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Finally out of Kansas

Todat we went into Missouri.The roads look worse already.A lot of hills but they were LONG and manageable.By the time this trip is over I'll finally be in shape to take this trip!!I'm feeling stronger but the weather is getting hotter -earlier.

The Best thing About Today was my conversation with Rapid Russ.I was figuring 22 days to go (june30-8)but he pointed out we have 2 rest days and the last day is ONLY 20 miles(hardly worth getting on the bike for). (I'm afraid he and I are having too  many conversations about the end of the trip over Hamburgers and Milkshakes in the Dairy Queens of America)

The Worst thing About Today was realizing there are still 18 days to go .(But who's counting)

The Measure af Grandeur was a  nice 7 until that crummy bridge into Missouri.Dropped the day to a 5.

There's a FREE cocktail party at our hotel today so I may call in sick tomorrow!!

Help, help, I'm disappearing!

Bob is down 9 pounds today and is afraid he's disappearing.  He'll soon be down to his 12 year old weight.  He has begun eating 150 calorie cookies 3 times a day as well as food supplements, so he's having 500 calorie snacks 3 times a day.  He would like some more ideas on how to keep his weight on.  So, everybody, please send in your suggestions!  Betty, on the other hand, is dieting so that she won't weigh more than Bob when they meet again!

Bob is in Abilene, Kansas, today after biking nine days in a row.  He's so looking forward to his day off tomorrow, sleeping in, and seeing Bob and Hannah.  He visited the Eisenhower home today and was trapped by two very chatty Republican docents (white male, of course), but he managed to break away back to his bike. 

He's traveled over 1500 miles and only has 2000 or so to go!  What a trooper! What a guy!  But you knew that.

Great Bend Kansas June - 4

Today was the second great day in Kansas with the wind at my back.  I was able to maintain 15.6 mph for almost 90 mile day.  All due to my speedy partner "Rapid Russ" (RR).  I absolutely love boring, flat Kansas with 20mph winds pushing me along!  This is my seventh day in a row on the road.  My next rest day is still 2 days away in Abilene(sp) Kansas.  I am at the Best Westen tonight, there is Alot of food - not that great - but alot of it.  Looking forward to tomorrow - we leave 1 1/2 hours later so I can sleep in until 6:45!  Tomorrow is a light day, we travel ONLY 60 miles.  Degree of difficulty today was 4 - now I know why they've got that poem about how the wind hits you.  Since I now love those beautiful, flat, wheatfields, the degree of granduer was an 8.  The helpful wizard must still be hiding behind his curtain.  I am working way too hard - if this was my job I'd have to quit!    

FEELING GOOD -JUNE 2

BOUNCING BIONIC BOB BOGLE IS FEELING REALLY GOOD TODAY.

Biking through the flat lands of Kansas has been a real treat for Dad.  "This was the best day yet".  Bionic Bob and his biking buddy Rapid Russ Fetron covered 80 miles today with an average speed of 15.6 MPH !  YOU GO.  Although Dad and Russ were very impressed with themselves - THE BIKING ANIMALS ON THE TRIP WERE NOT.

After each Day, Dad ices his Achilles tendon. It has really started to bother him.  (I guess so)  "It feels OK when I'm biking but it only hurts when I walk" - PERFECT - Your not doing any walking anyway - GET BACK ON YOUR BIKE !!!

Five more day of wheat fields and Kansas.  Next day off is Tuesday.  Here are Dad's evaluations for today:

BTAT - best thing about today - the Incredible speed traveled for 80 miles at 15MPH

WTAT -  worst thing about today - "My butt is getting really sore"  !!!! (sorry about your luck Dad) - GET BACK ON YOUR BIKE !

MOG - measure of grandeur - 5 - the wheat fields are really nice

DOG - degree of difficulty - 6 - with the tire burning speed that was traveled.

You GO dad !

  LOVE YOU

The Wizard of Oz

Bob had a great day biking today--it was cool, a cross wind was blowing, and the trip was only 40 miles across his fifth state line.  He is in Liberal, Kansas, the Land of Oz, and today visited the home of Dorothy and the yellow brick road.  There was no toronado, only the wind created by the speed of Bob's bike. 

Bob reports that the group leaders lie to the bikers about the wind each day just to get them to get back on their bikes.  They always say there will be no wind, yet there always is!  The group will have six more days crossing the Kansas prairie.  Bob is looking forward to seeing his nephew Bob and his wife Hannah in Abilene.

Bob's group always gets a lot of attention when they stop in the little towns for lunch wearing their matching bright yellow CrossRoads shirts which announce that they are long distance bikers riding from L.A. to Boston.  All the local people want to talk to the passing sports heroes (it could be Lance Armstrong!).

Bob is getting quite an education on the real American way of life.  He never knew there were so many trailer parks in the USA.  I guess there aren't many in Roxborough.   

Here's hoping the group takes the yellow brick road straight to Boston with lots of fun and adventure, good weather, and without further mishap or trips to the hospital. 

Bob's Birthday

Today, May 29, is Bob's 68th birthday.  He celebrated it with ice cream at dinner with the 19 or so people remaining in his biking group, its having decreased in numbers from 30 due to attrition, hospitalization, broken bones, crutches, dehydration, etc.  Bob has not had to go to the hospital yet, so he's having a good trip. 

Yesterday he had a great day even though there was a significant headwind leaving Las Vegas, NM (not to be confused with the real Las Vegas).  The scenary was gorgeous, but the highlight of the day was that he passed Jim Sproulle who is the acknowledged speed demon of the group (Jim gave his camera to someone else because he said he didn't have time to stop to take any pictures.)  Bob passed Jim while Jim was changing a flat tire.  Bob hasn't had any flats because he is at the back of the pack, and everyone else picks up all the nails and glass that give one flat tires (sly devil).

Bob reports that he has lost 5 lbs. on the trip.  At this rate, he figures by the end of the trip he will be down to the same weight as when he was 14 years old.

Some people in the group trained for a year or two.  Bob says he trained for 3 months (Betty says about 3 weeks).  He now admits that his training by the beach in the balmy gulf breeze was insufficient.  Everyone calls the route's terrain the rolling countryside, but to Bob it's just one darn hill after another.

All in all, it's a terrific way to spend one's birthday at any age. Bob's made lots of interesting new friends, is seeing all the small towns in the USA, and is getting tons of exercise.  What more could a person ask?

A Hard Day....

So, our hero had a "great day and a hard day" on Thursday.  I asked him about the degree of difficulty(DOD)....he replied...."It started out to be a beautiful day....the morning was cool and crisp, the breakfast was warm and the coffee was hot---I give the beginning of the day a 4. (At this point, the bike is still in his hotel room).

Then, he got on the Bike.  The DOD rating quickly jumped to a 10+.  The days ride was long, and ended with a 5 mile ride, straight up a mountain...followed by a 15 mile "sprint" to the hotel.  This "sprint" ended with our hero pushing his bike the last 100 yards to the cheers and encouragement of all the fans that gathered at the Amerisuites Hotel in Albuquerque, NM. (One can only imagine the electricity in the air).  Exhausted, our hero collapsed into bed for a power nap.

Friday will take the riders into Sante Fe, NM...with a day off on Saturday.

Bob's birthday is on Memorial Day....he will be 68.

May 24, 2006

Today Dad traveled from Gallup New Mexico to Grants New Mexico.  He traveled up 7295 feet to the "Continental Divide".  (This was the highest part of the tour)  Julia calculated that at this point PAPA has biked a total of 776 miles - (not bad for an old guy and grandpop)

"Not much to  look at" - Measure of Grandeur - MOG - "4" - But maybe that has something to do with the Degree of Difficulty only rated at a "4".  NO PAIN - NO GAIN !

WTAT - Worst thing about today - the WINDS  - they should travel from West-East - that has not happened one day so Far !  The strong winds are in his face every minute - sorry about your luck DAD !  (next time rent a car)

BTAT - Best thing about today - the gentle drive down the hill of the Continental divide to Grant New Mexico.  "My bike is really fast on the downhills - I pass people all the time"  "But my bike is not real good on the uphill - I have to get it checked out when I get home"

Dad says "I think I am losing weight - I eat every minute I get - I have cheeseburgers and fries and a couple candy bars everyday" -  But my clothes seem really loose. CRY ME A RIVER !!!  I would love to eat one Milky Way - without any guilt!

As we spoke Dad says he is laying in bed a bit exhausted.  (I GUESS SO) I told him every time I see his phone number on the caller ID - I expect to hear - I am in the EMERGENCY ROOM in some god forsaken town.  Thank God that has not happened!  The woman who got blown off the bike yesterday - went back to the hospital today ?? (keep you posted)

Tomorrow brings Albuquerque New Mexico to Santa Fe. 

You GO Bionic Bob !

Love you,

Linda

Check out the new pictures-Bottom left on the main screen...

Take it Easy...(Think music-EAGLES)

5/22/06:

"Well he was standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona, Bob was such a fine site to see.  It's a girl, my lord, in a flat-bed ford, slowing down to take a look at Bob". 

Bob actually was on THAT corner in Winslow Arizona today, but no girls slowed down to take a look at him(Betty, you are safe).  Wiinslow Arizona may have been the highlight of the day.

Today was a hard day for our hero.  50 MPH winds and highway traffic made this one of the harder days.  Crosswinds were pushing the bikers into highway traffic all day long...2 people got blown off their bikes.  Luckily, Bob stayed upright.  His spirits seemed a little down today, but tomorrow is another day.  Let's hope the wind dies down.

For a very intelligent man, Bob Bogle comes up with some "interesting comments", for example, here are a few of my favorite quotes so far:

• "There is a lot of biking on this trip"
• "Boy, there are lots of hills".
• "I may have underestimated the difficulty of this trip"
• "I did not realize we would be on so many highways and trucks"
• "I feel better when I eat lunch"
• "I feel sluggish in the morning and I can not figure out why"
• "It is easier riding with the wind to your back"
• "It's harder going up hill than down hill"

I can't make this stuff up(OK, I made up the last one, but the rest are actual quotes)

Stay tuned for pictures....

-Michael Bogle