Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Saturday, August 11, 2007
There's No Place Like Home
Hey all,
So we're done with all the cycling of the trip having arrived in Fredericksburg, but that doesnt mean that there is nothing left to read on this blog. Soon we will post the most super awesome wrap-up post of all time, replete with pictures, awards, and more. Stay tuned for that within about a week's time.
Tall Man Out.
So we're done with all the cycling of the trip having arrived in Fredericksburg, but that doesnt mean that there is nothing left to read on this blog. Soon we will post the most super awesome wrap-up post of all time, replete with pictures, awards, and more. Stay tuned for that within about a week's time.
Tall Man Out.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Oh Yeah, Back in Good Ole VA
Well, yesterday every one's four favorite cyclists crossed over the border into Virginia thus making true our blog url. West Virginia really made us earn the right to get home, we all agreed that yesterday was the most technically challenging day of riding for the entire trip.
We set out from Elkins, WV with the hope of making it just 60 miles to Monterey, VA. Fortunately, on the way out of Elkins we saw a topographical map of our proposed route, so there were no surprises. We were warmed up by about 20 miles of rolling hills then the tough stuff began. First, 4 miles at 9%, then a 4 miles at 8% , then a pair of 2 mile 8% ascents. For those of you who aren't familiar with the percent grade system, 1% = roughly 52 vertical feet per mile. So on that first climb, we ascended roughly 1800 vertical feet in 4 miles, by far the longest steep climb of the trip (Logan's pass was 12 miles at 6%, a comparably easy ascent). Lucky for us, the rest of the trip is through towns where we have an abundance of places to stay. No more camping for us!
So in high spirits we are headed to Staunton today, just 45 miles east of Monterey and with only 2 significant climbs. I can't properly convey how excited we all are to finally be back in Virginia and to be so close to completing what has really been the trip of a lifetime. From Staunton to Charlottesville, from Charlottesville to Fred Vegas. We can't wait to see you all.
SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS
Tall Man Out.
We set out from Elkins, WV with the hope of making it just 60 miles to Monterey, VA. Fortunately, on the way out of Elkins we saw a topographical map of our proposed route, so there were no surprises. We were warmed up by about 20 miles of rolling hills then the tough stuff began. First, 4 miles at 9%, then a 4 miles at 8% , then a pair of 2 mile 8% ascents. For those of you who aren't familiar with the percent grade system, 1% = roughly 52 vertical feet per mile. So on that first climb, we ascended roughly 1800 vertical feet in 4 miles, by far the longest steep climb of the trip (Logan's pass was 12 miles at 6%, a comparably easy ascent). Lucky for us, the rest of the trip is through towns where we have an abundance of places to stay. No more camping for us!
So in high spirits we are headed to Staunton today, just 45 miles east of Monterey and with only 2 significant climbs. I can't properly convey how excited we all are to finally be back in Virginia and to be so close to completing what has really been the trip of a lifetime. From Staunton to Charlottesville, from Charlottesville to Fred Vegas. We can't wait to see you all.
SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS
Tall Man Out.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Ohi-oh!
The final leg of the trip has begun. We are all definitely feeling close to home now that we're in this part of the country (and finally in the eastern time zone again). Chicago was an absolute blast, but departing made us remember there's still some work to be done before getting back to Virginia. Fortunately though our bodies have had time to reboot and our spirits have been quickly renewed.
The route through Indiana was pretty quick and we've been in Ohio for the past couple days. We stayed in Bowling Green for a night and got to watch the final 2 stages of the tour which was really cool. Also, this may only be relevant to certain people, but Connor and I discovered that a person known as Big Red now resides in the campus area there. As terrifying as that may be, Bowling Green is a pretty fun and lively college town.
Today we got to enjoy a day at the lake with extended friends, the Jacksons. Their hospitality has been great. Trivial Pursuit, paddle boats, frisbee, cannonballs, and bellyflops all ensued. Now we have the West Virginia border eyeing us down. There are a few small hills coming up I think (the Appalachians or something..) but we're ready keep on pedaling.
The route through Indiana was pretty quick and we've been in Ohio for the past couple days. We stayed in Bowling Green for a night and got to watch the final 2 stages of the tour which was really cool. Also, this may only be relevant to certain people, but Connor and I discovered that a person known as Big Red now resides in the campus area there. As terrifying as that may be, Bowling Green is a pretty fun and lively college town.
Today we got to enjoy a day at the lake with extended friends, the Jacksons. Their hospitality has been great. Trivial Pursuit, paddle boats, frisbee, cannonballs, and bellyflops all ensued. Now we have the West Virginia border eyeing us down. There are a few small hills coming up I think (the Appalachians or something..) but we're ready keep on pedaling.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Eastern time zone, baby!
I suppose I'm a little overdue for a post, seeing as we have passed through Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana since we last spoke. A lot has happened. Connor has outlined most of the activities up to Chi-town so that's where I'll begin.
We had a blast in Chicago. Taking a couple days off in a row finally gave our bodies a chance to really recover. The first night we took it pretty easy, basically just tied a few on in the hotel room then walked around a little. Day two we welcomed two guests to the city. Beau and I were fortunate enough to get Jackie and Mia to come out and suffer through the locker room stench of the our hotel rooms. That night we went out to a couple bars in the northern part of town. On the third day Connor's mom flew out to spoil us yet again with her generosity. We went to a great pizza place...the name of which completely escapes me (something with a "G"). That night, after Momma Maloney went to bed, things got a little rowdy. Without divulging everything, there were several bars, at least one last call, Giant Jenga, and a blurry cab-ride. As for the night life, that was pretty much it.
The daytime attractions in Chicago were spectacular as well. The Museum of Contemporary Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Aquarium all received good reviews from the group. Also, as cheesy as it sounds, the Skydeck on the Sears Tower is also pretty fun.
Unfortunately I cannot show you any pictures of these attractions because I cannot get them on this computer. They will follow shortly.
So, right now we are in Bowling Green, Ohio and we expect that we will only have another 8 or so days left in the trip. Everything's going great, we're super psyched to get back. It looks like we are going to pick up Rt 250 here in Ohio today which not only takes us to Virginia, it takes us through Staunton and Charlottesville. I'll see you all soon, we're just around the bend.
Tall Man Out.
We had a blast in Chicago. Taking a couple days off in a row finally gave our bodies a chance to really recover. The first night we took it pretty easy, basically just tied a few on in the hotel room then walked around a little. Day two we welcomed two guests to the city. Beau and I were fortunate enough to get Jackie and Mia to come out and suffer through the locker room stench of the our hotel rooms. That night we went out to a couple bars in the northern part of town. On the third day Connor's mom flew out to spoil us yet again with her generosity. We went to a great pizza place...the name of which completely escapes me (something with a "G"). That night, after Momma Maloney went to bed, things got a little rowdy. Without divulging everything, there were several bars, at least one last call, Giant Jenga, and a blurry cab-ride. As for the night life, that was pretty much it.
The daytime attractions in Chicago were spectacular as well. The Museum of Contemporary Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Aquarium all received good reviews from the group. Also, as cheesy as it sounds, the Skydeck on the Sears Tower is also pretty fun.
Unfortunately I cannot show you any pictures of these attractions because I cannot get them on this computer. They will follow shortly.
So, right now we are in Bowling Green, Ohio and we expect that we will only have another 8 or so days left in the trip. Everything's going great, we're super psyched to get back. It looks like we are going to pick up Rt 250 here in Ohio today which not only takes us to Virginia, it takes us through Staunton and Charlottesville. I'll see you all soon, we're just around the bend.
Tall Man Out.
Monday, July 23, 2007
The Windy City
"...But our trip was different. It was a classic affirmation of everything right and true and decent in the national character. It was a gross, physical salute to the fantastic possibilities of life in this country - but only for those with true grit. And we were chock full of that." -HST
Well now, the summit dubbed "Virginia Riders" have arrived safely in the Windy City. As we press on towards the eastward horizon megalopolis looms near and Chicago becomes the absolute opposite of North Dakota's desolate stretches of "highway". The city brings a few days of rest, rendezvous with friends and family, and a hammerhead blow to the bank account. Writing from the 3rd floor of the world's largest public library (i.e. The Harold Washington Library) it seems plausible we will be able to remain entertained without pedaling the bikes for a few days.
Our route through Milwaukee was pleasant but rather disappointing. Neither the goal of touring the Miller Brewing Company nor Heckling Barry Bonds were accomplished and we set our sails south for Chicago. (On a personal note, I will never again patronize baseball after Mr. Bonds finalizes the symbolic downfall of the national sport. I can only hope that his record breaking home run is made possible by a underarm lob by some witty pitcher.)
Prior to our visit to "the good land" (Thank you Alice Cooper) we took rest for two nights in Madison. Alright, we didn't do that much resting but we did enjoy ourselves. We gave State St. a try, did some "power" shopping, ate Chipolte, and visited a bike store to fix our worst mechanical problem since the beginning (Isaac has been carrying a Virginia flag since Minneapolis and despite my nagging to fly the flag (I can barely manage to see it so oppressed underneath his bungees) it took its own revenge, tangling itself in his spokes and grabbing onto the derailleur snapping the aluminum hanger which is oh so important to the basic function of the bicycle). So, thank goodness we were in Madison... no way we could have fixed that on our own.
Highlights included getting to play with my cousin Emma (who does excellent cartwheels, by the way) and finally getting to watch some movies on a couch and do nothing else at all. Thank you Kerry, Ranny, and Grandma.
As for now, me and Chuck will continue our date while the remainder of the quartet awaits the arrival of their better halves at the airport. Hope everyone is well out there. More to come....
Well now, the summit dubbed "Virginia Riders" have arrived safely in the Windy City. As we press on towards the eastward horizon megalopolis looms near and Chicago becomes the absolute opposite of North Dakota's desolate stretches of "highway". The city brings a few days of rest, rendezvous with friends and family, and a hammerhead blow to the bank account. Writing from the 3rd floor of the world's largest public library (i.e. The Harold Washington Library) it seems plausible we will be able to remain entertained without pedaling the bikes for a few days.
Our route through Milwaukee was pleasant but rather disappointing. Neither the goal of touring the Miller Brewing Company nor Heckling Barry Bonds were accomplished and we set our sails south for Chicago. (On a personal note, I will never again patronize baseball after Mr. Bonds finalizes the symbolic downfall of the national sport. I can only hope that his record breaking home run is made possible by a underarm lob by some witty pitcher.)
Prior to our visit to "the good land" (Thank you Alice Cooper) we took rest for two nights in Madison. Alright, we didn't do that much resting but we did enjoy ourselves. We gave State St. a try, did some "power" shopping, ate Chipolte, and visited a bike store to fix our worst mechanical problem since the beginning (Isaac has been carrying a Virginia flag since Minneapolis and despite my nagging to fly the flag (I can barely manage to see it so oppressed underneath his bungees) it took its own revenge, tangling itself in his spokes and grabbing onto the derailleur snapping the aluminum hanger which is oh so important to the basic function of the bicycle). So, thank goodness we were in Madison... no way we could have fixed that on our own.
Highlights included getting to play with my cousin Emma (who does excellent cartwheels, by the way) and finally getting to watch some movies on a couch and do nothing else at all. Thank you Kerry, Ranny, and Grandma.
As for now, me and Chuck will continue our date while the remainder of the quartet awaits the arrival of their better halves at the airport. Hope everyone is well out there. More to come....
Saturday, July 21, 2007
New Youtube Video
3 more videos should be available on youtube.com under the same keywords
chuck beau connor isaac
we are off to Milwaukee this afternoon before taking a train into Chicago
enjoy
...and go Vinokourov!
chuck beau connor isaac
we are off to Milwaukee this afternoon before taking a train into Chicago
enjoy
...and go Vinokourov!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)