Day 1,Monday, Sept. 16 San Diego , C.A to El Centro , CA 131 Miles7,500ft of climbing
.
The day started with breakfast in the motel parking lot before we
rode down to the ocean to dip the back wheel in (32 hole Mavic Sup
Ceramic on Chorus with Michelin Bi Synergics). A leisurely ride out of San
Diego and into the mountains. Most of the climbs were gradual and
I managed o.k on a 39x26, my lowest gear. I got out of the saddle
quite a bit as I was nursing a knee injury picked up on Studland Hill,
doing a poor impression of Big Mig. I ended up riding with Phil and
his wicked looking white carbon Kestrel. Phil was a good 230lbs so
he didn't climb too fast. At 80 miles after 6000ft of climbing we
swung on to Interstate Highway 1-8 and started a 10 mile descent into
the desert. Very little traffic meant we could swoop past each other,
refreshed after the climb we were spinning out at 45mph. As we neared
the Yuha desert the shimmering heat haze appeared across the black
tarmac and it was hot, very hot! The P.A.C. van had pulled up and
erected a canvas sunshade. A this point the organisational skills
of the team became apparent as we were offered two flavours of ice
cold Gatorade,lemonade,iced tea, iced water Pepsi, Coke, Mountain
Dew (Ridiculous caffiene content) and small white towels soaked in
iced water.Which is nice if it's over 100 degrees. Having filled
both the bottles with Gatorade and the Camelback with ice and water
I headed off with about a 25mph tail wind. I could see Phil in the
distance and as the only representative of a nation of time trialists
I decided to have a go and catch up. Unfortunatly Phil had very much
a similar idea and I hammered after him for 10 miles or so before
becoming paranoid about what the heat might be doing to me and backing off for the last twenty miles.
The Ramada Inn was luxurious, having cleaned the sticky Gatorade
of the bike I made it to my room and opened the french windows out
onto a swimming pool surrounded by the Swiss contingent (Is there
a towel and sunbed connection here?). What the hell, too hot to change
the kit, off with the shoes and relief.....................

LON ON : HYDRATION
"Whether your riding in dry or humid heat, you need to flush your self
with a lot of water. Be a camel and tank up as much as you can. I'll
drink one bottle every 15 minutes during the hottest days of RAAM
and pour some on me for it's cooling effect. But even if you have
unlimited water, it's smart to back of the pace a bit in hot conditions.
Ride a bit below your capacity and pace yourself. You musn't risk
dehydration and overheating

DAY 2 El Centro , CA to Yuma AZ 69.5 miles 460 ft of climbing..
Beatrice an American living and working in Tokyo had done most of
Her training on a turbo. I learned this as we shared a carbo-rich
breakfast of coffee, porridge, bagels, cereals and pastries in the
glare of the portable lights at 5.30 am in the motel car park. Up
the road we got into a group of about 30, a double line with the Swiss
on the front, reasonably stiff pace about 19mph, after a while the
two young Swiss peeled off the front and so it went on until, Sods
law, just us the road turn slightly upward, Phil and I got our turn
on the front. Never having ridden in a pace line before (I'd seen
one on the telly mind) I made the classic mistake and Phil reminded
me that we were doing 22mph and he didn't think the guys behind would complain if we slowed down a little!. As we did just that the 5 German boys came screaming past my left shoulder and Phil urged me to chase suddenly I'm in a 25mph pace line determined not to get dropped. Then someone shouts something in German and we're at the first rest stop at 30 miles. The rest of the day was a more relaxed affair embracing"Old 8" cracked and neglected, meandering next
to Interstate 8. I told that day's companions Tom, Phil and Terry
that I was keeping it down to 16mph (except downhill) after all we'd
be at the next motel for lunch and it was a big day tomorrow.
We took it easy for the last 20 miles or so stopping for a photo opportunity as we crossed the state line.
Another luxurious Ramada Inn, I remarked to Lon about the high
quality of the accomodation. "They even out." he replied ominously.
We were on our own to get dinner the only meal not covered in the
$3000 price of this tour (excluding air fair). The impromptu team
time trial had been real fun. Surprisingly PAC Tour had a use for
speed as well as endurance

LON ON: TRAINING
"The most common shortcoming of PAC riders is a lack of enough high-
quality, intense, short miles. I recommend a five-mile time trial
two or three times a week, just to get used to riding faster than
20 mph. That's as important as slogging out the 150-milers. In talking
to this group I found that not many go anaerobic in their training.
This leaves a big gap in their ability. By pushing themselves harder,
which is what I recomend in my training suggestions for PAC Tour,
they would come even closer to their potential. Riders training for
long distance get mundane and just do seven-hour centuries. But a
seven-hour century out of your back door isn't the same as the final
100 miles to, say, Roswell . (a 165 mile day. R) people don't realize
how intense this riding is, even though the average speed might be
15mph. Be varied in your riding, not just in a comfortable groove.
Go out with people better than you so you won't be coddled. Even if
it's just once a week, it will get you used to going harder and faster.
It's difficult to make yourself wind it up to 30mph, but it's easy
when you're trying to catch someone or someone is chasing you.

Day 3 Yuma AZ to Gila Bend AZ 119 miles 2100ft of climbing
8.45am Great scenery today. By now we had formed a group of seven
and made a joint decision to take it easy today. 1/ We had a long
way to go 2/we wanted to enjoy the ride and 3/ more importantly, we
didn't know what effect riding 2,880 miles in 23 days would have
on us. We had held off first thing and let everyone else go up the
road, which is a bit arse about face as the slower people are supposed
to start first, then the faster ones catch up and you all arrive for
lunch at the same time. But hey the Swiss were raring to go, over-excited and an impromptu stage race had been mentioned. Yes guys, you carry on, see you at lunch. John Prince caught us up having just been hit by the wing mirror of a passing car, whose driver then lost control and swerved all over the place after frightening the shit out of John, who was thankfully okay.The driver stopped and John had a go at him for "Not wearing proper eye protection."( Said with a Chicago accent) At that time of morning we were of course heading directly into the rising sun. It was good to get to the "sag" stops after everyone else had gone and lay into the drinks and snacks. Lunch consisted of bread, cheese, cold meats, pasta salad,sandwiches and melon and more Gatorade. Susan had insisted that it was not good to drink just water as it lacked sodium. We picked up Beatrice at about 80 miles and ambled on to Gila Bend at a leisurely 15mph which was a pity as we had a good tail wind and it was fairly flat. Ate at "The Best Western Space Age Lodge" then over to the Dairy Maid for a large ice cream and talk about bikes and biking, injuries and all that boring stuff that fanatical bikers talk about. Climbing so far 10,060ft.

LON ON : CLIMBING "Never go anaerobic. That's what Pete [ Penseyres] taught me, and that's the rule on the RAAM or any marathon ride. For example, if your anaerobic threshold is 180 beats per minute, climb at 150 bpm beginning with the first hill. After several days you'll be flying compared to everyone who pushed hard earlier. As your controlled pace becomes relatively faster, this will help you finish stronger. But making yourself climb easy during the early days is one of the hardest things to learn. I'ts the opposite of training, which is to go anaerobic, then back off, then go again. Sit upright, stand-- do what you like because comfort is important and aerodynamics don't matter. Pete and I would stand on the tandem for half an hour at a time, pedaling at 50 rpm. On my single bike, I like to climb seated and grip the aero extensions just in front of the handlebar"

Day 4 Gia Bend AZ to Globe AZ. 147miles 5,540ft of Climbing I realised why I'd been having bad patches sort of mid morning, craving for lunch at 11am , not enough breakfast, as Marty, one of the crew put it."Breakfast is a little light". Tour de France guys eat until they can eat no more , but they get a couple of hours to digest it! I couldn't believe the amount of liquid I was consuming, day and night just to get my pee coming out clear instead of dayglow yellow! The last 40 miles or so consisted of 2000ft of climbing in the searing heat. One guy Wendel (50 ish black carbon Kestral with Spynergies) had to be "sagged" back from the last drink stop at 120 miles. The dry heat was giving me a sore throat, sucking in 100 degree air and the knees were sore but the scenery was spectacular." The live version" as opposed to the movie. A train with 77 freight cars clicking accross a cactus studded lanscape, dead skunks, armadillos and coyotes by the road and an incredible amount of road junk and the heat, always the heat.( Lon says he can tell which State he's in by the road kill )

LON ON: CYCLING SICK " A cold isn't too bad once your on the bike. Riding can even help blow out some congestion. I think it's the constant exertion and becoming run down that brings on mild sickness. I'll typically get sick each spring when I begin riding outside regularly and up my mileage to 500- or 600-mile weeks. I'll get a runny nose and a saddle sore, and then in a week I'm better and able to maintain that plateau. Then it will happen again when I move up to 1000-mile weeks. It just takes time for your body to adapt.

Day 5 Globe AZ to Show Low AZ 86.5 miles 8300ft of Climbing So far we had gone long day, short day, long day, short day. And at the end of every day , no matter what distance, I was ready to finish. I think it is important to visualise the next day's ride and the PAC Tour knew the importance of the distances in that first week. Most of the day was spent climbing, out of the desert, out of the heat and up into the Tonto National Park . Pine trees, almost Alpine, but the air was still very dry, as we crossed the Salt River Bridge the veiw of the river down below was stunning. Another rider spent the entire day in the van ( football injury , he reckoned. "Hear that knee joint son, that's bone on bone! " Most of the American riders had the then ubiquitous "Aero Bars" I had fitted the 3TTT version of the Spinache, the Tiramasu, to give me another hand position and I thought the Scott Tri bars looked shit. Finished at the Days Inn and ate at the "Eat as much as you like for $7.99" place. Which was music to the ears of forty or so hungry riders! Ride ? I ate my way across America !

LON ON :AERO BARS "I began experimenting with arm supports in `86 as a way to take the pressure off my hands. I had basically lost my thumb--it's muscle had sunken away-- and I had no feeling in my little finger for a year. Then I got more accustomed to supports and used them for 20 percent of each ride, which was enough for those nerves to regenerate. Now I have feather touch in all my fingertips. (Nutter !) R  

Day 6 Show Low AZ. to Springerville A.Z. 58 miles 3060ft of climbing. I'd sorted the "light breakfast" thing, got up half an our early and made it to the motel diner only to be confronted by about twenty riders who also thought " breakfast was a bit light" So, I'd only just worked it out OKAY!!! Anyway all that "eggs over easy" and bacon stuff combined with the maple syrup pancakes seemed to do the trick and then I topped up on the porridge e.t.c. I decided to have an easy day, no sense hurrying, only 58 miles. The altitude 9100ft and the surroundings were cooler and greener. Lunch was at the motel and to cap it all Xavier the crew masseur was doing a half price deal as it was a short day. I had my first massage. As he run his knuckles along my quads *******. Oh yes, I forgot to mention. The Swiss contingent had brought along two pretty young femail masseurs and were normally getting done, poolside, as I got in an hour or so behind! "Me? Bitter?"

LON ON: MASSAGE "Ive had a masseur. Phil Kohl of Chicago , on my RAAM crew since `86. For several years all he did was pressure- point foot massage during my sleep breaks. I'd go down for an hour and a half, and he would work on my feet for the last half hour. It would make my whole body feel better. I always thought it would be an annoyance for him to work on the rest of my legs while I tried to sleep, but he did a lot more on my thighs in`91. They'd be tender to the touch with lactic acid build-up but after he was done I'd be good for another 100 miles. I do a little self-massage at home after training. When I feel stiffness or soreness, I put my legs up on the wall and work on my thighs. Even a few minutes is effective.

Day 7 Springerville AZ. to Socorro N.M. 156.5 miles 3940ft of climbing. I was one of the first to start, before dawn, and it was only when I got up the road a bit that I realised just how cold it was. I welcomed the first climb as a chance to warm up and eventually the sun made it up over the horizon in front of me as the road rollercoastered away into the distance. As I rode for the first hour, slowly warming up, I was aware of the altitude (I had woken coughing several times during the night). Any hard efforts brought about breathlessness too soon. After lunch I was joined by Phil and we descended slightly on to a great plain maybe 20 miles wide at the far end of which was a massive array of radio telescopes (twenty seven in all) looking truly spetacular,and we were nearing Roswell .Phil had a rash of punctures and we ended up fitting my spare 20mmcontinental grand prix, not the ideal tyre for a 230lb guy! Felt strong for the last 30 miles or so which I put down to the lower altitude and the slow morning.

LON ON ;COLD STARTS "Dress in layers so you're warm enough at daybreak but can discard them later. The important thing is to have good gloves and shoecovers. If your extremities are cold it doesn't matter how warm your torso is you'll still feel cold. For the same reason wear a balaclava to keep the windchill off your cheeks and neck. These items are small, so when you remove them they're easy to carry.

Day 8 Socorro N.M. to Roswell N.M 166 miles 5400ft of climbing Warmer than yesterday and having started early decided not to stay long at the rest stops. I still wasn't prepared to hang on to the faster groups, especially on the hills. Having said that I spent a pleasent 10 miles or so sat in behind Susan and Ali on a tandem with a softride on the back. As usual ended up with Phil and 4400ft of climbing saw us well off the back.At the second to last stop we were told that we were in the last five and Beatrice was up the road. All but a thousand feet of hills were behind us so we decided to hammer for a while and were overjoyed to catch a good few riders on the way into Roswell . The usual thing with me, after a hundred miles I find some pace! Although I reminded myself to take some ibuprofen as my knees were well sore.

LON ON : PAINKILLERS " I don't recommend relying on drugs, but sometimes they are helpful. For example, if you take Tylenol (Ibuprofen) before bed it can help you sleep right. Then some more in the morning can make riding more comfortable. I've had back pain and Tylenol helps that, but even better is daily situps. Just walking to dinner can help relax your leg muscles each evening."

Day 9 Roswell NM to Brownfield T.X 140 miles 1300ft of climbing Rode with a Morman Doctor called Terry Bucambuso. An early slow climb into a headwind followed by some misty rain had us thinking we were in for a very slow day as we were only averaging 13mph. We linked up with three other guys at the second drink stop an rode paceline all morning into a headwind which eventually dropped After a hot pasta lunch I again felt very strong and like the day before rode hard. The benefits of taking it easy the first week were really beginning to show. The temperature rose and we flew into Roswell and ended up phoning home from a garage forecourt. It was 4pm as I stood dripping with sweat, I got through to The Greyhound at Sydling St. Nicholas, it was 11pm there and the rain was hammering down outside. My Tuesday night mountain bike mates were just contemplating the ride back to Dorchester after a few pints and were made up to hear from me.

LON ON : HEADWINDS " I don't mind headwinds when I'm racing because everyone else is facing it too. In fact, I feel I can make up time on people. That's what you have to try to do - use tough conditions to your advantage. But if it's a solo ride or a time trial race, I hate a headwind. It makes me lose time that I can't regain. On PAC Tour or centuries it's good to ride with other people to share the extra work. Use your aero bar to reduce your frontal area, and turn off your computer so you don't get discouraged. It sounds crazy, but I've heard of people who cover their ears so they don't hear constant whistling. They say the noise reinforces how windy it is, making it more a mental obstacle than a physical one. Of course, never obstruct your ears so much that you can't hear the traffic."

Day 10 Browfield TX . to Aspermont TX . 130 miles 1500ft of climbing A fine day and Terry and I hammered all morning. The Swiss were still up the road but as we rode through a town called Post at 55 miles we came upon them, held up, one of them having hit a car. So being the sportsmanlike type we put our heads down and gave it some serious welly! This was the first time on the whole tour that we'd been first on the road and we were determined to make it first to the lunch stop. After about 25 miles of through and off we were caught by a very fit Swiss guy called Nolti on his titanium Colnago. The last mile or so to the lunch stop, at 89 miles was a stiff climb and he rode us off his wheel. And to cap it all when we got there we realised that they had sent their strongest rider on as soon as the crash happened and he was sat eating his lunch!!!! " You Amercans", said Nolti, as he thought I was one "Push too big a gear, you should find a comfortable gear and then change down one." Actually this was/is a first class piece of advice, but his timing could have been a little better. After a leisurely lunch we took it easy for the last 40 miles or so and still got back before most people (exept the Swiss of course).

LON ON ; CRASHING " When you hit your head, you may not know for at least 15 minutes what kind of trouble you're in. That's how long it takes for your brain to swell. Otherwise check for skeletal injuries that mean you need immediate medical help. If all you have is scrapes and bruises and you can keep riding, that's better than to sit and get stiff. I've been lucky. It's been at least 10,000 miles since I last hit the pavement. My knees don't have a scratch on them

Day 11. Aspermont TX to Jacksboro TX 135.5 miles 2000ft of climbing. At breakfast I could see fork lightning on the horizon and the wind was getting up. It had been quite a warm night and I had slept well. Suddenly Terry seemed eager to go so I rescued my "arms" and "legs from my bag, before it was loaded onto the van, and we raced out of town. Pretty name Aspermont, shit place though.There was a bright edge to the black clouds and we were heading for it but we didn't make it and it started to rain. The three of us, Phil, Terry and I, stopped at a Dairy Queen after about 30 miles and had a chat with some "good old boys" whilst enjoying hot chocolates. It wasn't very cold about 50f but a north easterly wind made it feel colder and the drop in temperature meant I wasn't drinking the usual amount of Gatorade and I didn't eat enough so guess what? I bonked 25 miles from the motel, which was a real shame as I had been so strong for the previous two days. Struggled back to the motel and felt very down but went to dinner with Beatrice and Wendel and felt better once I'd had something to eat ( Catfish followed by Cherry Pie) My legs though were developing the annoying tendency of seizing up at the dinner table and walking, especially climbing stairs, was fast slipping down my list of favourite things to do!

LON ON : NUTRITION "I guess I had a reputation for not eating well, but during the early RAAMs I ate for survival. I ate things I could get down while everyone was puking at the side of the road. As diets improved over the years, Ultra Energy is something I don't race without. When I'm on PAC Tour or doing long training rides, I eat normal food and feel okay. But if I drink 20 packets of Ultra one day and nothing else, I feel 10 or 20 percent better. Eating right takes as much discipline as riding the bike. For example, when using Ultra in RAAM the real dividends don't begin until the fourth or fifth day. But I see a lot of riders start to cheat during the second or third day, and by half way they're 50/50 with solid food. by the end they're down to only a couple of bottles a day. Lots of riders have problems getting a handle on their diet. They know there are energy drinks and foods available, but they have to find what works and won't make them sick. veterans have all kind of opinions on what's best, but newcomers need to go through their own experimenting.

Day 12 Jacksboro TX to Greenville TX ( TX was BIG ! ) 152 miles 3600ft of climbing I sat on my bed looking at the rain eating a bowl of porridge.Then put on my kit, topped by the Exteondo O.N.C.E. Goretex, overshoes, gloves e.t.c. The first few miles were hard what with the rain and the logging trucks flying past sending up clouds of spray. The back up for this trip consisted of a three vehicles, one continually on the back and the other two leap-frogging each other setting up the sag stops. Today one of the crew, Marty, set up the lunch stop in the fire station in Downtown Celina at 96 miles, with another 56 miles to go. As I sat eating, contemplatig the rain, I must have uttered something to prompt a retort from Susan. "you've ridden 56 miles before Riff, NOW GO AND DO IT AGAIN!". The rain stopped and we had a fast run into Greenville with a slight tail wind. I felt on fine form and realised I,d definitely bonked the day before.

RIFF ON : KIT The PAC people sent me a list of the kit, three of everthing clothing wise and two pairs of shoes. We all had a PAC jersey with a map of the route accross U.S.A on it, although my XL version was a bit on the long side. I did an Eros Polli to the club cap, which proved to be essential item what with the sun starting off directly ahead and making it's way around to the right before ending up behind us, every day! Assiduous use of the factor 40 sun cream was needed in order to avoid getting a one sided tan. I carried a chap stick and a cortizone stick for the insect bites. I also had a 500gm tub of E45. Time, in their infinite wisdom, had decided to go over to plastic front cleats that year and I was knocking those out for a pastime. My rear tyre wore out in the first ten days. A few people had sent their bikes to the first motel by UPS or Fed Ex. One guy, Phil Hage's bike got lost for a while and he had to borrow one of Lon's bikes for the first day. It was a bit of a beast in amongst our more exotic steeds, plain, heavy, straight block, triple and sort of agricultural, which is not suprising, as Lon was sponsored by John Dear.(Really!) As Phil looked at it ,lamenting his missing carbon alloy lugged Trek, Lon chipped in," I won the 94 RAAM on that".

Day 13 Greenville TX to Texarkana AR 143 miles 1200ft of climbing Terry, Tom and I started the day together but Tom took off after the Swiss , shortly after we were joined by Phil Hage ( on his Trek) and then by Billy Carson (terrific Southern accent!). At the second food stop we hooked up with Eddie and Marriane Earnhardt, the only married couple on the tour.(Hammer Dogs!) After lunch the same group, plus a few others rode on to the last stop. I found the pace a bit high at first as I was in "digest" mode after lunch but after the rest stop I got my second wind, shot of the front, and time trialed the rest of the way to Texakana, fantasizing about being pursued by an angry peleton. Having got back early I did the usual chores then rang Mick Tarrant and ordered an Euskadi team jersey to be delivered to the last motel, I'd sussed that Xavier was a Basque and would give his eye teeth for one. Pacelines are faster of course but require more concentration and you miss the scenery.

LON ON : MOTIVATION "You must stay focused on what you have to do. The best way I've found to get through RAAM is never back off. I don't mean to go out and ride anaerobically, but to focus to such a point that breaks are a handicap. I never say,'Okay I'll ride 400 miles and then I'll get to sleep 3 hours.' In reality I'm losing 3 hours, so I'd better get back on and keep pushing. I call this ' patient urgency.' I'm in control of my pace, but I'm still urgent about what I've got to get done." ( I told you he was a nutter ! R)

Day 14 Texakana AR to Pine Bluff AR 162 miles "2500ft of Climbing The mornings were interesting. At first any slight hill, albeit only tiny, bang, lactate burn. It was just a matter of getting through the first 50 miles or so before the legs lost their stiffness. I found I wanted to be alone, I mean I didn't want to be on anyone's wheel and I didn't want anyone on mine! I just wanted to go to that place I knew well from all the training i.e. Me the bike the road and the distant horizon. It was nice and peaceful there. After lunch I normally felt a bit more sociable. Terry and I hammered the last 30 miles through and off. I realised I was happiest when hammering!

LON ON : GROUP DYNAMICS " Like most other PAC Tours, everyone here is a pretty good person.There aren't any whiners ,complainers or people you can't deal with. This isn't always the case, but people generally get along because they're not forced into situations they don't like- unless you count getting up before dawn each day. Weve had some tours with a lot of strong riders. They'd go faster and faster as we neared each town, but then everyone would sit back and regroup - until the next town. All day long. It was kind of fun and everyone was good- natured about it, and some guys came out of it really strong.

Day 15 Pine Bluff AR to Lula MS 132 miles 500ft of climbing An easy day this one, flatish. Rode slow all day and got to the motel at 5.30pm . Spent 30 miles or so with Kathy. She was having all sorts of problems but mainly her knee, in a lot of pain she got sagged back from the last food stop. The official policy on being right off the back and not wanting to give up was to tell the crew you were "off sag" and they would leave you to it. The slight headwind was enough to stop us hammering as we headed north up and across the Missisippi, through fields of cotton and swamps that seemed absolutely alive with all sorts of things. The "Lady Luck Rythm and Blues Hotel" was our destination that night. This was a casino really and to get anywhere you to go through the gaming floor and it's collection of people on the slot machines looking, for the most part fat and unhealthy, a stark contrast to our party. I spent a large part of the evening sorting out my ever growing laundry problem. Terry, a doctor was being approached on a regular basis by people with medical problems, although he was not without the odd problem himself. He had a good supply of various medicines that he'd prescribed himself for the trip. He also had a standard reply for anyone who asked about " saddle type" problems. " I have a small mirror and three strenths of dermo cream and that's it."

LON ON: SADDLE SORES "There are three types. First is a shallow, overall redness. It looks like a rash. It's typical for riders to get this about three days into PAC Tour. I compare it to a snake shedding it's skin, just an evolution that's going to happen. The best solution is to reduce the abrasion. One way is to wear two pairs of shorts with the first turned inside out so the slippery material is next to your skin. You can use Nupercainal or a similar skin product that is antiseptic and has a topical pain killer. Another type is a boil on the one cheek or the other. It might not be too big. but it feels terrible because you sit on it. Get some Dr Scholl's one-eigth-inch-thick "moleform" and cut a two-inch circle with a hole in the middle. This keeps the pressure off the sore, and you'll be able to ride as if it isn't even there. (RAAM Winner) Bob Fourney goes an extra step and fills the center with Boil Ease. This, plus the pressure around the sore, helps it come to a head and drain. The MoleForm sticks well even when you're sweaty. In fact sometimes the biggest problem is getting it off. The last type is bruised muscle or tissue over the bone. You need to change , the pressure points, so the best way is to switch to a different-shape saddle or try a saddle pad. Iv'e avoided most saddle problems since using a well broken in Brooks B-17.

Day 16 Lula Casino MS to Tupelo MS 135 miles 2760ft of climbing Terry and I set off first only to be caught by four serious Swiss at 25 miles. They pulled in at the 30 mile stop but we kept going and refuelled at a garage 10 miles further on. And then we hammered or should I say I hung on to Terry's wheel as he dragged me across series of rolling hills on a major road through the Missisippi lumber country. And we finally got to the lunch stop first ! Were the Swiss beginning to fade ? Or had they begun to realise that maybe there was more to PAC than riding a twenty man pace line all day. So from that day on they sort of fragmented and started interacting with the rest of us. Perhaps they realised they could beat any ragged resistance the rest of us could put up , felt sorry for us and decided to make friends ? Anyway enough of that. The last part of the day was spent on a series of rough minor roads difficult to navigate but as usual the crew had put down road markings. Some were still there from the previous year. Each evening we were issued with a lamenated route ,sheet which I won't reproduce here.

LON ON : RIDING ROUGH ROADS "When you see a bad section coming, shift to a bigger gear. This increase speed so you can get through faster, and by pushing harder on the pedals it keeps you from sitting heavily on the saddle. Keep your elbows flexed, and don't grip the bar too tightly or your upper body will take a greater pounding.

Day 17 Tupelo MS to Florence Al 88 miles 2300ft of climbing The Natchez Trace Parkway is a restricted road, no trucks. The route sheet said. "Stay single file in small groups of 3-4 riders. Keep groups out of site of each other on parkway for the next 60 miles. Rangers will remind you". The route left the parkway at 70 miles but we stayed on and did an extra 12 miles to make the day up to a hundred. Seventeen consecutive centuries being the goal. It was great, no trucks all day. To have two of those monsters heading towards you side by side on a desert road was the stuff of nightmares. That night Terry and I decided to have a romantic meal at "Loisianna The Restaurant". The chef came out of the kitchen and ran through the menu with us , a sort of Cajun/French theme, very swish. I was made up when I saw they had Boddingtons on the drinks list. The waiter, very ceremoniously, bought the can to the table to open it and pour. After all American beer , as John Prince said, is like making love in a canoe. It's f*****g close to water!

LON ON : HOSTILE DRIVERS "It's difficult, but it's best to adopt a congenial attitude toward them. Especially when you're riding in several small groups like in PAC Tour, I think that if you wave at the oncoming trucks they get on their CBs and send word to other trucks coming from behind. All you can really do is go into single file and ride a straight line. It doesn't help to get aggravated and give them the finger. Instead, make it known that you want to get along with them. After they pass give them a wave that says thanks. Maybe that'll make it easier for the next riders they come upon".

Day 18 Forence AL to Lewisburg TN 105.5 iles 4000ft of climbing The route sheet today was headed." Watch for paint arrows all day." I was of the back from the start and a headwind. I kept the speed down and felt better for it. The winding route took us through several valleys and past several farms. the overcast weather made it all seem a bit grey. We seemed to be plagued by dogs. It seemed that every house we passed would have one or more of them who would come racing out and doing that aggressive thing. At one point I stopped, got off the bike and screamed obsenities, firstly at the retreating mut and then at the house. Another time a small terrier was running along side me yapping furiously when it ran smack a mailbox.

LON ON : BAD DOGS " Make a quick calculation: Do I sprint or slow down? If I don't have to make good time. I'm more apt to slow or even get off , then walk with the bike between me and the dog. Some squirts of water will help keep him back. Once I get out of his territory, he'll let me go. If it's a route I use occasionally, I might try to talk to the owner and explain the threat his dog poses to a cyclist. You can't overstate the danger of one that gets near your front wheel. The last bad accident I had was in the early '80s when I hit a dog and flipped.

Day 19 Lewisburg TN to Chattannga TN 130 miles 5100ft of climbing . Not a bad day although Terry had a mild case of the shits. I got the feeling that he now knew he was going to make it and wanted it over with. I knew how he felt. The initial scare of wondering. "Am I going to make it?" had subsided and given way to an overall feeling of tiredness. This coupled with the tiresome headwind for at least a week meant we had to start digging a little bit deeper. Groups had formed, determined groups, of people with similar abilities. Terry and I spent the day sort of mixing it up rather than grinding along at the same pace all day. So we left late but soon started going past other riders. At the first stop a solemn group of four of the older guys came straight past. I suppose they were all in their mid fifties. The strategy was to keep to 16mph and stop as little as possible. There was a seriousness about them steeped in dogged determination and camaraderie. The scenery was improving, the road rolling through the forest and it was a sunny day..The clocks had jumped forward for the last time that night, it had been irksome losing hours here and there as we went accross.

P.A.C.Tour training tips: General goals....for overall fitness within 3 months before the tour 1 Participate in six 100 mile or longer group events and be comfortable riding with others. 2 Ride 200 miles in less than 14 hours with stops. Warning: This is a minimum standard. 3 Be comfortable training 150-300 miles per week for ten weeks before the tour. 4 On two weekends ride 100+ miles on Saturday and 100+ miles on Sunday. 5 Begin some of your training at sunrise. 6 Ride in 90+ degree heat as often as possible. ( In U.K ????. R) 7 Be able to ride two miles in 5 minutes (24 mph average) 7-10 times per week

Day 20 Chattanooga TN to Gainsville GA 145 miles 7000ft of climbing Big day, this one had been in the back of my mind for a few days. Wondering what sort of state I would be in at that point. Breakfast at the " Waffle House" failed to drag me out of a very tetchy mood. Big Phil stayed with me and we were right off the back big time , I just couldn't get going any sense. Eventually Phil stopped at the second rest stop and I hammered off up the road on my own of into that little world I mentioned earlier, albeit at a faster pace than usual. By the time Phil had caught up I was feeling better and was able to take a few pulls on the front, passing a few people before we arrived at the lunch stop. Last stop of the day was Summit Burnt Mount Elevation 3000ft, the route sheet said, a spectacular view over vast tracts of forest at 98 miles I hitched up with Susan, who was riding that day, and John Prince who was suffering that day! Exercise induced asthma he reckoned. Susan asked about my climbing style. You don't have to be a small rider to get out of the saddle to climb. I have a good set of shoulders from years of humping crates out of the back of a truck. This means I can move the bike around, shifting my weight from side to side. Then it's just a matter of finding a rythm. I find this less strain on the knees, I was still nursing the injury. Susan said she was having a bad day, which was reassuring as I'd had a few of those myself. The headwind was still there so I wouldn't get accused of riding a tailwind all the way accross!

P.A.C. Tour Training Tips (Continued) Three months Before PAC Tour: 150-200 miles per week.One day per week over 100 miles. One 150 mile nonstop ride during the month. Hang on the back of a fastgroup at 20-25 mph for 30 miles per week (Barnsfield?) Two Months Before PAC Tour 200-250 miles per week. Two days per week over 100 miles. One 200 mile during the month. Ride in the middle of a fast group for 30 miles a week. One Month Before PAC Tour 250-300 miles per week. Two days per week over 150 miles. Ride a 200 mile event in under 14 hours. Ride at the front of a fast group for 30 miles a week. One week before PAC Tour Ride enough to keep your legs fit but rested and get plenty of sleep. Overhaul and test ride your bicycle by riding at least 100 miles. Install a new chain, freewheel 25/28mm tires. Pack your gear bag two days before you leave.......then take out half and leave it home. If possible arrive at the start one or two nights before so you are rested and not feeling rushed.

Day 21 Gainsville GA to Greenwood SC 124 miles 3600ft of climbing This day was rated at 160. The reasoning being that 100ft of climbing was equivalent to a mile of flat road. Using this system Lon could give each day a different rating. The day before, Chatanooga to Gainsville (145 miles 7100ft) was rated 216 while the second day, El Centro to Yuma (69.5 miles 460ft) was rated 74. Spent the day with Terry, Tom and Phil. At one point we went hammering past a bunch of Swiss riders and stayed away. Another day of rolling hills and it was definitely getting a lot colder with grey skies and still, a headwind. Entering South Carolina , the last State, was a bit of a milestone, about a 2605 miles to be precise! Another day over I had dinner with Phil Hage, a company director from Minesota. Over a Chinese he told me about his visits to the U.K. and confided in me that he thought the food here, "left a little to be desired." I knew what he meant. For ease of service, price and quantity the Americans have got it sorted. After a hard day in the saddle we wanted to be fed, like now, and not be sat around getting tired and pissed off. Then it was bed,telly, sleep. With all the kit laid out ready for the next day and the bag packed ready to go on the truck.

A Funny Story: Douglas Obershaw was continually on the wind up. One of life's practical jokers. The sort of guy who thought it was funny to pelt me with peanuts across the diner. A good rider, the American oil company worker based in Stavanger Norway was sharing a room with young Jamie Dodd who was the brunt of a most of his practical jokes. Doug's brother Terry joined the Tour in Texas and , much to Jamie's relief roomed with Doug. Anyway the day Terry arrived Jamie told us that the previous evening, after arriving at their motel room, Doug had found a small bag of a herbal substance in the room. As they were deciding what to do with it there was a knock at the door and a nervous young guy announced he had left something behind in the room. Doug says,"you must mean this." And hands him the bag. End of story, or so he thought. That night we got Terry Bucambusso, to ring Doug and Terry's room posing as Sherrif Billy Bob White of Greenville Texas . He informed Doug that he had arrested a man with a quantity of marajuana. And this man had put Doug's name forward as a supplier. I don't know what Doug said but Terry finished the conversation with,"Stay there boy we're coming to get you!" Now, consider that we were 146 miles from Greenville and Doug thought this guy was heading in his direction. We gave him ten minutes, more would have been cruel, to let the full gravity of the situation to sink in, before a group of us armed with a camera knocked on his door. Revenge is a strong emotion and that was so sweet!

Day 22 Greenwood SC to Orangeburg SC 112 miles 2200ft of climbing. (My diary entry for this day was somewhat short and I can't remember much now except the rain. so here it is verbatim. "Dry at first rain later, very chilly with the usual headwind. Hot noodles and hot chocolate + pecan pie for lunch. Got back around 3.30 having hammered after lunch and got wet and warm. Lots of washing to do. Last day tomorrow". It was later that the drama started to unfold. I hadn't given it a thought as we ate dinner but by 6.45 I was glued to the weather channel watching pictures of what Tropical Storm Josephine was doing to the coast of Florida . A restless night, I awoke at 2.30am and looked out on to the motel car park, it was waterlogged and it was raining hard, I remember thinking that if it kept up we wouldn't make it. I had enough dry kit now, as long as I didn't get blown off the bike. 111 miles to go.

Extract from PAC Tour Newsletter: Most riders go on PAC Tour because they are serious cyclists but also want to see the United States . Usually the scenery is great but sometimes the cycling was more intense than they expected. During past tours some riders have come up with some unique ways of describing their PAC Tour experience. "PAC Tour is like watching the best movie you've ever seen while someone is whipping you".

Day 23 Orangeburg SC to Charlestown SC 108 miles 350ft of climbing A dream filled night. I awoke to find it had stopped raining. Four of us, me Terry Bucambuso, Big Phil Auriemma and Phil Hage rode together and for the first time in ages we had a tailwind. Lunch was at 76 miles, we got there in good time and the last stop at 102 miles would be were we all gathered to ride the final 6 miles into Charlestown . At about the 85 mile mark we got lost! First time on the whole tour. Phil Hage was gutted as he was navigating when we went of course and Terry Bucambuso sped off down the road with a vengeance, not wanting to miss out on the shared experience I suppose. I found this a bit upsetting, after doing so many miles together. So the three of us Me and the two Phils rode in together. The last stop at 102 miles was deserted and by the time we got to the beach the celebrations had begun. But it didn't really matter, I'm not much of a one for symbolic moments, that we didn't roll in with the bunch. It hadn't been a bunchy sort of tour, although it was nice for the Swiss to ride with everyone else.

LON ON : THE END "Every time I finish RAAM or PAC Tour, it's sort of a letdown. Every day has been an adventure, with memorable experiences and fun all the way through, so there's rarely a feeling of jubilation when it's over. I use a different route for each PAC Tour because quite a few riders sign up again. There's a special attraction to staying focused for three weeks in order to accomplish something as significant as this. It can be emotional near the end. It can leave you feeling different about yourself."

EPILOGUE I stayed on in Charlestown for a extra day and shared a room with Big Phil. And we went out for a few beers with John Prince and Phil Hage. I intoduced Big Phil to Guinness and we got fairly rat arsed. After all we had something to celebrate. I think I was the fastest Brit across that year and Phil, he was the fastest Black Guy, ever.