Even Riding 100 Miles beats Working!

Fall in North Carolina

                                                                                 

        Yes, Glenn rode another Century today.....100 miles from Fayetteville to Durham...and that's no Bull!  Three things made for a successful day's ride.  For some reason, the directions posted on the East Coast Greenway website for this section of the ride were just posted from north to south, not south to north so it was a bit challenging for Glenn to navigate.  He discovered yesterday that the chosen route was along a designated bike route in NC, route 5.  He was relieved to see that most of the day's ride was included.  But there were many intersections that were not clearly marked so with the use of his bike GPS and Google Maps he was usually able to figure it out.  When this failed, he did something that he usually refuses to do - stopping to ask for directions.  In the town of Fuquay- Varina (can you think of any other hyphenated towns? I guess there is Winston-Salem, must be a North Carolina thing!) He got directions to the police station to get back on track.  Within 12 miles of the endpoint he found a road on the cue sheet but was perplexed that both directions were posted as dead ends.  Someone then gave him directions to the American Tobacco Trail.  This was the first time he got to be on the kind of path he thought he would be riding on often on this venture -a path free of vehicles, somewhat like the Silver Comet trail for those of you familiar with that.  You can see a picture of the trail and the sign for the East Coast Greenway that is posted today. What also made this day was the fact that he had tail winds for much of the day, a biker's friend to say the least.  He also discovered that I-95 served as a boundary from the flat topography of the southern part of the state to the rolling hills further north. It also seemed fitting that having started the day near Fayetteville he ended it by riding a path that was bounded by Fayetteville Road. He completed 100 miles in 6 hours and 31 minutes and rode in on The American Tobacco Trail into Durham, NC to complete the day.   Any guesses as to the elevation he climbed today?
     While Glenn rode I made my way to Durham via Rtes. 95 and 40.....quick and easy ride which allowed me to wander around Durham this afternoon.   My photos will tell the story!

Home of the Durham Bulls
Right across the street from the end point of Glenn's Day 4 ride!
Trivia question:
Who is the only player on Durham Bulls who made it into the Baseball Hall of Fame?
Answer will be revealed tomorrow!

I guess this is the team mascot!

This is the very first East Coast Greenway sign that Glenn has seen
in his entire ride from Key West.

KUDZU.... on the American Tobacco Trail!
For those of you who have not spent time in the south, Kudzu is the vine that has taken over the southeast.  It was brought here from Asia in 1876 and has come to be a menace to trees, crops, homes and covers over 7 million acres!  It grows at the rate of a foot a day and it is said that Southerns have to close their windows at night to keep the Kudzu out!

Some people look at the clouds and see animals or other objects.
Today I did the same thing with Kudzu-covered landscapes!

The first fall foliage I have noticed on this trip!

The American Tobacco Trail
A 22+ miles rails to trails project located in the Triangle Region of NC.
Glenn rode on 6 1/2 miles of this route today.

Still smiling after 100 miles on Day 4!

       
             We were fortunate to spend the evening with long-time friends and neighbors who live in Durham,  Rowie and Marcia Mandel.   Always fun to catch up and a great way to unwind after a long day!

        Tomorrow should bring us across the NC - Virginia Border!    Now Glenn is saying that we can go further......Tune in to see where we end up!
     

Forging Ahead on Day 4

   
     We have a winner!   My dear childhood friend, Carol Frank Brown, was the first person to respond with the correct total of miles for the first three days of riding.  Glenn has pedaled 258.89 miles in three days which makes my current donation pledge to I Care I Cure $1294.45!   That would put us at the Bronze Level of sponsorship ($1000) for the I Care I Cure.....I Run 5 K in February.   Now we'll just have to go for the Silver Level of $2500!    

      As you can see by my photos, Glenn departed this AM at 8:28 on 45 degree morning and, of course, that I enjoy listening to 60's music on XM radio!   Yesterday Glenn found a marked Bike Route which was very easy to follow....The NC State Bike Route 5.  He'll continue on that route today almost all of the way to Durham.  Once near Durham, he'll enjoy the American Tobacco Trail, a rails to trails designated bike/hike route for a few miles!    Today we'll see childhood neighbors and friends in Durham!  Looking forward to that!  Until later....Have a great day!
 

Forging ahead on Day FOUR!

Day 3 Details

   

        My first stop after departing Leland today was not really on the way to Fayetteville but the "Jersey Shore Girl" in me had to walk on the beach before heading Northwest.  I found Wrightsville Beach and satisfied that desire before heading up Rte. 40 to the next destination.

    While Glenn pedaled up the bike route, I got on a highway....first time I have seen a 70 mph speed limit since Sunday.   That made for a quick trip until I got off the highway onto NC Rte. 24.   I had a leisurely ride through some different scenery.   First I encountered cotton fields....Glenn did as well on his route.  He mentioned that on other bike rides he has seen wheat, corn, soy, to name a few, but he had never seen a cotton crop from the seat of his bike before.  Maybe we'll pass some tobacco tomorrow?

    The most entertaining thing about my route today was the Thanksgiving theme that became apparent......appropriate with Turkey Day just a month away!   I first noticed that I was entering TURKEY, NC, population of 272 as of 2009.   Imagine my surprise when I realized that I was driving on local road, TURKEY HIGHWAY, and happened to pass BUTTERBALL, LLC.   Shortly, I saw a sign at the HUNTER'S Cafe advertising a TURKEY SHOOT this weekend!  Finally, when passing a Piggly Wiggly, I couldn't believe that there was actually a sale on TURKEY BREASTS going on now!   Of course, tonight Glenn and I had to order a slice of PUMPKIN PIE at a little dessert place in downtown Fayetteville!    Seriously, though, I am thankful that Glenn has the strength and good health to complete each day of this ride and we are both thankful for all of our family and friends who provide so much encouragement and support!

     Besides being an avid biker, Glenn is quite a history buff.  He always keeps an eye out for the historical markers when we travel.  So far on this ride, he saw a marker for the original post road that ran from New England to Georgia dating back to the 1700's and another marker for the southernmost stop of George Washington's tour after the Revolutionary War.  Today he stopped at the Moore's Creek Battlefield which was the where the Loyalists and Patriots fought concluding with the Patriots victory enabling North Carolina to send regiments to the Continental Army.   Much history in this part of the country!

I will never again complain about how close the railroad track is to our condo!
Many people living along Rte. 24 have to watch for trains as they pull into their driveways!

Even my GPS wasn't quite sure where in the southeast I was! 

   
     
We have settled in to a hotel in Fayetteville,NC near Fort Bragg.   Today's stats :  88.49 miles in 5 hours and 57 minutes. He did 1536 feet of climbing today and the elevation of our third floor hotel room is 96 feet!


As a reward for one of you who is taking the time to follow the blog, there will be a prize for the first person to add up the mileage of the first three days and email me with the answer!   Tomorrow I will reveal the winner and the dollar amount of my pledge to this point!    Tomorrow we head for Durham!

Carb loading at a local Italian Restaurant!
Energized for Day 4!

Go West, Young Man! Digging in for Day 3!

      Glenn departed Leland at 8:45 this AM with a bit of trepidation about the route.....following Rte. 17 all day yesterday was very easy, if not scenic!  Today's route has many turns and road changes....it'll be a bit more challenging.    My goal is to get to Fayetteville, NC to find a place for the night.  I am hoping that I find something interesting to do along the way.  Anyone have a suggestion?!?!?  Check in tonight for an update!

The breakfast of champions?

Who knew you have to lubricate your biking shoe clips?!

Another beautiful, sunny day for biking!

Digging in for Day 3!

The First Century of 2011!

        For those of you who expressed a desire to make a donation, we have arranged for you to do so online with credit cards by using the I Care I Cure website - link is on the left side of this page (icareicure.org).   Go into Donate Now on the top line, click on the star on the bottom left of that page and check the Honor Gift box and list "UNCLE GLENN'S RIDE" where they ask for a name there.  That will assure that Glenn gets credit for the donation toward his goal to be a sponsor for the 2012 race.  You can also mail checks directly to I Care I Cure at address on the website - just be sure to put "Uncle Glenn's Ride" on the memo line or mail them to us.   Thanks so much for your support!  Not necessary now but appreciated! 

        "The Machine", as Seth refers to Glenn these days, rode a CENTURY today - 104.1 miles in 6 hours and 51 minutes from Georgetown, SC to Leland, NC (a town adjacent to Wilmington, NC).  A silly statistic according to his bike computer is that Glenn ascended 2241 feet in elevation while pedaling the 100+ miles very close to sea level!  Those bridges add up!   Scroll down for more......

Lynn's side trip to Pawley Island

The signs are there but there weren't too many bike friendly roads on today's route!

State #4 on the East Coast Greenway South to North Route!

Catching up with Glenn at 1:15 near Calabash, NC just over the state border

Off he goes....heading to Wilmington, NC

        Today's ride on Route 17 took us through Pawley Island, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and into the Wilmington area.  On a slow day on the Florida ride, I entertained myself by taking photos of the unique mailboxes along the route.  Today I missed the opportunity to take photos because there was too much traffic but I  kept myself occupied by watching for Pancake Houses (Hot Stacks, Plantation, Omega, Dino's, National - as opposed to International,etc!), Miniature Golf courses (Mayday with a crashed plane in a tree, Moulten Mountain with a volcano with water lava, Pirates Cove with the obvious theme and more), and Fireworks factory outlets!   All were too numerous to count but provided me with a focus!
         I arrived at the hotel in Leland at around 3 PM and Glenn pedaled in just after 4.   We are two for two finding places to stay that satisfy my three prerequisites for motels.....free internet, free parking and free breakfast!  A delicious French dinner in Wilmington helped to replace some of the calories that Glenn expended today!   Tomorrow's ride seems to be challenging to Glenn since he will have to head west and leave Rte. 17 behind....might also mean some more hilly travel.  We'll see!  Until tomorrow.........

Riverwalk in Wilmington, NC historical area

Cape Fear River....now Glenn is motivated to watch Cape Fear again.  Not me!

Quaint city....but not much time to explore!

Day 2 Dawns

Sunrise in Georgetown, SC

Palms Trees....We must be on vacation!!!

Off on Day 2 ride.  Hoping to do a CENTURY today.

Today's ride started at about 8:15....Sunshining with a crisp 49 degree temp rising into the mid 70's with 5-10 mph winds as the day progresses!   Perfect biking weather!     I am off to explore as I work my way up the SC coast into NC!   More tonight!

An Early Start on Day 1!

First a 5 hour car ride!

In the Dark

  

Sunrise on Route 20 East

Fog?

 .   

And we’re off…..After a late night and an early morning we arrived in Charleston just before 11 AM.  Glenn was hoping to be pedaling by noon so he exceeded his expectations on Day 1!   I dropped him off at the gas station that was the final pit stop on the 2010 ride just over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

After he departed, I began a leisurely ride up Route 17 for 59 miles to Georgetown, SC.     Since my room at the hotel was not ready, I ventured into the historic waterfront downtown area....very quaint but also very closed on Sundays!   I did enjoy the Harborwalk on this beautiful afternoon.   Taking photos kept me busy.  Now that I finally have a room at the inn, I can share the photos and the first details of the trip.




 

 

Saw this at the Harborwalk. I would much rather follow Glenn by boat!

Hampton Inn in Georgetown, SC.

Not a bad view from the hotel! 

Glenn just arrived at the hotel in Georgetown at 4:10 PM.  Here are today's statistics....Glenn rode 66.3 miles in 4 hr. 5 minutes of riding time.  (More stats tomorrow when his trip computer is working better)  Glenn was amazed by the wildlife he saw today.  He just recounted a story for me.   About 13 miles before reaching Georgetown, he grew tired of riding on the heavily traveled Rte. 17 so he veered off on a much more secluded road where he saw bald eagles and deer.   He stopped to change the battery in his GPS and was attacked by more wildlife....the biggest mosquitoes he has ever seen.  Having grown up in NJ, the mosquito capital of the US, he was used to dodging these pests but there was no getting away without bites too numerous to count!   I'd take a photo for you but that would make this blog x-rated!

Looking forward to a good seafood dinner (at one of the few restaurants that is open in the area on Sunday) and a relaxing evening.     Tomorrow we hope to travel somewhere north of Myrtle Beach.....weather report is great!    Thanks for your interest and support!

We have such wonderful supporters!

Although we did not expect any monetary support at this time, some of you have asked how you can make a donation for Glenn's ride.   If you would like to do this, please just drop a check in the mail to us made payable to I Care I Cure Foundation and we will send your checks in with ours when we return from the bike ride. Email me if you need our address.   Thanks for your continued help in the quest to fund research to find gentler treatments for childhood cancer!  If you would like more info about this foundation that is so close to our hearts, you can check out the link to I Care I Cure on the left side of this page!

****They have added something new and exciting to this blogspot since last year.  Now you can subscribe for email notifications when I submit a posting!   Just enter your email address on the top left side of this page and follow the instructions to receive emails to alert you about a new post!****
              (Not sure this is working so keep checking in every day for updates!  10/24)

We're off again!

Those of you who know Glenn well are aware that he is tenacious when he has a goal in mind.   Two years ago, he decided that he wanted to ride his bicycle on the East Coast Greenway from Key West, Florida to the Maine-Canada border.  The first year he traveled from Key West to the Florida-Georgia border.   He began at that point last year and pedaled to Charleston, South Carolina.

We will begin our journey this Sunday, October 23 in Charleston, SC and Glenn hopes to ride to the North Carolina-Virginia border or somewhere near that point by Saturday, October 29!  As always, I will be his official "shlepper" and blogger.

We're not asking for any donations for this trek but Glenn will ride for I Care I Cure in memory of our nephew, Ian.   I am pledging $5 per mile to Glenn for his efforts and we'll try to become sponsors with this donation for the I Care I Cure I Run event in Florida on February 12.  We'll be in touch for donations from you all at that time!

Save this blog address and follow us as we head north next week!   I promise photos and entertaining statistics!  If you want to catch up or refresh your memory, you can scroll down to the bottom and see all the blog posts from the past two years!

Thanks for your moral support and good wishes!