Day 33 (5/29/22): KY is Even Better in the Sunshine
Start: Buffalo, KY
End: Harrodsburg, KY
Mileage: 74 miles
Elevation: 4,671 feet
First a word about the rest day yesterday.
To this point in the trip, I really enjoyed my rest days, but there was a small part of me that dreaded getting back on the bike the following day. I’d keep my eye on the clock and think, “It’s 10 a.m. Great. We still have most of the day.” As the rest day went on, I’d get a little bummed the relaxing was done. Sunday night syndrome I guess. Yesterday was different. We had a very good time at Mammoth Cave National Park (see below), and I am so glad we went, but I was eager to get back on the bike more than I’ve been in the past. Perhaps it’s because we’re getting closer to the end, but I’ve also realized I’m really starting to embrace starting new every day not knowing how my comfort zone will be abused that day and relishing the challenge more.
We had a great day in Mammoth. The caves were so…well…mammoth. It’s hard to believe there are 420 miles of caves 150-300 feet under ground in this area of Kentucky. They were dry caves, so no stalactites or stalagmites. Tish has been to Carlsbad Caverns in NM where the caves have lots of these formations, so she was a bit disappointed. I was just blown away by the size of what I saw. The camping was great, and we had a good time hanging around just talking.
The sun came out in full force today and made for even lovelier riding than last week. Lots of farmland, beautiful houses, and woods. A real pleasure. This was the first day of what will likely be the heaviest week of climbing of the trip. The daily mileage will dip quite a bit to account for the elevation gains. In the words of fitness guru, philosopher, and patriot John Winger, “I’m pacing myself”.
Tish has traveled to South Carolina to spend time with her sister Ann, our niece Katie, and grandniece McKenna. She’s followed and ferried me around enough these last two weeks. She needs a break, and it will be good to see family.
Other highlights from the day:
I had a nice conversation with a westbound father/son tandem. (What do you say Bailey?) It was really interesting to get the son’s take on how they’re traveling. A lot of the young cyclists I’ve run into carrying full gear and camping the whole way looked at me and my pannier-less road bike kind of strange. But when I asked Wesely (the son) if they’re camping the whole way, he essentially said he was so glad he was doing this on his father’s dime so they didn’t have to camp and couldn’t imagine not having a shower and bed every night. I’ve said it before. Motels are better than camping. That said, this week, it’s all camping and hostels for me.
Add gophers to the list of (live) wildlife I’ve seen. Carl Spackler would have had a field day on my ride today.
To all my friends and family on the East Coast and Southeast…I’m in the Eastern Time Zone! I finally got the 3 hours back that I lost on June 10, 1986 when I moved to California…at least for a little while.
Today’s dog story. Early in the ride, a dog had the choice to chase me or a car. The dog choose the car. Not a smart dog.
What I’m Grateful for Today
I noticed a young couple camping across from us last night in Mammoth. The reminded me a lot of Tish and I when we first moved to California and started doing things on our own and building a life together. Then today, I tried to think of all the fun things we did in the first few years after college. This took qite some time (turns out I had 74 miles to kill). This initially gave me a sense of longing for the past—a sort of sentimental melancholy. Then I realized we’re actually back to that point (albeit a little older) and embarking on the same kinds of adventures. This trip would be Exhibit A. If you happened to read my Facebook post when I retired, you might remember I gave a few reasons for leaving, but said the thing I was looking forward to most was just spending time with Tish. This just brought it home.
Lexie and Bailey, having you as our family was and will be the highlight of our lives. The best time ever. The most rewarding time ever. Tish and I also did pretty good on our own way back when, and I’m so glad we’re going to have the opportunity to go back to a version of that lifestyle.