Stage 9

99.11 miles in 5:21:22 for an average speed of 18.5 mph. The wind and thunderstorm were brutal. I started two hours late because of a thunderstorm, but another storm came through from 60 miles through 95 miles. The storm cooled it off about 10 degrees, which was nice, but the wind throughout made the ride quite tough. It was 62 degrees at the start and it must have gotten into the mid 70's until the storm came through and cooled it down to the low 60's. I drank just 1 gallon and ate 2300 calories. Lost 3 lbs. Average heart rate was 124 bpm.

I had a flat tire 2 miles into the ride and fixed it in a light rain. This evening I put a new tire on since the small cut in it looked like an invitation for another piece of glass or a stone to get caught in.

In the middle of the thunderstorm, the mailman pulled up beside me and yelled out the window "Is it wet enough for you?" I yelled back "It sure is."

Wildlife: No rabbits and 5 deer. With 5 miles to go I had only seen one deer right at the start. I then saw a buck and then a mile later a doe with two fauns. The doe and one faun crossed the road about 60 meters ahead and ran along the road with the other faun running on the other side of the road. The doe and faun then crossed the road over to the other faun and she herded them both across the street. The three then continued running along the road. I had slowed down so that I didn't gain on them (about 40 meters ahead). Then one faun bolted across the road and ran back towards me and by me while the doe and other faun continued ahead until they reached the end of the corn field and they disappeared into the corn. I watched behind me, but I could not see if they got back together.

Stage 10 tomorrow is 142.61 miles. If the weather tomorrow is like today's weather, I think I will have a very tough time completing the stage. The same weather is predicted, but I hope to get lucky.