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DAY 15

We scoff at a mere 100

ROUTE: Chickasha to McAlester OK DISTANCE: 145 miles WINDS: South 5-10
WEATHER: Scattered thunderstorms forecast, high 80 TERRAIN: Rolling to hilly most of the day TOTAL CLIMBING: 5100 feet

DAILY DOINGS: Well, hello out there in reader land.  You are probably wondering how we managed in all the severe weather watch areas today...pretty good actually.  At 3:00 AM this morning we were awakened by thunderous flashes of lightning along with a downpour of rain...boy, I couldn't wait to go for a bike ride.  Luckily, when we were ready to load, the skies were clear and the temperature was mild...it just looked like a beautiful day for a ride after all.   This was one of the days they were all waiting for...a day that would test the mettle of even the most fit even in good conditions!  Over 145 miles of hilly road was conquered today by the brave ABB Fast South Riders!  This day had the potential to be the toughest day on the ride...lots of hills, lots of miles, less than favorable winds, and threats of rain.  It was a tester for everyone all right, but especially for Fred who broke his chain at mile 29, Jeff who is nursing a broken wheel, and Doug who is also nursing a broken wheel.  Hopefully they will be able to limp to Ft Smith where we can get new wheels and a chain.

We didn't need any miscues today but a couple riders rode some bonus miles even though we were riding over 140 miles today...that should have been enough.  Our first hiccup came right in the parking lot.  I was finishing the last luggage load when I looked up and everyone that had left in the last 15 minutes was pulling back into the parking lot...WHAT???  "We can't find 3rd street!" They said.  What do you mean you can't find 3rd street?  Did they move it?  I had the entire group back in the parking lot so I pointed them in the right direction and off they went again.  As it turned out, 3rd street was a tenth of a mile farther than the cue sheet...but it was there.  We don't need any miscues today...but we weren't through yet.  After lunch we turn south on highway 337 and go 5.3 miles to a Citgo gas station and then turn out in the country.  Just as I was leaving lunch, the lead guys (Scott, David, John, and Jeff) called and said they were in Ada and hadn't seen the Citgo station.  There was some construction between lunch and their turn and since we were here before, they've built a new road that diverted around our route...Yikes?  I took out a state map and told them how to find their way back to the route and scurried down to paint directional arrows to get everyone else through the construction to where we were supposed to go.  Another group had done the same thing, but I got them turned around before they got as far as the front group.  I guess these guys scoff at 145 miles...as it worked out, they got over 150 today.

As far as the weather, it was beautiful all morning but started clouding up in the late morning and a few riders were caught in a sudden rain shower at about 50 miles...it only lasted about a mile or two and then was gone as fast as it developed.  Late in the afternoon, the last riders hustled to get in before the evening cells started to build.  All in all, from the weather forecast for today and from the looks of what we were in at 3:00 in the morning, I think we had a great day...albeit a long one to say the least.

Our terrain today was rolling most of the day but downright hilly for the first 70 miles...we climbed over 5000 feet over the course of 145 miles which isn't earth shattering, but the way the hills came at us really made them tougher.  These hills reminded me of Missouri...short, steep, and relentless...one after another.  I think the distance between McAlester and Chickasha was only about 75 miles but all the up and down we did made the rest of the 145.  If they flattened out this state, it would be as big as Texas I'm sure.  The landscape was again a stark difference from what we've seen the past few days.  Today, the vast pastureland and crop fields of western Oklahoma gave way to rolling, tree lined roads and small homesteads.  We saw more horse ranches today and we passed through several small communities.  It's nice to start seeing civilization more often during the course of the day even though every time a rider stopped at a store, someone would question their sanity for being on a bicycle on a day like this.

We are closing in on our last rest day in Ft Smith...yea!  From the looks of the weather forecast we may have to swim to get there, but we're getting closer.  Tomorrow we have a short day and will sleep in a bit...or at least until 7:00.  Our mileage is only 108, but we are anticipating some strong winds and more rain...hopefully it won't be too bad...whatever, we ride.  Check us out tomorrow...now it's time for a soak. 

DAILY DISCERNING DIALOGUE

-"Can we not have a signature day everyday...maybe have a day that we can just put an "X" on."  Jeff after I told them today was the day they signed up for.

-"I can usually do math in my head until late in the day when I have to use a calculator.  When I finally got in Albuquerque and went to dinner, I couldn't figure the tip so I just told the waitress to add it on herself.  Today I got the bill and the tip was 82%.  Imagine my surprise!"  Joe recounting his dinner story.

-"I may be the first reported case of sea sickness in Oklahoma...the road made me feel like I was going up and down big waves all morning."  Bob, commenting on the rolling terrain.

-"I think I'm finally figuring this thing out...you've got to keep pedaling to get somewhere."  Well, it only took until day 15 for that revelation to come about...maybe that should be a duh?

-"Keep the light on for me!"  Mitch, 15 miles from the motel.

-"When we get close to Savannah, this cow is going to be galloping to the barn!"  Sue talking how much her bovine bike is looking forward to seeing the Atlantic.

 

 DAILY DUH: I got three for you today...we're just full of things happening now that we are all brain dead.  The first goes to Don.  I was parked about 20 miles out when he passed me and stopped.  "Do you have a route sheet?" 
"Where's yours? I asked." 
"I've got yesterday's.  None of the turns were making sense today."  "I've felt like 'Ground Hog's Day' all morning."
"WELL DUH!"

--The second goes to Fred.  Maybe this isn't a Duh, but more of an epiphany.  He was broken down at mile 29 with a busted chain.  When Jim and I got there, Jim repaired his chain and I asked him how old the chain was and that he should replace it in Ft Smith since it has been repaired and was probably weaker than it should be...maybe break again soon.  He said it was practically brand new.  "Brand new?" I asked.
"Yeah, about 500 miles or so."
"You have replaced the chain since you started the ride?" I inquired.
"No, I only had about 500 miles on it when we started the ride." 
"Well Fred...that was 1600 miles ago which rules out the 'practically brand new' statement...2000 miles is about the life of a chain."  I returned.
"But, I only bought it a little over a month ago...You mean...?"
"Yep, if you only ride 2000 miles a year, it will last that long." 

--The third goes to Charlie again...seems he was looking for a WALMart to get replacement rain pants (remember yesterday's entry when he melted his previous pair).  He knew it wasn't too far since he saw a big Super Center sign on his way riding into the motel.  He walked out the front of the motel and started down the street. After walking over a half mile down the main drag looking for the store, he finally retraced his steps and finally found the entry to the store, he went inside to make his purchase.  When he walked out the front of the store, he just happened to notice something to his left that looked familiar..."Hey, that looks like a motel, that looks just like the back of MY motel...that looks like MY room...It IS my room...it's just across the street...geeze."   The WALMart was adjacent to the back of the motel.  Must have been that bright green and blue paint that made it hard to see close up.

DAILY DIGITAL DELIGHTS

How could we have rainy weather when Sue wears her "Sunshine" socks?

I was wondering why I couldn't find anyone today...they had all stopped for a little mid day entertainment.

Barb's SAGs are always festive...here she entertains Jay with her disco moves.

Just close the door on me and the luggage and wake me when we get to McAlaster.

Looks like a good place to relax until the others eat your foundation.

Jay was riding well all day today, but he kept complaining about a splitting head ache all morning.

Rachel made another find today.  Someone told her if she liked those Twinkees going into Elk City, she'd love Hostess Snowballs.  Only problem, no one told her how to skin them...but when she finally figured it out, she was elated at what she found inside.  OK Rachel...now put it all back together and eat it. 

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