Originally Posted by jppe

Ride Across Iowa in 3 days!! Broke the string of 100 milers. Only 93 miles today.Took backroads again.

For the first time on these rides I just felt tired at the start. It was al lI could do to turn the pedals. I had several HTFU conversations with myself.I reminded myself this was for fun,I was out riding because I wanted to andjust take what the road gave me.

After about 30 miles I found my groove, picked up a little helping wind and rode the next 35 miles in a zombie state doing 20-25 mph. I even zoomed past my sagsupport without even noticing!

On to Illinois!

Originally Posted by Jim fromBoston

… your pictures are very photogenic, and particularly illustrative in that they nicely capture all the elements ofthe Ride: the terrain, surfaceof the Road*, lighting, [and loneliness]etc., so relevant to a cyclist, and as I remember them on our cross-country ride.

jp,you obviously freely chose …the Roads you are now riding,with tough, as well as sublime riding conditions. IMO … how you handle these conditions tossed your way, brought on by your choices, represents your Character.

Originally Posted by Jimfrom Boston

I'm very motivated by novelty, and stymied by boredom on a bike, but I do have the motivation of commuting to work. I have foundthat when I drive my frequent, decades-old routes I often notice things I had not seen before. I think it’s because I can look around at more than just the road surface when driving. So when the commute [route] is getting too familiar, I just raise my head higher and look over a wider field of view….

One other whimsical technique on familiar roads is to imagine I'm riding with a certain fellow BF subscriber from the Midwest I enjoy reading, and I'm showing him around on my route. I particularly enjoy having visitors to Boston and take them on tours…

Originally Posted by jppe

...(Anybody reading this stuff??? Getting too old???)

Originally Posted by Jim fromBoston

It just occurred to me that this is the first time I have followed a tour (or long race, e.g. TdF, RAAM) consistently in approximately real time.

Originally Posted by Wildwood

Tanlines?

Originally Posted by George

Yes, I'm checking in everyday. So far, it looks like your having a great trip. Ride safe.

Originally Posted by dhender02

I'm reading your post EVERYDAY and throughly enjoying it!! I even go back to some of the older posts when I see a new comment posted and/or for reference.Definitely living, errr riding, vicariously through you.

Keep the posts coming!!

Not sure what I'm going to do when you finally make it to Boston, maybe chair the JPPE Withdrawal Anonymous group..

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

I don't want to hijack this thread, but your story might be an interesting topic for the Touring Forum; how do you do a segmented, presumably connected linear Cross Country Ride?

Or maybe the OP and subscribers of this thread would be interested too, since we all seem to be mileage junkies ("Hi...my name is Jim, and I'm a cycling mileage junkie. It got so bad that I even rode in the Winter...I had to hide it from my co-workers and family...")