up and down all day

Day 42
Distance travelled:
Time in saddle
Overall distance travelled
My bike is locked away in different part of the hostel. Will give you the details tomorrow. I cycled about 94 miles
It’s been a bit of a funny day today. I woke up feeling really good and set off in good spirits. The sea mist was about again but it was still pretty hot. I decided to roll my shorts up a touch and take my shirt off…nearly naked cycling I recommend it. I did look a bit like a panda but it was too hot to care. Yesterday I mentioned that the roads were lovely and flat…..I spoke too soon. All I have done all day is go up and down, but the scenery has been brilliant….not that my legs appreciate that. I can honestly say I have never sweated so much. It was coming off me like water off a rock. I’ve had to drink loads just to keep up.
I phoned uncle Ken and auntie Hilda today. It’s their 60th Wedding Anniversary and you won’t meet two nicer people. I love them both and wish them all the best. It’s also Jo Warburton’s 50th…..a mile stone….it all starts here chuck. A great girl…..well woman now…all the best.
I seem to have been cycling forever today. The road surface is generally better than it was in the USA but there were some dodgy places. I had to ask directions on numerous occasions and seem to have managed with pointing and doing impressions…..If there is a town in Spain called Tommy Cooper, I can get there.
I did ask one lady, who turned out to be an English woman who now lives in Spain….God works in mysterious ways. I was a very small town in the middle of nowhere and the road just ran out…weird. Anyway she gave me great directions.
There was about an hour when I seem to lose the plot completely. I just thought I have to keep pedalling and that’s what I did…..can’t remember much else about that bit….weird. I had drink and something to eat and I was fine later.
Spain has been a bit of a struggle up to now. I think the heat is an issue but I will sort it.
I’m in a hostel about ten miles away from Almeria, The place I was aiming for. It began to get dark and I needed to look for somewhere so here I am. I’m not sure of the name of the town but it doesn’t matter, tomorrow I will be gone.
Just one last thing. I heard that Paul Wood, who plays for Warrington has broken his leg. I am gutted for him and wish him a speedy recovery.

Sleeping on the beach

Day 41
Distance travelled: 88,7 miles
Time in saddle: 7hrs
Overall distance travelled: 3508 miles

I ended up sleeping on the beach last night. It was a little bumpy as it was a shingle beach and not very wide. It is illegal to do so but I’ve been told if you are discrete then it will be OK. How discrete can I be, a middle-aged cyclist, packed to the rafters dressed in black Lycra….no one will notice a thing. I was woken a few times in the night by breaking surf; it must have got a little rough. Then the fishermen were going out in their boats and shouting to each other. I don’t know what time it was but it was still dark. I eventually woke to the sight of two guys fishing from the shore and they were catching quite a few too. I slept on my camping mattress and loosely put my sleeping bag over me, it wasn’t really cold but the midges were having a feast on my exposed body parts.
I started cycling early today, which was nice. I needed to get some miles under my belt. I feel a little guilty about resting for a couple of days. It was great but I started to lose focus. It was pretty difficult to get back into challenge mode today but by the afternoon I was fine. The roads are even more confusing than they are in America. Two traffic policemen escorted me off the ‘motorway’…..may as well do it in the UK and France to see if I can get a set. I was Ok cycling on this particular road then it just went into a sort of freeway. I knew I was in trouble when I came across a long tunnel. The police car passed in the tunnel and sounded their horn. They were waiting for me at the other end. They were very nice. They showed me the route I needed to take and drove in front of me for about a mile, cheers lads.
I am saying with the sea in sight in future then I can be sure it is the coast road. The trouble is I have to stop at loads of traffic light…. I’m the only cyclist who does….every other cyclist I see seem to ignore traffic signals. I stopped a young lad of about sixteen and asked him the way. We used the international language of pointing and pulling faces….it worked. He cycled off laughing, no wonder, I can pull some funny faces, especially when I am trying to get to Alameria. I didn’t get his name but he was very helpful. I also met a fellow Brit cyclist, over here on holiday, we rode together for a short while and had a chat, unfortunately I didn’t get his name either but he said he would follow the blog.
I am missing my flags off the back of the bike. I left them at Sue’s villa the other day. I’ve bought some more flags but can’t seem to find a pole….story of my life. I may bump into Brian if they go to the beach tomorrow. He will be able to bring the flag to me. I will call him and see what he is doing. If not I will just improvise and get something.
I am glad I chose the coastal route, it’s much more scenic and even though it’s a lot busier it is flat, which is lovely. It’s been really misty today, it came in off the sea but the temperature is still high, at least 30 degrees. I felt quite drained by late afternoon and decided on calling it a day when I say a ‘Hostel’, which is very nice. I will have something to eat, do my blog, send it off and then have an early night ready for tomorrows adventure….whatever that will be.

In Gibraltar

Day 40
Distance travelled: 44.5 miles
Time in saddle: 4hrs 10 mins
Overall distance travelled: 3416.4 miles

Brian and Diane stayed at the villa with me last night, which was appreciated. Brian volunteered to take me to the bus station in Motril, on the coast. The bus was pretty simple but it would have been much more difficult if Brian hadn't used his Spanish to get me the tickets. I need to travel to a place called Algeciras, which is across the bay from Gibraltar. We got to the bus station in plenty of time and even managed to have a coffee. Brian has been brilliant and I really appreciate all the help he has given me. I felt quite emotional when we said goodbye at the bus-stop....but typical Brit men...we just said" see you" and went.
The journey to the tip of Spain was quite long but I was fortunate, I had the back seat to myself most of the way and managed to have a sleep. When I arrived in Algeciras I asked a guy in a travel agency if they did ferries to Gibraltar.....he gave me a look that one would give to some one who massacared you children. I don't think they like the idea of Brits ruling a part of their land.
I cycled to Gibraltar, which was about seventeen miles away, but it was a nice ride, if a little hot. It is certainly hotter than in the states. I was doing some filming as I got to the border and a guy called Jesus stopped and had a chat with me.....where was he wen I was in Bethlehem?
he was really nic eguy and offered me free accommodation in a hostel he runs near to Gibraltar. I was tempted but as I had quite a few hours of light left I doubted that I would take him up on his offer.
Gibraltar felt really British, which it is. It felt really nice. I stopped and asked for some fish and chips. the waitress said that they had stopped serving but could ofer me a beer....well it's impolite to refuse so I did. Some Germans came into the cafe and ordered some food, which they got......I called her over and asked what was going on...I got my fish and chips...which wasn't brilliant.
I decide to cycle home so off I went. I received some phone calls from Gary, my twin brother and Brian Calder , my best friend, it was great to hear from them. Brian asked me an obvious question about my sex life....no I've not....bless him. I can't even remember who gets tied up...Brian you are a star and make me laugh so much, cheers for that.
Ste Kept texted me and asked me how much my food cost...I still think he is suffering from the 'French ' experience. Good to be in contact with him though...he brings me back down to earth.
I've stared cycling north along the East coast of Spain. It's going to be hard I know but every yard is nearer home....that will do me.
I am in a Cafe at the moment, because it has an internet but I don't know where I'm going to stay...it looks like the beach, but that's not a problem.
I may have another pint before I got...I think I deserve it.
Speak soon

Chillin

Day 39
No Cycling

I didn't wake up until eleven o'clock...lazy git. Enjoyed the rest though. It was very hot through the night and I had been drinking beer the night before...obviously. Nature called about three o'clock in the morning.I was conscious of the fact that we wreer in a valley and noise travelled considerable distances. The corridor where the toilet was ituated was really dark. I skillfully and silently tip-toed along the darkened hallway and managed to find the light switch. I thouht it might be better if I sat rather than stood, because of the echoing sound of running water may carry. As I sat the obvious happened. I suppose it's a natural bodily function....sit on a toilet and you fart..it's the prelude if you know what I mean. It was like the trumpet of the Gods. I was so embarrassed but what can you do?
I went to get my bike checked over, after I had put it together. A coup,e of things needed sorting but it was better than I expected.
Sue bought me a local cycling top, which was very hard to get, thanks Sue, your kindness was much appreciated.
We went out for some beer and food, which was fantastic and thye rest was welcome but I am itching to get off. I still need to keep focused and can feel myself relaxing....a bad thing with so many miles to do. Everyone here have been fantastic. It was great to meet Brian and everyone else and it certainly brings home to me how many good friends I have. I am a very lucky person

Resting in Spain

Day 38
I couldn’t get the pedals off my bike last night. I went down to reception and asked if they had an adjustable spanner….in the end I had to say wrench…I can now speak fluent American. It took me ages to get to sleep and then I woke up really early today…God I’m knackered but really excited. I just want to get going. I finally had a guy from the hotel turn up at eight o’clock this morning and managed to get my bike packed away. I’m worried that it may be overweight, by a considerable and dread to think what they will charge me.
I went for some breakfast on Broadway, just down the road and it was quite nice really, I had a smoothy and a breakfast biscuit. I can’t really get used to the American food….it’s Ok but a little unusual. I can’t wait to dip some toast into my tea at home…weird and disgusting I know but I love it.
The taxi came and we managed to get the large box onto the back seat, it was a really large Lincoln Continental.
As we drove to the JFK Airport the driver was constantly on his phone and he even wrote something in a book…it seems the norm here…. but I felt a little uncomfortable. He was speaking in Spanish but he didn‘t know I was fluent-io….however he must have used a dialect I wasn’t familiar with because I couldn’t understand him.
I arrived early at the airport and I need to get my E-ticket but the Air Lingus desk wasn’t going to be open for a few hours….I went off to buy some really overpriced food and drink and something to read. I found out that you could check in on using a computer, which conveniently situated near the Air Lingus desk, a great idea and so simple. I know that Marsha tried to get me upgraded, bless her, but they wouldn’t do it on the phone. I didn’t get an upgrade but I had a row of seats to myself, which was either lucky or they gave me a sort of upgrade. Whatever I was it was appreciated. My baggage was not overweight, which was surprising. I think that the weight allowance must be considerably higher than my previous flight. The plane journey from America to Dublin was the best I’ve experienced, great stuff.
It was raining in Dublin….really nice to see, strange I know but I felt that I was close to home. I had to wait for two hours for the transfer to Malaga and I feet a little bit sad about going away from home again but it’s only temporary.
The flight to Malaga was relatively quick. The time changes were a little confusing. I know it shouldn’t be but I suppose that’s how the brain works…interesting. My bike was ‘dumped’ near the baggage conveyor belt and I was a little worried that there may have been something broken…the box looked battered. Brian, my friend and work colleague met me at the airport along with Joe, Sue and Jeff’s son, who is a fluent Spanish speaker….good to meet a fellow linguist….io.
I’d been awake for quite a number of hours but I was buzzing by the time we had driven to Granada, not far from where Sue and Jeff live. It’s a small village called Niguelas and very beautiful. I was staying at a villa, which had been rented by Lisa and her family. It was very nice of them to accommodate me…I continue to meet really nice people on both side of the Atlantic, amazing. We had a BBQ, some nice cold beer and great conservation…it doesn’t get better than that. A short walk into the local village, where we stopped at a quaint taverna for ‘refreshment’ then back to the villa to sleep. I found it really hard to get to sleep my mind was racing. I was thinking about all the people I have met on my journey, wondering what they were doing and wondering if it had all been a dream. I eventually drifted off into a blissful sleep. I hadn’t even unpacked my bike…I will do that tomorrow.

No Cycling in New York

Day 37
No cycling today

When I was looking for a hotel last night I passed a cycle shop, I went in and asked if I could have one of their cycle boxes so that I could pack my bike away for the trip to Spain. The guy told me to come back tomorrow and they would keep one for me.
I woke up early, as usual but turned over and went back to sleep…heaven. I couldn’t believe that I wasn’t going to do any cycling today. I could hear car horns and busy street sounds, which was interesting. I am in a hotel just off Broadway, near to Central Park; it’s quite nice really. The Television was playing up last night so they came and replaced it. American TV is rubbish. I ended up watching a couple of old British TV programmes that are no longer on at home.
I was going to cycle down town and actually took all my panniers off my bike, to make it lighter. As I waited for the lift to the ground floor, I’m on the fifth; I changed my mind and decided to use the Tube….or subway as the Americans call it. It was quite smelly down there but surprisingly clean. It’s the same as in London, no one really speaks to each other on the tube…I asked a guy to take my photo, which he did…then he went back into his little own world.
It was certainly busy in Times Square, as you would expect. There are some really unusual people there. The New York Cowboy was there and he was being interviewed for TV, apparently he’s standing for Mayor or something. He readily posed for photos and seemed very nice. There is some absolutely gorgeous woman in the city, all creeds all nationalities. I’m sure some of them must be models, they are stunning. I bought a pretzel, well when in Rome and all that…it was shit…. sometimes fantasy is better than reality. I went to the Empire State Building but the queue for the viewing tower was ninety minutes so I didn’t bother. There were loads of guys selling tours, which got on my nerves after a while…. I suppose they have a living to earn.
I needed to get my travel information from my works email address. Jo Warburton had changed the flight for me yesterday and I needed to print the information as an E-ticket. I couldn’t get onto IBIS, the university email system. It was down…again. I phoned Jo and fortunately she had copied the document onto her computer…Jo you are brilliant. I went down to the Lobby in the hotel and printed out the information.
I called into the bike shop and they gave me a box. I will start packing my bike away later.
I received some great messages from loads of people, some at home and some from the people I have met on my travels, fantastic stuff, cheers everyone. Thomas, my son and Gary, my twin brother phoned me…great to hear them as usual.
I went to Central Park this afternoon, its similar to Orford Park but bigger with more sand pits. There were loads of people about, joggers, walkers and cyclists. It had a really nice feel about it. I bought half a chicken from a local deli and ate it as I was sitting in the park. A really attractive woman walked past with a small dog. She sat near me on the grass, looked over and smiled at me. The dog could smell my food and showed obvious interest. I said to her “does your dog want my bone”. With hindsight probably not the best phrase to use as it means something quite different in America. She quickly scurried off, even the dog looked embarrassed. I always seem to say the wrong thing……the fact that I probably had chicken around my mouth, greasy fingers and a stupid smile on my face probably didn’t help…… and I wonder why I’m single?
As I walked back to the hotel I saw a really funny site, I think it was anyway. Now, here as in the UK when a person walks a dog and they poo, the person usually picks up the doggy dodo and puts it in a bag. Commendable I know but I always think it must confuse the dog. Dogs are pack animals and there is a pecking order. Their master is usually dominant so what must they think when their master is left picking up their dodo? Anyway back to the story. One guy’s dog was having a wee. The guy was actually catching the wee in a small medicine bottle…actually holding it under the dog as it did its business…weird.
I feel a little bit restless tonight and can’t wait to get on the plane to Spain. I have two thousand miles to go. I did write that it was fifteen hundred miles but I made a mistake…. not to worry a couple of days extra and I’m home. I will be cutting it close and I am a little bit worried about running out of days. I have to be home by the 22nd August, that’s when everyone is meeting me at the Peninsula Barracks. I just hope that everything goes as well as it has done in America. I’m sure that will be so…but I’m not counting my chickens. I am not really worried about doing the miles…I could cycle forever most days as long as the light holds out. It’s if anything breaks…. my bike not me, but I’m sure gusher will cope. I wanted to have a coupe of days to ‘top up’ my tan but I think I will have to reconsider that. There are a couple of places I would like to stay, friends I have met but again I will have to see. Whatever happens I will let you know as usual.

I cyced into New York

Day 36
Distance travelled: 61.4 miles
Time in saddle: 5hrs 35 mins
Overall distance travelled: 3322.4 miles

I couldn't sleep last night. It was the same before Christmas Day when I was a child....I used to get so excited. Today was the same....and although I didn't get any presents it was a billion times better. The roads were relatively flat and I really ate up the miles pretty quickly. The traffic was very busy, I caught rush hour. There were a few times when I thought that I may get hit. As I neared the city the drivers seemed less courteous. I need to get in touch with the military because the Lycra I am wearing makes me invisible...because the amount of cars that actually drove in front of me or across me was incredible....they didn't even look at me. I got off the 22 because I was getting worried about the traffic. The firemen in Wayne County told me that they knew of some policemen who were killed after riding across the country....they died in New York not far from the finish line. I didn't want the same thing to happen to me so I decided to use the quieter roads. I stopped and asked a guy the way to get across the rivers into New York. A policeman pulled up and gave me some good directions, thanks Charlie, they worked a treat. I could see the Empire State Building. It was like when I was a child on our family holidays to Blackpool. The first one to spot the Blackpool Tower got a tanner (six old pennies)....I get the tanner. It was really frustrating. I could see where I wanted to go but I couldn't get there. It was suggested that I get a ferry or a train but I wanted to cycle into New york, which I eventually did, across the George Washington Bridge. I was talking to Daniel, my son on my phone when a policeman approached and started to look closely at my bike....I thought what have I done now. It turned out the policeman was Lt Mitch Chasmar. He had cycled from New York to San Francisco twenty years ago and was interested in what I had done. He was really nice and gave me his number and email address so that if I had any trouble I could get in touch with him...brilliant, thanks Mitch. New York is very busy but it's quite easy to ride your bike. I looked for an hotel. I found a hostel that was really cheap but it was full...there is a reocurring theme happening here....I eventually found one, quite expensive but I am only here for two days. I phoned Jo Warburton to get her to change my flight. It has cost me nearly $500 to change the date....more than the original cost of the ticket, the robbing gits....but I decide to go for it anyway...cheers Jo you are brilliant.
I phoned a couple of people to let them know that I was in New York. I spoke to Thomas, my son and it was great to tell him I'd finished my trip across America. He said he loved me and I can't tell you how happy I feel....I still can't believe I have cycled across America...It feels like yesterday that I started in San Francisco. All the hard work, all the problems are forgotten... for the moment anyway. I still have a way to go but no matter what happens no one can take away the fact that I have done this part of the journey. The experiences I have had, the people I have met and the completion of this part of the challenge has been life changing. I feel so elated that I could fly to Spain without a plane. I must say that I have had some fantastic messages of support, even from people I have met in the street....you are all brilliant...I am brilliant...at the moment everything is bloody brilliant.

Into New Jersey

Day 36
Distance travelled: 107.2 miles
Time in saddle: 8hrs 52 mins
Overall distance travelled: 3260.9 miles

When went to bed last night I gave my bike a check over, just to make sure that everything was OK, which it was. I woke up this morning and I had a flat tyre. MY god it's even happening in my sleep. There are two obvious explanations. It was a very slow puncture or the puncture fairly paid me a visit....I'm sleeping with one eye open tonight. I cycled up some quite big hills today, but it didn't seem to bother me that much. I think I am buzzing because I am so close to finishing this part of the challenge.....only 1500 miles to go....doesn't sound much when you say it fast.
I met a guy called Hal, an elderly man who was staring at my bike as I was sat having a drink outside a petrol station store. He asked me which direction I was heading and then told me a story about his friend who was a motor cyclist had died because a deer had jumped out in front of him just outside the town I was in. It was on the road I was travelling on. I made a mental note to be careful when speeding down the steep hills, the woods are right next to the road and it wouldn't be difficult to hit an animal that stray into the road. I am reaching about forty miles an hour going down hill so I will have to be very careful.
Hal asked me where I was going and where I had come from. When I said San Francisco he just looked at me and kept saying "San Francisco" over and over again....I thought I had another stutter. I thanked Hal and went on my way. I passed through some pretty grubby towns today. The area I cycled through used to be known for coal mining and the towns seemed a little scruffy and a bit dirty, perhaps it was the weather, it was very foggy when I started out and a little drizzly. As I went East the scenery improved and the houses and towns looked better. I called into a petrol station/store for a break and as I was pouring a drink from the coke machine a very excited Mexican guy approached me, he pointed excitedly and kept saying "you him, you him" I thought I'd been caught shoplifting or something. His English wasn't very good so I tried him with my fluent Spanish. "Hello-io, what-o you want-io", which he didn't seem to understand. I was very surprised he didn't understand my Spanish, especially as he was Mexican. He brought a friend over and apparently he had seen me on TV in California. Then he kept on saying"my name is Raphael" I thought oh my god I'm in a Zorro movie. I was going to write the letter Z on the wall as I left but I couldn't find my pen...and obviously I didn't have a sword. Anyway thanks Raphael you made a very weary cyclist feel like a star for a couple of minutes.
I was told that I would have to go through a town called Bethlehem on my way East, to catch the old highway 22, which I could cycle on. As I travelled through the many districts I had to keep stopping and asking the way to Bethlehem. It felt like the nativity scene. If it had been night time I could have just followed the star, but it was bright sunshine so I couldn't. I was tempted to stay in a motel once I got there but from experience I knew there would be no room at the Inns...and I certainly didn't want to sleep in a stable....look what happened last time.
I went out of Pennsylvania into New Jersey and it began to flatten out, except for one final big hill. I had to walk up the first part of it.....not that it was particularly steep but I felt a little light headed. I haven't eaten much today, although I have had loads to drink. I find it really difficult to eat when I'm cycling. I know I have to but it's hard. Halfway up the hill my head cleared and I cycled on. I went through quite a sleepy part of Clinton, a very nice town in New Jersey. I stopped and asked a couple who were tending their garden for directions. The guy insisted that he would drive in front of me to show me the way, so that I was safe. His name was Lou and he was fantastic. Once he showed me the way he even took some photos of me for my blog, cheers Lou you are gent and from the look of your BMW a very successful one...bless you. I eventually looked for somewhere to stay. The first motel didn't have WIFI, which I wanted in order to send the blog, the next two motels were fully booked, eventually I came to a motel that was vacant and relatively cheap...which is always a plus. The guy who owns it is an Indian guy and very nice. When he was giving me directions to the room he kept saying "backside, backside" I thought oh heck what have I got myself into, but he meant round the back, which is fair enough but it gave me fright. I thought so that's why it's so cheap.
I am only forty five miles away from New York. I can't tell you how excited I am. I know that I still have a long way to go before I get home but whatever happens I will have cycled across America. No one can ever take that away from me and I want to thank everyone for their support in helping me to follow my dream
See you tomorrow.

Near to New York

Day 35
Distance travelled: 92 miles
Time in saddle: 7hrs 55 mins
Overall distance travelled: 3153.7 miles

I had an early start this morning and felt fantastic. I decided to go north, on the 522, which probably doesn't mean that much to you....me neither. It was quite a nice road actually, again it probably doesn't man that much to you....unless you are a cyclist.I went pats quite a few farms that were very European, it felt like home.I went through a few towns that were 'untidy' to say the least. It seems a lot cleaner further West. The thing I have noticed is that everyone is obsessed with mowing their lawns. I've seen fat ladies..and men, young guys and girls and everyone else either sat on a mower or pushing a mower cutting the grass. It looks very nice but what do they do for work?
The signage in this country is sporadic to say the least. There are many occasions when I have to ask people which way to go, which I really like. It gives me an opportunity to chat with some interesting people. I asked a guy for directions in one of the many towns I have passed through today. I always seem to pick the interesting people. He had a really bad stutter. I didn't want to be impolite so I patiently waited for him to tell me which way to go. I found myself finishing his sentences. I swear if cameras had been there it would have made a great comedy sketch. In the end I told him the way to go....you can't make it up can you. He tried to say goodbye, but I had to catch a plane so I finished it off for him and went. I am not mocking...merely telling you how it is.
I cycled into Frackville and asked two young lads which was the way to Pottsville and did they have a nice...cheap motel. They recommended one just down the road which I am in as I write this blog. I spoke to Uncle ken and Auntie Hilda today and it was fantastic, great to hear English voices and they are fantastic people.
Tomorrow is a big day. I may get to New York....if not the day after. Bring it on.

I went back to Mount Union

Day 34
Distance travelled: 30.6 miles
Time in saddle: 2 hrs 44 mins
Overall distance travelled: 3061 miles

I had a restless night. I was trying to come to terms with the fact that I had missed eighty miles of the ride. I received some fantastic messages of support from many people and I appreciate everyone of those messages, thank you. I knew deep down what I was going to do and I was a little bit angry with myself. I'm a bit of a stubborn bugger and I knew that I was going to go back to Mount Union, the place where I got the lift from Paul. I finally got to the bike shop in Harrisburgh. What a great bunch of lads they were. Jeff Guistwhite sorted out my bike and he did a really thorough job, thanks Jeff. I needed a new tyre, two inner tubes and the centre bolt on my back wheel was wobbly. It just needed tightening. He put some new tape on the inside of my wheel. I suspect that was the reason I kept on getting punctures. He even put some new handle bar tape on for me and gave me two new water bottles. I left my old ones at the hotel. Ted a guy in the bike shop read the leaflet about my bike ride. He lives in a township called Warrington. It was founded by some puritans who came from my home town of Warrington in England and moved to America to escape persecution in the 1700s...how weird is that?
Jeff said that the chances of getting to Mount Union on public transport was difficult. It was what I wanted to hear...It was an excuse to continue East. I thanked the guys in Peddle Pushers and continued on my way. After about eight miles I couldn't do it. It was always something I was going to regret if I didn't go back. I found a truck rental shop and hired a truck to drive back to Mount Union. It was really funny I had to ask the guy at the rental shop how to drive a automatic...I hadn't done so since the last time I was in America ten years ago. I set off rather shakily but I was on my way. To be honest the drive back was the hardest thing I have done on this trip. I had made my decision and I was happy with it. As I have already said on the film the hardship is going to be for a couple of days...the memories are going to be for a lifetime. I don't want to taint those memories by not completing the whole journey.
After dropping off the truck I began to cycle once more. As I was riding along I received a phone call from Daniel, my son. He is in another country training at the moment. It was absolutely fantastic to hear from him. I knew I had done the right thing. I don't want anyone back home to think that I took the easy way out and I want my boys to be proud of me, that's why I returned to Mount Union....I feel a million times better than I did last night.
I've got a few 'hills' to get over the next few day so the chances are I will get to New York around the 26th, as I originally thought. That will give me an opportunity to meet Adam, my work colleague, which will be great. I am looking forward to it.

The shit has hit the fan...in the middle of nowhere.

Day 34
Distance traveled: 5.2 miles (Yes I know...me too)
Time in saddle: 24 mins
Overall distance: 3031 miles

I slept in the wood last night, about twenty metres from the roadway. It was pretty hot all night and I was restless. I was worried about my tyres. I suspect that I will have to get some new ones once I get to a large town which has a bike shop.
I woke up at the crack of Dawn and got things organised. I put away my tent and changed the inner tube in my tyre. Everything is always wet in the morning because of the morning dew. I will have to dry my tent out the first chance I get. I never know when I might need it next.
I thoroughly checked the tyre, inside and out....nothing. The tyre is looking in a terrible state, the sides are fraying and I need to change it quickly.
I started to cycle and it was OK, although I wasn't confident. A few miles down the road it happened again. I stopped and changed the inner tube again...my last one. As I cycled off once more it went flat again. To say I was frustrated is an understatement...I just wanted to ride. To be honest I nearly cried...but what would that do. I used a nearby stream to check where the puncture was and was in the process of changing the tyre once more, I envisaged walking to the next town, twenty miles away, when a car pulled up in front of me. I am not religious but I sometimes think that when you are really out on a limb and in desperate need of help that someone is sent to help. That someone was a guy called Paul Shapiro (Sorry if the surname is incorrectly spelled) A lawyer from Philadelphia and a fellow cyclist. He asked me if I was OK and I nearly hugged him. He offered me a lift to a town with a bike shop. He had a cycle carrier in his boot so I packed all my things and off we went. He had cycled across America twenty years ago so he knew what I was up against. Ironically he had a mechanical problem when he did his trip, a buckled wheel and like me was in the middle of nowhere. Out of the blue a cycle truck, which carried cycles for a local race showed up and he was sorted....maybe it's his way of paying back the favour.
The first town was about twenty five miles away, it was called Lewistown. It had a bike shop but wouldn't be open until Monday afternoon. We decided to travel onto Harrisburgh, the state capital another thirty five miles away. It was a city so the chances of more bike shops was obvious. It was a total of about eighty miles away from where I spent last night. Approximately a days ride away. I was gutted that that I had to get a lift but I had no choice. I was stuck in the middle of nowhere and it would have taken me days to walk the distance to the next bike shop. The only saving grace is that I will have to cycle to Gibraltar from the airport in Malaga, Spain. The exact distance I travelled today. That is not officaially part of my ride, it was just a way of getting there. Now it will be an opportunity to make amends.
Once I get the two new tyres and inner tubes I will be able to cycle once more with confidence. To be honest I have cycled over three thousand miles and I am surprised it has gone so well. I feel like that guy in the film 'The Perfect Storm' when they decide to eventually go home a massive wave appears on the horizon. The guy says "It doesn't want to let us go home" I understand how he feels.
Harrisburgh is the state capital and a lovely city but on Sunday everything closes. Just my luck to have this problem on a Sunday. I can't find a shop open anywhere in the centre of town. I went to a bar and ordered some food, which was lovely. A guy obviously worse for wear was shouting across the street. Why is it only cities have these people. They are entertaining but very sad.
I'm going to take my bike to the shop tomorrow morning and get everything fixed. I wonder what will happen next?

The shit has hit the fan....in the middle of nowhere.

Punctures, punctures, punctures

Day 33
Distance travelled: 106.6 miles
Time in saddle: 9hrs 24 mins
Overall distance: 3025 miles
Got up really early and set off with good intentions. Everything was going fine and then….I got a puncture, not once, not twice, not three times…yes four times in the space of a few miles. I called into a Wall Mart to get some inner tubes. They have cycle gear but it very general, nothing as specialised as I wanted. I bought a few patch repairs and a couple of inner tubes but they weren’t really what I wanted. What can you do when you are desperate? I think there is something in my tyre but I can’t find any glass or anything. I’ve inspected it with a fine toothcomb and. …Nothing. A guy called Bill stopped and asked if I needed help, which was very kind of him. I’d just fixed my third puncture and thought that everything would be ok. I declined the offer of help…I’m getting used to turning down help, don’t know if it’s a good idea. I eventually got to Hollidaysburg, which was a lovely little town. It was still light so I decided the travel onto Huntington, a very English sounding name. It was getting darker when I reached the town. There was a golf tournament on and all the motels were booked up. I was getting desperate and quite tired. I cycled on to the next town five miles away but still no luck. I got another puncture…frustrated is not the word I have in mind but you get my gist. I decided that I would camp in the woods by the side of the road and fix the puncture first thing in the morning. It was getting dark really quickly and I wanted to see in order to put up my tent. It was in the middle of nowhere and once it goes dark…it goes very dark. It is really frustrating that I can’t see why the tyre keeps going down. There is something obviously wrong with the tyre, or `I’m really unlucky. I don’t mind a night in the woods it will make me appreciate the motels…even the shitty ones. I looked around tonight as it was getting darker and there are lots of little lights going on and off in the woods. It is obviously some insect of fly….or maybe the bears have torches. As I was going to sleep I heard something running through the woods, I was too tired to be bothered…I just hope it didn’t get a flat tyre.
The last couple of days have been interesting…everything seems to be going wrong. I thought it had been too trouble free up till now…relatively. Lets see what tomorrow brings.