tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68224297380166146492024-03-14T01:03:22.454-07:00BillsBigRideBill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-69865851219336492932011-12-20T09:23:00.000-08:002011-12-20T09:23:37.448-08:00Two, Four, Eight - Reflections of Bills Big Ride<div class="MsoNormal">Route – Leaving Phoenix, AZ on April 2, one heck of a big bicycle ride, short ride in an ambulance, long ride in Ruby, and finally, a day’s drive to Guerneville, CA.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – I’ve accepted that I won’t likely ever complete a bicycle ride of the perimeter of the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’ll never really know whether I really could have done it or not. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – I think that the very best moment of the entire ride was April 2, 2011 as I was leaving Paradise Valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so filled with the eager anticipation of the event of a lifetime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were so many good friends that came to see a group of us ride out of town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking back on that day now, a little more than eight months ago, I can still sense the feeling of adventure and awaiting discovery I would experience for nearly 4 and one half months of cycling.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZPgNs6-CJAtTpBHUEBHQBGVVQHH9tMTFUnK7FcWJGeBZ4xBHnnXiptLvxWtlGuhwLarHYFYbRJT-W0oMGA0wOTYarhrGC1ZIcm75JEJPPQSIG3JPDVKXCFq2tgOYVscFoKiahNfMZRD0/s1600/IMG_1014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZPgNs6-CJAtTpBHUEBHQBGVVQHH9tMTFUnK7FcWJGeBZ4xBHnnXiptLvxWtlGuhwLarHYFYbRJT-W0oMGA0wOTYarhrGC1ZIcm75JEJPPQSIG3JPDVKXCFq2tgOYVscFoKiahNfMZRD0/s320/IMG_1014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Neita and I have been settled in our Guerneville home for nearly two months. It has been just over four months since the Big Crash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And nearly 8 months since Bills Big Ride began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This seems like a good time to reflect on my accomplishment and summarize the ride.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">First of all, a huge “Thank You” to all of my supporters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to raise nearly $3500 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. I know that this money goes to help people struggling with cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My biggest supporter was, of course, Neita.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was there every afternoon with camp set up and a cold margarita or, when it was cold and rainy a steaming cup of hot cocoa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that this trip wasn’t an easy thing for her to do. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">She drove the monster motorhome, Ruby, a full perimeter of the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She drove every mile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On top of that, she also planned the menus, did the grocery shopping, and did most of the cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grilled sometimes, but Neita did all of the prep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her support was unbelievable and I only hope that I can somehow make it up to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her love, devotion and belief in me was the astounding constant of the ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(That doesn’t mean that she was always the happiest camper – she wasn’t, but considering the personal sacrifice she went through, I’m the most grateful camper.)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now the facts:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Actual miles ridden 9809 (That is like three times the distance between Portland Oregon and Bangor Maine.)</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Days riding – 115</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Rest days – 19</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Average miles per day – 85</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Century bicycle rides (100 miles or more in one day) – 21</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Double metric century rides (124 or more miles in one day) – 2</li>
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</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>States bicycled – 28 plus the District of Columbia</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Photos taken 1812</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Tires worn out – 7</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Flat tires – 21</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Adventure Cycling maps used – 23 plus some Google Maps and some AAA maps.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Chains replaced – 3</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Different bicycles used – 3</li>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Since the Big Crash, four months ago, my hand continues to heal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is still very stiff every morning and I’m finally just now able to cycle fairly easily and not have to take my left hand off the bike when I go over bumps in the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is still some swelling in the fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However considering how much it did hurt for some time, it’s come a very long way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Nearly everyday I’ll have a flashback or memory from the ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might be a certain section of road, the frustration of not knowing where I was or being able to find the route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, it could be the absolute exhilaration of a certain downhill, the fox or deer that bounded out across the road in front of me, or the sound of the click of the derailleur changing gears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have so many, many vivid memories of the ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cherish being able to do as much as I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were so many favorite places and only one (or two) places I’d never visit again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I never want to go back to Kent, Texas or Myrtle Beach, SC during bike week again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJ-HgvM87jfTuf4mK9oLxyFntkYGfqAGhXk8OUUdmWx57AKoXdh2MAS7ffE7Jrwj1Yx1Mo4MESO0x2BjmtT1rzXoDEKemRpjL-zFXKEP9dil2qrZ_B2CZ8-YcTr16j1Q6O8E_Jz__29Wl/s1600/IMG_1075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJ-HgvM87jfTuf4mK9oLxyFntkYGfqAGhXk8OUUdmWx57AKoXdh2MAS7ffE7Jrwj1Yx1Mo4MESO0x2BjmtT1rzXoDEKemRpjL-zFXKEP9dil2qrZ_B2CZ8-YcTr16j1Q6O8E_Jz__29Wl/s320/IMG_1075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Kent, Texas</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I would love to go back to Mackinaw Island, MI, Bar Harbor, ME, Key West, FL, and the Outer Banks again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLMWp4gpeJK-OsUsw9u069P8x6Hj7GAPAu_k1lFPyj0W6-ncxDadz0aU8AyJ07u9pMjVfsibxhpV0jqKr2-flB6bcbtFw2fKBGk6vbJA2N92qtga-XhBmX_VmMQJ1ZgGc57BnVMy1vz7J/s1600/IMG_1460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLMWp4gpeJK-OsUsw9u069P8x6Hj7GAPAu_k1lFPyj0W6-ncxDadz0aU8AyJ07u9pMjVfsibxhpV0jqKr2-flB6bcbtFw2fKBGk6vbJA2N92qtga-XhBmX_VmMQJ1ZgGc57BnVMy1vz7J/s320/IMG_1460.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Florida Keys</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLudJB9VRq8yjLperQWx7Q1bkA6nvPoCMhhwM8Mbmn_yvqQXjiUSXt4wyW5AFZi4bPFg-vm8OOvcvuRgyXTxF5RXR8TU0FNElpvCNWlMbibqEXaxJKa-4unDa9H9PadFsF_6bT9m2ymAVi/s1600/IMG_2139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLudJB9VRq8yjLperQWx7Q1bkA6nvPoCMhhwM8Mbmn_yvqQXjiUSXt4wyW5AFZi4bPFg-vm8OOvcvuRgyXTxF5RXR8TU0FNElpvCNWlMbibqEXaxJKa-4unDa9H9PadFsF_6bT9m2ymAVi/s320/IMG_2139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Arcada National Park</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p>I very much enjoyed meeting so many new people across the country. It was so much fun getting to talk to so many people and hear their stories. While there were many folks I met and shared a story with, there are two favorites - ones that really stand out - the woman who bought my coffee as her good deed for the day and the couple we met in Kitty Hawk, NC. I enjoyed everyone's emails, encouraging phone calls and text messages. If I was feeling a little doubtful about my purpose or ability, they spurred me onward. I am also forever grateful to those dear friends that came to visit us on our trip. Your time with us means so very much to me and Neita. It was such a thrill to have you come see us. We'd love to have you all visit us in Sonoma County now!</o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4wB7z8gG1uuHIjPo6S5svroerLtRnv-9PwKwllRDrSrR8d_2VjAjkN-AttllOeybFnXVemh-ArLEsBUuuqqEYrMSWH4D9xYnwFGk3CIWeJPVA_IWg8h6ZMqXcBoR7C1NJCf28Bkf6s4J/s1600/IMG_2890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4wB7z8gG1uuHIjPo6S5svroerLtRnv-9PwKwllRDrSrR8d_2VjAjkN-AttllOeybFnXVemh-ArLEsBUuuqqEYrMSWH4D9xYnwFGk3CIWeJPVA_IWg8h6ZMqXcBoR7C1NJCf28Bkf6s4J/s320/IMG_2890.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">photo of the Russian River from our deck</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It still amazes me how for six months, Neita, Duncan, and I were able to have more than everything we needed in the 350 square feet of living space Ruby provided. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I don’t know if I’ll be fortunate enough to do more bicycle touring in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can tell you that I would love to be able to bicycle tour for the rest of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is truly no better way to experience this country (or any country) than on a bicycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For now, I guess I’ll have to be satisfied with touring Sonoma County – not a bad place to bicycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd_GcL_dq85X3InohK_gr8VqjwkZJ60z5eo6QSx21pqWlDy1TKI7PXu4W0KydMozazWApBBMhI-ZWUuv0yeO7eIDnzfMRh3Sa-t_pZj0RF-6coqYqtFC31R-OV9idFA8-eUyI4kYYPKkC/s1600/IMG_2885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd_GcL_dq85X3InohK_gr8VqjwkZJ60z5eo6QSx21pqWlDy1TKI7PXu4W0KydMozazWApBBMhI-ZWUuv0yeO7eIDnzfMRh3Sa-t_pZj0RF-6coqYqtFC31R-OV9idFA8-eUyI4kYYPKkC/s320/IMG_2885.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Fall in Sonoma County</span></div><!--EndFragment-->Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-51982975721377269482011-10-03T07:19:00.000-07:002011-10-03T07:19:35.369-07:00The Last Day<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>401</o:Words> <o:Characters>2289</o:Characters> <o:Company>DeVry University</o:Company> <o:Lines>19</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>2685</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>14.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">Days 182 – 184, September 30 – October 2, 2011 – The Last Day<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBSYC-NM0F-iNh_hWOxNHIHhUptNDYsrF1kZ3kGhFCQTO7tFqZ0P5kEXA91HsPqVaOGQqy4HXF-XZJ3gfHLtxAOW6mlibimQMpWVcFQPPG_waGlnVTdIObBpHnJY2JpAr3gYjqO7qjxri/s1600/IMG_2836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBSYC-NM0F-iNh_hWOxNHIHhUptNDYsrF1kZ3kGhFCQTO7tFqZ0P5kEXA91HsPqVaOGQqy4HXF-XZJ3gfHLtxAOW6mlibimQMpWVcFQPPG_waGlnVTdIObBpHnJY2JpAr3gYjqO7qjxri/s320/IMG_2836.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route from Wickenburg to Paradise Valley, AZ<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">66 miles, averaging 14.5 mph<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – While I suffered a flat tire about 20 miles outside of Wickenburg, I really believe that the worst moment of the day was the realization that the Big Ride is really coming to a close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, even though, things didn’t end as expected, it is sort of bittersweet knowing that The Ride is not what I’ll be doing now.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – About 7<sup>th</sup> Avenue on the canal bicycle path, my good cycling buddy, Tim met me for the “Ride In.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tim and I’ve trained for and ridden in two ALC San Francisco to LA rides over about 7 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so great to have his company coming back into Phoenix. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The route from Wickenburg to Phoenix was mainly on Highway 60 and is fairly flat and mostly downhill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shoulders were huge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After riding for 25 miles through the desert, I began to see the urban sprawl of Phoenix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTGiyZd2MWjt9yAMgRBwKfWLpZS3kUtH2xwMM09VgHzlO9-aNxlk2GqU4DBw9jpHtUPeClw0iFctDCCVV9JaWg3ryaKTVH0LSR5F5KFbGUKMF08ljnlKsWtfN9zPXy4Ji83QQ8qHsCN1U/s1600/IMG_2838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTGiyZd2MWjt9yAMgRBwKfWLpZS3kUtH2xwMM09VgHzlO9-aNxlk2GqU4DBw9jpHtUPeClw0iFctDCCVV9JaWg3ryaKTVH0LSR5F5KFbGUKMF08ljnlKsWtfN9zPXy4Ji83QQ8qHsCN1U/s320/IMG_2838.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgYY3ATVqiKkpMwtkQhIZ3PFjMXgQaTug1cKqSNP-33umSqyBQhmfuQhvXUR91hZ5Ifgt38jMS6pNcZ6-ok0Jf2qrNOneUrSM1lJKZlH2ROA14BkyD9fHrifrJrvJY-9RTVjJVFGQNNVv/s1600/IMG_2840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgYY3ATVqiKkpMwtkQhIZ3PFjMXgQaTug1cKqSNP-33umSqyBQhmfuQhvXUR91hZ5Ifgt38jMS6pNcZ6-ok0Jf2qrNOneUrSM1lJKZlH2ROA14BkyD9fHrifrJrvJY-9RTVjJVFGQNNVv/s320/IMG_2840.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Just east of the Sun Cities, I got on the canal bicycle path, which I followed until the Dreamy Draw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After climbing the short hill to the top, there was just a brief ride through NE Phoenix to Chris’s house in PV.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtEnbT8orzF1ZrfsesehIDpA2UjQeR6yIgkxlXwBwl_3akM9OVw6UpJlPzjeSkt_bk1uNaHm4aQ5gpHZea5ZIPlMJE7e_vacd982gom4QT48IKjSzo4ci8yeced6JhcM3uqCHSh3BDTxr/s1600/IMG_2841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtEnbT8orzF1ZrfsesehIDpA2UjQeR6yIgkxlXwBwl_3akM9OVw6UpJlPzjeSkt_bk1uNaHm4aQ5gpHZea5ZIPlMJE7e_vacd982gom4QT48IKjSzo4ci8yeced6JhcM3uqCHSh3BDTxr/s320/IMG_2841.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The temperatures seemed vicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a temperature sign indicating it was 98 degrees and that was at 10:30 in the morning!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Compared to my last 6 weeks in Guerneville, CA and Jackson, WY, this was just plain brutal!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The hand is still not back to normal and every bump in the road sent painful reminders of its status.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The swelling returned and the knuckles retreated in the puffiness I experienced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also felt the time off the bike in my legs and seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Klein has more of a race saddle and less of a touring seat, which probably exacerbated my seat’s sensitivity. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In order to arrive at the finish line at 3, Tim & I stopped for Starbucks before heading south on 64<sup>th</sup> Street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called Neita from the intersection of 64<sup>th</sup> & Northern so she could get the small, cherished welcoming party positioned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was magnificent to see these wonderful friends and family with streamers, balloons and poppers to welcome me back to where it all began. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcj23exQ2dMNX9l80HjZfnQD9hfjW30QRvp16Py64ax9lgNceZQeCIkSWl9iscMvD0VHe4DiuwmZAuuNGHbOArb3Opp3LyNfI7HZeA75QQ8-ypdzyQZ5DfdHgkOr0kyUhVwP7TK7fG3yD/s1600/IMG_2842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcj23exQ2dMNX9l80HjZfnQD9hfjW30QRvp16Py64ax9lgNceZQeCIkSWl9iscMvD0VHe4DiuwmZAuuNGHbOArb3Opp3LyNfI7HZeA75QQ8-ypdzyQZ5DfdHgkOr0kyUhVwP7TK7fG3yD/s320/IMG_2842.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Within the next few days, I’ll post a “Reflections of the Ride Blog” – so stay tuned. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I feel it is especially significant that Bills Big Ride concluded on October 2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is Livestrong day and the day that Lance Armstrong decided to fight the cancer that nearly ended his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you would like to donate to my ride, to help others fight cancer, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.<o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment-->Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-69938953934943728842011-09-30T10:43:00.000-07:002011-09-30T10:43:14.131-07:00It Takes Three Bikes<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>862</o:Words> <o:Characters>4917</o:Characters> <o:Company>DeVry University</o:Company> <o:Lines>40</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>11</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>5768</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>14.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">Days 178 – 181, September 26 – 29, 2011 – It Takes Three Bikes<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route along River Road, Martinelli Road, and Hwy 116 – then South on Interstate 5 to Mission Bay RV Resort in San Diego, CA with Ruby.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlrouXUknRXsXV2E6C9QsDagEBoHDaatoc0_CGfnVc3dQvODcljzARQFIL7Tx8vNQIiiqHESEG-xs5CQU7aej9jl7dflwVZEwJb_G5qqifurAz3Kt48N5EXn258Zez2T7F2CPGghENuiM/s1600/IMG_2827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlrouXUknRXsXV2E6C9QsDagEBoHDaatoc0_CGfnVc3dQvODcljzARQFIL7Tx8vNQIiiqHESEG-xs5CQU7aej9jl7dflwVZEwJb_G5qqifurAz3Kt48N5EXn258Zez2T7F2CPGghENuiM/s320/IMG_2827.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">22 miles, averaging 14.3 mph - bicycling<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – The realization that West County Revolution Bike Shop didn’t do a good job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had so wanted to like this small bike shop in Sebastopol, and will probably give them a chance to fix what was wrong, but I didn’t discover their faulty work until it was too late to do anything about it before the Ride In. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">While riding around Sonoma County over the past few weeks, I began to notice small stress cracks in the Mavic rear wheel rim of the Cannondale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This further attests to my belief that my road bikes aren’t built for cross-country riding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I had been using this bike since Erie, ND when the mud road disabled my touring bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had made the appointment to get the touring bike fixed in Williston, ND the day of the Big Crash.) <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I stopped at West County Revolution to hopefully get a new wheel set, or at the least a new rear wheel that would be compatible with the front wheel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a very long time of looking for a Mavic wheel that would be available before we left Guerneville, the bike technician, and the shop owner decided that it might be better to see what they had in stock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The owner had a wheel that he hadn’t used much, it was true and the tech said that my cassette could be placed on the new rim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had some errands to run in Santa Rosa and could pick up the wheel in about an hour. Super!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I didn’t think too much about the quality of the work when I picked up the new rim and paid the $100, but knew I wanted to get in at least one ride before leaving Guerneville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hand had been fairly stiff and not riding seemed to be helping the swelling go down – so I haven’t been putting many miles in on two tires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus there are a lot of things that needed to be done around the house like unpack boxes and take out our dock.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Finally on Tuesday, I was able to get away for a ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was absolutely glorious to be on the bike again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However there was an intermittent rattling sort of noise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I checked the frame, the headset, the wheels, and finally the cassette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cassette that had just been installed by the bike shop was loose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t be able to take it on the final ride of Bills Big Ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I brought out the Klein that has been my California bicycle for a number of years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will ride it on Sunday into Phoenix – my third bicycle of the Big Ride.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – Riding and being able to use my left hand to shift again felt pretty good!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So during this trip I’ve been able to see some really super customer service and realized how it makes me as a customer feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, there are two incidents from our trip from Guerneville to San Diego that illustrate the difference between a WOW moment and an OKAY moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">First the WOW moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During our stay in Guerneville, we rented an economy car from Enterprise to get around and to help get things settled at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was returning the car, I mentioned that the front left tire was worn out and should be replaced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The agent was so concerned and mentioned that we should have called when we noticed it and someone from Enterprise would have taken care of things – even if it meant bringing a new car to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to let him know that it was no big deal since we weren’t going that far or planned to use the car a whole lot during the time we had it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me that they were reducing the rate of the rental by 25% and here was a coupon for a free upgrade the next time we rented from Enterprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WOW, I wasn’t expecting anything and was very surprised at their concern and willingness to accommodate me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will I rent from Enterprise again?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You betcha!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every chance I get!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only were they the low cost provider, and they had superior service.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The OKAY moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped in Lebec, CA on our way to San Diego.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw a Motel 6 a bit further from the freeway and we thought it would be less noisy than the other choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was quiet, but our room did not have hot water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called Mike at the front desk when we discovered it as we were getting ready to retire after a long day of driving Ruby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Neita had enough of Ruby for the day and didn’t want to have to try to find a campground and get set up.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike agreed to put us in a different room, but that they would probably have the hot water fixed by morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t want to move at that time and said we’d check the water in the morning.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Well, as I was having coffee in the lobby, there were several other guests who mentioned that there was no hot water in their rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The clerk apologized, but did nothing for these guests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a few Motel 6 employees standing around and conversing about the problem with the boiler and why it would take so long to fix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem wasn’t new and they knew about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why book these rooms???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make things even more of an only okay moment was that when I went back to the room, I checked for hot water again. No - only lukewarm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called the front desk and they sent down the maintenance guy to turn on our water and verify it was only lukewarm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they opened a different room for us to shower in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJM2LV1TDROzNw3tXSIdyDsV7VDRU6DMzR0ZvIZbuH1FQox0ZvQ_ASeS-w8pM1fmayFkvaJ59gZ-KpAEm4lhi13tYE0DDjRJzPgS6wchClaw8Cvy_vr8mLV43PenpN-6Lrruq8ILKJSnCV/s1600/IMG_2829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJM2LV1TDROzNw3tXSIdyDsV7VDRU6DMzR0ZvIZbuH1FQox0ZvQ_ASeS-w8pM1fmayFkvaJ59gZ-KpAEm4lhi13tYE0DDjRJzPgS6wchClaw8Cvy_vr8mLV43PenpN-6Lrruq8ILKJSnCV/s320/IMG_2829.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Our luggage now</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The big difference – Enterprise didn’t check to see that the front left tire was bad they believed me and did something positive at the moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Please join me for the Billsbigride In on Sunday Oct 2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wear yellow – it is Livestrong Day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment-->Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-89157569784809166982011-09-25T13:31:00.000-07:002011-09-25T13:31:41.060-07:00Moving Out<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>491</o:Words> <o:Characters>2801</o:Characters> <o:Company>DeVry University</o:Company> <o:Lines>23</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>3286</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>14.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">Days 169 to 177, September 17 - 25, 2011 – Moving Out<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route from River Bend Campground to The Russian Bonita – Guerneville, CA<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">No bicycling<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – No bicycling for over a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed that the times I’ve tried to ride, have made my hand more swollen, so, I’ve not bicycled for over a week and I can’t really tell that this is helping things heal faster or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, we’ve been moving and that probably hasn’t helped healing things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – The shower at home is the best of the entire trip.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirMTLVyKB-ZEfstfAwJajG8U58IpixAEe7hJEhEV7417QdjhpgP9Lc_rcwqgHgn2cJqf-T12E6EilMWPiOT1RLlFs4XChWhLFbr-kb8uB0Co511cFZ7ckwuKb-MpAdK28-WlZKHyS9FIT/s1600/IMG_2823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirMTLVyKB-ZEfstfAwJajG8U58IpixAEe7hJEhEV7417QdjhpgP9Lc_rcwqgHgn2cJqf-T12E6EilMWPiOT1RLlFs4XChWhLFbr-kb8uB0Co511cFZ7ckwuKb-MpAdK28-WlZKHyS9FIT/s320/IMG_2823.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our Russian River home was rented through September 17, but you’d better believe that we were hear ready to start moving in at noon on Sunday – the check out time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve moved most of the stuff out of Ruby and stored her at an RV camp in Duncan’s Mills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The River Bend Resort would charge us $20 a day to leave it there, while the other place is only $5 a day (or $50 a month.)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRDebuVsS50RMvf0mtOjpzC69i68JgvchQSEUnEXdDCwgX_7RJmeUWl_6xXR_8g9ezGSAbRjD3lgfMqu6sQEvjIHP6YQ29Vcl5rqTWzdB6tINTEE5i1elpgrqVoHMXk68ZzSt7VqYL8iV/s1600/IMG_2819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRDebuVsS50RMvf0mtOjpzC69i68JgvchQSEUnEXdDCwgX_7RJmeUWl_6xXR_8g9ezGSAbRjD3lgfMqu6sQEvjIHP6YQ29Vcl5rqTWzdB6tINTEE5i1elpgrqVoHMXk68ZzSt7VqYL8iV/s320/IMG_2819.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoixSipFpfYf_KmrjMNL-Eeecuakk1wb5ugJhemJfVMO3052eNJAfPIu5cXxgAk93HJXx-BFqeYClrhKHv-1Mu7Y-OypW4W-ZRw8-yIU6TEDuv_dLYCMg4LdwCw1SGGCB6YFpvL-c40vbq/s1600/IMG_2824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoixSipFpfYf_KmrjMNL-Eeecuakk1wb5ugJhemJfVMO3052eNJAfPIu5cXxgAk93HJXx-BFqeYClrhKHv-1Mu7Y-OypW4W-ZRw8-yIU6TEDuv_dLYCMg4LdwCw1SGGCB6YFpvL-c40vbq/s320/IMG_2824.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjER35Mjf_Q7D54zqn0vubsTVxilfa3c95m8kYGTdErlvEcBlVqPLzCiwy-TrOJpDSKsRFteIjKhyphenhyphen6Gt_m-yvmacITSV4kr3ZouqyQDwh_X33nH_CCbYMJLA_VqJsfnlrZMmdz-IhIGvExA/s1600/IMG_2820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjER35Mjf_Q7D54zqn0vubsTVxilfa3c95m8kYGTdErlvEcBlVqPLzCiwy-TrOJpDSKsRFteIjKhyphenhyphen6Gt_m-yvmacITSV4kr3ZouqyQDwh_X33nH_CCbYMJLA_VqJsfnlrZMmdz-IhIGvExA/s320/IMG_2820.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was sort of disappointing to see the condition of our home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The carpets were filthy, filthy, filthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We mentioned it to the cleaning person on duty Sunday, who agreed, but didn’t do anything to make it better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we mentioned it to the management company, they said that their head of housekeeping had told them to prepare us for the shock of the appalling condition of the flooring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had left Spot Shot for them to use, but the cans were still full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spot Shot really worked to get the worst of it looking better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still had to shampoo the carpets on Monday.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Chris had moved a load of boxes up here in June and I’ve been moving them from the basement to the kitchen where Neita is in charge of unpacking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is sort of amazing to see the stuff that we thought that we couldn’t live without, but haven’t missed for the last six months on the road. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This weekend is the Russian River Blues and Jazz Festival about a mile down river from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can hear the music and get to watch the entertaining parade of boaters, rafters, and kayakers head down the river to get closer to the music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friday night there was an underpowered motorboat towing a barge downstream to be nearer where the action would be at Johnson’s Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The barge had a huge bonfire burning on it with folks toasting marshmallows and themselves – all on the barge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every few hundred feet the boat would stall and the driver would curse, get it started again and continue slowly downstream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">All things considered, it is good to be home.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Plans are in place for the “Ride-In” to where it all began on six months ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be riding 65 miles from Wickenburg to Paradise Valley on October 2 – exactly six months after the start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I plan to arrive at 7815 N Ironwood, PV around 3 p.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is fitting that October 2 is also Livestong Day and a day to wear yellow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please join me for the ride or consider joining us for a beer to celebrate this Big Ride. If you plan to join me for the ride, or just the post ride celebration, please drop me a line at <a href="mailto:billcomings@hotmail.com">billcomings@hotmail.com</a> to let me know to expect you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-40241309969050981432011-09-17T08:39:00.000-07:002011-09-17T08:39:03.774-07:00Not There Yet<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Day 164 – 168, September 13 – 16, 2011, Not There, Yet <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route from campground to Duncan’s Mills, twice<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">54.7 miles, averaging 14.4 mph<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – I’ve frequently thought about the stranger who bought my coffee in Shalotte, NC on day 60 of the Big Ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish that I could be more like her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I had the perfect opportunity today to provide a random act of kindness and didn’t take it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the bakery in Duncan’s Mills, the woman behind me in line was going to purchase one of their prepared sandwiches and presented her credit card for payment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well the bakery doesn’t take credit cards and the woman didn’t have cash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They made her leave the sandwich on the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really should have offered to pay for her, and I even considered making the offer at the time, but I didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realize that the kindness exhibited by the woman in North Carolina will take some work to nurture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am disappointed that I’m not there, yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – Cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting at the Duncan’s Mills Bakery are amazing!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I didn’t ride for two days, hoping that my hand would start getting back to its normal size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It still has a ways to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I did ride for two days and may have taken a step backwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guess that healing things just take longer than I want to admit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The good news is that I’m able to discern that there really are four knuckles on my left hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, typing two handedly is getting easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s not there yet. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The road to Duncan’s Mills is wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mostly flat, it follows the Russian River and provides wonderful views of the hills and homes on the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This really is a wonderful place!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yesterday, I rode out by myself and took a detour up to Armstrong Woods – the state redwood preserve just outside of Guerneville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, Neita joined me and we went to Duncan’s Mills and back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we rode closer to the coast around noon, we could see the fog waiting to pounce back into the river valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This happened both days and the temperature, which was just over 70 near Guerneville, plummeted to 59 at Duncan’s Mills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make things even more of a challenge, there was quite a headwind as we went west.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then after our break, the wind seemed to be coming from the east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Headwinds both coming and going – yuck.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Big Ride into Phoenix is coming on October 2<sup>nd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay tuned for details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be riding from Wickenburg to where it all began in Paradise Valley, and would love for people to join me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-37890167231483733552011-09-13T09:02:00.000-07:002011-09-13T09:02:04.451-07:00Wine Tasting<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Day 163 & 164, September 11 & 12, 2011, Wine Tasting<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route – The Wine Road on Rocket and then to Healdsburg & back on bicycle<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQj2QLFp86rzSY_kJ_zxdztJ6X7-JrTQ4TiNVqib8vOiJ5jS0epMZq3rXD19VTq0K2-T-I8jWBeruvBmRC5UzCNkc2hsX2T3c1lbvOUhxXKYZoFinv4vRp6-MXp07MWD1C5VvYvyhyG5B3/s1600/IMG_2816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQj2QLFp86rzSY_kJ_zxdztJ6X7-JrTQ4TiNVqib8vOiJ5jS0epMZq3rXD19VTq0K2-T-I8jWBeruvBmRC5UzCNkc2hsX2T3c1lbvOUhxXKYZoFinv4vRp6-MXp07MWD1C5VvYvyhyG5B3/s320/IMG_2816.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">28.2 miles, averaging 14.7 mph<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – Forgetting my camera for the winetasting on Sunday – I missed some really great shots. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – Riding on Eastside Road into Healdsburg has to be one of the classic Sonoma County bike rides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s very little traffic and beautiful views of the vineyards.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Neita and I took off on Rocket to check out some of the new wineries that have opened since we were last here for wine tasting a year ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Westside Road alone, there were three new places and one with a new name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We checked all four out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was probably one of the most fun tastings that we’ve had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had four really great experiences – maybe this was because it was Sunday afternoon and things were sort of slow, or maybe it was the weather sort of cool and cloudy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The staff seemed extra friendly and the guests talked to one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We even met some people who actually live in the area!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">John Tyler was one of the wineries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “mom” – owner - who was in the tasting room, grew up at Korbel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Sort of a wonderful place to grow up.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had great wines too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tasting room had only been open 2 months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We went to VML – a winery that has had many different names since we’ve been coming up here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we went to another new place Davero – they bottle and sell other winemakers wines, along with their own Italian varietals, but focus on olive oil production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tasted olive oil!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last place we went to had been open barely one year and was closing this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such is the nature of the business. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today I thought I would try riding the loop on Eastside Road to Healdsburg and back on Westside Road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I loved the ride, my hand didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pavement on Westside Road was very bumpy and there were a few tough hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found that I’m not ready for longer rides.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Bills Big Ride In has been moved up to October 2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t be riding along any of the coast this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while, this is very disappointing to me, I know neither my hand nor my psyche is ready for the challenges and traffic of Highway 1. I guess it is good to always have some challenge to look forward to in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I do plan on bicycling into Phoenix from Wickenburg on October 2. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would love to have anyone interested join me for all or part of the ride in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And certainly join us for a celebration at the end of the adventure. So watch for the details to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-22928963785139870572011-09-11T08:03:00.000-07:002011-09-11T08:03:51.598-07:00Almost a Fist<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Days 161 & 162, September 9 & 10, Almost a Fist <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route – from campground to Duncan’s Mills on River Road, then east on River Road to Martinelli Winery<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3u0BG0RcZCfJkSzNK5QVhelOZCVQP3i40_YCWiITvIAst4ZK8tdb8KUDpyCDhU5XYrYM9kWiReOo8Dg0u9hOzoykV8R68jrEOzldZDRbbBEu2is1wCNYSJ164fdVffgbgEOKlQqlf5MP/s1600/IMG_2811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3u0BG0RcZCfJkSzNK5QVhelOZCVQP3i40_YCWiITvIAst4ZK8tdb8KUDpyCDhU5XYrYM9kWiReOo8Dg0u9hOzoykV8R68jrEOzldZDRbbBEu2is1wCNYSJ164fdVffgbgEOKlQqlf5MP/s320/IMG_2811.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">47.3 miles, averaging 13.7 mph<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – The bridge near Forestville is scary to ride across. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – I was able to shift with the left hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that things are getting better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Even though I’ve been able to bicycle the past couple of days, my left hand is still pretty swollen, stiff, and sore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is uncomfortable to put too much pressure on the handlebars with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am however nearly able to make a fist, so there is progress. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So the past few days, I’ve ridden around the area on fairly flat easy rides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Friday, I rode out to Duncan’s Mills, a very small town on the Russian River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It used to have a railroad depot and lumber mill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it has an RV Park, a few shops, a bakery, and the rodeo grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a nice gentle ride along River Road, nearly to the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while there weren’t lots of cars and trucks, what traffic there was, was quite unnerving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was glad to be able to ride on the much quieter Moscow Road (on the other side of the river) from Duncan’s Mills to Monte Rio. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-88fqIIQQeZcDl3KU5raXPENqwgD6lDDsCR3jajPwxIR4C3cTOxLsCxH78loiJJjjqZziVdPQGqgTe7T0kimW33MQR6k0urkz948RPxtY2c5ppjMeq_M3eV7mgA0jcvKXxUaeav-E1yo/s1600/IMG_2807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-88fqIIQQeZcDl3KU5raXPENqwgD6lDDsCR3jajPwxIR4C3cTOxLsCxH78loiJJjjqZziVdPQGqgTe7T0kimW33MQR6k0urkz948RPxtY2c5ppjMeq_M3eV7mgA0jcvKXxUaeav-E1yo/s320/IMG_2807.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today, Neita and I decided to ride to Martinelli Winery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one of our favorite tasting places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, there was a lot of traffic since it was Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bridge over the river near Forestville has no shoulder to cycle on, nor does River Road for about half a mile after the bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again this was unnerving and very scary – especially for Neita.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNb7LMinD9Z1owx94eIuHxSCpLPMAttBFpWCd9ttUUFx_a7WRNjEseoYXf-6FUWw4l75PsFcJVaKZHnMq6d9caSrnVjq3APUOuYX_rKHL4roN5n7MIUCeUaWnCGSASk75pnLUWokRdH7R/s1600/IMG_2809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNb7LMinD9Z1owx94eIuHxSCpLPMAttBFpWCd9ttUUFx_a7WRNjEseoYXf-6FUWw4l75PsFcJVaKZHnMq6d9caSrnVjq3APUOuYX_rKHL4roN5n7MIUCeUaWnCGSASk75pnLUWokRdH7R/s320/IMG_2809.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There is only one climb on the road, but it is a decent uphill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where Neita’s gears stopped working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After tasting some very delectable red wines, we were able to get Neita’s shifters to work properly and headed back to Ruby for some river time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Across the river from the RV Park, there are some gravely beaches where it is fun to view the canoeists, kayakers, and other river floaters from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Duncan loves to retrieve his ball from the river as long as it is thrown up river, in an area where the current isn’t too swift, and the ball will float down to him. He is one tired puppy tonight. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-72138449300399138232011-09-09T08:09:00.000-07:002011-09-09T08:09:28.412-07:00Interesting Camper Life<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Day 159 & 160, September 7 & 8, Interesting Camper Life<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route – Around Guerneville & Armstrong Woods <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">17.7 miles, averaging 13.5 mph<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – On Wednesday, Neita and I were going to cycle into Gureneville, when about 50 feet from the campground, Neita had a flat tire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was quite a lot of traffic in the area, so she decided to walk back to the campground and let me change her tire later when I got back.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – I had been somewhat worried that with the broken hand, fixing flat tires would be difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While never fun, I was able to fix Neita’s without too much difficulty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her tires are probably original to her bike and several years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some road debris cut both tube and tire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I patched her tube and put on a new tire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now she is ready to ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yesterday, I had a really great, albeit short ride into Guerneville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looks like there are a few new shops since we were here in March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a new wine bar and other wine market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully, the merchants in town had a good summer season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can only imagine what a struggle it must be for them the rest of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are tourists here much of the year, but in the winters, the focus is on the weekends at the wineries and the weather isn’t as wonderful as it is in summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Russian River is a great place to kayak and canoe in summer, but not so wonderful after October or before June. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today, was a really quiet day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No bike ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess the biggest accomplishment of the day is that I fixed Ruby’s front door window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all of the bumps in the road, the caulking that kept the glass in place failed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the window didn’t fall out, it did slip and was always open about an inch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a trip to our local True Value Hardware Store in Guerneville on Rocket, I re-caulked the window and it looks like the seal is a good one.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We did take Rocket into town for dinner at our favorite in town place - Boon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I understand why those motorcyclists I’ve seen are so bundled up with all of the clothing they wear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though the temperatures were pleasant, the air was really chilly coming home in the early evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We have seen some very interesting campers in our travels around the country, but there is one here, that wins for most unusual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple arrived here in a big Mercedes and parked in one of the less shaded “tent sites.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman got out of the car, opened two umbrellas and then positioned the open umbrellas in the tree near the site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later, they set up a tent and spent the night, though when I took Duncan for his evening walk, both people were sitting in the Mercedes with the headlights on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The couple stayed two days in the site leaving during the day, taking the umbrellas with them, but repositioning them upon their return in the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JpBR8hNfXp5fU7NW0QPucYPDfxQYTaYYv5398wG42tMUncZkyhpEcfHjFRWHf3jtuxTwja7Arse8nCfFcZWjGCvcQbWIWaRT9RckE_LPbmhJzcEYesRs1UHM-ROJimudMq8rwL4eIFBX/s1600/IMG_2803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JpBR8hNfXp5fU7NW0QPucYPDfxQYTaYYv5398wG42tMUncZkyhpEcfHjFRWHf3jtuxTwja7Arse8nCfFcZWjGCvcQbWIWaRT9RckE_LPbmhJzcEYesRs1UHM-ROJimudMq8rwL4eIFBX/s320/IMG_2803.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nsK4y7mn03VFB87dIXwRm0J2hfmQagcZaOdNQwoXWXo1Ijr96KFN4sfUnvKx6lS7b7MLxKYnhfab4x_XLjOszv3CYLZYqfLY7uVAhyphenhyphenDL4ExyLEMsBeUiigqdTVe_ZaVCvQvSL7HHLWP-/s1600/IMG_2804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nsK4y7mn03VFB87dIXwRm0J2hfmQagcZaOdNQwoXWXo1Ijr96KFN4sfUnvKx6lS7b7MLxKYnhfab4x_XLjOszv3CYLZYqfLY7uVAhyphenhyphenDL4ExyLEMsBeUiigqdTVe_ZaVCvQvSL7HHLWP-/s320/IMG_2804.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-13290318723865648992011-09-07T08:42:00.000-07:002011-09-07T08:42:11.809-07:00No More Splint<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Day 157 & 158, September 5 & 6, 2011, No More Splint<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route from Reno, NV to River Bend Campground Resort, Guerneville, CA in Ruby and then to Healdsburg, CA via Rocket<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – Driving over Donner’s Pass on Monday was terrible!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was so much traffic, and the road was in ill repair or under construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that the driving really got to Neita – she was most happy to be close to our home in Guerneville. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – Dr. Tomasin x-rayed my hand on Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After looking at them, he told me that I no longer needed the splint and that I needed to start exercising the left hand to get back to being able to make a fist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah!!!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Leaving Reno on Monday probably wasn’t such a good idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Burning Man was just concluding, there was the normal traffic and then all of the Labor Day traffic on top. The few miles from Reno to the California State Line were fine, but after the California Agriculture Inspection Station, the freeway was jammed with traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In areas where there weren’t any cars entering the road, we moved okay, but when anyone needed to merge, the traffic stopped still.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took us just over 5 hours to get here. And that was with a stop in Santa Rosa to resupply.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We are camped high above the Russian River, but can still look down the banks to see the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After everything was set up, I unloaded the bikes and Rocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to be sure that I could drive it in order to get Healdsburg today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a bit difficult with the splint, but manageable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVq34s6wgBT5Jg_VecCvKi3iUYf0IBOq0ZdiA6tufP7jloKSCEvMLyBkhgahytqMEILSkP94VK37O4THyMXFqMoBRP8yGDlGew6PfZY0Feeo7TFOlLNanJY6gDbNcBIcTa72h8v-1U3l79/s1600/IMG_2798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVq34s6wgBT5Jg_VecCvKi3iUYf0IBOq0ZdiA6tufP7jloKSCEvMLyBkhgahytqMEILSkP94VK37O4THyMXFqMoBRP8yGDlGew6PfZY0Feeo7TFOlLNanJY6gDbNcBIcTa72h8v-1U3l79/s320/IMG_2798.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I took Rocked out this morning early to be able to get to the doctor’s appointment by 10:30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Riding along Westside Road into Healdsburg, I went past all of our favorite wineries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a few new ones that we’ll need to visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctor, an ex-rugger, indicated that injuries like mine are a balance act – one doesn’t want to stay immobile for too long, or the rehabilitation becomes as much of an issue as the break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hand is still quite swollen and very stiff, but I am to work it to regain the ability to make a fist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I can even type using both hands now – sort of.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said that when I felt safe, it was okay to start bicycling again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m probably going on an easy ride tomorrow to see how things go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Rocket ride back to Forestville was a whole lot easier without the splint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neita and I went to Korbel’s for a celebratory champagne lunch!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m still hoping to be able to ride south from here on at least part of the coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVucZQWLf1VuRXG3IG5To2Qqb9e2JsmPGEUWaCkG6_dgjK5nq49-aRO0zIQcfwaFoW4y-gznDE8NCJSYOGS8hhpXBL5xt3hTagkZlMXLW5eacufOP05WrIihDh6dJL6F6U6_9lAEmTUi4/s1600/IMG_2802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVucZQWLf1VuRXG3IG5To2Qqb9e2JsmPGEUWaCkG6_dgjK5nq49-aRO0zIQcfwaFoW4y-gznDE8NCJSYOGS8hhpXBL5xt3hTagkZlMXLW5eacufOP05WrIihDh6dJL6F6U6_9lAEmTUi4/s320/IMG_2802.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ll most likely not cycle all of the way back to Phoenix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a few dates in place that will keep me from taking all of the time needed to cycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mainly, when Neita agreed to come with me on this adventure, she agreed to the time from April 2<sup>nd</sup> to October 9<sup>th</sup>- no longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to finish the ride no later than that. <sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-8710162097098181002011-09-05T07:25:00.000-07:002011-09-05T07:25:52.753-07:00In Awe of Neita<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Day 155 & 156, September 3 & 4, 2011, In Awe of Neita<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route from Jackson Hole Campground to Twin Falls, ID KOA and onto Reno, NV KOA<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – It was more than a little disheartening to leave Jackson in Ruby instead of on a bicycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d been looking forward to either cycling into or out of Jackson, and as things turned out, I didn’t get to do either. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – I am looking forward to getting to California tomorrow, doing some cycling and hopefully healing enough to be able to continue the ride from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I could still complete 75% of the perimeter.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve always wanted to cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge – so I’ve got that to look forward to. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We got a bit of a late start leaving Jackson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems that the hydraulic jacks that help stabilize Ruby and work to keep things level didn’t want to retract.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a good spray of WD-40, they went right up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too bad that we didn’t try that sooner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neita had complained about how reluctant the jacks were in going up.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToXXjUJIUkOOJZzvbrMQ6_n6PvAObBVlgMnY0eGAiNvhrqQPLUP3d7qvTs2m_GmRJ54W0-H-3eijNUNWuzk3Tymv8IxkAMFV8Vg2BM4HLMtv56lJGjfAyHDouapDpYNB5D_rSU81df_xC/s1600/IMG_2781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToXXjUJIUkOOJZzvbrMQ6_n6PvAObBVlgMnY0eGAiNvhrqQPLUP3d7qvTs2m_GmRJ54W0-H-3eijNUNWuzk3Tymv8IxkAMFV8Vg2BM4HLMtv56lJGjfAyHDouapDpYNB5D_rSU81df_xC/s320/IMG_2781.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> Duncan's ready to travel<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We drove along the Snake River all of the way to Twin Falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a very scenic drive, and not much longer than we would have driven had we decided to tackle Teton Pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Snake flows into the Columbia River and provides Idaho with source of water for the irrigated farmlands that were ripe with wheat and full of the famous Idaho Spuds. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxE0fwg8kZLImPcrpocUxSeN5gpr4PihUhdiEpbr3EiSFsDl3bWr_UM9mrK61ZwJ-UeKwMd-xos1T-dW4Wn9MHjPsSaSw-QvoWLywNrUPrf3cMctmD6WJcDaEHe6d_UIeXJG9yw35ZNbPo/s1600/IMG_2786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxE0fwg8kZLImPcrpocUxSeN5gpr4PihUhdiEpbr3EiSFsDl3bWr_UM9mrK61ZwJ-UeKwMd-xos1T-dW4Wn9MHjPsSaSw-QvoWLywNrUPrf3cMctmD6WJcDaEHe6d_UIeXJG9yw35ZNbPo/s320/IMG_2786.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Twin Falls KOA was amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I checked in, I was told that we could order dinner delivered to our site from their own cafe – who would have ever considered room service at a campground!?!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(The special was meatloaf.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had lots of activity for families during the Labor Day weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was an opportunity to tie-dye t-shirts, go to an ice cream social, and even make s’mores at their campfire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty cool, but the ice cream in Hayward, WI was still much better. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmNWf82vR5scuZ4p7sAjr-4xcJ0NctgzAqiUSG1q45uiPO4-Ut-XDFxV8tpxFflRh15ISUz1IQvuVyNW_wvxRowB0UkbKWcRjqVmK_B5zOohvJDZI2anf8HcohBq5o1vo7qFPIANPKbXo/s1600/IMG_2789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmNWf82vR5scuZ4p7sAjr-4xcJ0NctgzAqiUSG1q45uiPO4-Ut-XDFxV8tpxFflRh15ISUz1IQvuVyNW_wvxRowB0UkbKWcRjqVmK_B5zOohvJDZI2anf8HcohBq5o1vo7qFPIANPKbXo/s320/IMG_2789.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today was a long day for Neita.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove nearly 500 miles from Twin Falls, ID to the KOA west of Reno, NV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She drove Ruby through the construction zones, through the traffic in Sparks and Reno, on the Interstate, and on the narrow two-lane road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a pro! The scenery was desert boring until the Reno area.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After such a long driving day, we took the campground’s shuttle to the Boomtown Casino for dinner at their steakhouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dinner was great and there were lots of people to watch at the casino.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fun.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKBFqBPSqLz2aPgio1XHTh6agtwVTMfAidYV3SaavcBRcfz_zhr-kVKg42fHqek8q0OXX-TtYCZyx19O3flCUd8pWucm_4lhSPC3x_7VHXiibaKLS7A6QxW6yizVSH3ogt3JVjEr0b5GN/s1600/IMG_2791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKBFqBPSqLz2aPgio1XHTh6agtwVTMfAidYV3SaavcBRcfz_zhr-kVKg42fHqek8q0OXX-TtYCZyx19O3flCUd8pWucm_4lhSPC3x_7VHXiibaKLS7A6QxW6yizVSH3ogt3JVjEr0b5GN/s320/IMG_2791.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Tomorrow’s Guerneville!!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-27531407651393474112011-09-03T04:57:00.000-07:002011-09-03T04:57:40.481-07:00Last Night in Jackson<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Day 153 & 154, September 1 & 2, 2011, Last Night in Jackson<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route around Wilson, WY, on Fish River and Fall River Roads.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4haZCqsiefXdZn2yS5j9BBEjEl7lQHeagsorNhiJoabNPlQRJzlmWAIy9nxlLSBFZUU4YtO1gAMf5P_CTz-435wOeJl7YfghNHEICPjpdNEPvDxODAA1BCUjuANARToBY1fe_Ky_0tTW/s1600/IMG_2773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4haZCqsiefXdZn2yS5j9BBEjEl7lQHeagsorNhiJoabNPlQRJzlmWAIy9nxlLSBFZUU4YtO1gAMf5P_CTz-435wOeJl7YfghNHEICPjpdNEPvDxODAA1BCUjuANARToBY1fe_Ky_0tTW/s320/IMG_2773.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiey4RGXGj7LJqxy2k4Ctao14eNOLMjnExLDApLirH1H2Fkcpc1sjtgWvdwqDhfHvaQ2ygpYcDjoRpjoJj3SDQinhet8uzsA60HnJvjz7Hs74asw9wQp3cFvekA7XdY-Xas6FoVBzkh82-n/s1600/IMG_2777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiey4RGXGj7LJqxy2k4Ctao14eNOLMjnExLDApLirH1H2Fkcpc1sjtgWvdwqDhfHvaQ2ygpYcDjoRpjoJj3SDQinhet8uzsA60HnJvjz7Hs74asw9wQp3cFvekA7XdY-Xas6FoVBzkh82-n/s320/IMG_2777.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">24.8 miles, averaging 14.7 mph<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – On the incredibly beautiful Fall River Road, just west of Wilson, I realized that I really need to have this hand healed before I can consider any serious cycling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road had a fair amount of hills so it would have been nice to be able to shift and brake with my left hand, but even worse is that I don’t have the stability on the bike because of the splint and my inability to put weight on the left hand.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – Thursday evening, Neita and I had another wonderful dinner at the Snake River Grill in Jackson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the blackberry pie with caramel ice cream for dessert. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">While looking for bicycle paths around Jackson, I saw that there was a road that sort of followed the Snake River on its north side for several miles before the pavement ended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a recommended bicycle path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Thursday, I decided to give it a try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The photos don’t even come close to showing the beauty of the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have certainly followed the road to the end had I not been wary about my ability to adequately control the bike on the hills both up and down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It is really starting to get cold in Jackson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This morning it was 32 when I woke up and similar temperatures are forecast for tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seems like there was a switch thrown somewhere at the end of August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the daytime temperatures, which had been in the eighties, are now in the low 70’s and even the 60’s.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I washed the red, lower part of Ruby this afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the first time since leaving Phoenix in April that Ruby has had a bath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The white upper part doesn’t show the dirt as much, but the red was a different story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow, it looks almost new!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Tomorrow we head for Twin Falls, Id and then on to Reno, NV before arriving in Guerneville, CA on Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll be in an RV park on the river until we are able to actually have our house starting on September 18<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have an appointment with another orthopedic doctor on Tuesday for evaluation to see how the breaks are healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully, I’ll be out of his cast soon and can start retraining for the Big Ride to continue – at least from Guerneville down the coast.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment--> Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-73649555232815354002011-09-01T05:32:00.000-07:002011-09-01T05:32:35.068-07:00Two Too Short Rides<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Day 151 & 152, August 30 & 31, 2011, Two Too Short Rides<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route around Jackson Hole<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">26 miles, averaging 15.8 mph on Aug 30 & 12.7 miles, averaging 13.8 mph on Aug 31 <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2x9IHpaH-SWU-yarcIBFXLZ3Ls_acmNsqVPK4T_rFtYl5d7TJzM_fFGrIm_McvRwH_909a9jwnUoFuR5NVYtZpKuKnn1aUuUWLMrxmiwiWiqaCrIOhBaaMAhdXopwIFW4OM4cIcUmXEfw/s1600/IMG_2766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2x9IHpaH-SWU-yarcIBFXLZ3Ls_acmNsqVPK4T_rFtYl5d7TJzM_fFGrIm_McvRwH_909a9jwnUoFuR5NVYtZpKuKnn1aUuUWLMrxmiwiWiqaCrIOhBaaMAhdXopwIFW4OM4cIcUmXEfw/s320/IMG_2766.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVbsl2L928kFs1xzGErEnJnmVH2Ub4CZRzRj6YiP8t3KVmy9PRO9cqWjXlpz37gcEy_aSek9QUYrMlyTxaW0Z-v35B9tDI5GOr2zQjAvUpXabnDM1t_xx07YTHkKnjYjxOVb4WCPC7fvR/s1600/IMG_2770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVbsl2L928kFs1xzGErEnJnmVH2Ub4CZRzRj6YiP8t3KVmy9PRO9cqWjXlpz37gcEy_aSek9QUYrMlyTxaW0Z-v35B9tDI5GOr2zQjAvUpXabnDM1t_xx07YTHkKnjYjxOVb4WCPC7fvR/s320/IMG_2770.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVE4PWEMOhZjtlTE2Rtv_iBUxG93vwTJjYZnjTyF8Wlry34h2u0_BR_odo4gKIY1SOkDQ4QzjSbmQFz31CmW65DQMjFO551hNSmElYTtV2T4refCCIqcivdLLIoXWUJ8oRSP_4JOenNGKJ/s1600/IMG_2771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVE4PWEMOhZjtlTE2Rtv_iBUxG93vwTJjYZnjTyF8Wlry34h2u0_BR_odo4gKIY1SOkDQ4QzjSbmQFz31CmW65DQMjFO551hNSmElYTtV2T4refCCIqcivdLLIoXWUJ8oRSP_4JOenNGKJ/s320/IMG_2771.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – Chris called late tonight to let us know that his home had been broken into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They took some cash and a Play Station 3, but the really creepy thing is that they ate some of his food and even had a fire in his outdoor fire pit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s only like 110 in Phoenix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he got home, the coals were still warm. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – I’ve really enjoyed getting back on the bicycle and riding - even though the rides are short.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yesterday, I found an amazing road going east out of the town of Wilson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It ran along the base of the Tetons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had mountains on one side and a stream on the other side of the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So beautiful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were even a few hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After about 8 miles the pavement ended, but I think that the road is actually another road to Teton Village. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My hand is still swollen and in a splint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can move my thumb and first two fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I’m even able to sort of type two handed and can tie my own shoes albeit slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Bicycling anything with much of a challenge, traffic, lots of stops, or hills is still not something that I should take on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The splint on my left hand prevents me from changing gears or braking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, because of the broken bone, I really can’t put much weight on the hand to grip the handlebars, which presents a bit of a challenge in steering the bike. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve an appointment with a doctor in Healdsburg, CA on Tuesday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I see him, it will have been nearly 4 weeks since the Big Crash and, hopefully things will have healed enough to be able to have a less restrictive splint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I would continue the ride from there back to Phoenix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m really hoping that I’ll be able to do that, but it really depends on the hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, we are still planning on being back in Phoenix on October 9<sup>th</sup> one way or another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neita and I are both looking forward to seeing friends and family before our move to the Russian Bonita (what had been our vacation home is going to be our permanent residence) in Guerneville, CA.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment--> Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-16281575381375097362011-08-30T06:39:00.000-07:002011-08-30T06:39:29.497-07:00Back on the Bike Again!!<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Day 148, 149 & 150, August 27, 28 & 29, 2011, Back on the Bike Again<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route from Jackson Hole Campground to the entrance of Teton National Park, Wilson, and back<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">19.6 miles, averaging 12 mph<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – The past three days have been fairly amazingly awesome, though the pea sized hail during the rainstorm while white-water rafting was sort of annoying.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – There have been lots of best moments – probably too many to recall all of them but here are some of the highlights:</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li>Sue made Nanaimo Bars and left me with my very own supply!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MMMmmm Good!</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Spending time with the family & friends</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Neita’s brother and sister</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>My sisters and brother-in-law</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Two of my cousins from California</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Tom & Suzanne</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>And, of course, Chris & Casey!!!</li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>White water rafting on the Snake River – Lunch Counter Rapids rule!</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Breakfast at Shades with the family on Sunday</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>And getting back on the bike to ride once again!</li>
</ul><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This weekend has been a long time in planning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was wonderful to see so much of our family all at the same time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were so very blessed to have been able to have such a wonderful visit in this beautiful part of the U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqp0G-cIAt4gm0bebZCr3hPfB3CmQx1TgpnDrGNjZory516F6uScv8VVoxu19usbiYe3pUEyzjN1hbDadzlriMm5aVr4CpB87Wv9ZpLX6pvCssU__gxLMK-hCAIaHgbRLcj_XDSEbya0P/s1600/IMG_2747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqp0G-cIAt4gm0bebZCr3hPfB3CmQx1TgpnDrGNjZory516F6uScv8VVoxu19usbiYe3pUEyzjN1hbDadzlriMm5aVr4CpB87Wv9ZpLX6pvCssU__gxLMK-hCAIaHgbRLcj_XDSEbya0P/s320/IMG_2747.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me, Sue (sister), Lynn (cousin), Alan (Sue's husband), Mary (sister), Linda (cousin)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagUf4aKwBfrc429K3Jd4HGiOIjrszIBh-AN5bMCiq-W5WgJTTy3WjtaGeXBuXIBAsAfYwkA_ffQ09hFfLHAtvKKP2H1EOWAqbAZGdb62t74G3nQE2eQoND0Rw4lVPUK_fjVt5IN4dB7Ni/s1600/IMG_2750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagUf4aKwBfrc429K3Jd4HGiOIjrszIBh-AN5bMCiq-W5WgJTTy3WjtaGeXBuXIBAsAfYwkA_ffQ09hFfLHAtvKKP2H1EOWAqbAZGdb62t74G3nQE2eQoND0Rw4lVPUK_fjVt5IN4dB7Ni/s320/IMG_2750.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Ron & Paula (Neita's brother & sister), Chris, Neita & me, & Casey</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">While we’ve had wonderful cool and mostly dry weather, my thoughts and prayers go out to all of the parts of the country suffering from the destruction of Hurricane Irene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After seeing the beauty of the east, I can’t imagine the ruin brought by this massive storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so sad to see the names of places I’ve ridden and hear of the damage and wonder how those we’ve met and visited are doing.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After a wonderful reunion brunch, eight of us went white water rafting on the Snake River!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was something we had done with Chris and Casey on their last visit to Jackson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a great time then even tough it was late June, cold and rainy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We thought that it would be great fun in late August when the water was warm, the skies were clear, and the sun was shining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well it was still memorable fun even with the rain that started with the first paddle stroke and didn’t let up until we beached the raft two hours later and 8 miles downriver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sunday afternoon everyone started leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paula was the last, leaving us around 3 pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, Neita and I started looking at travel arrangements to Guerneville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, the place we had hoped to stay doesn’t have room until after Labor Day, so we are staying put for another week.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This morning, I took the bicycles off the rack that we’ve been using to transport them on Ruby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neita and I went for an awesome ride on the bike path along the base of the mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a beautiful ride!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find that it is really hard to ride with this cast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the ride from Guerneville to Phoenix is still up in the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really did feel good to get back on the bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was glad there weren’t any flats, because that is one more thing that takes two hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay tuned!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxSNJH3Sw-RCBOE8mRNvCHnyEGwGtbGuLiU0ab4LxKYNo4G4O_1LOgBkb9qFg_ocx7l1qEjYaenPbxgtpZ1SBT5Tc5LvQeyRcGoNmdt7AD8OPE1qhh2nM38_gUClp3-MQOO_7iPkJpGOq/s1600/IMG_2764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxSNJH3Sw-RCBOE8mRNvCHnyEGwGtbGuLiU0ab4LxKYNo4G4O_1LOgBkb9qFg_ocx7l1qEjYaenPbxgtpZ1SBT5Tc5LvQeyRcGoNmdt7AD8OPE1qhh2nM38_gUClp3-MQOO_7iPkJpGOq/s320/IMG_2764.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment--> </div>Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-44172668385439933452011-08-27T07:32:00.000-07:002011-08-27T07:32:59.098-07:00The Family’s Arrived!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrdPrtanA5sumSjiOEdMXnrDzY9jYwUMj4EDSawlzKsDAQ5KcXBu55qea5zP5YWkJtdH3tr47KT2SvRsU7fukX3y9y2trXmfzsz5aMzdOb_d0UeXKRtKqHzbjOEoS2117FhddA881SbG2/s1600/IMG_2735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrdPrtanA5sumSjiOEdMXnrDzY9jYwUMj4EDSawlzKsDAQ5KcXBu55qea5zP5YWkJtdH3tr47KT2SvRsU7fukX3y9y2trXmfzsz5aMzdOb_d0UeXKRtKqHzbjOEoS2117FhddA881SbG2/s320/IMG_2735.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Day 146 & 147, August 25 & 26, 2011, <o:p></o:p>The Family’s Arrived!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – After seeing the orthopedic doctor on Thursday, the status of the ride is still uncertain. The doc indicated that the fracture will take 6 weeks to heal and I shouldn’t put any weight or stress on the hand in that area, but if cycling was critical to my emotional well being, I might be able to do some. I need the swelling in the hand to go down to see how things will feel back on the bike.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – On Thursday, Chris & Casey arrived – They are so much fun to have around! Today, Neita’s brother, Ron arrived with their sister, Paula. That was a big surprise. We had expected Ron to come with his wife, but she had to work and Paula had decided to surprise Neita some time ago. Then my sisters, Sue, Mary, and Sue’s husband Alan arrived. We had been planning a family reunion since early in the trip –it is so great to see everyone!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span id="goog_1728936541"></span><span id="goog_1728936542"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thursday I got a new splint for my hand. It is okay to get it wet and gives me more freedom in movement. All of the pieces of the bone are still aligned very well so the doctor was pleased about that. I need to go back to an orthopedic doctor in about ten days.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdF9ViP6-fnJActk3dbPpZHa1dOw-Q7xEi9u-21j3iSapNN1N9_pALuCe5HZPlmdDgwf7jInfTV7kZNNjapWkfYGYr9BUAJVwMmCJ6EtzeaxZvvQ5FuvFaLkaLEwdMbN-VEXEhyMrcmCzt/s1600/IMG_2740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdF9ViP6-fnJActk3dbPpZHa1dOw-Q7xEi9u-21j3iSapNN1N9_pALuCe5HZPlmdDgwf7jInfTV7kZNNjapWkfYGYr9BUAJVwMmCJ6EtzeaxZvvQ5FuvFaLkaLEwdMbN-VEXEhyMrcmCzt/s320/IMG_2740.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Once the Chris & Casey arrived, things have been very busy. We’ve been to the Cowboy Bar twice, ridden on the alpine slide, and shown the kids and Ron and Paula around the town. I even found a new Bicycle helmet on sale at one of the local sporting goods stores.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sue and Alan made us a dutch-oven dinner tonight. There were three dishes cooked in these ovens –dessert, pork roast with a spiced rob and potatoes. It was awesome! After dinner, we sat around the campfire roasting super-sized marshmallows (one of these monsters is the size of three normal ones) and eating s’mores. <o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RKbpf7BMiPOYzXqZ9URA9hGP0rxiqU3Kst6CFZKZaWTNIv1SIZMnw1-xmhwLIQUzybtY2ciLrYh9U-wYIJDVYyemJqydfI67UqpQL6KNIW5Wgm53J4VTPCz95RI8sZCeosRSjbeyAWlU/s1600/IMG_2743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RKbpf7BMiPOYzXqZ9URA9hGP0rxiqU3Kst6CFZKZaWTNIv1SIZMnw1-xmhwLIQUzybtY2ciLrYh9U-wYIJDVYyemJqydfI67UqpQL6KNIW5Wgm53J4VTPCz95RI8sZCeosRSjbeyAWlU/s320/IMG_2743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Tomorrow two of my cousins are coming for a visit. And we are going white water rafting. Should be lots of fun!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">. I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-31585805020646673552011-08-25T07:23:00.000-07:002011-08-25T07:23:30.620-07:00Happy Hour @ 9000 Feet<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Day 144 & 145, August 23 & 24, 2011, Happy Hour @ 9000 Feet<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – It’s now been nearly two weeks since I’ve been on a bicycle – the longest time without a ride for a long time.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – Our friends, Tom & Suzanne planned to meet us when the ride arrived in Jackson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are in town now – we spent all day Tuesday with them, showing them around the town of Jackson and the ski area of Teton Village.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IKrIwMDWMBaMRW06IXD1Z6XC_zr-BsWYZj552_51QqIPojXRJ3hXyl_V-xdGRJVkTEU9J_sRhhgJrDYgNj80k6XJp4tyUdboq1SctDAKYJ_bQxidVDpCgThOAu33jd8RlZLZx4lPVNsk/s1600/IMG_2721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IKrIwMDWMBaMRW06IXD1Z6XC_zr-BsWYZj552_51QqIPojXRJ3hXyl_V-xdGRJVkTEU9J_sRhhgJrDYgNj80k6XJp4tyUdboq1SctDAKYJ_bQxidVDpCgThOAu33jd8RlZLZx4lPVNsk/s320/IMG_2721.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">After 4:30, The Deck – a bar at the end of the gondola ride in Teton Village, has happy hour and features half priced drinks – they even have free gondola rides!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a view!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Naturally, the place is very crowded, but with patience, we finally spot a group getting ready to vacate their table and we made our move to claim the table.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfusDQCkBsSt77aCNBM7xGdtyNNZuYJJmoI3cC-eKZCCAs1YF0hbZhkCqfAvCZ2C7pODPtowhSnBRv0X0bD6GizUZlkAsB3OyIs1iN1kKkBZChKvAbCDxl1_UYRbdIG9PdCy5hlGeuEdF/s1600/IMG_2720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfusDQCkBsSt77aCNBM7xGdtyNNZuYJJmoI3cC-eKZCCAs1YF0hbZhkCqfAvCZ2C7pODPtowhSnBRv0X0bD6GizUZlkAsB3OyIs1iN1kKkBZChKvAbCDxl1_UYRbdIG9PdCy5hlGeuEdF/s320/IMG_2720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2obb69FN8_JZA0JwMqu2BFTiD0-S_7e9G9XXQBaih4zrNbzq1EyS_cAJo-xmd_MG65vNLrNwL3TSLpy9rSaWpsncbLeRMZIMCPs1O8xq7s7H_NHJ6GWxygNVest89ei15i-xZ0mjzREtu/s1600/IMG_2723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2obb69FN8_JZA0JwMqu2BFTiD0-S_7e9G9XXQBaih4zrNbzq1EyS_cAJo-xmd_MG65vNLrNwL3TSLpy9rSaWpsncbLeRMZIMCPs1O8xq7s7H_NHJ6GWxygNVest89ei15i-xZ0mjzREtu/s320/IMG_2723.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">From that vantage point, high on the mountain, one can see the entire valley of Jackson Hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is spectacular!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that I once heard Teton Village has the greatest vertical drop of any US ski area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Certainly more than the ski areas I cycled through back east.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tram will take one to the top – over 10,000 feet.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today, we really lazed around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m reading a good book about India, called <u>A Fine Balance</u>, by Rohinton Mistry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A onetime Oprah Book Club selection, it is a wonderful story about four people and their lives from 1975 to 1984 and the challenges of the caste and social classes that still existed.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Tomorrow is going to be an eventful day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Chris and Casey should arrive late afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can hardly wait to see them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the longest time ever that we’ve been apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are staying with us in Ruby through Sunday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Also, I go to the orthopedic doctor in the afternoon to have my hand looked at and hopefully a different kind of cast put on that will let me do more – like white water rafting and bicycling!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment--> Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-9545352215351939162011-08-23T06:58:00.000-07:002011-08-23T06:58:21.897-07:00Jackson<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Day 142 & 143, August 21 & 22, 2011, Jackson<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – After an okay dinner at 43 North, we had over an hour to spend before the next bus to the campground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was looking for Fitzgerald’s Bike Shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I remembered the address as 245 Jackson St.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I walked up and down Jackson St., and never found the bike shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out that the address is 245 W Hansen Ave. at the corner of Jackson and Hansen.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYeU3J3R9KxliaMg3H7FXdBJKx4btvvXbHLfQxUqmDDFPT9ve-7XPYtlUl79GmmHHGzPhiZ5t07t7yk-W4nTwipScuqrMNmH1DpPccCAROuN2CQ10NWUJsHoW-swhY9indWvXntIO2ht4/s1600/IMG_2716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYeU3J3R9KxliaMg3H7FXdBJKx4btvvXbHLfQxUqmDDFPT9ve-7XPYtlUl79GmmHHGzPhiZ5t07t7yk-W4nTwipScuqrMNmH1DpPccCAROuN2CQ10NWUJsHoW-swhY9indWvXntIO2ht4/s320/IMG_2716.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – This afternoon, before we went into town, I found out that I really could take down Ruby’s awning single-handedly – literally.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">All weekend Jackson was having an art festival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to it yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was some really good photography and paintings of the Tetons, lots of jewelry, and several other types of crafts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the most unique was the artisan from Carefree, AZ that repurposed the top portion of old cowboy boots into women’s purses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got out of the art show with cinnamon almonds.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEict9OOAtQLgHWAipJFoWja5VasjHaT4zs4a6kyoCgd-QnxbYLE54bI6Ol5b1mmPfE0uAgfcx9Z9meFElSj690-mzK4R8kdSEy0jEfOTrhARwlWFYjGL3mDDdzKi4GjCUOs5dTvpYgHX-DT/s1600/IMG_2712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEict9OOAtQLgHWAipJFoWja5VasjHaT4zs4a6kyoCgd-QnxbYLE54bI6Ol5b1mmPfE0uAgfcx9Z9meFElSj690-mzK4R8kdSEy0jEfOTrhARwlWFYjGL3mDDdzKi4GjCUOs5dTvpYgHX-DT/s320/IMG_2712.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">In walking around the town, there are lots of interesting things to see – like this beautiful cabin.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMpCsNbPx53a0Cd4n81QdapBikxKBcKShCiLHLNiFTSYZnSx0XTU3NrPr0n45UvPI90Cj2boJsb7Zr4td2SVcGEByIjAoajCYbec0-2abkvPt-8d_pFxtWeukbXctgXmNNAqDsXLD7go1/s1600/IMG_2718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMpCsNbPx53a0Cd4n81QdapBikxKBcKShCiLHLNiFTSYZnSx0XTU3NrPr0n45UvPI90Cj2boJsb7Zr4td2SVcGEByIjAoajCYbec0-2abkvPt-8d_pFxtWeukbXctgXmNNAqDsXLD7go1/s320/IMG_2718.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Or this fence where the fence is made of old skis.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sWbIqQr0YISaZK3kWd8a_h0_glxIp_JiywnT_shyphenhyphenq25HhVkkMzUViO6Z1Eswu8y79VsgLlPEkFEk1SWUDuXzRNp4AfrM9XAeAozSXuI1SI_bwW8YX2wk8vaeqDZwT7u70O6iPgFv_TdC/s1600/IMG_2713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sWbIqQr0YISaZK3kWd8a_h0_glxIp_JiywnT_shyphenhyphenq25HhVkkMzUViO6Z1Eswu8y79VsgLlPEkFEk1SWUDuXzRNp4AfrM9XAeAozSXuI1SI_bwW8YX2wk8vaeqDZwT7u70O6iPgFv_TdC/s320/IMG_2713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today we stayed close to Ruby as we were expecting the repair guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shower water doesn’t drain into the grey water holding tank, as it should.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(This isn’t a huge problem since it is only the shower water but it should be fixed.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wayne, a curmudgeon, didn’t really listen to what we told him was the problem and went about unsuccessfully looking for blockage before telling us there must be a broken pipe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course it isn’t something he can fix - we need to go to an RV repair facility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thinking of how nice it will be to have normal house systems.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The hand is about the same – still swollen and bruised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought of something else that takes two hands to do – floss one’s teeth. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment--> Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-63459881131544841742011-08-21T07:50:00.000-07:002011-08-21T07:50:55.540-07:00Boxer's Fracture<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Day 140 & 141, August 19 & 20, 2011, Boxer’s Fracture<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Just around Jackson Hole<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – We had an incredible thunderstorm late this afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It came up quite quickly and we hadn’t stored Ruby’s awning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So in the wind (so strong it snapped our tie-down), rain and hail, Neita and I were trying to keep the canopy from being destroyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We managed to preserve the awning but got really soaked in the process. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – Taking off the splint in the Urgent Care Center yesterday felt so good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to wash my hand and arm for the first time in a week. They told me that I now can take the splint off in order to take a shower – no more garbage bags around my arm in the shower!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgRdMY9D2LheNpSA-8sNFVKxWBwgsjS9L6cagbv7rGoJ42Go7_jzar6r3Yi6r4AC2BYw_X_OSGdIWRwyahjBVwD8eBdsqSac5cS7SrjX6jFR_VFDyEMMLM9RnRUZCxT9QhC7zhu2eF7_8/s1600/IMG_2707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgRdMY9D2LheNpSA-8sNFVKxWBwgsjS9L6cagbv7rGoJ42Go7_jzar6r3Yi6r4AC2BYw_X_OSGdIWRwyahjBVwD8eBdsqSac5cS7SrjX6jFR_VFDyEMMLM9RnRUZCxT9QhC7zhu2eF7_8/s320/IMG_2707.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Neita and I took the bus into town yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She went to the salon for a pedicure and a haircut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to the Urgent Care Center to have my hand evaluated and x-rays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the bus stop, I could wait for the free local shuttle, or hike about a mile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a great walk.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After getting checked in and a bit of a wait, I got to see the doctor – woman from Iowa, with friends who were planning to do RABRAI on a tandem (Register’s Annual Bicycle Across Iowa).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She understood my desire to get back on the bike.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">New x-rays were taken and she confirmed I had a Boxer’s Fracture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So named because this injury normally occurs when hitting something with a fist – in my case, I hit the ground with my hand wrapped around the handlebars. (Kim had already told me that was what it was.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 5<sup>th</sup> metacarpal is broken in three places, but look well aligned and is healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctor referred me to an orthopedic doctor who I see on Thursday.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Guess that I won’t do the Around the Block ride in Jackson this Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a 109-mile ride that climbs the 8442-foot Teton Pass and goes through Victor and Swan Valley, ID before heading back to Wyoming and Jackson. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, the status of the rest of the ride is still uncertain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctor I saw thought that the orthopedic doc may be able to cast my hand differently to allow the use of my thumb and first two fingers while immobilizing my ring and pinkie finger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Stay tuned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to admit that another concern is that it’s now been eight days since I’ve been on a bike and all the conditioning and training is going away.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We’ve been enjoying the beauty of the Tetons and Jackson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before the storm, we walked to a small organic market about a mile from the campground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were on the bike path, which parallels the road to Teton Village and goes past a very pretty golf course. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1C6jb5gUS5qJsylFoY3N6qlXbSNBGlUTEe-EUYMaJ0tJlrMHuCzRX69hMjH2ReVg_7lDo3tGaICTOgiw5zEcn38d60t8bJRSaPtoWkv09o5siFuqNrrVzP9USGenngSrRI0K72BU5afH6/s1600/IMG_2709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1C6jb5gUS5qJsylFoY3N6qlXbSNBGlUTEe-EUYMaJ0tJlrMHuCzRX69hMjH2ReVg_7lDo3tGaICTOgiw5zEcn38d60t8bJRSaPtoWkv09o5siFuqNrrVzP9USGenngSrRI0K72BU5afH6/s320/IMG_2709.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0JjFpFT6gEbsKU5DktLFUWy5UBn9hft7MYT50xuH4ZoA8_fngpdoDXvyDxdkmgDXJ90ufy54ZCy0TzbxIIjK3nftBUye9Aiiz33O-zicyOFKSponsqIFWDg61sogn6jFLxn7LD7JV-gC/s1600/IMG_2710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0JjFpFT6gEbsKU5DktLFUWy5UBn9hft7MYT50xuH4ZoA8_fngpdoDXvyDxdkmgDXJ90ufy54ZCy0TzbxIIjK3nftBUye9Aiiz33O-zicyOFKSponsqIFWDg61sogn6jFLxn7LD7JV-gC/s320/IMG_2710.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment--> Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-88014126570466944552011-08-19T07:02:00.000-07:002011-08-19T07:02:27.764-07:00It Takes Two Hands<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Days 138 & 139, August 17 &18, 2011, It Takes Two Hands<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route from Jackson Hole Campground to Jackson and to Teton Village <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – Seeing all of the bicyclists on the wonderful bicycle path along the road to Teton Village and not being one of them.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – We went to the Snake River Grill for dinner tonight and had the most amazing dessert – Eskimo Pies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their version was a brownie, topped with ice cream, then dipped in dark chocolate with a caramel dipping sauce.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The past few days we’ve taken the START bus into Jackson and Teton Village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the other riders today called it the best travel value around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is really great – in Jackson, there are free shuttles around town. This really is a beautiful area!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OLYPlalpQHVQ6LLpV3MYyJ2BlXL4Sd5VQcTgYMU_0azTqhVNGj_RQGmy0QEToIeaK57BivzZHcy6G7o4SBI-MKHJtvFoBHig5rCwKaCfgj7XNhov0AJ6KzI0HCg0Y9r0QlFqHHe0hUk4/s1600/IMG_2701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OLYPlalpQHVQ6LLpV3MYyJ2BlXL4Sd5VQcTgYMU_0azTqhVNGj_RQGmy0QEToIeaK57BivzZHcy6G7o4SBI-MKHJtvFoBHig5rCwKaCfgj7XNhov0AJ6KzI0HCg0Y9r0QlFqHHe0hUk4/s320/IMG_2701.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhG1OjF1eMzz4tUk8ZWEjEpYAQ6J1z5iaWyItYG56Q_UXpnDEuu8FhDvUqdqD9zjlTrwVGj0yhTdtw3nRhLtTFZtfU-7YW-abegurGKWIn7qojdp8UVR9xsE_ua42-MwDWGosvmYtjDjaw/s1600/IMG_2702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhG1OjF1eMzz4tUk8ZWEjEpYAQ6J1z5iaWyItYG56Q_UXpnDEuu8FhDvUqdqD9zjlTrwVGj0yhTdtw3nRhLtTFZtfU-7YW-abegurGKWIn7qojdp8UVR9xsE_ua42-MwDWGosvmYtjDjaw/s320/IMG_2702.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbn4a1Btvhd5RqPMwdtVVl6mzm-7Y_Swz-rqr5EootvzpWzud7SgJ_PkZMqhIvT4TqEgPAfXdMZMMGNtvNJQMhvc1bvzf-E5b1lwmmVC9lU3Qpt0gMLdVz63qbj3zNy3VPn7sIkL9j5nu6/s1600/IMG_2703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbn4a1Btvhd5RqPMwdtVVl6mzm-7Y_Swz-rqr5EootvzpWzud7SgJ_PkZMqhIvT4TqEgPAfXdMZMMGNtvNJQMhvc1bvzf-E5b1lwmmVC9lU3Qpt0gMLdVz63qbj3zNy3VPn7sIkL9j5nu6/s320/IMG_2703.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Tomorrow will be one week since The Big Crash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will have my hand x-rayed and get to see how it is healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It still seems really swollen and is very uncomfortable. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Since my left-hand is all banged up and not at all useful, I’ve been reflecting on all of the some of the things that really require two hands and the things where two hands are most helpful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(It has sort of reminded me of the old Burger King commercial –“it takes two hands to handle a burger – the burgers are bigger at Burger King.”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Most helpful:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Drying dishes</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Doing laundry</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Walking Duncan and scooping his poop</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Opening jars</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Showering and shaving</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Eating</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Typing blogs and emails</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>And, zipping my fly</li>
</ul><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Required:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Uncorking a bottle of wine – if it has a screw top – see above</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Tying shoes</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Cutting up food with a knife and fork</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>And, riding a bicycle</li>
</ul><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment--> Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-38021283879091897372011-08-17T07:35:00.000-07:002011-08-17T07:35:54.010-07:00Feeling Blue<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Day 136 & 137, August 15 & 16, 2011, Feeling Blue<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route from Bozeman, MT to Jackson Hole Campground, Wilson, WY & Ruby to the laundry and Ruby to Calico Restaurant <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – I was really feeling depressed today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reality that I may not be able to ride through Idaho, Washington, and Oregon is beginning to settle in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though, there is yet an alternative plan to salvage at least part of the ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll have to see how the hand heals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it is now, I wouldn’t be able shift or brake the bike – not good.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – The campfire didn’t smoke!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know if the wood was extra dry or the breeze was blowing the smoke in the other direction, but tonight’s campfire after dinner was one of the best ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the sun goes down, the mountain air becomes chilly and the fire feels great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(It was 39 degrees this morning in Jackson! BRRRRR!)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuIvNJUeGx8X0pKKvJa4DFtdN7-DKT_Afc01ydWmNahGq7Ah3b8Tg_fgSeoNsTKhStX6I1aWT9oz3XzQJZuglb9-t7Zq36nQLlPigMSEIEGqshuu2MaB61Q3n6f9zOmmrGxnHDdFw4RQ9/s1600/IMG_2700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuIvNJUeGx8X0pKKvJa4DFtdN7-DKT_Afc01ydWmNahGq7Ah3b8Tg_fgSeoNsTKhStX6I1aWT9oz3XzQJZuglb9-t7Zq36nQLlPigMSEIEGqshuu2MaB61Q3n6f9zOmmrGxnHDdFw4RQ9/s320/IMG_2700.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The aches are subsiding and the road rash is beginning to disappear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still have a nasty bruise and scab where the mirror hit the back of my left arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The worst is my hand – the swelling isn’t going away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though I’m right-handed, I’m finding how difficult life is with only one hand.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yesterday, we left Bozeman on Hwy191 along The Gallatin River, across the Continental Divide into West Yellowstone and through part of Yellowstone Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went by Old Faithful, climbed the 8262-foot Craig Pass, and drove along Yellowstone Lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw elk, deer and a lot of other tourists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simply gorgeous! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLNSD21YexNJ8lHLxiNcEaBvS30eVjes-60vM-QI_aEPFwS07R7SNnQ9cJ_eI66jJRTtanJARGtETpxz_yZwaFgX2LmHzOakd0ua_nL9nVZh6VVew61B3jsgzWB-ZlDZR6d-NjUEAiqXR/s1600/IMG_2695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLNSD21YexNJ8lHLxiNcEaBvS30eVjes-60vM-QI_aEPFwS07R7SNnQ9cJ_eI66jJRTtanJARGtETpxz_yZwaFgX2LmHzOakd0ua_nL9nVZh6VVew61B3jsgzWB-ZlDZR6d-NjUEAiqXR/s320/IMG_2695.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yellowstone National Park was created by The Organic Act, which was passed by Congress in 1872, to “preserve matchless natural wonders.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What foresight that post-antebellum legislature had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yellowstone and The Grand Teton National Parks are matchless in their beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There were a couple of cyclists loaded for touring grinding uphill. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a little jealous of their ability to ride, but the ones that I was most envious of were the two we passed stopped by the side of the road, admiring the view of the Tetons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It brought back fond nostalgic memories of my bicycle trip in the area 37 years ago with several friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About 6 or 7 of us drove up from Casper for the weekend, camped at Flagg Ranch and cycled along the Tetons.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGlzwhT0Xbvl0fvHtz6Nl5-MditM3qPBmqPrqpaIGFyIKjziQUJXNMj0QENkWtBgf_A1lWhKhdNFFlM_KY7bAp77_Wl2Jkvc40FSeOSZbKIEUHm38JN7K3trUSr7JJyvFsyoW-kB-uZYv/s1600/IMG_2697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGlzwhT0Xbvl0fvHtz6Nl5-MditM3qPBmqPrqpaIGFyIKjziQUJXNMj0QENkWtBgf_A1lWhKhdNFFlM_KY7bAp77_Wl2Jkvc40FSeOSZbKIEUHm38JN7K3trUSr7JJyvFsyoW-kB-uZYv/s320/IMG_2697.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXs0eXh9RYWVO86__HoskknVvaciS5n0kjgWNkj8Uu3k847qlQCsGxL_iRM0GFK7aKFHRyPT3GQn74RLYXKHtNL34da8DkG2dlKsNyQU0d8NBoecVk8bPcYjOTTLZUr6Op2khLCTM1twVz/s1600/IMG_2698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXs0eXh9RYWVO86__HoskknVvaciS5n0kjgWNkj8Uu3k847qlQCsGxL_iRM0GFK7aKFHRyPT3GQn74RLYXKHtNL34da8DkG2dlKsNyQU0d8NBoecVk8bPcYjOTTLZUr6Op2khLCTM1twVz/s320/IMG_2698.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">The drive was long and challenging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neita does an amazing job of piloting Ruby!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think that I’d be able to drive this beast with the finesse she does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The roads through the park are not Interstate Highways, but fairly narrow mountain roads –with lots of other motorhomes all over the place.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today, we just stayed around the campground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neita was very ambitious and shampooed Ruby’s carpet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It now looks amazing, after 4 months of use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a slug and didn’t do much – I did do a load of laundry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The other evening we watched a very entertaining DVD – Cedar Rapids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going into Jackson tomorrow on the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bus has a 50% Senior Citizen Discount for people over 60!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some advantages to getting old! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment--> Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-54368567203672355812011-08-14T17:41:00.000-07:002011-08-14T17:41:26.518-07:00Status<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Day 135, August 14, 2011, Status<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route from Williston, ND, to KOA Kampground, Bozeman. MT<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m in Ruby and she can go fast!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – Leaving the Buffalo Trails Campground with both of my bicycles on Ruby and I’m not riding one of them was very disheartening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the first time of the entire trip I’ve not left for a new destination via bicycle.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRXLuSibc1r4MOtioPHZ7zKxE5Y3OD1nAcZFtsFaY8cVxF1zTN6hz7RdIvjnMrfzcUamqXmKxO92YLk9CFNe10oW3ykQaP2BxF-2n7vrDAFI8r_N-cjCw7Djf5MPRqsx1D8gNJdvZD0Ak/s1600/IMG_2688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRXLuSibc1r4MOtioPHZ7zKxE5Y3OD1nAcZFtsFaY8cVxF1zTN6hz7RdIvjnMrfzcUamqXmKxO92YLk9CFNe10oW3ykQaP2BxF-2n7vrDAFI8r_N-cjCw7Djf5MPRqsx1D8gNJdvZD0Ak/s320/IMG_2688.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – Thank you all for your good wishes, phone calls, e-mails, blog posts, and Facebook comments. They mean so very much to me and have been the very best moments of the past two days while I’ve been disheartened about the status of the ride. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I actually feel pretty good physically – especially considering that I was hit by a car two days ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My neck, shoulders, and hips are a little sore as is the place of impact on my left arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hand isn’t terribly uncomfortable, but all of my left-hand fingers are swelling up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The biggest pain is the disappointment about the ride.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 22.5pt;">The status of the ride is really uncertain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot will depend on what the x-rays show on Friday and what the doctor says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may be able to pick up the ride and continue the rest of the route physically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mentally, while the Big Ride is still something I really want to accomplish – especially cycling down the west coast, I’m not really 100% sure I’m up to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This accident really scared me particularly considering what could have happened.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If bodily functions, like urination are too much information for you to handle, you may want to skip the next four paragraphs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before the Big Crash, I was considering what the topic of the day for the blog would be and had decided it was time to discuss The Predicament of Peeing. It has sort of been an issue for most of the ride, but at least in the east there were normally trees I could hide behind, or side roads without traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This isn’t the case in ND.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It so happens, as long as I stay relatively hydrated, I need to pee every couple of hours and when I do, I really need to go, urgently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes there are convenient fast food places like McDonald’s. Burger King, or Subway –they have easy to get to restrooms and I’ve used all three.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other times, I’ve gone around the other side of a seemingly deserted building to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes there are outhouses or public restrooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ohio, along Lake Erie was good for this, and so were some of the beaches on the east coast of Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some towns the businesses let you know that the restrooms are for their customers only –not good for someone like me. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Also, most of the time I wasn’t riding in a town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So usually I had to urinate along the roadside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I’m a fairly modest person, so I try to find inconspicuous places, and most of the time, I’ve been successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is until North Dakota, which is wide open, with few trees and the road was busy –I sort of had to let my modesty go!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I’ve been seen in the act only three times before ND, but one time, it was the sheriff in upstate New York.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thank goodness for the male anatomy – because of it, I don’t even have to get off the bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can just sort of lean over a little bit to take care of my business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, I can do it from either side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t imagine what women doing this kind of ride go through. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">While in Williston, we were staying at the Buffalo Trails Campground and it stank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really smelled bad –sort of like someone had dumped their tanks on our space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all of the oil work going on in the area, housing of any kind is limited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the workers next to us was living in a camper shell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was another site with a large tent and lots of tarps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under the tarps was this guy’s open-air living room complete with comfy couch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the trailers look like they are being prepped for winter living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frightening prospect in North Dakota! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There are entire families living in the RV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bright spot at the campground was Duncan’s new friend, Gracie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took Duncan for his evening walk and this adorable seven-year old girl ran up to pet him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had her right arm in a cast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked her what happened to her arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told me, “I broke it like you did.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I asked her how, she said, “on her bike.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said, “me too.”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today, Neita drove nearly 500 miles to Bozeman MT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cycling would have taken at least 5 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we crested the 5700 foot Bozeman pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scenery along the Yellowstone River was spectacular!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I’d never been west of Billings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Billings is where we would go for our back to school shopping when I was little. I had to share my space with Duncan.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLyUdpui5xC5yzIM55OSL5fkAvFtENW0m2IehshDfTaI7mf9SfCgYDp0Kos4D3yeSrRF4abWnfpS6co02JcN3bR6You_Gbd-52Kw5mIweXb4kIpvlsjttqoMNSMDc91iCSz2Ml1J-bozg/s1600/IMG_2694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLyUdpui5xC5yzIM55OSL5fkAvFtENW0m2IehshDfTaI7mf9SfCgYDp0Kos4D3yeSrRF4abWnfpS6co02JcN3bR6You_Gbd-52Kw5mIweXb4kIpvlsjttqoMNSMDc91iCSz2Ml1J-bozg/s320/IMG_2694.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment--> Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-39701601422864056162011-08-12T16:06:00.001-07:002012-03-08T06:14:19.917-08:00Big Crash<div class="MsoNormal">Day 133, August 12, 2011, Big Crash<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route from Ross to Buffalo Trails Campground, Williston, ND<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At least 26 via bicycle, some via ambulance, and the rest in Ruby<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – Probably the worst moment of the entire trip is when I was hit by the passenger side mirror of a passing motorist. I heard a loud WHUMP and thought, “SHIT, I’ve been hit by a car.” And that’s all I remember until looked up to see people standing over me. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – The best moment was in the ER when I was released. The accident wasn’t more serious than it was.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After an early morning of lots of lightening, thunder, and torrents of rain, I started out a little late, but with clearing skies and beautiful views of the rolling hills of North Dakota. I remember checking the odometer and saw that even with the hills, I was averaging around 14 mph.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was as far to the right as possible when I was hit. It seemed like there were people over me immediately. I know the driver stopped, as did several other people. (Highway 20’s speed limit is 70 mph.) I think that I was surprised that there were so many people trying to make me comfortable.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The ambulance arrived pretty quickly and I got to take my first (and I hope last) ambulance ride. The really amazing thing is I only have a broken left hand, (it’s in a cast) a pretty severe case of road rash on my left hip and some general bumps and bruises. My bike appears to be okay! My helmet is destroyed and my clothing has a few extra holes.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNY3qCyFtqPKZNbnKSzA21umFUWdvBVzT2HVfQvKN8STfjXmIQOG97mfDAo7I56NxGR2Fa60Wpg9ooqimDxuD0pySSRXEFlK0loCdZoaQihfzOdV5Hda28GjHnLPt3uDojLKpN8LopYj9p/s1600/IMG_2682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNY3qCyFtqPKZNbnKSzA21umFUWdvBVzT2HVfQvKN8STfjXmIQOG97mfDAo7I56NxGR2Fa60Wpg9ooqimDxuD0pySSRXEFlK0loCdZoaQihfzOdV5Hda28GjHnLPt3uDojLKpN8LopYj9p/s320/IMG_2682.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIHw72MDuou1BXY_8kFUOk8oso29lSSvcFp5Tl7YGx7HX9l8I9STnjEXBQWXMATyc3APl49Chier3qLPZUz9HKUkKJg9ekE0tq9h2rxn_DFQd69UW9BZ0gRpHAo7czm6Xgie3hSQH_5VN/s1600/IMG_2685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIHw72MDuou1BXY_8kFUOk8oso29lSSvcFp5Tl7YGx7HX9l8I9STnjEXBQWXMATyc3APl49Chier3qLPZUz9HKUkKJg9ekE0tq9h2rxn_DFQd69UW9BZ0gRpHAo7czm6Xgie3hSQH_5VN/s320/IMG_2685.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know it is hard to tell from this photo, but the foam is totally fractured</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNVakDQR7nZl9rKsbMZ9B9CXUBo21Sklf5x3fXOwxS2IbeJ-KptJla9b0YCycvWjg-a2fOdgT0yj_QSdNijEzEU_WDg1WuwYjKk5Qx9xSAfchoZOtFc9hDAmi01vlYDjxK5Mdeo-qMW2g/s1600/IMG_2679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNVakDQR7nZl9rKsbMZ9B9CXUBo21Sklf5x3fXOwxS2IbeJ-KptJla9b0YCycvWjg-a2fOdgT0yj_QSdNijEzEU_WDg1WuwYjKk5Qx9xSAfchoZOtFc9hDAmi01vlYDjxK5Mdeo-qMW2g/s320/IMG_2679.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The emergency room staff, the ER doctor, and the paramedics were amazing.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m not sure what will happen to the rest of Bills Big Ride. We’re headed to Jackson, Wyoming for nearly two weeks. I’ll have another x-ray in a week and we’ll decide what to do then. It won’t be a complete perimeter ride, but it will be - has been one heck of a Big Ride. Typing one handed is really tough. (James, I’ll never understand how you do it with just two fingers.)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13pt; text-decoration: none;">. I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-41354095238626231502011-08-11T16:04:00.000-07:002011-08-11T16:04:51.873-07:00Dakota Skys<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Day 132, August 11, 2011, Dakota Skys<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route from Minot to Dakota West Campground, Ross, ND<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">64.8 miles, averaging 15 mph<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – There’s a lot of truck traffic on the road and when there is a construction zone as there has been for 8 – 10 miles today, things are just a little more scary than I’d like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – Ruby’s back and has water pressure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can shower, wash dishes and even flush the toilet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy at the RV place got Neita in early this morning, but couldn’t find what the problem was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ended up wiring the water pump directly to the fuse box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Problem solved. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thunderstorms were threatening all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the big Dakota sky, I could see rain coming down to the south and to the west of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sky was blacker than pitch and there was even an occasional lightening bolt in the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was nearly certain that I would be drenched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miraculously, I somehow missed most of the showers and only got sprinkled on once for about 20 minutes. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was on Highway 20.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had mostly good bicycle conditions other than all of the traffic and the construction, but at least the highway was wide enough to accommodate the traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d heard that the alternative route also had a lot of traffic and was much more narrow. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There were sweeping vistas of rolling green hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of grain production in the area as evidenced by the huge grain elevators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also lots of oil exploration and production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to the campground owner, the area has gone crazy – there are boon town conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, that is part of the reason our camping has been more challenging here than in other parts of the county.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The oilfield workers throughout all of western North Dakota are forced to live in RV’s full time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess this would be a good place to come for work.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsvY56GSHUSUqDkA78sJPB_8TQbGc7wO3Mb3_8S8S0S_HIGpqC9vIorzbma7LTj5r1QF_I7AwWWe7fOEPCcwrsx0FPkWit_o0f3C4m58G7qecJmypzIQp0CGXr5hMG_n10XVNuUWTLdoI/s1600/IMG_2670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsvY56GSHUSUqDkA78sJPB_8TQbGc7wO3Mb3_8S8S0S_HIGpqC9vIorzbma7LTj5r1QF_I7AwWWe7fOEPCcwrsx0FPkWit_o0f3C4m58G7qecJmypzIQp0CGXr5hMG_n10XVNuUWTLdoI/s320/IMG_2670.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQk7MnV5MXA9miGTSZHXt_j1zgXphEQdXXVQhnB0Chyzj0L6tZxwpK3-HkfSaEXCv6LYlarS2ABLXmQ-CtSocLeYhKJivxzfes5DwVzGehWDUKBoEytG6d_h4cL_ri32SnmDkOtYLEe_D/s1600/IMG_2672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQk7MnV5MXA9miGTSZHXt_j1zgXphEQdXXVQhnB0Chyzj0L6tZxwpK3-HkfSaEXCv6LYlarS2ABLXmQ-CtSocLeYhKJivxzfes5DwVzGehWDUKBoEytG6d_h4cL_ri32SnmDkOtYLEe_D/s320/IMG_2672.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Dakota West Campground has been full – so full that the owners haven’t had time to landscape or make other improvements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We nearly lost Ruby in one of the potholes on the way to the campsite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have recently expanded adding the new section by the old school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are in the new section with an intriguing view of the abandoned school.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVPTP63rfRV97YBy1y0xdR3bKJu9jtZLg4lNQvmIzTdry7hWrFJJ9tLtNV7KuDSDeALsdZbBVbXwIJZFu9N0Zo943fifvLiQ1fFkC4hiG6tLu0PZBMooeX4w6Fj0dVHCjbLcnliJI7uZe/s1600/IMG_2676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVPTP63rfRV97YBy1y0xdR3bKJu9jtZLg4lNQvmIzTdry7hWrFJJ9tLtNV7KuDSDeALsdZbBVbXwIJZFu9N0Zo943fifvLiQ1fFkC4hiG6tLu0PZBMooeX4w6Fj0dVHCjbLcnliJI7uZe/s320/IMG_2676.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve been listening to <u>A People’s History of the United States</u> by Howard Zinn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has a different perspective of our history than was taught in high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of our history and the decisions made were economic decisions by and favoring white males, according to Zinn’s view. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment--> Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-48154811663174686792011-08-10T15:59:00.000-07:002011-08-10T15:59:15.263-07:00Water, Water Everywhere, So Why is Ruby Dry?<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Day 131, August 10, 2011, Water, Water Everywhere, So Why is Ruby Dry?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route from Rugby to Lucy’s Amusement Park, Minot, ND<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">69 miles, averaging 13.1 mph<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – When I got to Minot, I called Neita to see if she needed me to pick up something at Walmart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when she told me that Ruby’s water pump wasn’t working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her brother had said that they go out and that it might be a good idea to have an extra one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went on to the campsite to get Rocket and go get a new water pump and a fuse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I replaced those and the water pump still didn’t work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looks like sponge baths and gravity toilets tonight. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRvMUJ4XUS2Xy7WBT0c1GXtl7W_RBjgXkwR_7fEiQ-Qpis5WRmz0bBTu1oVaJMkcSSqZ0FmcNAQyIxMwv1-_ol2Pc5O3QrSIjfLSIbrIDBvhgvVt8vUWc0omLiy8RtKUbR3ZNwtNNJTFd/s1600/IMG_2667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRvMUJ4XUS2Xy7WBT0c1GXtl7W_RBjgXkwR_7fEiQ-Qpis5WRmz0bBTu1oVaJMkcSSqZ0FmcNAQyIxMwv1-_ol2Pc5O3QrSIjfLSIbrIDBvhgvVt8vUWc0omLiy8RtKUbR3ZNwtNNJTFd/s320/IMG_2667.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – Joanne at Magic City RV was so very helpful with Ruby’s water problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I went to get the water pump and fuse, she asked questions to help diagnose the problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I replaced the pump and the fuse and the water still didn’t work, again Joanne tried to help me fix what was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was not able to, she checked with service and even called another RV service place to make sure that we would be able to get things looked at tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great to have someone so helpful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today’s ride was completely along Highway 2, which, even though it is a 4-lane road was a great road for bicycling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The state has certainly had a lot of rain this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In places, the water came right up to the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other places, I saw farm machinery that was stranded in water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVQfXpEFJWBuM9vKphtDvyFB6xxubu0v6i81vRRxm20gyna3NS85OtjwOhDs3NrzTdTV7tB_9xUEcPMJL1YfK_voD9jsQTk9dZBPcPO-BFUsqLbEKepKQHSAEHkhWz7mlzrg0I9GrOPsT/s1600/IMG_2662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVQfXpEFJWBuM9vKphtDvyFB6xxubu0v6i81vRRxm20gyna3NS85OtjwOhDs3NrzTdTV7tB_9xUEcPMJL1YfK_voD9jsQTk9dZBPcPO-BFUsqLbEKepKQHSAEHkhWz7mlzrg0I9GrOPsT/s320/IMG_2662.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dL19dJ9qYCVLSZZFQOGCq7QeHDwPYlCai-16fIWFdA08ULcNKZ6_XJ44dCzdb8kGEIWHTtf2246amx8TSzoV06nquL0GEJrD79taA1orZXZg4H_DE-gloUhYtMQBqDS77yoVaUiqSUNO/s1600/IMG_2663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dL19dJ9qYCVLSZZFQOGCq7QeHDwPYlCai-16fIWFdA08ULcNKZ6_XJ44dCzdb8kGEIWHTtf2246amx8TSzoV06nquL0GEJrD79taA1orZXZg4H_DE-gloUhYtMQBqDS77yoVaUiqSUNO/s320/IMG_2663.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEius3UoT3dcbFkRJbcQhmnIFwZzpctItJLpN8pkLGQnRobrgkFmKuDYFpjoqHLghi-N9XeqPQ4T7mQ6BhRScg9rFoCMlk_1R3kJSWdFLTc4mZVHW_8Jnv8RN3zoHMIOQhP0WjVaxvNXYXbg/s1600/IMG_2664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEius3UoT3dcbFkRJbcQhmnIFwZzpctItJLpN8pkLGQnRobrgkFmKuDYFpjoqHLghi-N9XeqPQ4T7mQ6BhRScg9rFoCMlk_1R3kJSWdFLTc4mZVHW_8Jnv8RN3zoHMIOQhP0WjVaxvNXYXbg/s320/IMG_2664.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CMbjyXhungltzx1ptLQj2ZanYo1YnvI-Lzfa5i_-TgSrsJcPnHTjP90LZlhE0D0kdG-MVZvAk2gRbpYlOt77PRzNHHSxXgzPadalz2AhpStBYMeq8F0Bb8qGoZl3Dkfv2CIM0k3JAtbz/s1600/IMG_2665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CMbjyXhungltzx1ptLQj2ZanYo1YnvI-Lzfa5i_-TgSrsJcPnHTjP90LZlhE0D0kdG-MVZvAk2gRbpYlOt77PRzNHHSxXgzPadalz2AhpStBYMeq8F0Bb8qGoZl3Dkfv2CIM0k3JAtbz/s320/IMG_2665.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Near Minot, I left Hwy 2 for a less traveled road only to find that it was closed as I got closer to the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I imagine that a bridge over the Souris River had been washed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As things worked out, I got back to Hwy 2 near the ND State Fairgrounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is truly amazing the damage and destruction caused by the flooding in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Near the curb, there were piles of rubbish that had been removed from homes and businesses affected by the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minot’s zoo was closed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Because of the flooding, we had a very difficult time finding anyplace to camp for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the RV Parks were wiped out with the floods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others are filled with local residents whose homes were damaged and are now living in RV’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The destruction is heartbreaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Neita, with her convincing manner, and by asking, calling, and asking again, finally was told that we could park at Lucy’s amusement park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucy’s is a miniature golf course, though there are mobile homes parked in front of the fun park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are parked between Lucy’s garage and her vegetable garden (which has wonderful looking tomatoes, but needs weeding.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This isn’t a normal thing that they do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact we have to go into the garage to connect our power. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment--> Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-73595480443241204572011-08-09T18:14:00.000-07:002011-08-09T18:14:12.035-07:00Center of the Continent<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Day 130, August 9, 2011, Center of the Continent<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Rest Day<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – At dinner, Neita and I were discussing the route change, and she mentioned that the route didn’t change after Jackson, WY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was very unhappy with me when I told her that it did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought that she would see that in the revised spreadsheet that I sent her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had spent much of the morning working on the changes prior to Jackson. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – I spoke with the owner of the bicycle shop in Williston, ND about my touring bicycle and asked if he would be able to take a look at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He mentioned that he was planning on going camping with his family and was hoping to leave work early on Friday, but would wait until I got there so he could get that bicycle back on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also advised me that Route 2 was probably a better road than the way the Adventure Cycle maps have routed me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Less scenic, but better roads and more direct.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today was a great rest day and there was not much to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to get my hair cut, do laundry and rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Rugby is a small North Dakota town and the, nearly 3,000 residents take a lot of pride in their community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All off the homes I saw were well maintained and the gardens very beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In talking with the woman who cut my hair, she mentioned how unusual all of the water is – even western North Dakota is green.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had grown up in a small community north of here and couldn’t imagine living anywhere other than North Dakota. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The geographic center of the North American Continent is at the center of Highway 2 and State Route 3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can see this monument from Ruby. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BygeeLqSYGR7WBoxPZNvTZiptn2_0ctQN10cvoP3n9W059fT_z4QFT5Oamoz_26y7-56vBoMc97BW-VmJYqmkcNyc5SK6emAoBbx-O11olT_HEqd0rhk2MK7535SqNG4dv098YZ5xaSZ/s1600/IMG_2655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BygeeLqSYGR7WBoxPZNvTZiptn2_0ctQN10cvoP3n9W059fT_z4QFT5Oamoz_26y7-56vBoMc97BW-VmJYqmkcNyc5SK6emAoBbx-O11olT_HEqd0rhk2MK7535SqNG4dv098YZ5xaSZ/s320/IMG_2655.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Iw08MRW2ELEpkRnm-OJdHouvafNGIk8Q-TFLWFvi97coaJj21HfUu3U__vINq9xd1M0yGZKvDrhNj_qK20LgrZSMtdQ3sqSGC_WdN2OptIUnIdzH8tTX-oa5NDkzMG1KnLqwltUvUQSs/s1600/IMG_2658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Iw08MRW2ELEpkRnm-OJdHouvafNGIk8Q-TFLWFvi97coaJj21HfUu3U__vINq9xd1M0yGZKvDrhNj_qK20LgrZSMtdQ3sqSGC_WdN2OptIUnIdzH8tTX-oa5NDkzMG1KnLqwltUvUQSs/s320/IMG_2658.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment--> Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6822429738016614649.post-54037741849385055002011-08-09T05:19:00.000-07:002011-08-09T05:19:05.119-07:00Fun Factor - Falling<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Day 129. August 8, 2011, Fun Factor - Falling<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Route from Devils Lake to Oakwood Inn and Campground, Rugby, ND<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">75.2 miles, averaging 11.4 mph<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Worst Moment – I’m not sure that there was a best moment. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best Moment – I got to the Ruby!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I left Ruby a little early for what I thought would be a short fast ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>North Dakota is generally flat, the road I was taking was Highway 2, and it was only 75 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh boy, I didn’t plan on the 25 – 30 mph headwinds, the construction, and the rumble strip shoulder with nothing but rumble strip or mud.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Leaving East Bay Campground, I crossed Devils Lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were about 4 miles of hard packed dirt road heading north out of the campground and across the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are going to have to do something to keep the causeway and bridge open if the lake keeps rising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it was, the waves were coming right up to the road. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One of the best sights of the day was the sunflowers growing along the side of the road along the lake.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsbDrDmEte_csN2u6P5_JkFtsl0p2uqhrDxf8i6ltSyIrvEqFKGbZvoViAWXMekyjk2rtsAeQ1PjQ2hpYIAqZm03IgzwCEcQoF5e6xqMM7NEo_YyYfn3JeK7X3PRP4ZdivnCu8Ap-g4VV/s1600/IMG_2651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsbDrDmEte_csN2u6P5_JkFtsl0p2uqhrDxf8i6ltSyIrvEqFKGbZvoViAWXMekyjk2rtsAeQ1PjQ2hpYIAqZm03IgzwCEcQoF5e6xqMM7NEo_YyYfn3JeK7X3PRP4ZdivnCu8Ap-g4VV/s320/IMG_2651.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DwLu1RdgoEuDAb-iU-P-Arrmozd0vTfl7J-A7EMyT940ePHoPatW7TpJcQQILR573wfejBfcw_gcM-gmSkUV43ss7dvueX_rqUb6vXVjoSJIdWrFFq3S2wh5qZD1rImB6zytWWUG_Taf/s1600/IMG_2652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DwLu1RdgoEuDAb-iU-P-Arrmozd0vTfl7J-A7EMyT940ePHoPatW7TpJcQQILR573wfejBfcw_gcM-gmSkUV43ss7dvueX_rqUb6vXVjoSJIdWrFFq3S2wh5qZD1rImB6zytWWUG_Taf/s320/IMG_2652.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then I turned on Hwy 2 heading west.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The winds started and didn’t stop for another 70 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shoulder east of the town of Devils Lake, while wide, was covered with mud and not great riding on the Cannondale road bike.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">West of the town of Devils Lake, there was about 5 miles of construction where the four lane highway was reduced to two lanes and the shoulder was eliminated completely making me ride in the dirt/mud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wish I had a mountain bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For much of the rest of the next 30 miles the shoulder was reduced to only a rumble strip – again not fun for the light-weight road bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last part of the route was a great road, but the wind speed seemed to be greater than earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first half of the ride, I was able to average 12.3 mph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This dropped to 11.4 mph for the day on the whole.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTmMqPfZlEXBP43a-YEXgLVN8iHbxO9gUAzshqjLS5BrYQdGQZwYH3kFT78kBRPVc6wFoenRNHVgEPEATHfmWSZXBhX4Q9WW7SNCSr2a5ZAvE67H1U5_-19S3VOqqoLAvazg_Y6GxEI-J/s1600/IMG_2653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTmMqPfZlEXBP43a-YEXgLVN8iHbxO9gUAzshqjLS5BrYQdGQZwYH3kFT78kBRPVc6wFoenRNHVgEPEATHfmWSZXBhX4Q9WW7SNCSr2a5ZAvE67H1U5_-19S3VOqqoLAvazg_Y6GxEI-J/s320/IMG_2653.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Farmers Co-op</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I arrived at Ruby around 3, tired and with sore legs and sore butt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried calling the bicycle repair place for my touring bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The number has been disconnected and there isn’t any place in Rugby that fixes bicycles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(The town only has about 2500 people.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Fun Factor is really low. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">All day, I’d been thinking about the necessity of cycling into Yellowstone, and decided that I could still do a perimeter bicycle ride by cycling straight across Montana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m planning on taking a break from bicycling to ride with Neita, in Ruby, from Shelby, MT to Yellowstone and back to Shelby, when I will recommence the perimeter bicycle ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will give us more time in Jackson and me more time to get the Fun Factor back. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you would like to donate to my ride, my link for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is <a href="http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2";">http://grassroots2011.livestrong.org/billsbigride197</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cg Gothic No 2"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate your support.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment--> Bill Comingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08802571506904003106noreply@blogger.com0