Day 5

Can't seem to get myself to write in this journal.  My days are filled with just trying to make it through the day. The winds, which seem mild when standing still, cause my speed to drop to 9-11 mph even on "flat" roads. This worries me in regards to Virginia mountains.

Day Three was hot and windy.  Stayed in a $79 motel* outside of Atlantic City.  Took the bus in and gambled for 5 hours.  Lost $14.

Day 4 woke up at 8:00 and rode to Cape May.  Made very good time, even with my first flat tire.  Beginning to realize the importance of getting up early.  Took the ferry to Cape Herendon State Park.  Very chilly - worried about the cold in the morning. 

Day 5 (today) woke up to find that it wasn't cold at all.  Even wore my short shirt.  In fact, it seemed to get hot very quickly.  I then became filled with worry about July, because if the 70's felt like this, what would the 90's feel like?!

Around 2PM I passed a bank sign which said it was 90 degrees!  So my worries about July subsided greatly.  I just need to avoid mid-day riding.  However, today I got pretty burnt and crashed immediately upon entering my hotel room in Salisbury, MD.  Sunburns make me sleepy.

Today developed a clicking sound which I fear is something in the pedals, but a bike store here couldn't confirm this.  I'd like to get a full tune-up sometime in the next week.

My butt had developed a bad rash/sore on the third day, and I'm using Vaseline to hopefully clear it up.

My main concern now is that my body will be in shape for Virginia.  The bike is HEAVY and hills and wind are very difficult.  I've made several adjustments to the seat, but my arms get numb frequently anyway.

I wonder whether the trials and tribulations of the journey will continue to dominate my thoughts or whether I will begin to do some self-contemplation soon.  So far, even with al the beauty around me, I still seem to focus on the negative things I see - the homogenization of America and the inelegance of America.

* (tj 2003) $79 was way out of my budget