Day 36 (6/27/09)

Today's blog entry is written by our guest rider, Joe Kaehler. I figured if he can come into the ride on day 36 with fresh legs and spirit, he can provide unmuddled narrative for today's ride. Take it away Joe.

Joining the BRAG team for the final three days of their coast to coast trek, I , Joe Kaehler, was volunteered to pen my observations and thoughts of the day's events. New to the rituals that Sam, Jere and Tim have established over the past month and having refined it to a science, I watched with an eagle eye the stages of preparation for a day in the saddle. Starting with reveille at 5:50am, the four of us wasted no time getting the sleep out of our eyes. First on the agenda was breakfast to fuel us throughout the morning. Second on the list was my initiation to the group by drinking some secret potion that Sam mixed up to promote molecular Armageddon in our bodies to propel up any hill imaginable.

Next, we all suited up in our cycling attire and helped Jere get our bikes in mechanical order for the day. With the temps and forecast looking very favorable for the duration of the ride, and Tim armed with maps, at 7:30m, the festivities began. The first 19 miles of the 97 mile day was our warm up period for the task set before us for the day. At the 19 mile mark, we began a four mile climb of over 1400 feet to reach the Blue Ridge Parkway. The cycling gods were with us as we ascended this beast of a climb drenched in sweat from our effort. Like clockwork, our support team of Josh and Tom met us at the top and refueled us with proficient skills that they have honed over the past 3,600 miles. The Blue Ridge Parkway was our choice of travel for the next 25 miles as we made efficient use of the rolling terrain, climbed at a reasonable pace and ascended at breakneck speeds along this crown jewel of the National Parks on the east coast.

At the terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway, we again met up with the support crew for a light lunch and carried on our mission heading east on Rt. 250 toward Charlottesville, VA. We had some company on this stretch of highway with many vehicles passing by us as we kept a single file pace line nearly the whole way to Charlottsville. Upon reaching that target point, we arrived at a nice restaurant and had our meals on the table in less than a minute of our arrival, thanks to Tom and Josh for placing an advance order. The BRAG team had 75 miles under their belt but there was more to do. Twenty + miles were on the to do list and I believe I write for all four of us, that there was a slight spillover of lactic acid in our leg muscle from our latest stop.

On we pushed, as in Sam's words," Jere found a new carrot" in me as the freshest legs to abuse. It was my intention to do quite a bit of pulling to give these guys a break from all that they have done the past month. But Jere had other thoughts as him and I see-sawed out front as Tim and Sam paid the price. In the area of Monticello, Sam got a flat for reasons unknown since we couldn't find the usual shard of glass or metal embedded in the tire. Our suspicions pointed to a faulty area around the stem. Their perseverance rewarded itself as we all finished together in the town of Palmyra, VA.

While I wish I could have started with Tim, Sam and Jere back in San Francisco, I am excited and fortunate to be able to witness firsthand the accomplishment these fellow cyclists are doing. They are two days away from penning the final chapter on this most noteworthy event and I'm sure the stories will be told for summers to come!