Day 46 - Rest Day in Milton - A typical riding day

I have had numerous folk ask me what a typical day on the ride consists of. They’re are all a bit different, but essentially the same. I will attempt a brief description of an outdoor camping day. 

• Previous evening: Organize your kit (bicycle clothes) for the next day. Shoes, socks, bibs/tights/shorts, leg warmers if cool, sports bra, base layer, jersey, gloves (long and/or short finger), jacket (for warmth or rain), etc. Depending upon the weather other accommodations may need to be made. 
• 5:30 a.m.: Alarm goes off. Crawl out of the sleeping bag. This is really the toughest part of the morning if the previous day was long or hard. Stuff the sleeping bag in its compression bag, deflate the pillow, and take the bathroom bag to the restroom. Sometimes the restrooms are heated and getting dressed may be more comfortable in the restroom rather than in the tent. In any event, get dressed for the day.
• 6:00: Coffee is ready. Get coffee and return to tent to finish organizing and packing. Be careful not to spill coffee in the tent. Put packed bags outside tent for the Wolfpack to load. Deflate the air mattress. They will take down the tent after we depart.
• 7:00: Breakfast of oatmeal, toppings, pastries, fruit, liquids, etc.
• 7:30 - Depart. Turn on head and rear lights, radar unit (tells me about vehicles behind me), and bike computer. Load the course for the day. Take a deep breath and start riding…..
• SAGs: SAG stands for Support and Gear. This is one of four vehicles that carry food, liquids, first aid, bike parts, etc. They carry whatever the riders may need. There is usually a SAG stop about every 20-25 miles. We check in, eat, drink, briefly socialize, and then ride on to the next SAG. The staff keeps track of us and if someone is late, the crew will go looking for them. A few times folk have had a flat or other bike malfunction in an area with no cell service. So it is good that they go looking. 
• Riding: I thought that as I was riding that I would have plenty of time to think about what happens when I retire. Well that was a fantasy. While riding I concentrate on riding. How many miles to the next SAG or finish? What is the best way to handle the road conditions, weather, traffic, etc. Once those issues are under control then I start looking around and admiring the area. My thinking for the future focuses on the next mile or meal.
• After the Ride: Immediately upon arrival you find your tent, arrange your gear, take a shower, and jot down a few notes about the day. I rarely have had the time to do much else. I also look at the weather for the next day so I can dress accordingly.

Note, very typical wifi information for campgrounds.

• 6:00 - Dinner by Ann. We have a great caterer. Her food is terrific. In previous posts I have mentioned her. I will say that we are all lined up and ready to be feed at 6:00!

• 6:30 - Rider Meeting: We learn about the route for the next day, the SAG stop, when laundry will be done, and other miscellaneous items of interest.

• 7:00 - Good Evening - We are on our own to finish preparations for the next day and anything we feel needs to be accomplished.

This it’s a very simple routine. We don’t have to worry about much other than keeping our bikes in good shape, ourselves healthy and riding. The route is already planned, the Wolfpack takes care of the tents and luggage, SAG personnel feed and hydrate us during the day, and Ann feeds us breakfast and dinner. It is a very simple life. We can go days without Wi-Fi or cellular connections, so we may not hear about life in the real world for more than a few days. It reminds me very much of wilderness camping events I have done in the past, e.g., backpacking, canoeing the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota, etc. I wonder how long it will take me to adjust to my normal routine?