Day Eleven: April 20, 2004

The Opposite of a Rest Day!

From: Mile 273: Butler, Pennsylvania

To: Mile 350: Tidiote, Pennsylvania

Total Distance: 77 miles

Topography: Mammoth hills and deep valleys, connected by long lazy stretches of highway running along side the Allegheny River.

Weather: Started out chilly around 45, but rose consistently into 60s in increments of 5 degrees to create the most pleasant riding conditions to date. No rain, and almost No wind. NICE!

Major Landmarks: Center of Butler, Picture Perfect Franklin, Oil City along banks of the winding Allegheny River, and all the bridges we needed to cross to stay with route 62.

The Ride:
Start: 930am

End: 530pm

Total: 7.5 hrs (the lead riders, totaling 6 completed route in 5.5 hrs)

Riders: 16 (including second session by MariAnn, and her friend Kevin) And a late late afternoon guest appearance by T.Lyle to complete the route.

Casualties: After approxiamately 20 miles Sonam yielded to the pain in his knee once again.

Standouts: Sherab: For two reasons: Maintained pace with the leaders nearly all day and would have continued to do so if not for falling behind around lunch time and eventually forgetting to follow signs for Rt62N. Instead of crossing the Allegheny, he continued for another ten miles or so on the left bank by staying on Rt8N. After realizing his mistake, made up the difference and still completed the day way ahead of the pack!

The Leader Group: Rinpo, Norbu, Gendin, Rabka, and new inductees MariAnn and Kevin. Nearly maintained 20 miles per hour, doubling the pace of the tail group, which was still hovering around 10 an hour.

T.Lyle: For working all day at the office, hitting the farm, and still finding a way to answer the call of the kid inside to get up the way and ride for the end of the day!

Rating: Back to Business! Impressive riding by each and every rider. Everyone performed well above their expectations on a long and weighted day.

Host Family: Father Tom Aleksa St John Parish: Tidiote, PA

Meal: Treated to dinner at the Tippy Canoe Restaurant and Inn on the east banks of the Allegheny River. Deep Fried Heaven! Thank You Father Tom.

Wake Up Time: 6am 70 miles till Ellington, New York aka Cherry Creek and dinner with Pastor Bruce Fish and Company.

Presentations: 7:30pm Cherry Creek Leon United Methodist Church; Ellington, NY Sponsored by Pastor Bruce Fish

Quote of the Day: "Are we there yet?" (around mile 35)

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