February 22, 2025
Day 8: Sabbath Day 1
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I use Sabbath because it is a day off the bike and at this point that makes the day seem extra special. The legs and rear end need a rest: yesterday was long. There is also wash and some shopping to do.
I slept well: an 85 sleep score on my watch, and recharged my body battery (again on the watch) to 98. Breakfast wasn't until 8, and it was cold out (41 according to the weather app). So, I stayed in the tent until almost 7 and then did some stuff on my laptop. I had a cup of hot tea, instant oatmeal (2 packets with a few raisins and walnuts), and yogurt (with some instant oatmeal in it). I feel like my belt is already a little looser, and we have some 70+ mile days coming so I wanted to carbo load a bit. I wish there was more protein available.
After lunch I wiped down my chain. It sounded good yesterday so I won't lube it again. Since I started the Synergetic I will have to stick with it until I change chains. JW is also using waxed chains and converted to Synergetic after the rain. He has one spare chain and plans to convert after we leave the area where there is lots of rain. I'll decide how the chain holds up and when to change to a new one. I'm glad I got the bottle of Synergetic.
We went into town at 10:45. A total of 8 of us went. I went my own way to do some shopping. I got some lip balm, a small stick of sunscreen to keep on my bike so I can reapply, a large stainless steel camp cup with folding handles that could also serve as a bowl, a couple of cheap nylon bags to help organize things and maybe to hang my mess supplies in the van, and a rechargeable headlamp. My Light and Motion Headlamp is great, but is brighter than needed and I want to save it for on the bike when my Varia rear light/radar conks out, as it did yesterday. I have an old Petzl lamp, but it uses disposable batteries and isn't very bright. I got some string to use to tie the tarp over my bike, and a carabiner to hang my mess kit in the van as some others do (that was an idea from PB). Finally, I bought a couple pairs of performance wool socks. They're were a bit expensive, but they fit well and will be versatile for off and on the bike. I wish I hadn't taken the extra pairs out of Sock Guy socks. out of my pack. I bought a bunch of this in Bluewater Outriggers. It isn't REI, but had some items that you can't get in a Dollar General. I also went to the DG and CVS. I would like to buy a plate because mine is partially broken, but I can always use a bowl.
I ate lunch at Uptown Raw Bar. I got a shrimp skewer (very good with lots of garlic), a side house salad with blue cheese (very good with bacon and egg), a bowl of chowder (nice flavor but a little thin on meat or veggies) and a half dozen raw oysters (outstandingly fresh and firm). The oysters came with pure horseradish I used it to make my own very strong cocktail sauce, though I ate most of the oysters straight. That is 3 days in a row with oysters. That is where I am typing this journal. I have to go back to the van by 3 and will see if I can get a plastic plate at the Piggly Wiggly. I also want to get a picture of the lighthouse.
Back at camp I folded my laundry, charged electronics and called Esther to help me boot a work computer.
Dinner tonight is red beans and rice with shrimp. Too bad I ate such a big lunch. Desert was pudding with fresh raspberries. It was dark because we are in Central time.
The map meeting was at 7, as usual. Tomorrow is 71.8 miles. We go through Panama City and end at Santa Rosa Beach and stay in a state park. It is forecast to be 48 in the morning and the high 56. It is supposed to rain starting at about 3. Winds will be light. At 16 mph, pretty close to what I have been averaging, that will take 4.5 hours plus stops. I have to cook tomorrow evening, so will need to do some planning after breakfast and might not leave at 8. I cook with BD, who is usually an early finisher. Since it is longer, I will try to take breaks every 20 miles or so as I did on Friday. I think 5.5 hours total is reasonable, so should get there around 2:00.
I did some thinking about the ride as I've been going. The first word that comes to mine is relentless. Some of the other riders agree. There isn't a lot of time (or energy left) to explore or do extra things. It takes time to set up and tear down camp every night. Nights and mornings with cooking are extra hard. I expected the weather to be a challenge, but so far it has exceeded my expectations in terms of rain and cold. Despite the weather you have to keep moving.
Even this early I've learned some lessons. Organization is really important. It is hard to keep organized when you are living out of two duffle bags. I'm really glad I put things in packing cubes. At the suggestion of BW, I used some duct tape and labeled them on the handles. That way I could stack them up and find what I need. I think that will work well. The Karoo has been great. Even after the 87 mile ride, I had more than 50% of the battery left. I love that it displays the distance and direction of the next turn on any screen. I wish the map had road names, but it is bright and easy to see. I was pleasantly surprised that it worked in the rain. The buttons on the side made it easy to change screens when I was wearing my heavy gloves, which do not have touch screen capable fingers as do my lighter weight full-finger gloves. My Varia ran out of batteries on the 87 mile ride. I was glad that I had the helmet light. I don't think it would have lasted the whole ride. It may have been that the Varia was left on accidentally. I'm going to makes sure that doesn't happen again. it is very nice to have a battery pack in the tent to top up my cell phone at night. It is also important to put it in low power mode during the ride. I haven't been using airplane mode because I want to get the group texts. In fact, it is great to have those appear on the screen of my Karoo. The tubeless tires have been great except for the initial problem before the first day. The waxed chain didn't survive the rain. We will see how they work the rest of the trip. I wish I had a bigger tri bag that could hold my phone. It was really terrifying when I almost lost it by not putting it in my pocket. The 4.1L Ortlieb seat bag I have is nice. I almost wish it were bigger. I can't keep a lock in it with spare clothes and a lunch. I have been tying my coat around my waste and securing it with the strap for the safety triangle that ACA requires. That works o.k., but it would be nice to put it in a bag. It is partly that the Perlizumi roat I have is pretty old and probably not as light or thin as newer ones. I believe my rain coat will fit in there.
In the tent, I really like my Big Agnes Lost Ranger 3N1 15° bag. It has a quilt combined with a semi-mummy style bag. It gives a lot of flexibility for different temperatures. I find that I adjust it during the night, and the quilt-style keeps it from slipping off the pad. I find the pad (a Big Agnes insulated air mattress; I don't recall the model) comfortable. I brought a real travel pillow that is think and I find more comfortable than an inflatable one. I have an inflatable one that I use to help get in a comfortable position. I use a bottle that I bought on e-bay to eliminate leaving the tent to go to the bathroom. There is at least one other person on the trip that does that too. A bit gross to talk about, but a game changer on cold nights. I use my Apple AirPods Pros to listen to books on tape at night to help me get back to sleep, relieve boredom. A good headlamp is nice. I have an old Petzl one, but it isn't very bright. I bought a rechargeable one today. It is brighter and I don't have to worry about carrying spare batteries, but I do have to worry about charging.
For clothes, dual use and layers are important. On the cold days leg warmers and regular lycra tights were as good as thermal tights. The long sleeve Canari jersey has worked by itself on warmer days, with a base layer and coat on the cold morning, and with a vest on in between days. I've been surprised that I am comfortable in my perlizumi light weight gloves even in the mid 40s. They are a little heavier than full finger gloves, but are all fabric and don't have any windproof layer. They are old and I don't know what I would replace them with. The 45Nrth gloves I have are like their Nokken model. Those are rated from 25-45. I used them with some silk liner gloves and was fine at 30°. As the temperature rose into the 40s I was sweating in them and had to take them off. I wish I had better shoe covers. Mine are mostly wind breaks. I would like some waterproof ones. Some people used plastic bags between their socks and shoes. I might try that if it rains again.
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