We left the motel this morning about 7:15 AM. Steve came down with a cold yesterday so we didn’t know how he would do today. He ended up completing the day due to his tenacious persistence. Team Stop A Lot ended up riding much slower in order to help Steve through the day. We are all hoping he feels better tomorrow. If heart has anything to do with this, Steve will be successful.

Our ride started off with about 18 miles of off and on again busy traffic. When we transitioned to the country at mile 19 it was great riding with little traffic. We rode by farms and many homes with large yards. The temperature was pleasant most of the day and got warm in the early afternoon. The forecast was for scattered showers and we missed the rain once again. One of these days our good fortune will have to end. The Stop A Lots took turns assisting Steve so he could successfully complete the day.

Clearly the success story of the day was Peggy. She is from Hawaii and one of the slower riders. Today she rode a good bike because hers was in need of repair. She had to learn how to use her new bike and when she did she took off and most of us did not even see her all day. She sure beat the Stop A Lots into the motel and I think she beat most of the pack. We celebrated her performance at dinner. I had told her earlier that she was now a marked woman and that the Stop A Lots would be drafting off her rear tire tomorrow. Peggy got a big round of applause at dinner. We have often commented that the slower riders worked much harder than the faster riders because they were pedaling so many more hours. In Ontario the Stop A Lots had just finished dinner and were walking back to the motel when we saw Peggy arriving from her ride. This was her day! She is an inspiration to me.

Today one of the new riders passed out when arriving at a SAG stop. He was taken to the hospital for tests and was kept for observation tonight. We wish him well and hope that everything is all right for him.

The staff is always working. After we finish our ride they continue to work, restocking the vans with food and water or out looking over the next day’s route. Mike was not at dinner because he was trying to find a safer route for one section of our ride tomorrow. I have always said that behind every successful endeavor there is good leadership. Mike and Barbara are clearly the leaders of a great staff on our trip. They work tirelessly to be sure that we are kept as safe as possible and that our needs are met to be successful. I can’t say enough about the team leading this tour.

The Stop A Lots rode in a festive manner today, tooting horns and using their squirt guns left over from my birthday party yesterday. We had a great time as usual.

Tomorrow we are off to Albany, NY. As we get closer to the finish I would appreciate your prayers for our safety. I’ll see you on the road. Mount up! We’re burning daylight!

Click here to see more pictures from today!