Tuesday 15 July 2008

Day 41 Marysville to Wooster.

I know I had set it properly, but the alarm did not go off at around 5.45am when it was supposed to have. Sarge woke me from a deep dream of peace at around 6.10am and breakfast had started 10 minutes earlier. I didn't take long to get dressed, but instead of rushing headlong into the breakfast scrum I packed first and took my luggage down, then went in when it was thinning out for a quick graze of the goodies. I was still able to make it to load in plenty of time.
When we started John joined us and our group now seems to be a constant 4. The pace was a little less hectic than yesterday, but that didn't stop us missing a couple of turns along the way, though nothing drastic. It was another lovely day with more huge fields of whispering corn and mica glistening in the road surface and for the millionth time fooling me into thinking it was glass. The first SAG spot at 33 miles was an overgrown area around a closed down store so not very picturesque, but we made the most of it. After that we encountered a few hills and a few people said at the same time, 'are we back in Missouri?'
It was a long hop to the second SAG at 74 miles but the location was better in a park area below a dam wall. At the re-start Gerrard and CJ joined us until we hit more hills, some of them a reasonable gradient, then CJ and John dropped off as the 4 of kept going. There were more hills but finally we were rewarded with a good downhill into Wooster. On the main street we found a place not unlike a DQ and popped in there for a qiuck milk shake and a bite to eat. Alan joined us and a little while later CJ joined us and then John, who had suffered a puncture. This info is pinched from a previous blog, but you may be interested to know that Wooster's claim to fame is that an early immigrant, August Imgard, introduced the Christmas tree to the USA in 1847.
After a shower and a beer in the lobby (only the beer in the lobby, not the shower), Bob Haugh joined us as he lives in Wooster. You may recall that Bob had fallen on the ride from Pueblo and suffered a fractured skull. He is progressing very well and hopes to be back on the bike sometime, but does not know when. Everyone was pleased to see him.
After a nice dinner it was a case of adjourning to the bar with the usual 3 plus Fred and Alan for a couple of 'Blue Moons.' Be rude not to. Back in the room later it seems that Sarge has an infected tooth that is causing him a bit of pain.
Today's distance was 102.8 miles.

2 comments:

Neil said...

Hi Dad, I'm in the US and slightly jet lagged! It's a shame we can't meet up but America is a big place as you well know!

I was talking to one of my friends out here and telling him (Pat) all about your big adventure. He was particularly pleased to hear that your birthday was celebrated in America this year.

I'm in the same time zone as you so put your phone on and I'll call you from my internet phone.

Keep going dad you're doing really well, can't wait to speak with you,

Love,

Neil

Gareth Poulton said...

Hiya Dad!! Went over to see Mum yesterday (mowed the front lawn, doing the back tomorrow) and heard all about her visit. Sounds like a totally amazing adventure with a brilliant bunch of people - make sure you enjoy every moment to the finish, I'm so looking forward to hearing you talk about it.

Mum's photos are brill, especially the ones taken at the moment of the surprise! Great stuff.

Keep the mule ticking over, have you worn through to your next bottom bracket yet?!

I can't believe that Neil is so close yet so far, seems such a shame (Hey bro, hope you're OK too!) but I guess the distance is too great.

I'm guessing that you're keeping on top of Le Tour news, Cadel Evans in yellow, Beltran (Liquigas) was binned last week for EPO. Team say they know nothing of it, yet they're the ones who've signed Basso for 2009. Call me cynical but......

Take care Dad, I looked at Mum's map yesterday, you're practically there, looks easy on the map :-)

Lots of love
Gaz & Hels
xx