow lightly! Almost got to the new Cancer Center for a ground breaking but could not find the hospital. Suggestion: every hospital sign ("H") should also indicate the distance to the hospital!

Found a bike store in town where I bought and installed a new rear tire. I discovered a highly worn area, probably a result from yesterday's crash. Thanks for your help Stan. Also, found a friendly coffee shop (great tuna melt) and chatted with two public radio show hosts.

I'm spending the night with Paul and Joyce. Paul is a retired school principal & Joyce is chairperson of the Relay in Gallup. Both are cancer survirors and are dedicated to the work of the ACS. We hooked up at the last minute when she left a msg on my cell phone yesterday. I'd much rather write a check to the ACS than the local Motel 6.

You're not a nobody when you ride a bike on an interstate highway.

Some people just don't like bicycle riders: as a truck cab is even with you, the driver gives you a loud blast right in the ear. This happend twice yesterday. Usually, I respond appropriately. I hope they see it.

But many people give a friendly "HI". Probably 10 truckers today gave me a gentle toot after they passed. Cars say "Hi" with a beep. I guess the ultimate "HI" (which I got today) is when a 150-car freight train gives you an extended friendly blast.

Friday April 8: Flagstaff to Holbrook

90 miles in about 6 hours. Mostly down hill with the wind to my right back side. Can't beat that. Sometimes I hit 28 miles per hour and I wasn't peddling!

About 15 miles out of Flagstaff the elevation was 6000 ft. About 25 miles later, the elevatiion 5000ft.

The main problem was avoiding tire debris on the shoulder. Large and small chunks of tire with wire mesh everywhere. Some tire chunks consisted of the entire perimeter of the tire. I've got a picture on one that lies completely across the shoulder.

Oh, I had my first fly-over-the-handlebar crash in many years!!! Usually, the chunks of tire are obvious. But in the shade of an overpass I didn't see one until it was too late. I had to hit it straight on because there was a truck on my left. I'm fine and so is the bike! - amazing. After I realized I was okay, I was sure the bike would be a mess. It is quite heavy with all the weight concentrated in the front and the rear. I thought sure something would be twisted. But nothing appears to be wrong.

My last fly-over-the-handlebars was in 8th grade. Riding slowly beside a girl walking home from school, I somehow got a foot caught in the spokes of my front wheel. And over the bars I went. And this was a girl I hoped to impress!!!

Ended the day at the library where I wrote most of the above. Leaving to ride back to the motel, my rear tire was almost flat. The truck tire wire got me again.

Motel also had a great dinner with live music and a display of beautiful petrified wood. Would have bought something if I was driving a car.

Thursday: Sedona to Flagstaff

Beautiful ride. Another climb to 7,000 feet. But there were TREES! with shade. I think I got some great photos.

I'm staying with a Relay family, the Znetcko's.

Will leave for Holbrook tomorrow. This will put me only one day behind schedule.

Will edit later.

Wednesday April 6: Prescott to Sedona

60+ miles. Mingus mountain was a bear - 7,023 feet. Fill this in later.

Tuesday April 5: Yarnell to Prescott

Yesterday I had the wind at my back most of the way. It helped going up the Yarnell Pass. And, by the way, this pass was just as steep and long as anything I saw last year in Colorado.

Well, today it was in my face until it moderated around noon.

Started with a long coast out of Yarnell. If it hadn't been windy, I would have been flying. Then came the 12 mi curvey climb out of the valley up to Prescott. After reaching 6000 feet the road undulated 6 or 8 times. Finally a long coast into Prescott

Sunday: Blythe to Salome

Last night I camped out beside the Colorado River. Sounds great but it was in an RV Park. But the spot was very, very grassy.

Left camp and had to stay on interstate 10 for about 30 miles.

Around noon at Hope I stopped at a cafe. Was really hot and sweating. The proprietor looked at me and said I could stay the night. I guess I didn't look as good as I felt.

Right after that I caught up to a 75 yr young local man. Just out for a ride. Had a heart operation a while ago and wanted to keep healthy because he had to take care of his wife. He asked about my wife. Said she was home collecting taxes. He gave a laugh. Later on he mentioned he was a full-time RV'er. He probably pays no property taxes.

Monday, April 4: Salome to Yarnell, AZ

Dick just called from Yarnell. Did about 60 miles today.

Saturday, April 2 Brawley to Blythe

Dick just called. He is camping tonight by a river in Blythe. Rode 85 miles today from Brawley.
Met a couple that were riding from Florida to San Diego. Then they are headed for Washington and back east to Maine. Last year they walked the Appalachian Trail! Dick will update later.

Thursday: Pine Valley to El Centro (see below)

The daily blogs are out of order. Skip below Wed to see thursday. Blogger is giving me a few error messages.

Wed El Cajon to Pine Valley

Well, it's a gain of about 4000' in 25 miles from El Cajon to Pine Valley. I was hoping to make J acumba but decided I had enough hill climbing for the day. Pine Valley is a very friendly place... Vern and his sidekick, the town constable, the librarians, and Bud. All facilities within walking distance of my motel. I could have stayed here for a week and enjoyed it.

In Brawley Public Library

The first person I stopped to ask where the library was - she pointed behind her. Could not have been closer. But as usual, there is a time limit for computer use. I'm being kicked off again.

Thursday Pine Valley to El Centro

Battle tested:

Around 1 am I heard the wind pushing the door to my room. Wind was picking up and lasted for quite a while. The am weather news from a San Diego tv station was: 1) "beautiful in San Diego", 2) "windy in east county - Pine Valley reported wind gusts up to 60 mph. Traffic on Interstate 8 my be limited to one-way at a time." This is me!

Climbed out of Pine Valley. The wind was fierce for the next 20-30 miles. Probably walked at least 3 miles. Stood still 10 or 12 times and just braced myself. For a time I wasn't sure I would make Jacumba. But once I did (1 pm) I thought to myself - let's keep going. After Jacumba was Interstate 8 (no alternate road so it is legal to ride on) - a 14 mile ride down from 3,500' to sealevel - 6% grade, the max allowed, most of the way.

Started at Pine Valley around 8:30 am - pulled into El Centro around 5:30 pm. 85 miles.

Didn't meet as many people this days as in previous ones. I did meet 2 cross country bicyclist at 4000 feet. But they were going to San Diego and hoped to make it by the end of the day.

I'm 17 miles behind schedule. My plan was to be in Brawley (17 miles away) in stead of El Centro. I'll go to Brawley today and rest up for the ride across the Imperial valley tomorrow.

Later.