Henderson to Rocky Mount

We had a good ride today. Had to take off the long sleeves around noon. The hills were not that bad, but still had to use the granny gear on some.
Bubba is good, but as you can see from the picture everybody in our group thought a warm bath and a soft bed would feel good tonight.

Day 4.

Another wonderful day cycling.  It was a clear, brisk 51 when we started this morning.  Gently, rolling hills through beautiful, country farmland.  Light breeze rustling through the dried corn stalks.  Roosters calling out as we passed.  The delightful smells of the morning dew, rich earth, Bengay and Bag Balm.  Only worries are potholes and rednecks in pickups.

Day #4 Photo from Bonnie

Nancy and Bonnie somewhere along the ride today

Day #4 Finish at Rocky Mount

We finished at 2:19. My stats were 78.6 Miles and 14.8 MPH Average. So the average speed is increasing as the course becomes more downhill and uphills more gentle. But compared to the rest of our group, I had a pretty bad day. I was left behind on the hills between rest stop 3 and 4 and had to stop numerous times to rest. But to my surprise they all waited at stop 4 and allowed me to rest some more. Then they pulled me all the way into Rocky Mount at a speed I couldn't have dreamed of alone. What a great crew!

George, Todd, Bonnie, Cassandra, Mark, Nancy after a great pull from rest stop #4

Day 4, Cherry Hill Plantation.

Rolling through the countryside.  Sunshine and rolling hills.  Wonderful morning.

Day #3 from Bonnie

Cassandra and Mark saying hello to the horses. Picture from Bonnie

Day 1 winery

One of the many wineries we passed Sunday.

Bubba

Bubba is treating us real good.

Day 3 Henderson

Four of us rolled into the Henderson "Y" at about 3:30 today.  My stats were 71.76 Miles and 13.3 MPH Average.  Average is creeping up a bit. Today felt the best for me so far and I was blessed with an energy burst at the end which enabled me to catch up and finish with the group.  I rode the last half of the day with Nancy Alexander and we both closed about a .3 mile gap at the end of the ride.  Again another perfect cycling day!!!!!!!!!  Fewer clothes and more freedom on the bike.

Here we are at the finish.  Mark, George, Cassandra, (Bill who finished earlier), Bonnie (my nutritionist) and Nancy

We are all excited about a great ride for tomorrow.

One Way To Post on the Blog

By Android phone: Go to the main page of the blog. Near the bottom of the page, click on the full website version. If you're signed in on your phone, you should be able to press "compose" on the upper right side.

For some reason, I had trouble getting my keyboard to display, but after I pressed "preview" and then "edit html" it worked fine.

Mark Says Hello

Posting from a smart phone seem to be a challenge that is beyond me.  I had no luck helping either Joanne (I Phone) or Mark (DROID).  I think we need to meet up with Allen who seems to have it figured out.  Anyhow, here is a picture Mark took yesterday along the way.  Thanks Mark.

Along the road on a terrific day

Day 2 - Mebane

Here are a few updates from people who haven't posted on their own.

Joanne emailed me early this morning. Her bike crashed (apparently totally on its own), and she needs a new mirror. Be sure and call out "on your left" really loud until I can get there with a new mirror from Flythe's on Wednesday evening. She says she and Mark and Cassandra were riding together this morning and enjoying the ride.

Mark is enjoying the whole wine and cheese theme. He did manage to scare up a deer on today's route, but Mark is fearless, and the deer was probably pretty startled by all the people on bikes. Mark described today as "wonderful." (Mark, I want some of what you're having).

Bill and Dave also had a really good day today. Bill says he didn't have to do any walking, and his hip is feeling a lot better. Once again, Dave Whitlow patiently waited for Bill until Dave had a chance to ride with Cassandra near the end of the ride. Then Dave dropped Bill like a hot rock and left with the cute cyclist.

Nancy and Bonnie discovered that today's winery rest stop would deliver a case of wine to New Bern for only $7.50 shipping charge. Even better, Bonnie told me that the winery would deliver wine and cheese to their hotel with no delivery charge. I wish I was at a hotel in Mebane.

Everyone who contacted me said today's ride was just great. The route was more about rolling hills than steep mountain roads, and it's just a big relief to be out of the mountains so quickly.

Cassandra's Ride

What a great ride today from Eden to Mebane  with Nancy, Bonnie & myself. Great weather with wonderful friends. Also Mark, George, JoAnna, Bill & Dave Can't for the ride tomorrow. Life Is Good. By Cassandra

Wine and Cheese in George and Carol's Suite

Cassandra, Nancy, and Bonnie at the winery rest stop

Day #2 Mebane

Today was a lot nicer.  56 Miles @ 12.7 average.  We shaved off about 20 miles because our hotel was that far from the campsite.  Gorgeous weather -almost perfect cycling conditions and a pretty country side.  Vineyards seem to be the theme this year.  Here is a picture of us sampling some local wine and cheese at a rest stop.

Joanne, Nancy, Bonnie, Cassandra, George, and Mark drinking wine  in  the  morning at  rest stop  number  3

CNC Bags

Some people have to search for their bags at the CNC overnight stop.