Humid, Hot, and How Many Miles?

Crestview to Marianna, FL
We knew it was going to be a hot one, so we got permission to leave at 6:45 am in the lightof the dawn to start heading down the road so we could get our 90 something miles in before the worst heat of the day. That meant we were up at 5:30 am to get our gear out to the trailer, bike tires pumped up, and snacks packed before breakfast opened up at 6:00am. We were on the third floor, but at least this hotel had an elevator. We have been in many that do not and are sometimes on the second floor. We are all pretty good about lifting our bikes and carrying them up a few flights, but elevators are always a nice option.

We headed out of the parking lot, past a motorcycle accident under the underpass and on to a busy route 85 for a mile and then went through neighborhoods until we got back on Highway 90. We rode through towns like Mossy Head, Argyle, Ponce de Leon, and Bonifay, Chipley, Cottondale, and finally Marianna.

Of most interest was a scenic optional route in Defuniak Springs around a lake. There were old Victorian homes and cottages built in the late 1880's somehow associated with the railroad that was there. We followed a two mile circle around a lake and saw these quiet streets with tree lined Victorian homes. It was a nice break from the asphalt of US 90, which we were on for most of the day. They call this ride "90 on the 90! "

To add a little excitement, some of us played poker on the way for $1 to enter and get 5 cards at the beginning of the ride, $1 at mile 20 and $1 at mile 40, if you wanted to stay, or trade in some or all of your cards. The only thing is that they used three decks of cards in case everyone wanted to play. I was dealt 4 hearts and traded one spade for a spade which didn't help. Then I traded for a spade for a heart so I had a flush. After dinner, we showed our hands, and my Queen high flush, barely beat a Jack high flush that someone else had so I won the $24.

I will donate my winnings to the Diabetes Association. By the way, if you haven't yet contributed and wish to, there is still time. Either send a check made out to American Diabetes Ass. toRobin Sewell, 60 Foster Street,Littleton, MA 01460, or you can go online to:

http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TDC005008030?px=4582692&pg=personal&fr_id=5560

Many thanks and appreciation to all of the people that have already contributed. My dad had diabetes later in life and so many people I know are impacted in some way by this disease.

The three of us zipped along for a solid pace for the first 40-50 miles or so, stopping for snacks and water at about mile 20, 40, and 60. Susan and I continued along at a slightly faster pace for the rest of the journey, wanting to get most of the journey in before 2:00 o'clock. The temperature did get up to 89 degrees. I thought it was more humid in the morning though as every time we stopped I would start dripping again. I looked down and noticed beads of moisture between my skin and this filmy white sunscreen all over my arms and legs. It reminded me of the bubbles of vanilla cooking on the stove beneath that filmy skim coat that develops. Regardless, it was pretty gross. I wore my thin white sleeveless top which didn't stay white too long with all the dust and road gunk that just stuck to everything. My feet were hot most of the day and I know my feet were a bit more swollen than usual.

Large sections of the road surface were newly paved and you could feel the heat coming off the new black pavement. Still, I felt pretty good and we continued along through the countryside and small towns at about a 16 mph pace average and taking full advantage of the downhills when we had them while slowly going up hills to conserve energy.

In Cottondale, I asked a guy in a tow truck at the red traffic light if there were any places to eat in town and he told us that about a mile down the road there was a McDonald's. A cold drink out of the heat of the day at around mile 78, sounded great so we headed on after the green light searching. Well, he was a bit off, but there was a McDonald's on the left, as he said, but about 8 miles down the road in the next town. We pulled in and brought our bikes inside as it wasn't crowded. One of the managers that was outside asked us about our trip and 4 older guys having coffee motioned us to come over and tell them what we were up to. Most people have been so interested, kind, and encouraging. It's been great talking to everyone along the way...

After my apples, yogurt and walnut snack salad and cold drink we headed out the last few miles to our motel at about mile 92. Someone invited me to join them on there first century ride, but I wanted to go in and wash this salty lotioned crud off my body more than I wanted to ride my second century. The thing is, I know that I could have easily done it. We are all so much stronger, faster, and more skillful riders now. Today was the last big ride of over 90 for this trip. We have some lower mileage days coming up, a rest day, and then a few 70 something mile days before next week.

On the road again,
Robin