Robert J. Faulkner

Ok, so I know there was some confusion about logging in to this website.  Up until Friday night, I was using an old, old, old content management system and I had both a public blog and a members only blog.  Unfortunately, I could not update the old system from my phone.  So, my good friend Damion got me up and running on a new system that I can update from my phone.  At first I was going to have people sign up if they wanted to post comments, but I find this unnecessary and so, it is no more!  Now, feel free to comment on any post here without divulging your deepest darkest secrets to me! Oh, if you want to comment, you will need to give me your name and email address, but that’s it.  So enjoy!

Rob

Despite a late start today, it was the best day of riding this whole trip. I only got 33 miles in today, but that’s a pretty good day for training. I felt good in the saddle and I had some energy for the hills. Overall, I made some good time today despite the heat.

So I’m stopped for the night in Sparta, and I think this is going to be my last night in Illinois. My next target is Perryville, MO, and I believe it’s another 30-or-so miles away.

I almost forgot, I did learn one lesson today. Don’t take small roads for a shortcut. I deviated from IL Rt.4 today to save time. Big mistake. I’m going to spend the better part of the night picking gravel out of my tires. Fun stuff.

Well, that’s about all I know. Feel free to call if you want. I’ll answer if I can. Thanks for reading.

Rob

As you may have guessed, I didn’t ride yesterday. I took a day to make some new plans and rest. So, here’s the new plan:

The next week or two will be training for me. I’ll be riding less miles and getting my body conditioned for what I’m doing. I concentrated on cardiovascular training and that is fine and well, but I need to condition my body to move this much weight and to be sitting in a saddle for that much time.

At the end of two weeks, I should be more ready to put some miles on these tires.

So, I’m looking for approximately 30 miles per day over the next week or two. Then I’ll try to bump the mileage up a little at a time. That’s the new plan. What do you think?

1. I can have a hot meal within 10 minutes of getting to a campsite.

2. Washing clothes with drinking water is a waste of drinking water.

3. Never worry about conserving water at night if you’re within 5 miles of a water source. Waking up dehydrated isn’t worth it.

Another day done. I feel so much better tonight than I did the first night. I’m camping in Gillespe, IL. Thanks to Matt from Gillespe for getting me set up with this camp site. The random people I’ve met have been so great and he’s no exception.

Well as the title reads, goodnight.

Writing from the road. Taking a quick break under a tree so I thought I’d pop out a quick post.

Today is going much better than Thursday. I’m sticking to a more reasonable pace and I’m also sticking to my food and water schedule. It’s making a world of a difference.

I don’t think I’m going to make it to Scott AFB today, but that’s ok.

I would be remiss if I didn’t say hello and thank you to all the wonderful people I’ve met so far. I’ve received not only words of encouragement but also water and food. Such great folks in small town America!

Well, back in the saddle for me. I still have a few hours of riding ahead of me today so I’d better get to it.

More soon.

Rob

Not much to report today.  Just nursing a sunburn and rehyrdating.  Feel free to call.

Oh, I almost forgot!  Please sign up for my website.  I don’t have a user agreement but let me just say, “I will never sell your contact information to anyone and I’ve never found a reason to email my subscribers yet.”  But, it will get you access to the members only blog and that has stuff like my phone number and email address and stuff I’d rather only my friends and family be privilege to. So, sign up!

Rob

So, let me tell you about my ride yesterday.  It was one of those days.  I was so excited to finally be on my trip that I did pretty much everything wrong.  Here’s what I learned:

1.  Never forget sunscreen.
2.  No matter how good I feel, I need to stick to my fueling schedule.
3.  When it comes to electrolytes, err on the side of more.
4.  Never skip a meal.
5.  When I think I’m well enough hydrated, I should probably have another glass of water.
6.  Water weighs more than I think it does.
7.  People are super friendly and generous.

Good stuff right?  So, I’m taking today off to nurse my sunburn.  I’m at a friend’s place in Springfield and I’ll take off again tomorrow morning.  Just thought you’d like to know that I’m learning from my day 1 mistakes.

Aside from that, muscles feel pretty good today.  I think the day off is definitely going to be beneficial though.  So I’ll be drinking plenty of water today, eating well and making sure I follow my new rules tomorrow.

I didn’t expect it to be after one day of riding, but this is the benefit of not being so focused on getting to LA.  I needed a day off, so I’m taking it.

Anyway, I’m going to lend a hand here today and I’ll be back on the bike tomorrow.  Look for more updates then!

Rob