To write Jim a letter while on the road, click HERE and it will be forwarded to him.

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June 15
Indianapolis to Richmond Ind- 84 miles ( more or less)- what a difference a day makes- yesterday was miserable- today was fantastic- beautiful weather- nice roads- no dogs- great scenery- we only made one mistake- about 8 miles out of Richmond- in Centerville- we stopped for lunch at a restaurant called The Blue Monkey- I highly recommend it- the atmosphere was great- I had a grilled Salmon club sandwich on sourdough bread- really good-- but getting back on the bikes and riding the last 8 miles- really brutal- we'll never make that mistake again- to relax for that long makes it hard to get back on the bike-
Than- we stayed at a Best Western- let me tell you- once upon a time they may have been good hotels- but every Best Western we've stayed at across the country has been a dump- definitely not recommended-
Tomorrow- 103 to Marysville Ohio"
 

June 16
Richmond Ind. to Marysville Ohio- 103 miles ( really 108) first let me explain something about mileage- there are miles, kilometers , feet, inches, etc. than there are Cross Roads miles- which seem to transcend the laws of normal space- generally- 1 crossroad miles equals anywhere from 1 up to about 10 regular miles-
 
Today's ride- just fantastic- beautiful country- we rode through Amish country today- saw lots of horse and buggies, bicycles even a unicycle- beautiful country side- weather was great- sunny- mid 80's- with a slight tailwind- we did the 108 in 6.5 hrs- never really hammered- just a nice easy pace most of the day-
 
Some people have asked about our daily routine- so here is a general idea of what my (and the team- Rich, Laura and Darryl) day is like-
Wake up- 5:30-6:00 a.m.- go to breakfast- (always if possible at the hotel) raisin bran, bagel, w cream cheese, a couple of sweet rolls, coffee (bad coffee), orange juice and water- than back to the room- get dressed- slather everything up- Bum Butter (for the butt), hydropel ( for the feet) and sunscreen for everything else, repack my 2 small bags, make sure I have all the charging cords and phone and everything, fill my camelback and stuff all my snacks in my pockets (snickers, peanuts, gels etc) take my bags downstairs about 6:45 a.m.- go back for my bike- shoot the dedication video- check my air pressure ( always need more air), and head out at 7:00 or 7:15 a.m.- while on the road I eat usually about 100 calories per hour, listen to my music and try to keep up with Rich. Laura and Darryl- at the SAG stops I eat lots of fruit, fig newtons and anything else they have- refill my water and usually head out in 10 minutes, at mile 50 (more or less ) I usually stop for a Dr. Pepper and ice cream and head out again- we we get in - usually between 12:30 ( 85 miles or less) and 2:30 ( 85- 105 miles) we go to eat- a recovery meal - if Applebee's is around- nacho's, salad, cheese cake, strawberry shake- if no Applebee's- than something comparable- than to the room for shower and 10 min. ice bath- try to do laundry, update blog - than to dinner- Ribs, fries, shake (or something comparable)- back to the room by 7:30 p.m.- have some microwave popcorn and relax- asleep usually by 10:00 p.m. and get up to do it again-
 
On rest days- skip the riding- add more food and less exertion- plus a 1.5 hr. massage-
 
Even a bad day of biking is better than a good day at work-
 
tomorrow Wooster Ohio- home of Rubbermaid Products- we are pumped-
See you out there
Jim"
 

June 17
Marysville Ohio to Wooster Ohio- 98 miles (really 103)- What a great day of riding- beautiful weather- countryside tailwinds- as with most really great days- nothing extraordinary happened- Ok one thing- there was a ride across Ohio- about 2500 riders- as we were riding past their SAG stop- with about 400 riders around- and the event photographer- I dumped my bike- took a little spill- of course- couldn't do that on any of the long lonely roads- had to do it at the busiest spot on the ride- Oh well- nothing hurt but my dignity- I did go to the Everything Rubbermaid Store- I'll be posting photo's soon- it was everything I thought it would be- ( I hope you all can recognize sarcasm)- Wooster Ohio to Niles Ohio- 91 miles scheduled- 110 miles done- Ok- it's not an event unless Jim gets lost- so 75 miles into this ride- I was about 15 or 20 minutes ahead of the next nearest rider- I took a wrong turn- by the time I had figured it out- I went 10 miles n the wrong direction- (also 5 killer hills and a construction zone)- so that meant 10 miles back-and 5 killer hills and a construction zone- to get back on course- I was 4th. rider in today- but instead of arriving at 1:15 p.m.- I got in at 2:25 p.m.- oh well- needed more training miles anyway

June 19
First- Susie- Damien is doing great- riding strong- no injuries and he says hello- Niles Ohio to Erie Penn- This day was the pits- cold rain- verrrrrry bad roads, lots of traffic, strong headwinds- until we crossed into Penn- than the weather got better, the winds ended and the roads improved- until we got to Erie- this town really is depressing- and if you are ever here DO NOT- ever- under any circumstances- even if they pay you- stay at the Avalon Hotel- I've stayed in better hotels in East Africa- where I had to push my cot up against the door- tomorrow we go to New York- and start the final week- see you out there

Jim

June 20
Erie Penn to Hamburg NY-  fairly uneventful ride- actually- even though it was only 2 days ago- I don't really remember it- I think it rained- sorry