TypicalDay
By
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
On this page I've tried to describe a typical day with America By Bicycle
Wake up call at 5:30AM. Drag myself out of bed and get dressed. My clothes have been laid out the previous day - Cycling Shorts, Jersey, Socks, Gloves, and Head Covering. Put on Sun Screen and pack away anything I left out the previous night. All this takes me about 30 minutes. After 2 weeks, I've cut this down to 20 minutes.
Fill water bottle and camelback. Put ice cubes in along with the water as we move into warmer climates. Put cue sheet on the bike. Place Wallet and Cell Phone in plastic bags and they go in the pockets of my camelback along with my glasses. Camera goes into a separate plastic bag and in my left rear jersey pocket. Put on heart rate montor. On a wet weather day, my cycling jacket goes into the middle rear jersey pocket. Right rear pocket is saved for snacks.
6:15AM, breakfast. Some combination of Pancakes, French Toast, Eggs, Bacon, Orange Juice. I need to consume about 300 calories per hour of riding each day. If a bagel is available, that goes into my jersey pocket for snack later. Don't forget to initial the rider check in sheet. Some days we load before breakfast and ride up to a mile before breakfast.
6:45AM, check tire pressure, Load baggage on truck. Get GatorAid and mix with my water bottle. Don't forget to initial the rider check in sheet.
6:55AM, start riding. Stop occasionally to check cue sheet and turn it over when needed. Munch on some food I've stored in my jersey pocket and drink plenty of water.
Somewhere between mile 20 and 40 arrive at the first SAG stop. Stop for about 15 minutes. Wash hands, and Don't forget to initial the rider check in sheet. Have some fruit and cookies and other snacks. Refill water bottle and camelback if needed. Refill jersey pockets with snacks if needed. For the first part of the trip, the BOX (Budget Truck) is at the first SAG. After a couple of weeks, and additional van is used at SAG.
Don't forget to stop and take pictures. At various points throughout the day one of the support vehicles will pass by. Signal with a flat hand waving left to right if I'm ok. Signal with hand on helmet if I need any mechanical assistance, water, or food.
12PM to 1:30PM ish Somewhere between mile 45 and 65 arrive at the lunch SAG stop. Stop for about 45 to 60 minutes. Wash hands, and Don't forget to initial the rider check in sheet. Make a sandwhich. Eat it along with fruit, salads, and some salty snacks like pretzals. Refill water bottle and camelback if needed. Refill jersey pockets with snacks if needed. Don't forget to add more sunscreen.
The ride each day is guided by a cuesheet. The cuesheet tells us which day its and where we are going. Useful information to have printed in front of you as it is easy to forget. Each line on the cuesheet tells me 3 pieces of information. How far to ride, (example 4.3 miles), until I get to a mile maker (at mile 6.0), turn Right / Left / Straight onto a road (Cold Harbor Rad - otherwiseknonw as Route 156 S and Bicycle Route 76. At this turn there is a LIGHT.
At some turns, we will find a painted cue on the road as well.
Arrive safely at the hotel. Check in and Don't forget to initial the rider check in sheet. All these check in sheets allow the staff to keep track of us and make sure we're not lost. Find luggage and bring it to my room. Shower.
Clean water bottle and camelback. Use Efferdent every few days in addition to the hot water rinsing.
Clean bike - try and do this before the shower if I have time.
Do laundry every 3 days.
5:30PM - mechanics time - have bike problems corrected.
6:00PM - Daily Route RAP - get the cue sheets for tomorrows route - learn about special concerns about the route.
Dinner follows. Usually go with a group of other riders. Laugh about today's events.
Download photos from camera and write web page If I have internet access, Check Email and Upload web page changes.
Call Lisa.
Recharge Cell Phone, Recharge Camera Battery. Fill water bottle and place next to bed. Each time I wake up during the night, take a drink to start tomorrows hydration.
9PM Sleep.
