You hook 'em, we cook 'eM

On his day off, Jim writes:

This is Track McCleary.  He's the librarian in VA
Beach.  We had lunch together.  Now, don't judge this
librarian by his cover.  He showed me his truck with
kayak on top.  His father was Chian (Cheyenne?) Indian and
his mom, Cajun.  He played with Ritchie Havens, Janis
Joplin and I can't remember every other name he
threw at me.  An "Infidel," he's been in virtually
every country in the world and wants me to go to his
home tonight to send these photos and meet his wife
and kids.

This is not only the most interesting person I've met
this tour, he's the most interesting person I've met
in years.

Bike should be ready at six.  Back to the beach till
then.  Great Veggie Chile for lunch followed by half
of Track's Mex Melt (Swiss, avocado, jalapenos,
tomatoes, onions on pita.)  Amazing.

Monday in Virginia

Jim sent this update today:

First, let's talk about bungies.  Using a black rubber
bungie I picked up along the route, I am able to carry
one pannier and my helmet comfortably as I walk around
VA Beach.  If all of us were to pick up one bungie
every month, and they are out there-- homeless, we
could put an end to our dependence on foreign bungies
in our lifetime.
I'm walking today because I left the bike at a shop
to have them check my rear bearings.  They're not
squealing anymore (I cleaned my skewer), but I'm
having it looked at anyway.  Did I mention that my
bike rack broke two welds?  This morning I discovered
one screw missing, so I told the terrific people at
the shop to replace it.
I'll pick it up before 6:00 tonight and be on my way
early tomorrow to NC and the Outer Banks.  The shop
guy wants me to take a different route than I charted,
and it sounds more interesting.  Ocean, less traffic,
and a ferry.
I spent about 45 minutes on the beach this morning.
Hot, summery and empty of people,  I feel as though
I'm doing something wrong by doing nothing.
Did I mention the turtle I saved.  He must have
weighed 15 pounds and didn't like it one bit that I
picked him up from the middle of Rt 60 and "dropped"
him on the median.  After realizing that his route
would continue across the northbound lane, I tried
again to pick him up, but his long necked beak was
trying hard to reach my hands.  Even his claws were
able to reach and scratch me.
That's my life, and relocating plants, bungies and
turtles.

J
Photos to follow

Days 5 & 6: Virginia Beach

Jim's update for today:

No computer yesterday, so I should try to remember if
anything intresting happened. Stayed in Onley, VA.  Rt
13 from MD to the tip of the Delmarva peninsula is
soo long.  It's not an interesting road, but very
straight with a good road surface and mostly great
shoulders.  Bought "Flatlands" at a cute bookstore
across form the hotel.  It's one of those books you
know you should have read but never got around to.
Very weird.
 Today, more Rt 13.  Home made crab cake sandwich and
home made frifris.  Fresh spring hay being mowed.
Wonderful smell.  Wisteria many places along the road.
So fragrant.  Lots of farmland in VA newly tilled or
one foot high with amazingly green winter wheat.  Too
many fields (probably thousands of acres) poisoned,
readied for no-till corn planting.
 When I reached the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnels, I
again put out my thumb.  No bicycles allowed.  It took
about 15 or 20 minutes, but a really nice Pakistani
man from Brooklyn stopped for me and took me the 17
miles to the mainland.  I could have headed straight
south toward N. Carolina, but as it was already
afternoon, and I was tired, I headed east east to VA
Beach.  Some very busy roads with no or terrible
shoulders and some now so busy stretches of Rt. 60
through a state park. Also bad or no shoulders, but
not so busy and sheltered from the wind by trees on
both sides.  Wind was a factor today.  It was from the
west, but seemed in my face most of the time, so my
milage, not counting the bridge/tunnel is about 57.
 Really nice, inexpensive Day's Inn, one block from
the ocean.  It's summer here.  bikini girls and
college boys with giant kites.  Para-sailers out at
sea.
 I'm going to stay here two days because as I
entered the town of VA Beach proper, I developed a
squeal in my rear wheel.  Bike shop in town was closed
and opens again tomorrow at 11:00 am.  A day's rest is
probably a good idea anyway.  I stopped along the way
today at a large Ace Hardware and bought a 100%
cotton, chenille car wax mit for my behind.  It seems
to be the most vulnerable part of the trip. Tuesday on
to NC and the Outer Banks with a repaired wheel.
 My camera is plugged in, but there's a strange,
restrictive internet program running that won't allow
me to get to any other drive or even to the "Start"
button.  I'll look for an internet cafe on the
boardwalk to send you some photos.

Love you all,

J

Photo album updated

Just a reminder to check out the link to the photo album on this page, for newly uploaded photos from Day 4: Berlin, MD.

Day 4: Update

Got an update from Jim this morning. For yesterday's leg of the journey, he writes:

Hello All:
I'm at the Worster Cty Library in Berlin, MD.  Stayed
at the historic and appropriately priced Atlantic
Hotel last night and, for the second day in a row over
slept.  It's about 9:15.  Only 42 miles yesterday.  It
drizzled on and off all day then poured around 3:00.
Headwinds during every southern leg. 10 to 12 mph
progress sometimes. I spent some time at Arby's eating
salads and drinking coffee.  Maybe an hour and a half.
Didn't check the clock.

The rain appeared to stop around 4:30 so I took off.
a mile later it returned, so I headed south to the
only hotel I knew, The Atlantic. (Photo).

I didn't tell Mom in my telephone report, but I might
as well confess, for the record, I acquired a little
road rash.  At about 2 mph, I entered a driveway sill
which appeared normal, but the puddle obscured the
depth of the gully below it.  I think I was crossing
at an angle appropriate for a normal driveway, but the
rain-lubed tires followed the concrete instead of
crossing it.  A little red knee and hip.  Yes,
Valerie, I did put antibiotic cream on it.

I got a short Rosie Ruiz ride across Rt 90 causeway.
I rode west on 90 across the first bridge to an
island.  I thought I was on the mainland, but there is
a second bridge with no shoulder, marked "No
Bicycles".  I stuck out my thumb and Mike and Jason
took me across.

Dinner at the Globe.  Ying Ling, Black Bean Soup and
Veggie sandwich.  Guess I'll look for breakfast as
long as I'm so late.

Think of you all all day.  Happy Birthday Jenna.

Ending point: Berlin, Maryland.
Miles logged today: 42

Day 4: Morning Update

Valerie spoke with Jim this morning. He departed Lewes, Delaware and, at the time of his phone call, he had traveled about 15 miles, to Bethany, Maryland.

Jim reported that it was raining pretty hard, but that he was still going to attempt to make it to Ocean City, MD. by the end of today.

Keep the wonderful notes (comments) coming, as we will, at some point, share this (surprise!) blog with him, which should definitely boost his spirits for the long ride down here.

As we receive further updates from him, we'll be sure to post his progress.

Snapfish Album Loaded & Updated

Be sure to check the link on the right-hand side of this page, titled "Photos from the Road" for updated photos each night, as Jim sends them.

Day 3: Lewes, Delaware

I just received an update from Jim. In part, he writes:

Got a late start this morning.  It was near 9:00 when
I regained conciousness.  Cape May was only 58ish
miles (counting a ride to the southern tip and a
circle around town and then back to the ferry.  I
reached Cape May around 3:00 so I decided to go
straight to the 4:15 boat.

Riding with the wind most of the day was a pleasure.
20mph as long as I was headed south or SW.
Occassionally I had to go back east after a bay or
inlet crossing, and that meant east, straight into the
ocean wind.  The few miles north to the ferry were the
worst of the day, and waiting for the boat, the wind
could blow over an over-packed bike.

As I came off the boat, the warm, sunny day had turned
cloudy and cold.  I stopped to look for my DE cue
sheets (still haven't found them, but DelMarVa is an
easy route) and a cyclist came by and asked if I
needed help.  He took me about six miles to route 1,
where I stopped at a Hampton Inn.  I had set up some
"Beds" in Rehoboth area, but it was a little too gray
and uncomfortable.  Rehoboth beds are on tomorrow's
schedule anyway, and I'm a day ahead of myself.

I'll take another pic of my bike tomorrow.  I took one
on the ferry car deck, but it looks a little dark.

Yesterday in AC a very helpful Cyber cafe man reduced
the resolution of yesterday's pics as I have not yet
made an adjustment.  Tonight.  So, the photos I want
to send now are each about 1.5 mb.  I'm afraid Yahoo
or your providers won't pass them through.  I'm going
to attach one here and individual views in a few more
emails next.  Thanks for following me.  I love you all
very much.

J

Miles logged today:
Today's ending point: Lewes, Delaware

Day 2: Atlantic City

Breakfast at Dunkin Donuts. Second breakfast at Dunkin Donuts. (I really hope he eats better than this tomorrow and for the rest of the trek!) :)

Rode 42 miles by 12:17pm, when he text messaged from Tuckerton, NJ, to say that he was enjoying lunch. I can happily report that Dunkin Donuts weren't on the menu. Instead, he dined on mangos, tomatoes, apples and Swiss cheese.

Miles logged today: 62

Today’s ending point: Atlantic City

Day 1: Leaving Home

11:45am Depart Ramsey, NJ (by train) to Long Branch, NJ, to avoid major traffic issues. Bike fully loaded, using two panniers on either side of his back wheel, along with another bag on top in center and a small bag on the handle bars for more easily accessible items.

Miles logged today: 28

Today’s ending point: Ortley Beach, NJ

The Beginning of an Odyssey

The adventure of a lifetime: One man, his bicycle, a few personal items and a hefty goal of riding, alone, from his home in Ramsey, NJ to our home on Merritt Island, FL. This journey should take about three weeks!

Jim will check in with us each night, to update us on his progress and we'll do our best to keep this blog updated, to keep everyone informed.

(I have created this blog to track his journey, day by day, mile by mile). Check back each night for an update and, hopefully, photos along the way!