Stage 1

Stage 1 went quite well. 126.14 miles in 6:57:45 for an average speed of 18.12 mph. That's a little faster than I wanted to go, but I was feeling fine so I went with it. Bill was with me for about 35 miles and he led with a strong pace of about 19 mph for quite a few miles. That was very nice since I was able to get a lot of miles in with little effort (Bill is 6 foot 4 so drafting behind him is like being just pulled along).

The temperature at the start was 69 and 85 at the finish. I am not quite used to the heat yet since it has been cooler the last several weeks.

I should explain that my team is called team Mattingly after my primary sponsor. Friends Chad and Mary Mattingly with son Ross have graciously allowed me to refill my water bottles at their outdoor pump. They live along 6 or 7 different loops that I ride so it is very nice to be able to easily get extra water. I typically carry 4 water bottles of gatorade which is nearly 1 gallon. After 60 or 70 miles I head home and refill. The second group of 4 bottles only last 40 or so miles since it is hotter by then. Thus being able to get another bottle or two or more at Chad and Mary's saves me from having to go back into town again to my home. Today I stopped for an extra bottle and a half to get me through the last 20 miles and talked a bit with Ross who has some interest in biking. Today I drank 2.25 gallons of gatorade and water and ate 800 calories of gel packs. I lost 3 lbs so I was only a little dehydrated.

6 rabbits ran across the road in front of me and 2 deer (one crossed twice). The deer crossed about 60 meters ahead of me, then ran along side of me (15 meters away a little ahead) for about 100 meters along a corn field. I thought she was going to turn into the corn and disappear, but instead she darted across the road right in front of me. We still had 8 or 10 meters between us, so there was no worry about hitting her, but it was still quite a surprise.

Stage 2 tomorrow is 104.7 miles. It will be important for me not to push the pace too much so that I arrive at stage 3 fresh and ready for the 147 miles.