Friday, August 3, 2007, Little Falls, NY to Troy, NY, 83 miles, 7 hrs 15 min, 6 hrs 14 min on the bike, Ave. speed: 13.2 mph, Climb: 1250 ft.

Another banner day - overcast skies, thunder and sprinkles, but the weather held again and no real rain. It was (and still is) hot and muggy, but I had no problems cycling. We actually rode through fog for the first time this morning too. There is so much moisture in the air that I think it just became visible in the cool morning hours.

We were in hillier terrain today - a warm up for tomorrow's climbs over the Green Mountains of Vermont, but I rode strong and the legs still feel strong. We also got to ride on a paved bike path along the Mohawk River and the Hudson River - I was in my element. It reminded me of riding the Boise greenbelt, only this path was smoother and it is MUCH greener here!

Update on my hand - it is doing better. I'm taking lots of ibuprophen and icing it and I have some stretches that help too. Jim the mechanic also put a new cable on my bike, so that should help with the shifting. I was able to shift gears for a while today, so I think I'll be OK tomorrow on the big hills (I shift a lot on hills - with both the left and right hands).

I had a friend email and ask about any positive changes to the biosuit (you've all read about the knees, sinus and hand...), so here's an update. I am stronger. I can ride at a faster rate of speed for longer periods of time, I can go a little faster up hills and I can bike up steeper hills longer before getting fatigued. An 80 mile day is "normal" and not a big deal anymore - it's what I do and I have plenty of energy to do other things when I'm done. My body composition is changing - more muscle, less adipose and I've lost inches. I do have a tan - but it's a funky biker's tan - think upper arm to wrist on the arms and on the legs from the end of longish bike shorts to the ankle. The face is pretty normal, though the forehead did get some tan stripes (from the holes in the helmet), but those are fading. Oh - the hair is getting longer too - I'm not being mistaken for a man anymore (yes, it has happened 3 times on this trip). The best physical aspect of the trip is that I can eat absolutely whatever I want and I don't have to worry - it's all fuel!

Tomorrow we are headed to Vermont and back to hills - big time! Please send energy to help push me up the climbs and keep the biosuit functioning - this ride is definitely not over yet!