Stage 16

135.77 miles in 7:17:36 for an average speed of 18.62 mph. Very nice ride.

Started at 2:57 AM with a temperature of 62 degrees. 83 degrees at the finish. Drank 1.5 gallons and ate 1900 calories. Lost 3.5 lbs. Average heart rate 120 bpm.

The weather was perfect again. No wind for 80 miles and then only a little.

Bill and Andrew met me at mile 68 (half way). Bill took off at a fast pace up the first hill. Andrew responded with amazing acceleration and passed him as I could only watch from behind. Then we held a strong pace for the 20-25 mile loop with each of us taking turns at the lead (I did the least and got some rest). At the end we had a number of surges (mostly by Bill). Just before the little hill that we race up, I took off since I knew that my legs were not going to be fast up the hill and that my only chance was to get a lead before the hill. Bill still caught me and flew by on the way up the hill and Andrew just about caught me.

Wildlife: Very strangely, none. No rabbits, no deer. The birds have been interesting early in the morning. Sunrise is at 5:40 and all is quiet from 3:00 to 4:00. At 4:00 a few birds start singing and by 4:30 they are quite loud. It also starts getting a little bit light out at right around 4:00. Not much, but just noticeable. By 4:40 it is still dark, but very noticeably lighter. By 5:10 it is quite light.

Tomorrow stage 17 is 117.13 miles.