Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate Gosh Darn It!

BRAG Day 1-Atlanta to Oxford

Distance: 53.64 miles
Ride Time: 4hrs, 22min, 19 secs
Avg Speed 12.27 MPH

The title of today's post says it all.  Combine a 95 degree average temperature day with me not drinking enough fluid resulted in me having to be sagged into the lunch stop today.  I felt lightheaded and dizzy and had to lay on the pavement just to get my wits together.  Luckily for me, many people (riders and non riders alike) stopped to see if I was OK, offered cold water, called SAG for me, etc.  Once I got to the lunch stop and got more fluid in me and some food, I felt well enough to complete the remaining 14 miles of the route.  My thanks to all of them for helping me today.  That was my payback for me helping two gentlemen who had a flat tire, no CO2 and needed a hand pump.  I was johnny-on-the-spot and they thanked me profusely.  It was from that point that my karma decided to closeup shop for the day.  Not 30 minutes later, I had a flat tire. DOH!!  You know, I have REALLY gotten good at changing flat tires lately.  A skill I'm glad to have, but I wish I didn't have to use it so often.  Then my hydration issues.  Oh well.  I'm not going to beat myself up over it too much.  There were MANY riders sharing the hydration issue today.  And a couple of riders suffered heat stroke and were taken to the hospital.  Scary stuff.  From what I understand, both are doing well and were released this evening.  You can be sure I WILL drink a (blank)load of water/sports drink tomorrow.

It's a trip to Milledgeville tomorrow.  63 miles of fun in the sun.  Hopefully, it will be a little cooler.

Talk to you tomorrow.
Slowing! :)

Gary

Somebody Up There REALLY Likes Me!

So this morning while lying in bed, I was contemplating how I was going to get my bike from the official starting point at Oglethorpe University back to my hotel, approximately three miles away.  Now you're probably saying "Hey Gary....IT'S A BIKE!!  RIDE THE DARN THING!!"  I agree.  It would be the obvious thing to do. Except me being the doofus that I am, I forgot to bring a small bag (of which I have at least nine at home) to carry my helmet, shoes, shades et al.  I decided to go down to the lobby for breakfast still mulling over this situation.  I came to the decision that I would take a cab over to the start, get my bike and goody bag and then walk the three miles back to the hotel.  In 95 degree heat.  Good times!  Just as I was sitting there finishing breakfast in the lobby, I noticed a gentleman at the front desk asking the agent how to get to Oglethorpe University.  I didn't think much of it as he got the information and then drove off in his large truck.  A few moments later, I hailed a cab and got to the university.  As I made my way over to the Cycleworks tent where my Trek 2100 was waiting for me, that same gentleman I saw in the lobby noticed me and said "I wish I had known you were coming over. I would have given you a ride.  Do you want a ride back?"  WOW!!  What a tremendous gesture!  My new friend Tim not only gave me and my bike a ride back to the hotel, he also offered to give me and my bide ride back to the university in the morning for the start!  This episode just reaffirms my faith in the human race.  He didn't know me from Adam and now he's giving me a ride.  Thank you Tim! :)

Tires are pumped, goo and water bottles are filled, cycle computer is calibrated and I'm all set for the morning.  55 miles to from Atlanta to Oxford, GA.  It's gonna be fun! :)  Talk to you tomorrow from Oxford.

Hole!
Gary

I'm In Atlanta!!

Welcome to Atlanta!  Or "Hot"lanta as some folks call this place.  I am in the crown jewel of the south.  I have been treated so very well by the staff of the Hampton Inn where I'm staying.  I even had a personal letter from the hotel general manager waiting for me in my room when I arrived.  He thanked me for staying with them.  What a nice touch! :)

Usually when I go on these trips, I always find something I never see at home.  And this trip did not disappoint.  Take a look at the below photo:

That is one BIG gun, huh?  Actually, it's a giant barbecue grill in front of the Rusty Nail restaurant here in Atlanta where I had dinner tonight.  And with a big barbecue grill in front of the restaurant, I had to have their homemade specialty, right?  Of course I did.  Their lasagna was delicious! :)

Nothing much happening here tonight.  The adventure begins in earnest tomorrow when I'm reunited with my bike and check in at Oglethorpe University which is the official starting HQ for the ride.  I'll have another post tomorrow on the eve of the first ride day.

A special shout-out to the Illinois Team-In-Training Cycle Team who arrived in Lake Tahoe today in advance of their participation in America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride on Sunday.  May you all have a great ride.  GO TEAM!!

An extra special shout-out to two of my teammates who are going through some tough times right now.  JAV and Anne R., know that you are in my prayers and as I travel these Georgia roads, you ride with me in my heart.

Car Back!
Gary

What is that CRAZY cyclist Gary up to now?

Hi Kids!  It's me, your humble blogger back again for another cycling adventure.  This time, I've decided to take my cycling talents down to "The Peach State" for Bicycle Ride Across Georgia, or BRAG for short.  A seven day, 436 mile odyssey through the great state of Georgia. Good times, good times! :)  And as usual, I will blog each day's ride adventure in this very space.  If you want to check out my past tours/blogs, please click one of the links below:

Bicycle Illinois 2009

Bicycle Illinois 2010

I will send out an announcement when new posts are created.  Until the ride starts, those posts will be sporadic.  I'm looking forward to a great adventure.  I hope you'll join me on this journey! :)

Car Back!
Gary