New Salem, MA looking east
STATS
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29626904
Distance: 94 mi
Elevation Gain: 6,525ft
Start Time: 8:07a
Finish Time: 4:08p
Moving Time: 5h 08m
Pace: 18.7 mph
It's always interesting/fascinating how delicate things can be. Today was our 4th day riding as we continue to move north and east Lobster Rolling our way to Maine. The weather was gorgeous, again, and the team was in good spirits as we left Northampton.
Our first stop to replenish our rations was a scenic overlook in New Salem. See picture above:) The camera crew did some fun shots with a drone. Can't wait to see how the finish product comes out.
The climbing today felt more relentless. A little more up-and-down that previous days, but nothing quite as sharp and steep, which is fine by me. Like a bunch of jabs an no big upper cuts. The pace was a bit more chill that previous days and we even added a little gravel adventure in a couple spots. Then bam! Crap, that wasn't a rear puncture, that was a my rear wheel breaking. Ugh. No matter how well you communicate as a team, sometimes you can't avoid the bumps in the road. Luckily, we came prepared. A quick radio to CJ and I had a spare rear wheel and I was back rolling. Expensive loss, but at least no one got hurt.
Just a couple miles later we rolled into lunch. What typically has been about an hour, took over an hour and half. Although my lunch was good (Greek salad with tuna and a fruit bowl), I just don't think it was enough given the length of the stop. I felt pretty terrible back on the bike, but then downing a homemade peanut butter granola that Brian's mom gave us yesterday did the trick. Literally felt like a new man in a few minutes. Nutrition is always so important on long days and it can be a delicate balance between feeling full and not having enough. Unlike racing, where I would plan out and test nutrition pretty meticulously, its a bit different on this ride.
As usual, pictures and commentary below.
Until tomorrow,
-Tim
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Getting ready to roll out
Nathan
Beautiful early morning sun as the team rolls strong
Not a great pic, but like most of them they are taken from a bike while moving +/-20mph
And another
Across the street, and much nicer than, the gas station parking lot we used as our water stop
Lake Denison in MA
Pacelining
Add a little gravel to your travel
One last one for today. Lots of old pretty building up here.
Great pics! Good luck the rest of the way.
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