Big miles

DAY 18
Sonora, KY to Utica, KY

Planning a schedule and then sticking to that schedule is absolutely impossible on a journey like ours. I'd been scared to add up our miles to see just how far behind we actually were. But I guess it's time to do the math and face reality. Originally we'd planned a 65 mile per day average allowing 5 zero mileage rest days. If we have just 49 days left until the date we want to finish and roughly 3,300 miles remaining, the figures don't look good. As of now, if we don't take any rest days, we need to average 68 miles per day. Just for fun I also calculated if we took four rest days, and came up with a 74 mile per day average. We definitely have our work cut out for us.

Just a little morning stroll

We're up before the sun begins it's journey across the sky. The mornings are unbelievably peaceful, beautiful, and most importantly, cool. While the afternoons are hot, busy, and miserable. The more miles we can knock out at the beginning of the day, the more enjoyable this whole experience is going to be. We depart the barn at 6 o'clock and carefully tread through the field of thorns and brush back to the highway. Not a single flat tire, it's a miracle. 

The cows are saying good morning!

Today we'll go over the 1,000 mile mark. It's hard to believe just over two weeks ago we began this crazy adventure. Two weeks ago we didn't know the first thing about cycling. I'd have to say we still don't know much, but maybe now we can fake it better than we could before. To be truthful, it does feels like we've been on these bikes for a 1,000 miles. The hard thing to believe is that it's only been two weeks.

Love me some Coca-Cola while on the trail!

I know it just looks like 100, but it really reads 1,000 miles!

Carson, Dirty B, and his kitty litter panniers

Eight hours on the bike today. We coast down the hill scanning both sides of the street for the volunteer fire station. Our bodies feel numb, while our minds struggle to stay alert. The bike computer reads just over 91 miles. It had been overcast all day which kept the strong rays of sun at bay. Still the relentless wind and southern humidity kicked our ass. I'd promised Becky a beer tonight. I'm sure at this point of exhaustion and dehydration half a beer would do the trick. We haven't had an alcoholic beverage for 10 days. Not that I was counting... Becky was. I find it strangely ironic that a state that's known for its bourbon, has more than half of its counties dry. Disappointedly we take a forced rain check on the beer. Gratefully we settle for a much needed shower, laundry, and roof over our head.

Utica fire station...

Thank you!!!

Stats: 
Miles: 91.28
Average speed: 11.2 mph
Max speed: 38.7 mph