Day 7

We wake up just before the alarm. Could be just because, could be from the good meal, could be the excitement of completing our first week. What ever it is we head down to the lobby for breakfast. When we checked in we were told that the hotel was sold out, aside from the one room we staid, because there was a family reunion and a funeral in town. The breakfast was full of people who all knew each other. I couldn’t figure if they were from the funeral or the reunion, but they all knew each other, and then there was me and Jerry. It was fine, but there were a few moments where it felt like they felt like we were crashing their breakfast. I was looking at a map when suddenly a child leaned over my shoulder to point to the map saying “I live there”. I don’t think he actually had any idea what map I was looking at or if his town was even on there. It was cute though, his want to show he can look at maps too. 

Packed up and ready to go we leave the hotel at 10:30. One of our earlier starts. Also, it is cool, which I appreciate. We start our ride and suddenly the miles just fall beneath us. We didn’t even pause till fifteen miles had past. There was such a feeling of speed and accomplishment. Not to say I hadn’t felt like we’ve done anything to date, but this was just so smooth and quick. Was it the dinner? That particular nights sleep? This road? We pause in the shade for a snack just before thirty miles. It’s so early, we’re moving so well I am super excited about the day. 

We ride for a bit more and the road changes. Not a complete turn around, but flats seam to be slightly up and downs have no roll. We’re moving but we’ve slowed. Our sprits are still high and we are making it happen but the amazingness of the morning is clearly past. 

We past two convenient stores in those first fifteen miles of the speedy morning and then not a single one till forty five. On one hand I think it kept us moving, on the other we were ready for some fresh water, and to stand in the AC for a minute. 

This gas station wasn’t remarkable, outside of its lack of competition. We had a drink and got back on the road. Suddenly there is no roll, everything feels like it up hill. We’re not killing ourselves but there is a stark difference between this afternoon and this morning. But we are still closing in on Canada. I look up and find a hotel that’s about eight miles from the border. We could sleep there and be in Canada first thing in the morning. That’s pretty exciting. I’m still not sure about any part of our route but we are getting somewhere. 

Route 16 and Route 400 merge for a few miles. When we get back to just Route 16 I hear something. I ask if it is me or Jerry. We go a few hundred feet listening before I say there is something definitely wrong. We stop to inspect our bikes. I spot something on Jerry’s rear wheel, and quickly figure out it is a nail. It is straight in and not leaking, but we can’t actually leave it in. Luckily there is shade and grass right here. We work as quick as we can but we have to take off the pack, the wheel, change the inner tube, inflate, and put everything back together. All total it took us about twenty minutes from stop to start. However, on the tail end of the day those twenty minutes could be the difference between finishing in the dark or even worse all the restaurant closing, it is Sunday night. Luckily just ahead there is a hotel and we can stay here instead of pushing forward and maybe missing dinner. 

All told, it was a good week. I think I could have mapped it out better, but all worked. And also no matter how well anyone maps anything out, the road is the road and sometimes you have to deal with what you get. 

Week 1

Total Distance      : 426.14

Average Speed     : 9.14 MPH

Maximum Speed  : 35.8 MPH 

Elevation Gain      : 27,742  Feet

Max Elevation      : 2,570 Feet

( All stats were obtained using Map My Ride) 

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MikeDiazTheFirst

Mike was born in Queen, New York to a blue collar family. An avid self educator, artist, and traveler he’s traveled around the globe three times while immersing himself in the culture of 48 different countries and counting.  Read about his journeys and musings here.

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