Todays Distance: 101 miles
Cycling time: 6 hrs 26 mins
Average Speed: 15.6 mph
Today’s cumulative ascent: 2014 feet
Average Heart rate: 116 bpm
Distance so far: 3245 miles
Distance so far: 3245 miles
Ascent so far: 103,131 feet.
Centuries so far: 12
Punctures so far: 7
Centuries so far: 12
Punctures so far: 7
Today’s Profile:
Today’s Route:
Dedication: Today’s cycle is for the children of Providence including Alfred, Chrisdalin and Lapynshai,who even in the heavy rains arrive in to school with a cheerful ‘Good morning, teacher’Today’s cycle was different in that it was raining for 50 miles of it. I have got used to the sunshine so this was a reminder of what awaits me when I return home. Acclimatising. But, the sun broke through and began to shine at a particular memorable moment. And another state.
.jpg)
When I first spoke to others regarding this cycle in Sept 2007 I had the dream that it could attract a six-figure sum for Providence. At times since then my expectations have wavered but the dream still remains. My big thanks to those who committed even before a pedal was turned in San Francisco. They believed that I was really serious about this challenge. Hopefully, more will come on board to ensure that Providence continues to give these children a chance in life.
I reported last night that there was torrential rain in Niles and this morning the rain had stopped but the forecast was a gloomy one with 80% chance of thunderstorms. Everyone set off just in cycling shirts but with raingear at hand. Drops fell in the early stages but at mile 20 there was no option but to don the rain-cover.
It poured down incessantly for the next 50 miles but without the lightning. Be merciful for small mercies. Pulling out of the first SAG while it still poured down knowing that there was another 64 miles to go wasn’t appealing. Consolation in that you can get soaked only once.
Pulling into the second SAG at 70 miles things had eased off and all removed the raingear. The stop at the already crowded Richardson’s Rootbeer Stand and did some extra business. It was here that I phoned home to get the result of the Munster Final to be told that it had just finished with success for Tipp. Just about then, the sun broke through and gave the necessary heat to dry out our shirts as we continued on for the rest of the day. So good results do contribute to beneficial global warming. I relaxed feeling very happy. Sorry to hear that the minors lost.
As for the last few days I cycled alone to the first SAG but there was little opportunity to take photos with the rain. Suburban Niles was quiet at that hour of Sunday morning as I moved generally north-west assisted by a south south west wind. Between the SAGs I fell in with John, Amy and John Douglas and kept up a brisk pace for the forty miles. After the second SAG I cycled alone again as I wanted to capture something of the area on film.
In the early part I did spot a familiar store that has cropped up a few times along the route. Wonder what specials they have this week?
Shortly after second SAG I arrived at the state line with Pennsylvania and a photo opportunity. Luckily Audrey was coming close behind and we accommodated each other. Another state finished along the journey; we’re now in state 10. Pennsylvania is 1.5 times the size of Ireland and has a population of 12 million. It's often referred to as the Keystone State or the Quaker State. Its capital is not Philadelphia or Pitsburg but Harrisburg. It is amongst the top states for mushrooms, Christmas trees, battery chickens, milk, grapes and horses.
Corn storage silos have been along our route for ages with some of steel and some of pre-cast concrete. The invention of the corn silo allows the preservation of corn in the green state for feeding to livestock.Today I spotted one of solid blocks. Didn’t see too many of those before. Still seemed to be in excellent condition.
Some lovely houses along the road with most on open plan… no boundary fences or gates and very large heavy-maintenance lawns. Others (like the farmers place above) stood out with the picket fence about. One cyclist mentioned that they looked very Irish. I don’t know!
Coming into Erie had some echoes of California. We had not seen as many cyclists on the roads since early June on the west coast. It seems to be a popular pastime for young and old here. And cycle paths and bike lanes also. Also quite an amount of vines (and sour cherries) were being cultivated along our approach to Erie although the grapes are still quite small.
By 3.15 I had arrived at the Avalon Hotel right in the heart of Erie and noticed the Irish flag flying. Reception told me that they have quite a few Irish visitors staying here from time to time. I thought that it was just for me! Again I had made a century of the scheduled 97 miles. That’s 4 centuries now back to back.
Tomorrow is our last Rest Day and I am looking forward to it. I will have to concentrate on finalising my route from Portsmouth NH down to Providence RI. Might get an opportunity to go down to the shore of Lake Erie.
First day in the rain but can’t complain. Quite satisfied with the 4 centuries. Enjoyed cycling alone (as I do most Sundays) and all keyed up now for the last section starting on Tuesday morning.
Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.
PROVIDENCE [1]: When the Abbey first established contact with Shillong in 1999, Providence (then without a name) consisted of 20 children receiving instruction in basic A,B,C and 1,2,3 by students of Class 10 from St Edmund’s School for an hour each evening. Now in 2008 Providence has over 200 children and 7 qualified committed teachers and operates from 8.30 am till 3.30 pm. each day.
When I first spoke to others regarding this cycle in Sept 2007 I had the dream that it could attract a six-figure sum for Providence. At times since then my expectations have wavered but the dream still remains. My big thanks to those who committed even before a pedal was turned in San Francisco. They believed that I was really serious about this challenge. Hopefully, more will come on board to ensure that Providence continues to give these children a chance in life.I reported last night that there was torrential rain in Niles and this morning the rain had stopped but the forecast was a gloomy one with 80% chance of thunderstorms. Everyone set off just in cycling shirts but with raingear at hand. Drops fell in the early stages but at mile 20 there was no option but to don the rain-cover.It poured down incessantly for the next 50 miles but without the lightning. Be merciful for small mercies. Pulling out of the first SAG while it still poured down knowing that there was another 64 miles to go wasn’t appealing. Consolation in that you can get soaked only once.Pulling into the second SAG at 70 miles things had eased off and all removed the raingear. The stop at the already crowded Richardson’s Rootbeer Stand and did some extra business. It was here that I phoned home to get the result of the Munster Final to be told that it had just finished with success for Tipp. Just about then, the sun broke through and gave the necessary heat to dry out our shirts as we continued on for the rest of the day. So good results do contribute to beneficial global warming. I relaxed feeling very happy. Sorry to hear that the minors lost.As for the last few days I cycled alone to the first SAG but there was little opportunity to take photos with the rain. Suburban Niles was quiet at that hour of Sunday morning as I moved generally north-west assisted by a south south west wind. Between the SAGs I fell in with John, Amy and John Douglas and kept up a brisk pace for the forty miles. After the second SAG I cycled alone again as I wanted to capture something of the area on film. In the early part I did spot a familiar store that has cropped up a few times along the route. Wonder what specials they have this week?Shortly after second SAG I arrived at the state line with Pennsylvania and a photo opportunity. Luckily Audrey was coming close behind and we accommodated each other. Another state finished along the journey; we’re now in state 10. Pennsylvania is 1.5 times the size of Ireland and has a population of 12 million. It's often referred to as the Keystone State or the Quaker State. Its capital is not Philadelphia or Pitsburg but Harrisburg. It is amongst the top states for mushrooms, Christmas trees, battery chickens, milk, grapes and horses.Corn storage silos have been along our route for ages with some of steel and some of pre-cast concrete. The invention of the corn silo allows the preservation of corn in the green state for feeding to livestock.Today I spotted one of solid blocks. Didn’t see too many of those before. Still seemed to be in excellent condition.Some lovely houses along the road with most on open plan… no boundary fences or gates and very large heavy-maintenance lawns. Others (like the farmers place above) stood out with the picket fence about. One cyclist mentioned that they looked very Irish. I don’t know!Coming into Erie had some echoes of California. We had not seen as many cyclists on the roads since early June on the west coast. It seems to be a popular pastime for young and old here. And cycle paths and bike lanes also. Also quite an amount of vines (and sour cherries) were being cultivated along our approach to Erie although the grapes are still quite small.By 3.15 I had arrived at the Avalon Hotel right in the heart of Erie and noticed the Irish flag flying. Reception told me that they have quite a few Irish visitors staying here from time to time. I thought that it was just for me! Again I had made a century of the scheduled 97 miles. That’s 4 centuries now back to back.Tomorrow is our last Rest Day and I am looking forward to it. I will have to concentrate on finalising my route from Portsmouth NH down to Providence RI. Might get an opportunity to go down to the shore of Lake Erie.
First day in the rain but can’t complain. Quite satisfied with the 4 centuries. Enjoyed cycling alone (as I do most Sundays) and all keyed up now for the last section starting on Tuesday morning.
Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.
