It took two rides to reach Rochester NY from state college PA. I had a few tailwinds and not much straight on headwind along the way but I really think its that I'm riding myself into shape. Plus the BOB is especially fast in certain conditions almost like its not even there.
It was easy terrain out of State College until I hit a half hour climb north of Lock Haven, went into the Allegany state forest, and eventually the Allegany mountains. The forest section was....boring! cloudy skies didn't help i suppose but it was just a bunch of trees with an occasional trailer park. The sun came out as i reached the mountains mid afternoon and it was nice there. I fueled myself for the day with a $7 "take out buffet breakfast" that i picked up at the flying J when i crossed I 80. It hit my stomach by late afternoon and i crawled to find a campsite. No more low grade pork products!
Woke up to a frosty morning and some ice in my water. Powertap dropped data intermittently for a while, maybe there is some moisture in the hub, hope it continues to work most of the time because its a fun toy to have with me. My new fueling approach (especially after Becca's dog ate a pound of my pemmican) is hamburgers. They cook up fast, easy to digest, and burn a long time. Stopped twice for burgers on my way from PA to Rochester and didn't feel hungry once. The first one i got from Big Papa's in Canisteo NY was especially good. Yum.
The terrain became easy approaching Rochester and the miles were ticking by, i knew i would reach Keith's before dark. Except for the part when i got lost in the hood. There was a bit of a rough area after i missed my turn and after a while i asked how to get back on track. I went went west down a side street with the sun in my face to reconnect to my route. Ahead four big (black) guys, all taller than me, wandered out into the street right in front of me, and all i could do was sigh, i had been riding for eight hours. If it started to look bad i planned to try and bowling ball my way through with help from my BOB weight, there was nothing fancy I could do towing a trailer and it was too late to turn it around. But just as i reached them the closest two paused and I rolled thru in a straight line.
Today i'm enjoying a day with Keith Meyers and family. We plan to cook food, hang with the kids, and go to a yoga class. I hope it makes my ankle feel good. It's been significantly better than day two back in virginia but with a potential 4 week lyme flare up period coming early next week i know it could become irritated. Also there is some restriction in my hip and a hop in my pedal stroke at times. I'm aiming to reach Addie in three days of riding, rain and snow showers in the forecast as i get into the Adirondacks. Brrrr
Day 6 off
Day 7 106.4 miles in 8:17 at 169avwatts, 4971kj
Day 8 118.3 miles in 8:29 at 158avwatts, 4617kj
Day 9 off
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