Cycle Across America
With Judy ... Again!

Judy's Journal

Tour Days 40-50

In this section of the site, Judy will be keeping notes about her journey and displaying photos. Check back while she's traveling to see what's going on. Select the links below to see her Journal for later tour days:

Training and Days 1-9 Days 10-19 Days 20 - 29 Days 30-39

Day 40, Wednesday, June 21st, Niles, OH to Erie, PA:

Tour Route: 89.0 miles but I biked 89.5 miles

Time: 6:30.56

Max Speed: 29.4 mph

Avg Speed: 13.7 mph

Today we crossed the PA State Line! Bryan biked part of the way from Niles with me. There were two other gentlemen who biked w/us as well who were former participants of CrossRoads. What I remember about the day was that I realized just how tired I was when we headed back into the headwind from time to time. After 3 days of over 100 miles each, my legs were putty. The best part of the day was having lunch in Conneaut. There was an old fashioned root beer stand and it was doing a land office business. There was a McDonalds right down the street and no one was there! I had a turkey sandwich, a root beer float, and some onion rings! A luxury that I wouldn't eat normally. Wish I had taken a picture but I was really tired. Just slowly got through the day.

Day 41, Thursday, June 22, Rest Day in Erie, PA -- rest day

All I did today was wash clothes at the laundromat down the street, go back to the hotel and take a nap and then buy some new earrings. I had lost one of my earrings that I had purchased in Cancun. In the evening Julia Zahn and I went with Jed and Dr. Jim to eat at a oriental restaurant that Jed had scoped out previously. We had perch and it was an excellent meal. Jed certainly knows how to pick the restaurants. Went to bed early to start out the next day rested.

Day 42, Friday, June 23, Erie, PA to Hamburg, NY:

Tour Route: 78.1 miles but I biked 88.29 miles according to my bike computer

Time: 5:17.37

Max Speed: 33.9 mph

Avg Speed: 15.2 mph

This was a relatively short day for us. We were all making pretty good time. We crossed into NY today. Dr. Jim Olsson, Ricky Wardell, Gil, Jed and myself were all from Texas and so the guys decided that we should all wear jerseys that showed that we were from Texas. Dr. Jim loaned me one of his jersey's to wear. He is from San Antonio. My Woodlands Cycling club jersey didn't say Texas where anyone would be able to read it. Since we got in early to the hotel, Jed rented a SUV and 6 of us drove to Niagara Falls. I hadn't ever seen the falls and I was really pleased to get to go. Russ and Sharyn Fettrow, Michael Goldsmith, Ty, Jed and myself were the ones who went together. Had a great time and we got back to the hotel around 7:00PM. A neat day!

Day 43, Saturday, June 24th, Hamburg, NY to Canandaigua, NY:

Tour Route: 93.2 miles but I biked 94.05 miles according to my bike computer

Time: 6:48.03

Max Speed: 35 mph

Avg Speed: 14.3 mph

This was another very tough day for me. A lot of hills that were far apart in wave length so that you couldn't get up the hill w/o getting in my granny gears. The guys did a lot better than I did. I had a flat after the first Sag and Margaret came back to get me and bumped me up to the 2nd Sag where Mack fixed the flat for me. I continued on but Julia, Sharyn, Russ and Bob all got in after the first Sag. It is tough staying out there alone. I was the only girl to finish today. I made up the mileage that I lost when I was bumped by riding thru Canandaigua up and down the streets. Boring but nice and flat. I am a tired puppy tonight but Jim Hall was nice enough to loan me his computer so that I could upload my data and pictures. I am ready to go to bed. It is 9:30PM. JudyP-M

Day 44, Sunday, June 25th, Canandaigua, NY to Syracuse, NY:

Route Mileage: 68.3 miles but yours truly had to SAG today, I only did 52.6 miles

Total Time: 4:10.16

Max Speed: 29.9

Avg Speed: 12.6

Today was an interesting day! We left Canandaigua after a great breakfast at the Ponderosa Steak house. The dinner last night was not so great so we were all surprised. We had a crosswind and sometimes a headwind again and we still had the long period wavelength hills. Felt really pooped at the beginning and it took me over 30 minutes to warm up. Finally got the legs to pump and passed Russ and Bob and finally Sharyn and Julia. Was doing quite good at catching up w/Barrie and Susan on the tandem. We were in Seneca Falls when I spotted them and another biker not from our group that was riding w/them. Right about that time Michael G. and Tom D. passed me by after they had taken pictures of the lake. I was trying to move over to the right to get off the white line on the left side of the road. I didn't realize it had a lip and my front tire slipped along the lip. I bounced onto the gravel and made it past w/o falling down but then I went over into the grass. At that point I was looking beyond the grass to the canal filled w/water. I knew that I was going to fall into the "drink" if I didn't ditch my bike. I made a superb move and fell onto the grass w/my bike to my left side. Bruised my thumb some but otherwise I was OK. Mack came by and saw me down and Michael and Tom came rushing back to help. They were really nice and tried to brush all the grass off of me. Mack put on a band-aid on my previous road rash on my arm and one on my knee. He made me get into the van for a minute to calm down. Now I know why Tracy loves to have him and Margaret as part of her "Sag Team". They are the best. After sitting down for awhile.....I was ready to go on.

From that point on....I was having a little problem negotiating the hills. I should have thought to check the brake on my front tire. After having some raspberry ice cream (double dip).....I decided that a peach Sundae would be in order too. But when I tried to take off again.....I just was having too much trouble getting up the hills.

One thing funny happened out on the road! I found a "boyfriend" for Ms. VooDoo Doll! There was a green stuffed Irish Leprechaun sitting in the middle of the road. I stopped and put him straddling my water bottle. Can't wait to introduce them tonight when I get to the hotel. She is so finicky that I hope she realizes that he is a "good catch"!

Finally, I came upon Mack again and got in the Sag Wagon. By that time my thumb was really black and blue and swollen. But it will be fine tomorrow. Enjoyed visiting w/Mack and so the day was a good one after-all even though I didn't get all the mileage in. We are getting close to Boston and I see a difference in the group already. I am still having fun but I am READY to QUIT biking the hills!!!! JudyP-M

Day 45, Monday, June 26th, Syracuse, NY to Little Falls, NY:

Tour Route: 78 miles but I only did 47.3 miles.

Max speed: 25.7 mph

Avg speed: 14.0 mph

This day started the beginning of our "rain days". I biked w/Jim Morris, Bob Grasa, Sue & Barry Wilcox and Dave, the marine who was our "leader"! He did an excellent job and kept the paceline at a reasonable pace. There was one point where I lost them for awhile because I didn't cross the street in time before the light changed. Tracy gave me a bump in the truck and I hung on w/them until they stopped for lunch. I was sopping wet and when we stopped at a "quick store", I got very cold and so called Margaret to see if she could pick me up. She sent Mack to my aid. Tomorrow looks like more of the same. This is not how I wanted to end up my trip by riding in the Sag Wagon.

Day 46, Tuesday, June 27th, Little Falls, NY to Albany, NY:

Tour Route: 68.8 miles but I rode "0" miles

Another rain day which was even worse than the last one. The one "fun" part of the trip is listening to the Boggleism's and Russ's comeback to all of the comments. It is hilarious at times. Julia Zahn, my roomie was in the Sag Wagon as was Bob Bogle and Sharyn and Russ Fetrow. We have quite a little group going and sometimes we have others who sag for awhile. These days are tough especially with rain and hills and then this day....the wind was so obnoxious and gusting over 30-35 mph. Not for me to battle when I am so close to the end. Remember, I am the one who is accident prone and I just think that the IQ in the van is just a little higher than outside the van. (Actually.....that was a JOKE.....and, I just don't want to get hurt and in the hospital at the very end.) I'm quite happy w/the fact that I have raised over $8,838.75 so far for the HDM Scholarship Fund. Not quite the $10,000.00 I was hoping for but still very admirable to have biked so many miles. (Check out the home page or tour route for the exact amount!) And I have lost at least 11 lbs!!!!!! I know that I have lost inches and I am hoping that I can get into my bathing suit. I plan to sit out by the pool at my condo in Horseshoe Bay. Hope that some of you will come join me. Tomorrow it is supposed to rain again too. JudyP-M

Day 47, Wednesday, June 28th, Albany, NY to Brattleboro, VT:

Tour Route: 76.3 miles but I didn't bike any of them again this day. A big "0".

Another day in the Sag Wagon. Today the best part of the tour was going into another state, Veermont. And Clark Dexter and Peter Crowell former, XC03 participants met us at the 2nd Sag stop. They looked good and it was fun getting to talk w/them again and find out what has been going on in their lives.

This evening, Rick Wardell, Bill Salamone, Julia and I went out to eat together. We had a great visit and Ricky is such a dear. He is our bike tech, our sweep when we need one, and just a neat all around guy from Texas!!!! He is always thoughtful of others. Thanks Rick. You're the best! JudyP-M

Day 48, Thursday, June 29th, Brattleboro, VT to Lexington, MA:

Tour Route: 87.1 miles but I only biked 38 miles.

I am writing this after the fact and I think I sent home one picture disk in my fanny pack. I am missing some of the pictures that I took prior to this day. This day we thought was going to be another rainy day. The humidity was so high it hung in droplets on my glasses and rear view mirror. And when I moved forward the water was still there as condensation. With fog it would clear when I biked. So it became quite a challenge to see. Then I lost two of the rubber pieces to my glasses mirror which enables me to look for cars coming from behind. I finally decided that the "rain gods" were trying to tell me something and I got in the SAG wagon. But you know.....I didn't care at this point. I had accomplished far more than I had in 2003 and I think I was close to biking 2500 miles. If so, this would bring me up to $9000.00 for the scholarship fund.

I just hung out all day with the others in the Sag and we crossed first into New Hampshire and then into Massachusetts. At the 2nd Sag, I helped Mack some and then when it was time to shut it down....I swept out the van. All the work that the Sag King and Sag Queen do on tour is ENORMOUS! I found out that Margaret will not be returning. She will be sorely missed by Tracy and the rest of the CrossRoads Volunteer Staff. Margaret is more than MARVELOUS and PERFECT for the job. And she has the sweetest disposition all the time. I will miss not being able to see her when I meet up w/the tour in years to come. I mentioned once to Tracy that I would be interested in helping but w/o a person to guide you thru it the first time.....it would be a tremendous challenge. I don't even know if Mack is returning. Tracy has the best staff a tour could ask for.

Enjoyed visiting w/Mack one last time before he heads back to the UK. He has a full schedule taking Gill, Paul and his girlfriend back to FL for a 2 week vacation. I'm sure that they will have a nice family vacation.

I am anxious to see my friends, Dan & Lola Winters and Katie. They will be in Lexington, MA tomorrow after we get back from Revere Beach where we will dip our wheels into the Atlantic Ocean. I must say that I am ready for the tour to end. Sad and yet glad. I want to see my daughter, Jenee', her husband, Mike and my grandchildren, Coleman -13 and McCall - 11, who all live in Chatham, NJ.

What I would like to say at this point in my journal is that Tracy Lenier, XC Tour Director is superb in her planning and ensuring that this is the best tour possible. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who might be reading this journal and I would be more than willing to tell you more about it should you want to email me. This year's weather was probably the toughest of the 10 years that she has put it on....but that is out of her control. In spite of the headwinds, 115 degree weather in the desert, the rain and my achilles tendon problem for a couple of days, the bottom bike rash, and a sprained thumb.....I hope to do it again in the years to come! This was a great tour!

This evening we had our CrossRoads dinner where we all talked about the trip and what it meant to us. It was good to hear from those who had been quiet on the trip but when the time came.....it was moving to hear from them. My roomie, Julia Zahn said that she "slew many dragons" on the cycling trip. There were many things that she was fearful about but learned that they weren't things to "fear" after all. We had a good time getting to know one another. I wish that I had had a recorder to record all the many thoughts. It seemed that the group began to bond after all.

For me it was the opportunity to lose more weight as well as earn sponsorship miles as I biked across the US for the HDM Scholarship Fund. I know for sure that I lost 15 lbs....but it is the inches that makes the difference. Everyone says that my face is much thinner. I can't tell....but it must be true.

Day 49, Friday, June 30th, Ride to Revere Beach, Boston, MA:

Tour Route: 20 miles and I biked every inch of it. Put me down for 20 miles.

Julia and I got up early at 5:00AM and did our regular routine of pulling on our black girdles (biking shorts) and getting ready for the ride to the beach. We went down to the room where breakfast was served and ate and then took our bikes out to the parking lot where we blew up our tires. Wouldn't you know it but Ty and The Wilcox's had flat tires before the ride to the beach. Julia and I started out w/Sharyn and Russ Fetrow and Bob Bogle to the beach. I forgot to mention that Bob Bogle's children and grandchildren came in the night before to "surprise" him. I believe that there were over 13 kids altogether. He was certainly surprised and it was so great to see them there for him.

Our group got to the spot where we were rendezvousing while waiting for all to arrive and bike to the beach together. Finally they all made it and we began our file of two by two on our bikes to the beach following the vans and Rick Wardell and Jeff Bott.

When we rode over the small hill, I could see the beach and remembered how I felt when I watched the group bike in 2003. I was on the beach then and not on the bike....and I could see and remember the exhilaration I felt knowing that all had finished. This time I was part of it! Then the Bogle bunch came a little late w/all their green "Bogle" shirts on. What a neat sight! I felt happy for Bob and the rest of us. It was like they were our cheering section too.

We took many pictures and I even put my bike over my head! Couldn't have done that w/my Colnago that I left at home. This carbon fiber Cannondale racing bike is very light. We took lots of pictures and then got in vans to be taken back to the hotel. It seemed that it took us eons longer to get to the hotel in the van than riding our bikes to the beach. I will remember the feeling that I had when I got there. Now I can identify with what Mack told me about when he finished the tour in 2003.

When we got back to the hotel we had certain times that we had to take our bikes to be packed up and sent home. Mine was at 2:30PM. Lola and Dan Winters and Katie came during that time and I saw them out the window. I ran out to meet them and was glad to see them arrive.

Then I went back to the room and got ready for the banquet that evening. It was just as I remembered it in 2003 but Tracy again had everyone entranced with her motivational talk. She is very adept and proficient with what she says to all of us. I went to bed that evening very happy and pleased with what I had done.

The person who received the CrossRoads map showing our route across the US was Bill Salamone. He was the perfect recipient. I got to know him early on when we biked together w/Gil down the beach in LA the day before our tour began. A quiet, soft spoken gentleman who owns a beauty salon. He will enjoy having the map and talking about the trip to his many clients. A great ending for our tour.

I almost forgot to mention that "Boston Bob", Bob Cohen dropped by the last Sag stop before Lexington. He was one of the participants on XC03 and it was certainly great to see him again. He came by the hotel a little later but I had just signed onto the "pay internet" and didn't get a chance to visit more. Thanks Bob for coming by and it was great getting to see you again. I will get in touch w/you a little later after I get settled back in Conroe, TX.