Stage 15

121.79 miles in 6:43:41 for an average speed of 18.1 mph. Not as easy as yesterday, but not too hard. The fact that Bill pulled me through the last 50 miles was a very big help and probably kept it from being a tough ride.

The weather was perfect again today. It was 57 degrees at the start and 76 at the finish. Drank 1 gallon and ate 2000 calories. Lost 2 lbs. Average heart rate 110 bpm. I started at 2:48 AM and had 75 miles by the time Bill joined me. It had gone very well to that point, but I could tell that I was starting to weaken a little and was not as strong as yesterday. There was no wind until Bill arrived and then, even though it was a little stronger than yesterday, was not too bad. As I indicated above, Bill pulled me through the rest of the ride which sure made it go well. On the hills, Bill was like Michael Rasmussen and I was like Levi Leipheimer. I could not stay with him, but unlike Rasmussen, he would slow down at the top and I would catch back up.

The aggressive dog was not out today!

Wildlife: 2 rabbits and 5 deer and Bill saw a red fox. I forgot that yesterday I helped another box turtle across the road.

Tomorrow is a rest day. I am ready for the day off. Three long days of 136, 117, and 131 miles follow, then the time trial of 34 miles, and just 90 miles for the final stage on Sunday.