Wheelsucker Blog - Week Ten

A big thank you to everyone who has visited my Just Giving site and donated money. Please continue to spread the word to raise as much money as possible for such a worthy cause. http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-Young-cycles-USA Sunday 20th July Idabel, Oklahoma, 100 miles. Average speed 13.2mph. Left Durant about 6.45am into a chilly and misty start. Long sleeve top and shorts. After about 10 miles it started warming up, so just down to cycling top. Lots of rolling hills and narrow hard shoulders. Had some lunch at Hugo and an ice cream at Valliant. Also I had trouble finding hotel which didn't have very good wifi connection. Can't believe it's 70 days since I wobbled away from Dave and Jeanne in Danvers, couldn't even wave goodbye because the balance of the bike was all over the place. Picture show Rob and Charlie, two runners, who befriended me in Pauls Valley and wanted to know all about my journey. Saturday 19th July Durant, Oklahoma. 103 miles. Average speed 13.3mph. Left Pauls Valley at 6.45am. Bit chilly so long sleeve top and shorts, but changed to just cycling top after about ten miles. Went into a small mountain area called Turners Falls, where they have turned the falls into a fun park! Had breakfast in McDs at a place called Ardmore. Countryside nice and green, reminded me of the South Downs, able to ride reasonably quickly over the rolling countryside. Had a snack at a place called Madill and then suddenly came to this spectacular view of the lake and bridge. Apparently the lake is in Oklahoma and Texas, so that's why it is called Tishomingo. Got to first hotel no vacancies, said town was full up. Nightmare! Tried another across the road and got a room thank. Friday 18th July Pauls Vally, Oklahoma. 73 miles. Average speed 12.7mph. Left Anadarko about 7.30am feeling a bit chilly. Long sleeve top and shorts. Saw temperature sign 61F. Slight breeze against me but most important no rain. Countryside started to get greener and the hills not so severe. Made good time and had a snack at Lindsay. Arrived at Pauls Valley about 1pm, so too early to book in and went to a Subway for some lunch. Got talking to Rob and Charlie (who were both runners), and they were really interested in my journey. It's nice to meet genuine, friendly people and I wish them well on their drive to Minnesota. Picture is for my son Paul. Thursday 17th July Anadarko, Oklahoma. A big storm system has come in causing flooding and heavy rain. Decided to sit this one out for the day and start again tomorrow regardless. Trouble is the rain ruins the bike and it's impossible to keep your shoes and feet dry. There's nothing to do here. The hotel is on the edge of town and a bit run down, but at least I can get food. Will try to get Paul's Valley tomorrow and a Comfort Inn hotel. Wednesday 16th July Anadarko, Oklahoma. 93 miles. Average speed 11.9mph. Left about 6.45am, again needing lights. Chillier than last few days, so long sleeve top and shorts. After about 10 miles it started to rain, then got heavier and heavier. Then the big roller coaster hills started to come at me and the wind. Stopped raining about mid day. Then found a place to have lunch called Cobb Creek, it only had a garage and cafe. Then the wind really started blowing from the South. All in all a very hard day in the saddle. Couldn't be bothered with any pictures what with all the bad weather so here is a picture of me collecting my bike after it's overhaul in Kingman, with Ran who runs the shop.

Tuesday 15th July

Elk City, Oklahoma. 99 miles. Average speed 12.4 mph. Left Pampas about 6.45am in gillet, top and shorts. Still quite dark so lights on. The wind had come to meet me, even at that time in the morning. The the hills got longer and bigger, big roller coasters one after the other. You got to the top of one and you could see them in the distance waiting for me! Had trouble finding food but suddenly there was a diner at a small crossroads in the middle of nowhere near Sweetcorn. The last 20 odd miles I have even riding on Route 66 with all it's memorabilia and tourist things. As the picture shows I have now past into Oklahoma.

Monday 14th July

Pampa, Texas. 76 miles. Average speed 13.4mph. Left Dimas at 8am, warm but a bit muggy. Started to rain then thunder and lightening, didn't last for long though. Had breakfast at Borger. Making good time when I had first puncture of the whole trip. Brand new tyres and a big sharp flint made a small hole. Now I will have to change the front and back tyres over, cut up a plastic bottle and tape it underneath the hole in the tyre. Hopefully this will last until I get to Derek in Atlanta! Because I am ahead of schedule I am doing less miles and slightly changing route for anyone interested. Picture tries to show landscape in Texas I'm riding in, unsuccessfully.

Wheelsucker Blog - Week Nine

A big thank you to everyone who has visited my Just Giving site and donated money. Please continue to spread the word to raise as much money as possible for such a worthy cause. http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-Young-cycles-USA

Sunday 13th July

Dumas, Texas. 85 miles. Average speed 15.5mph. Quite warm when I left at 7.15am in gillet, top and shorts. Only 10 miles to the Texas border and a new time zone (now 6 hours behind UK). Normal roads for a change and with the new transmission fitted felt really quick. Lots of long climbs but manageable compared to what I had been riding, but with that nagging headwind and the temperature about 90F. I felt good after a week off the bike and no after effects.

Saturday 12th July

Clayton, New Mexico. Left Gallop about 8.45am and arrived in Clayton at 3.30pm. I was going to re-start my journey in Springer but decided on Clayton to try and get away from the mountains. Steve had a long drive, about 460 miles and then he was driving back to Albuquerque (270 miles) to stay the night. Then driving onto Laughlin the next day, another long drive. Because I am now ahead of schedule I have decided to reduce the daily mileage and try to have easier days. Unfortunately when I arrived the wind was blowing against me, it should be blowing in an west/east direction, hopefully it will be in my favour tomorrow. Picture shows me and Steve just before his long drive back to Laughlin.

Friday 11th July

Gallop, New Mexico. Had breakfast in Laughlin and then took Paul and Stef to the airport in Las Vegas for their flight home. An emotional goodbye then Steve drove me down to Kingman to collect my bike from The Bikeshop. Checked the bike over and brought some more chain oil. Then drove east as far as Gallop, arriving about 8pm. Steve is going to drive me to either Springer or Clayton, leave me there and then drive back towards Laughlin. He will probably stop around Albuquerque and drive on the following day. Picture shows us leaving the casino the night before!

Thursday 10th July 2014

Laughlin, Nevada. We all had a chilled out day by the pool. We hired a poolside tent thing which was great. Had TV, fridge and it's own chairs, and it looked down on the Colorado River.

Wednesday 9th July 2014

Laughlin, Nevada. Had a chilled out morning. Went and had a buffet breakfast at one of the hotels. Did some research on my iPad about future hotels and motels. Then at 12.30 we set off to Las Vegas airport to pickup Stephen. It's good to be a family again. Picture shows me at Hoover Dam yesterday.

Tuesday 8th July 2014

After taking pictures at the Las Vegas sign we had some breakfast at a McD's and drove down to the Hoover Dam. Unbelievable feat of engineering. Paul and Stef booked a tour of the dam for me. We went down inside the dam, saw one of generating rooms, went through tunnels deep down in the rocks and had a tour guide explaining all the history in the building of the dam. We then Drove down to Kingman to take the bike to the Bike Shop. From there we drove Route 66 (Kingman to Oatman, where they have donkeys walking in the street). When we reached Laughlin it was 115F.

 

Monday 7th July 2014

Las Vegas, Nevada. What an exciting place this is. So many people. 24 hours of total madness. We went from one hotel to another on the slot machines and eating whatever, whenever! We went to the local Harley Davidson shop and had this picture taken. Unbelievable experience. You have to visit Vegas just once in your life.

Wheelsucker Blog - Week Eight

A big thank you to everyone who has visited my Just Giving site and donated money. Please continue to spread the word to raise as much money as possible for such a worthy cause. http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-Young-cycles-USA

Sunday 6th July

Las Vegas, Nevada. Left South Lake Tahoe at 7am. Drove over 450 miles through the most fantastic mountainous desert you could imagine and arrived in Las Vegas about 2.30pm. Then Paul and Stef took me out gambling on the 'Strip'. Then I got pestered by two ladies!

Saturday 5th July

South Lake Tahoe, California. 47 miles. Average speed 9.8mph. Left Sutter Creek at 6.30am in cycle top and shorts. Short climb out of town and into a small town called Jacksonville. Then the climbing started, long and steepish climbs, and gradually warming up. Saw sign that said 81F and the climbing kept going on and on. Reached a viewing point at 7,000ft and I was absolutely exhausted. The temperature must have been nearly 100F and I had just done 47 miles of climbing. I asked a young couple if they could help me. Their names were Jared and Amanda, and they couldn't have been more helpful. They had their dog 'Emerson' with them as well, but still managed to get me and my bike into their car. They took me all the way to my hotel, they were fantastic. If it wasn't for their help I could of done myself serious harm, I was totally exhausted after all that climbing and the extreme heat. But the highlight of the day was seeing Paul and Stef again. To see my family again after 55 days on the road was very emotional for me. They are taking me to Las Vegas tomorrow so I can sit back and relax. Picture shows Jared and Amanda where they saved me!

Friday 4th July

INDEPENDENCE DAY. Sutter Creek, California. 90 miles. Average speed 11.7mph. Left Turlock at 6am. Cycling top and shorts, felt warm even at that time in the morning. Found way onto right road after asking workmen putting out flags for the celebrations. Made good time to Valley Springs for late breakfast. Then got really hot (100F) and lots of climbing. Really nice little town (see picture), the sort of small town that I imagined all small towns would be like in USA. Normal cycling today. No stress with the roads and getting my head back in order!

Thursday 3rd July

Turlock, California. Left Watsonville at 6am. Thermal top and shorts. Traffic was really busy at that time of morning. Concentrating on keeping into the kerb as far as possible, missed my left turn onto Highway 152. Realised my mistake after about a mile so wasn't a disaster. After about 7 miles started climbing first big climb of the day (see picture) but was covered in mist which got worse nearer the top. Nice fast descent down into Gilroy and a quick McD's. Then the hassle started again when they sign posted Hw152 up onto a Freeway (which wasn't marked on the map as a Freeway?). After asking clueless people and the village idiot eventually found my way back onto Hw152. It was then hassle free thank goodness. It is really stressing me out all this 'not allowed to ride on this road' business, and the police seem to be watching me all the time which is really freaking me out. Because of this and fact that they could change the status of the roads around Carson City, Paul and Stef are coming to meet me at South Lake Tahoe and take me down to Las Vegas, and then down to Laughlin to have my cassette, chain, bottom bracket and tyres replaced.

Wednesday 2nd July

Watsonville, California. Left Mill Valley at 7.30am. Thermal top and shorts which I kept on most of the day. Took cycle route to bridge, then really steep climb to bridge 28x30. Bridge covered in mist and traffic noise was horrendous. Difficult finding my way out from bridge and picking up the right roads. Really hilly and only averaged 10mph for the first 30 miles. The hills along the coastline got bigger and longer, and it was still quite chilly with the mist off the sea. Lunch at Half Moon Bay. After that the climbs got smaller so I could ride a lot quicker. Then the nightmare began. Highway 1, which I had been using turned into a Freeway around Santa Cruz, so I had to try and follow a cycle route which was very difficult. After asking everybody I could find eventually arrived in Watsonville after 11 hours of hard riding.

Tuesday 1st July

Mill Valley, California. 100 miles. Average speed 11.9mph. Left Santa Rosa 6am. Long sleeved top and shorts. Although I bought a map, getting out of town on the correct road was a nightmare. 22 miles later I reached Highway 1, only to take a wrong turn and ended up in Petaluma. Back again to Highway 1, this was fast becoming a bad day. Need to concentrate more! Stopped for lunch at Stinson Beach and then the climbing really started. Had to use my lowest gear for the time 28x30, it was like climbing mini mountains one after the other. Reached Mill Valley and then everything opened up and I could see the start of the bay. Kept riding about 3 miles (on a special cycle route) until I could see the bridge and got someone to take a photo. This same person told me there was no accommodation between there and the bridge, so back to Sausalito I go looking for a motel. Met a cyclist called Todd who took me back to Mill Valley and Holiday Inn Express, thank you. This turned out to be a hard days riding, but seeing the bridge in the distance made it all worthwhile.

Monday 30th June 2014

Santa Rosa, California. 81 miles. Average speed 14.3mph. Left Willits at 7.30am, just cycling jersey and shorts. Big climb out of Willits then easier roads. Made good time to Cloverdale where I had McD's and the temperature was 100F. Just as I entered Santa Rosa got stopped by police, apparently I had been riding on the Freeway! He wasn't very helpful, and when I asked him how I was to continue he said 'get a bus'. This wound me up so I told him I would like to be there when he visited England and then I could be really helpful. He couldn't even direct me to my motel! I am staying at Motel 6 and the young lady on reception was really kind and helpful, and this made feel much better. Paul and Stef phoned me and this calmed me down. They also booked two hotels for me on the 4th and 5th July, because it's a national holiday weekend. Picture shows the road I shouldn't been riding on.

Wheelsucker Blog - Week Seven

A big thank you to everyone who has visited my Just Giving site and donated money. Please continue to spread the word to raise as much money as possible for such a worthy cause. http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-Young-cycles-USA

Sunday 29th June

Willits, California. 74 miles. Average speed 12.1mph. Left Garberville 7am. Thermal top and shorts with dark clouds lurking over head. Had to start climbing straight away so changed to long sleeved top. Lots of big hills one after another. Late breakfast at Laytonville and then it really started to get hot. Had a McD's when I got to Willits and met a English guy who now runs his own business in the area. My clothes are all getting a bit smelly and damp after all that rain so decided to stay in a posher Best Western Hotel, they usually have a laundry room. Got all my clothes washed and dried, including my shoes! Picture shows one of the big climbs that kept coming at me.

Saturday 28th June

Garberville, California. 80 miles. Average speed 13.4mph. Left Arcata at 7.30am. Thermal top and shorts. Normal roads for a change, a few hills but only 500ft (like Goodwood). Started to warm up. Had a snack at Rio Del and afterwards was able to bare my arms, and the wind was in my favour. Complete contrast to the other day when I was wearing full wet gear, overshoes and leggings! Wifi not very good so that why there was no update on my website. Picture shows the Main Street in Garberville with my motel on the left.

Monday 23rd June 2014

Newport, Oregon. Another rest day. Took bike to local bike shop. Gave the rear mech, cassette, chain and chain rings a good clean. The mist came in off the sea but cleared up in the afternoon. Walked down to the harbour for some lunch then came back to the hotel to prepare for tomorrow's depart. Another picture of the Pacific Ocean.

 



Pacific Ocean

Tuesday 24th June

Coos Bay, Oregon. 99 miles. Average speed 12.8mph. Left Newport about 6.15am. Thermal top and shorts. Had to climb over that bridge more less straight away, when my legs weren't ready. Little bit of mist coming off the sea made it little bit overcast. The road follows close to the sea at the beginning and then becomes quite hilly, and goes into the forests. The wind was across me today, perhaps tomorrow it be in my favour. Passed quite a few cyclists going in my direction but they didn't seem to want to talk much. Turned out a nice day in the end and bared my arms for the first time in a while. Picture shows how rugged and hilly the coast line is and can you see the lighthouse at the far end of the bay. Rugged and hilly cost line with lighthouse in the bay Wednesday 25th June Brookings, Oregon. 108 miles. Average speed 12.3mph. Left Coos Bay at 6.15am. Dull and misty at first then started raining after about 7 miles, and kept raining all day. Big long hills kept coming at me all day, including Humbug Mountain at 1756ft. Had late breakfast at Port Orford and a pizza at Gold Beach. The big long hills and the rain made it a hard day in the saddle, and took me 10 hours. Picture shows the mist and rain, and bridge I crossed into Gold Beach. Thursday 26th June Brookings, Oregon. Got up this morning and it was still pouring with rain, it had been yesterday and through the night. Decided to have a rest day, let everything dry out and hope the weather improves slightly for tomorrow. It actually stopped raining at mid day when I went to get some lunch. Walking back to the motel I met Dean and Katy, the only cyclists I met on the road yesterday. They had camped out last night in all that pouring rain, respect! Researching motels along the coast on Highway 1 revealed there aren't very many in places I want to stop. So I have decided to use Highway 101 where there are more options. Whatever the weather I will ride to tomorrow. Picture shows the motel I have been staying in. Friday 27th June Arcata, California. 105 miles. Average speed 11.9mph. Left Brookings at 6am in the pouring rain and mist. Full wet weather gear which made you feel hot and uncomfortable. After about 7 miles crossed the State Line into California, where's the sun! Rode through big redwoods forests. The climbs were big, six 1500ft climbs, which made it very tough going. Had late breakfast at Klamath, which was in a log cabin run by Native Americans. Then had a snack at a place called Trinidad, came out and it stopped raining, only 8 miles to go though. Paul and Stef are flying out to Las Vegas on Saturday (have a safe flight) and we will be meeting up in Fallon on 6 July. It will be really emotional to see them after all this time. Can't wait. Brookings, Oregon. 108 miles. Average speed 12.3mph. Left Coos Bay at 6.15am. Dull and misty at first then started raining after about 7 miles, and kept raining all day. Big long hills kept coming at me all day, including Humbug Mountain at 1756ft. Had late breakfast at Port Orford and a pizza at Gold Beach. The big long hills and the rain made it a hard day in the saddle, and took me 10 hours. Picture shows the mist and rain, and bridge I crossed into Gold Beach. Thursday 26th June Brookings, Oregon. Got up this morning and it was still pouring with rain, it had been yesterday and through the night. Decided to have a rest day, let everything dry out and hope the weather improves slightly for tomorrow. It actually stopped raining at mid day when I went to get some lunch. Walking back to the motel I met Dean and Katy, the only cyclists I met on the road yesterday. They had camped out last night in all that pouring rain, respect! Researching motels along the coast on Highway 1 revealed there aren't very many in places I want to stop. So I have decided to use Highway 101 where there are more options. Whatever the weather I will ride to tomorrow. Picture shows the motel I have been staying in. Arcata, California. 105 miles. Average speed 11.9mph. Left Brookings at 6am in the pouring rain and mist. Full wet weather gear which made you feel hot and uncomfortable. After about 7 miles crossed the State Line into California, where's the sun! Rode through big redwoods forests. The climbs were big, six 1500ft climbs, which made it very tough going. Had late breakfast at Klamath, which was in a log cabin run by Native Americans. Then had a snack at a place called Trinidad, came out and it stopped raining, only 8 miles to go though. Paul and Stef are flying out to Las Vegas on Saturday (have a safe flight) and we will be meeting up in Fallon on 6 July. It will be really emotional to see them after all this time. Can't wait.

Wheelsucker Blog - Week Six

A big thank you to everyone who has visited my Just Giving site and donated money. Please continue to spread the word to raise as much money as possible for such a worthy cause. http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-Young-cycles-USA

Monday 16th June 2014

Ukiah, Oregon. 95 miles. Average speed 10.8mph. Left Walla Walla at 7am. Lots of up hill with a strong headwind hitting me all day. Had some food in a place called Pendleton and a ice cream at Pilot Rock. Then had a 4,270ft climb at the end of the day. Can't describe the hotel, absolute rubbish in the middle of a mountain range.








Ukiah, Oregon

     

Tuesday 17th June 2014

Mount Vernon, Oregon. 71 miles. Average speed 11.7mph. Left Ukiah at 7am. Been raining most of the night, but eased off enough for me to go. Four mountain climbs to do today, the highest at 5,000ft. Had breakfast at Long Creek. Then it became very, very cold and freezing rain. Just to finish things off a few flakes of snow. Wouldn't like to be here in the winter!

Wednesday 18th June 2014

Mitchell, Oregon. 61 miles. Average speed 11.9mph. Left Mount Vernon at 8am. Had breakfast there to be on the safe side. Surprisingly thermal top and shorts after yesterday's freezing temperatures and hardly any wind! Had a ice cream at Daysville. Then cycled through a fantastic gorge and then a 4,000ft climb and descent to finish with. Tell Martin his wheels are doing the business.

Thursday 19th June 2014

Sisters, Oregon. 88 miles. Average speed 12.5mph. Left Mitchell at 6.15am. Thermal top and shorts. Sunny but quite chilly. Started climbing straight away up to the Ochoco Pass 4,722ft. Had breakfast at Prineville and found a really nice motel. Picture shows the snow capped Cascade Mountains which I will cross tomorrow.



Snow capped Cascade Mountains


Friday 20th June 2014

Lebanon, Oregon. 87 miles. Average speed 12.7mph. Warmish when I left, thermal top and shorts. At top of first climb (4,236ft) started to get cold. Then freezing rain. After last mountain was an 11 mile descent. I was absolutely freezing cold. Had to stop about six times. Nowhere to get food either, had to wait to Sweet Home and a Big Double Cheese Burger at Mac's. Then an easy ride to Lebanon. I had to show you all this picture of Dave and Jeanne. They came to see me off on the 12th May. They really looked after me when I was in Danvers, and without their friendship and kindness this dream journey of mine would not have happened. From Dave picking me up from the airport and Jeanne taking me down Whispering Sands' to dip my feet in the Atlantic the night before the Grand Depart, a big thank you. Fingers crossed I will see the Pacific Ocean tomorrow!



Jeanne, me and Dave

Saturday 21st June 2014

Left Lebanon at 7.15am. 75 miles. Av 12.8mph. Slightly coldish, thermal top and shorts. Didn't realise it was going to be so hilly. Four big 500ft climbs. Had something to eat at Toledo. Took picture of Newport sign at top of wooded climb, then descended round a corner and there was the Pacific Ocean in the distance. Unbelievable sight after 41 days! Rode straight down to sea to take in the moment and then looked for a hotel. Booked in and rode straight back and got another cyclist to take a picture of me. Then he took me to the local bike shop where I booked in the bike in to have a clean-up round the rear mech. Still can't believe it. So long on the road. All those days of suffering into that horrendous headwind and freezing temperatures on those 5,000ft climbs, and the freezing cold rain. All I can think of now is my family and friends, and all the people who kindly donated to St Wilfrid's Hospice. Thank you. But one of proudest things is that I have worn the Bognor Regis Cycling Club jersey coast to coast. It's been a privilege to wear the jersey and represent the club.

Me at the Pacific Ocean

Sunday 22nd June 2014

Rest day in Newport, Oregon. Paul and Stef rang me at my hotel. It was good to hear their voices and the fact that they will be flying out to Las Vegas on 28 June. Had a long walk down beside sea towards the harbour and took this picture of the bridge I will be crossing on Highway 101 on Tuesday. The harbour is a working fishing port and also does trips out to sea for whale watching. Then had some lunch in a cafe overlooking the harbour and then walked back to the hotel to watch the USA v Portugal game.

Wheelsucker Blog - Week Five

A big thank you to everyone who has visited my Just Giving site and donated money. Please continue to spread the word to raise as much money as possible for such a worthy cause. http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-Young-cycles-USA

Monday 9th June 2014

East Glacier Park, Montana. Left Shelby at 7am. 70 miles. Average speed 9.4mph. A lot warmer than yesterday. Thermal top and shorts. Climbing all day into an horrific headwind. Took picture of Rockies about 30 miles away. The conditions were so bad it nearly cycled the cycling out of me. Hopefully tomorrow will be easier!






Rockies in the Distance

  

Tuesday 10th June 2014

Kalispell, Montana. 88 miles. Average speed 13.6mph. Left East Glacier Park at 6am. Very cold in the mountains but no wind. Climb about 12 miles up to Continental Divide, then lots of beautiful scenery to West Glacier for breakfast. Traffic quite bad in Kalispell but found a Motel 6. Also changed the tyres today, front to back etc. Much easier ride than yesterday.  Kalispell, Montana  Wednesday 11th June 2014 Libby, Montana. 91 miles. Average speed 12.7mph. Left Kalispell at 6am. Very cold and misty. Climbing right from the start with a slight wind against me. As soon as I got into the forests the wind left me. Planned to stop for breakfast at a place called Happy Inn but both diners were shut. Had to carry onto Libby before I could get food. Ten miles from Libby big roadworks, again surface like a dirt track. Then one of workers diverted me down a minor road so I missed more of the same. Found a good motel and the people were nice and friendly. Picture shows one of long descents. Long Descent Thursday 12th June 2014

Sandpoint, Idaho. 87 miles. Average speed 12.8mph. Left Libby at 6am. Cold and in winter gear. Climbing straight away. Soon warmed up though. Now in thermal top and shorts. After 32 miles crossed the state line into Idaho. Now into the Pacific Time Zone and 8 hours behind UK time. Also finished with Highway 2 today, started riding on it in Michigan! Had a nice breakfast in a place called Bonner's Ferry and found a good hotel.

State line in to Idaho

Friday 13th June 2014

Plummer, Idaho. 81 miles. Average speed 12mph. Left Sandpoint at 7am. Warmer than last few days. But the wind was there to meet me. Thermal top and shorts. Started to get colder though, good job there was plenty of little up hills. Stop for breakfast at a place called Hayden. Traffic was quite heavy in a place Coeur d'Alene, but this was nothing compared to the climb out. Then the big hills kept coming together with wind made it a hard ride. When I entered Plummer there was a group of cyclists by a trailer parked up. Turned out they were an organised group of Venture cyclists riding from Seattle to New York. They were really nice friendly people who made me feel welcome. Best of luck to them and may they all have a save journey.

Saturday 14th June 2014

Lewiston, Idaho. 83 miles. Average 11.6mph. Left Plummer at 6am. Very cold and misty, and a 3 mile climb out of town. Then it started raining which lasted for about 5 hours. Had breakfast at Potlash Junction. Front mech playing up so had to go to bike shop. Might have change bar bag, brake lever can't move far enough when changing 28 to 39 chain rings. Spectacular views overlooking Lewiston, then 6 mile descent.

Sunday 15th June 2014

Walla Walla, Washington State. 96 miles. Average speed 11.1mph. Left Lewiston at 7am and within a mile passed into Washington State. Gears still not right. Then a 12 mile climb out of valley to 2,800ft. Then the wind came to meet me again. 20-25mph into me across open land. Massive climbs I can cope with, but with the wind hitting me as well made it suicidal at times. Again no food on route so it was a banana and an ice cream at Dayton.

 

 

Wheelsucker Blog - Week Four

A big thank you to everyone who has visited my Just Giving site and donated money. Please continue to spread the word to raise as much money as possible for such a worthy cause. http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-Young-cycles-USA

Monday 2nd June 2014

Rest day in Minot today. Had a lay-in to 7.30am. Looked outside and it was raining and didn't stop until mid-day. Receptionist made some reservations for me, so that put my mind at rest. In Wolf Point there are lots of oil men, they are "fracking" there, so taking a lot of the rooms. Also booked up for East Glacier Park because there is limited accommodation. Going to give the bike a good clean then go and have a burger. Picture of my hotel room.

      

My Hotel Room



Tuesday 3rd June 2014

Williston, North Dakota. 125 miles. Average speed 14mph. Left at 5am. Thermal jacket, gloves and shorts. Saw sign saying 51F. Then became quite misty, this lasted for about 40 miles. Also lots of road works going on. They were resurfacing and made the hard-shoulder very narrow and at an acute angle. This made it very difficult to balance properly, especially with the extra 30lbs I'm carrying in the pannier bags! Stop for breakfast in a place called Stanley, 54 miles, by then the mist had cleared and roads were better. Sun came out, so short sleeved top for last 20 miles. Saw my first oil well today. Quite a few works camps alongside the road, and lots of big lorries carrying all the fracking equipment. Arrived at Super 8 hotel at 4pm.



Oil Well

 Wednesday 4th June 2014
Had a restful day in Williston. Researched as many hotels and motels as I could to the west coast, because I might not be able to pick up wi-fi when I'm the Rockies. It's been another hot day, but the wind has picked up quite badly. Looks like it could be a hard day tomorrow. Looking at the map I see it climbs over 2000ft, just a little tester before the Rockies. Thought I'd show a picture of the hotel I'm staying in. I've used about 10 of these Super 8 hotels already.

My Hotel - Super 8

Thursday 5th June 2014

Wolf Point, Montana. 97 miles. Average speed 11.3mph. Left Williston at 7am into horrendous traffic of pickups, big lorries and road works. Thermal top to breakfast stop, then short sleeved top rest of day. Turned into a really hard day of roller coaster hills and a full-on headwind. Last 23 miles was a gradual uphill to 2000ft into the wind at 8-10mph. Highlight of day was passing into Montana and a new time zone. I'm now 7 hours behind UK time.

Wolf Point, Montana

Friday 6th June 2014

Malta, Montana. 119 miles. Average speed 13.6mph. Left Wolf Point at 5am this morning to try and get the miles before that horrendous wind came up again. Quite chilly today, had thermal jacket on all day. Stopped for breakfast at Glasgow and lunch at Saco. The wind was kind to me and the hills manageable. The picture shows a group of dinosaurs on the hillside outside Glasgow. Took 10 hours today, but easier than yesterday.



Dinosaurs on the hillside outside Glasgow

Saturday 7th June 2014

Havre, Montana. 90 miles. Average speed 13.9mph. Left Malta at 6am trying to miss that wind. Sunny but very cold. Full winter gear on. Easy going roads. Wind picked up but fortunately in my favour. Encountered roads works over the last 3 miles. There'd taken the surface off, it was like a dirt track. I'd been riding beside a railway line for about 20 miles when I took this picture. The train was about half a mile long.

Railway Line

Sunday 8th June 2014

Shelby, Montana. 101 miles. Average speed 12.4mph. Left Havre at 6am. Again very cold and sunny, wearing full winter gear. Stopped for late breakfast in a place called Chester. Met two fellow bikers but they were doing c2c in opposite direction. The hills were long and then the wind hammered me for last 40 miles. Lots of Native American culture in these parts, so I took this picture. Saw the Rockies in the distance today, still lots of snow on them. They look massive!