Stage 18

131.11 miles in 7:04:25 for an average speed of 18.54 mph. Despite warmer temperatures, high humidity, wind the whole time, and rain the last 20 miles, it went really well. I was worried that I was worn out and that it was going to be a difficult ride so I tried to keep my pace slow at the beginning. Bill then helped by setting a nice moderate pace (no surging or racing today). When Bill left, I had 38 miles to go. I started thinking that I didn't have to save any energy for tomorrow since it is just 34 miles, so I pushed hard for the last 38 miles and lifted my average speed from 18.3 to 18.5.

73 degrees at the start and 74 at the finish. Started at 2:43 AM. Drank 2 gallons and ate 2300 calories. Lost 4 lbs. Average heart rate 116 bpm.

Wildlife: 2 rabbits and 3 deer.

People: During the 2 and 1/2 hours of darkness that I have often ridden, I don't usually see anyone except the guy delivering newspapers from 3:00 to 4:00 and 2 or 3 cars. This morning there were also 7 different people walking in the road. Most of them walked down the middle of the road and I had to be careful I did not run anyone down.

The newspaper guy has been very nice. He waves when he gets out of his car to deliver a paper and he seems to watch out for me as I go by (as opposed to the Sunday paper delivery person last week that was backing out of driveways quickly, driving all over the street on the wrong side, and not using any turn signals).

Last week a car pulled up beside my bike as I rode and the man asked me how far I was going. When I told him 143 miles he looked at me like I was crazy so I had to explain that I was riding the tour de France. This morning he was walking and as I passed in the dark he said "Are you that tour de France guy?" When I said yes, he said "Take it easy, tour de France, you just have a couple more days.".

It reminds me that last year a paper delivery person out on the country roads who saw me every day, pulled over and waved me down, about half way through the tour, to ask me how much I was riding. I explained to him what I was doing and he always waved after that and on days that I started late he would yell out his window that I was running late today.

Stage 19 tomorrow is a 34.49 mile time trial. After today's hard effort I should just take it easy tomorrow, but I never seem to be able to do that and will probably go as hard as I can. In any case, the tour is virtually over since the last two stages are just 34 and 90 miles.