The TFP "Race Across the World" Challenge!!!
 

In the spirit of TFP's Situp, Push-Up, and One-Million-Pound challenges, I propose the following: Race Across the World! You can bike, walk, run, etc, any exercise-based activity of which you can record your distance and post to this thread. The distance accumulation acts like the other challenges, you simply post the previous total and add your session's total.

I'd love to add the following incentive: we're going to do this virtually! I propose we start in Barrow, Alaska (see below) and travel across the Western Hemisphere. We can do it!

The incentive is personalized: whoever records the "winning" post of the current destination, gets to post a lovely picture of said destination, offer an interesting fact or two about it, and also gets to choose the next destination. I suggest keeping the chosen destination to something reasonably short so we can win more often and choose really small and interesting spots to hit.

The first leg of our journey will be... Barrow, Alaska, to Fairbanks, Alaska. Details below. This is a much bigger chunk of travel than I'd like to normally see here, but I had trouble determining distances between Barrow and much smaller settlements... (I'm not getting into Geography and Cartography for this, I'd rather Google Maps do the work.) ... so bear this in mind when you're a winner... let's go to some small and interesting places whenever we can!


http://www.travel-penguin.com/maps/s...ka_500x500.gif


Barrow, Alaska (My choice of lovely picture. Lovely, ain't it?):
http://www.kingeider.net/barrow6-020802.jpg
The distance from Barrow to Fairbanks is: 502.4 miles (808.5 km).

Now go!

My next workout is tomorrow, so I will begin logging then. When you post, also tell us what type of exercise you did, if you wish.

I hope you can join me. (Dress warmly.)

OK, let me be the first one to contribute to our journey, I ran 6.34km or 3.94 miles today morning. I will start training for a half marathon on tuesday the 20th, so i think i'll be able to contribute at least 20miles a week.

TOTAL DISTANCE SO FAR: 3.94 MILES
(add your miles at the end of your post)

Brilliant!!!

Let's do this in kilometres... we are about to cross into Canada, after all.

6.34 km + 1.96 km on the treadmill =

TOTAL DISTANCE SO FAR: 8.3 km

Did a 10.2km walk through the MacRitchie resevoir today (the sign posts told me how long the trail was that we walked).

TOTAL DISTANCE SO FAR: 18.5 km

Ran 7km last night.

Total distance so far: 25.5 km.

8km just an hour ago.

Total: 33.5 km

I did 8.5 km on an elliptical trainer earlier today. (Fri.)

Total Distance So Far: 42 km

It's time to nearly DOUBLE the distance! I hammered out 40 kilometers (about 25 miles) on my bike this morning rolling up and down Irvine Center Rd/Moulton Parkway through Irvine and Laguna Hills, California. I need a shower.

42 + 40 = 82 kilometers

Another 11 kilometers, and we are in Atqasuk, Alaska, a mere 95.5 kilometers south of Barrow, Alaska. This is only if we divert from the straight ahead course planned to Fairbanks.


*question: once we get into more urban areas, will be be taking a straight shot course, or just map driving directions? Understandably, the northern reaches of Alaska are accessible by flight only (disregard boats for now). This would require a straight shot with a straight edge ruler. Google Earth provides just that tool, so you can do radial distances from whatever center you want. Example - Barrow to Atqasuk above.

If we get to more populated areas with decent roadway systems, should we switch to the mapped driving directions, or continue with straight shots? And if we go overseas, the boat/plane ride will be straight, but any distances over land would be assumed plane as well? Have to take travel into account! Example: There is no airport in Hollywood, California. I would have to drive to Los Angeles, California, then fly to London/Heathrow Airport and then drive down to Kingston England. Those drives could be mapped with driving directions.

blah, making it harder than it probably should be, so it may just be better to leave it to whomever is the winner and chooses the next destination

I've also thought of this. I would imagine that using roadways is the way to go once we have them available.

I propose the following guidelines in general:

1) Choice of destination should bear in mind an ultimate destination. Currently, the southern tip of South America.

2) Air/Seaports can be used in special cases, including wanting to get to an island area or otherwise inaccessible or roundabout area. (e.g. Caribbean islands.) The winner can decide to use these ports to assume a new destination. This does, however, indicate that they should give info on both the winning destination and the new embarking destination. We should use this minimally and only in cases where it will have an impact. (i.e. We don't want to miss the Caribbean islands nor getting to another continent.)

3) We should cover as much of a country as is reasonable before leaving it. I don't mind zig-zagging, but we should have a general direction; currently, south/southeast for example... What I suggest is that we hit every country plus every province/state/region in them as well. What's the point in running across the world if you don't actually hit everything, eh?

I would, of course, like to hear your feedback.

Holy cow. This is freaking complicated.

Carno, we're only doing one destination at a time, with what I expect to be days if not weeks in between. I'm sure we have the intellect to handle it.

82 km + 3.6 km (treadmill) = 85.6 km

3 sessions at the gym since the thread went up - each one covering 3km on treadmill and 6km on a bike, so that's 9 + 18 = 27km.

85.6 + 27 = 102.6km.

Walked 5.1 km yesterday.

102.6km + 5.1km = 107.7km

Did 11.4 km on an elliptical trainer.

107.7 km + 11.4 km = 119.1 km

Just ran 6.85km.
Total so far: 130.55km

133.85+10 miles (16.093km I believe) = 149.943km

Sunday morning bike ride! Went from my apartment, in Irvine, north through Tustin and ended up at the Orange County Zoo. I didn't see any animals though so I don't know where they were hiding. It's possible that the actual zoo portion of the zoo is a distance away from the front gate. Anyway, looped back and did some random turns near the apartment before giving up and came back inside.

Todays contribution = 35km

Total self contribution = 40+35 = 75km

Total towards Fairbanks Alaska goal = 149.943 + 35 = 184.943 km (of 808.5 km)

184.943 km (of 808.5 km) + 4km (across 2 runs... out on the street, baby!) = 188.9 km

I talked to Baraka_Guru and we decided to round off to one decimal place.

Sunday walk along the river 7.3 kilometers.

188.9 km + 7.3 km = 196.2 km

Only a few more weeks until I pull my bike out from under the tarp. We'll start covering some distance after that.

11KM

You're in Colorado. I thought every cyclist out there had extreme cold weather gear!!

Especially those near Boulder, since that is a HUGE cycling area

196.2 + 11 (MonomAnny...please add your distance to the total) + at least 2 (gotta figure out how much this route is) = 209.2 km

I'll add another 1.6 km from a walk yesterday.

209.2 + 1.6 = 210.8 km

meanSpleen, I'm sparing my roommates having to deal with my bikes in the apartment (bike are currently in a tarp cocoon on the porch). Roommates are moving back to south america next week! :thumbsup:

And just to keep interest, we are halfway to views like this.

http://www.nps.gov/gaar/images/johnriver.jpg

210.8 km + 3.3 km = 214.1 km

Let's chalk up another 9 km.

Total: 223.1 km

I took the Mountain to Sea Trail in Irvine, going south this time instead of north. It was a nice 71f/21c degrees outside, so it was neither too hot nor too cold. JUST RIGHT. Minimal wind in the city areas, but it picked picked up when I was near the ocean.

The trail itself is rather nice, and there is a moderate amount of other cyclists/walkers/runners/strollers on the trail. Not enough to affect safety, but just enough that no matter where you are you know there is someone somewhere in front of you in sight, and no one breathing down your neck. On average, I would say I would prefer about 2 people less per 5km, so its not enough to cause problems at all and and completely negligible.

Possibly the best part was hitting the Back Bay loop near the ocean. It is an inlet (right?) of water inland from the ocean. You can see Kayakers floating around the loop, and the air is pretty clean as well. Aside from the 1-2 cars that are on the road, it is wide and mildly curvy (its still a loop).

Coming back home, I got lost somehow. I was still on the trail, but I missed my turn and decided to take the surface streets back. A few wrong turns later, and some extreme luck, I finally got to a place that looked familiar and got back home. Fun! At least there is the chance I committed some of the area to memory and can ride out there knowing more of the city.

Todays contribution = 38km

Total self contribution = 75+38 = 113km

Total towards Fairbanks Alaska goal = 223.1 + 38 = 261.1 km (of 808.5 km)

Let's add another 9km
Total: 270.1 km

another 4.4km = 274.5 km

ran a half marathon today 21 km

total distance = 295.5

Just rolled around the streets trying to not get hit by cars! (Well, went north on the Mountain to Seas Trail, and just rolled around coming back)

Todays contribution = 29km

Total self contribution = 113+29 = 142km

Total towards Fairbanks Alaska goal = 295.5 + 29 = 324.5 km (of 808.5 km)

Another 2.8 km

324.5 + 2.8 = 327.3 km

327.3 + 2.6 = 329.9 km

329.9 + 8.1 = 337.9 km

337.9 + 2.1 = 340km

340 + 3.5 = 343.5 km

Six more trips to the gym since I last posted here.

3 km on foot, 3 km rowing, 6 km on a bike each time = 12 x 6 = 72 km.

343.5 km + 72 = 415.5

415.5 + 6.7 (treadmill!!! my furthest yet)= 422.2 km

We should use this program to visually chart where we are running. You can post a link to the route.

Maybe Guru or Aberkok could manage it.

Just a thought.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/


By the way: 422.2 km + 2.3 km = 424.5

Average bike ride - I guess!

Todays contribution = 35km

Total self contribution = 142+35 = 177km

Total towards Fairbanks Alaska goal = 424.5 + 35 = 459.5 km (of 808.5 km)
<- over halfway there after 3 1/2 weeks!

The Mountains to Sea trail I have been riding. It is only part of it, and I consider it the "Southern Half" even though it is more than half. I just happen to live on the trail and i can choose to go north or south :)

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=840752

Been a while, I know. Catching up.

Sunday hike = 4km
Monday elliptical trainer = 8.2km
Today's elliptical trainer = 15.9km

459.5 + 28.1 = 487.6 km

I will go through some of your questions/suggestions soon. Sorry, I've been away for a bit as I was busy with work and feeling a bit sick. We're doing quite well, aren't we? :)

We're not just doing quite well. We're kicking ass and taking names. Like Gary. Ashley. Pedro. Nkundiushuti.

Todays contribution = 33km

Total self contribution = 177+33 = 210km

Total towards Fairbanks Alaska goal = 487.6 + 33 = 520.6 km (of 808.5 km)

Hello everyone. I've been tracking my runs for the past month, but I don't have that list on me right now. I can say that I did 12 miles on monday, and 5 miles yesterday. So that's

17 miles or 27.36km

I'll add my earlier mileage when I get my list from work.

It stopped snowing/raining just long enough and the sun came out long enough to do a quick first bike ride of the year.

We'll add 6.6 km to our total and mojodragon's 27.4 km.

520.6 km + 27.4 + 6.6 = 554.6 km

Got in 6 miles yesterday, so it's

17 + 6 = 23 miles
37.01 km

I found my mileage tracker! I've been tracking my mileage for several months now, but I'm only going to report the miles I've run since this thread was started.

18 Mar - 7m
20 Mar - 4m
21 Mar - 5m
22 Mar - 4m
24 Mar - 4m
25 Mar - 8m
27 Mar - 4m
28 Mar - 6m
29 Mar - 4m
31 Mar - 4m
1 Apr - 4m
3 Apr - 3m
5 Apr - 4m
9 Apr - 12m
10 Apr - 5m
11 Apr - 6m
12 Apr - 5m

For a grand total so far of 89 miles (143.23km)

554.6 km + 37 (Mojodragon please add to the total!!) + I piddled out 3 running this morning = 594.6 km

27km on the bike + 9.6km run = 36.6km
594.6 + 36.6 = 631.2km

Sorry, adding the 115.8km that didn't get added before, plus the 4 miles i ran this morning
89 miles + 4 miles = 93 miles (149.7km) personal total
631.2 + 114.8 + 6.4 = 752.4 km group total

Todays contribution = 46km

Total self contribution = 210+46 = 256km

Total towards Fairbanks Alaska goal = 752.4 + 46 = 798.4 km (of 808.5 km)

Almost there! I can smell it!... Wait. Thats me. *Shower*

I checked this out and I got a headache looking at it. I vote for Aberkok.

798.4 km + 8 km (elliptical trainer) = 806.4 km of 808.5 km

Oh, so close!

theres really not anything to manage >_>
Anyone who wants to make a map can just post it in their own posts!

Who is going to put in that last 2 kilometers?! It's only a little bit more than a mile folks! you can do it!

Got about 6km in today. Not really sure what to do about the destination though. So i guess we made it, plus another 4km to the next one.

(you get to choose the next place) and those four extra kilometers get us there that much faster!

Do you mean the current one? Or the next one?

both

+4km again today.

I ran 9 miles this afternoon, making my personal total so far 102miles.

I'm not really sure what we're doing with the group total. Am I supposed to add my 14.5 km to the 4km that soccerchamp76 ran, towards a goal that he has yet to give us? If so, I'm guessing that our group total is 18.5km??

I vote for keeping track of both!

1) Total distance regardless of destination (We have gone 10,000,001 kilometers!)
-and-
2) Distance to destination (We have gone 1 kilometer towards Siberia which is 10 lightyears away!)

Just pick the next place we get to, for instance juneau, alaska(1179.5km) or whitehorse, yukon(948 km).

+8.5 km on the bike today + 7.25 km hike last week = 34.25 km toward wherever.

Let's clear things up. This shouldn't be that difficult.

soccerchamp76, pick a destination, you made the last stretch to Fairbanks point us in the next direction. My personal vote would be for Anchorage, Alaska (571.2 km from Fairbanks), but anywhere.

Here's a photo of downtown Fairbanks for us to enjoy.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...airbanks05.jpg

and a great shot of the northern lights.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/120/2...9cd0dbcc0e.jpg

I agree with meanspleen, we should keep track of our total distance, and our distance to the next destination, and please add your total to the overall numbers to try and make it less confusing for others.

I got in a short 3.6 km walk today.

Total distance travelled = 850.3 km

Distance from Fairbanks to next destination (whatever it may be) = 43.9 km

onwards to Anchorage.....and away!

In the past month I have run 45.3m

God I love my Nike iPod. Hopefully when the weather gets nice, I can add to this.

I got in a nice 19.6 km bar-hopping bike ride (does it count even though I stopped and had a few beers during the middle of it)?

I'll add pmb145's last month's contribution of 45.3 miles, or 72.5 km.

Grand Total - 850.3 + 72.5 + 19.6 = 942.4

Distance from Fairbanks to Alaska - 136 km (435.2 km to go)

Keep up the pace, we're on a roll!

5 mile run today

Self Total 107 miles
Grand total 942.4 + 8km = 950.2km

The two main components (now) to keep track of whenever you add distance are the following:

1) The total distance covered
2) The distance covered towards the next location

All the information should be available in the post above for totals! Anything else you may add is fine, but those two things are the most important!

I like to keep track of personal mileage, personal total towards goal, total towards next location, and (new) total distance covered.

13.7 km bike ride today. I really liked this one, hilly and scenic, and I could easily add distance to it without backtracking, and I can stop at the post office and grocery before the final leg back home.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...ings/342405537

Total distance = 950.2 + 13.7 = 963.9km

Distance towards Anchorage from Fairbanks = 157.7km (413.5 km to go)

6 miles today

Self Total 113 miles (since beginning of thread)
Grand Total 959.9km
Towards next location: 153.7km

6 miles again yesterday

Self Total 119 miles
Grand Total 969.6km
Towards next location: 163.4km

Bike 21km + run 8km = 29km
Grand Total = 998.6km
Towards next location = 192.4km

*** On 4/18 there were two posts posted at a point in time together that the total amount of kilometers logged is not correct. I have made adjustments, and we are actually 13.7 km closer than previously reported ***

Rather boring ride, except for the aftermath of a pretty ugly car accident... outside of a Boomers funpark :( (think mini race cars for kids and adults and maybe a mini golf course and other stuff)

It was two Indian guys (from India) in their new Mercedes (SL r230?), with an unknown casualty in the backseat receiving medical attention, against a Dodge Caravan with a Mother, Father, and at least one sub-10 year old son. From what I could deduce from the damage to the vehicles, it looked like the Mercedes was leaving the parking lot at the same time the Dodge was in, or going into the turn lane in the middle of the road.

The Mercedes plowed into the drivers side mid to front section of the Dodge, effectively pinning the male driver in the Dodge in his seat. The Dodge suffered pretty major damage on that side, but the van itself may be salvageable. The mother was wheeled away in a neck brace, with hemorrhaging from the face. The boy was on the stretcher, and was able to move his arm. They had to use either the Jaws of Life, or a motorized cutter (maybe the same thing) to pry the sliding door on the passengers side open to extract the boy. The father was still pinned in the front seat with a yellow sheet over him to probably keep him warm. Arm movement was visible from the street.

The two guys in the Mercedes looked to be okay. The entire front of the Mercedes was smashed in or torn apart. The car itself does not look to be salvageable. They were standing outside the car, and taking turns checking in on an unknown passenger in the backseat. They were able to talk to the police and help with one of the EMT who was on scene giving medical attention to the backseat passenger.

In total there were about 5 squad cars on scene providing support, or traffic assistance. Three separate ambulances were on scene, and possibly one to two more additional. Two fire trucks, one standard, one ladder, were on scene as well. Luckily, or unluckily as you may see it, the fire station is two and a half blocks away by street, less than half a mile.



Todays contribution = 36km

Total self contribution = 256+36 = 292km

Total distance = 998.6 + 13.7 + 36 = 1048.3km

Distance towards Anchorage from Fairbanks = 192.4 + 13.7 + 36km = 242.1 (329.1 km of 571.2km to go)

I ran 13 miles today, bringing my counts to:

Self Total 132 miles
Grand Total 20.9km + 1048.3km = 1069.2km
Towards next location = 242.1 + 20.9 = 263 km

Grand Total 5.2km + 1069.2km = 1074.7km
Towards next location = 5.2 + 263km = 268.2 km

+4.4 km

272.6km of 571.2 km toward anchorage ; 1079.1 km total

+4.8km

277.4km of 571.2 km toward Anchorage

1083.9 km total

Bike 12km + run 3km = 15km
Towards next location = 292.4
Grand Total = 1098.9

5 miles yesterday

Self Total 137 miles
Grand Total 1106.9km
Towards next location 300.4km

First true night ride of the season! It was wonderful!

Todays contribution = 33km

Total self contribution = 292+33 = 325km

Total distance = 1106.9 + 33 = 1139.9km

Distance towards Anchorage from Fairbanks = 300.4 + 33 = 333.4 (of 571.2km)

+12.9 km

1152.8 km total

346.3 km of 571.2 km toward fairbanks

Just finished 7 miles (11.3km)

Self Total 144 miles
Grand Total 1152.8 + 11.3 = 1164.1km
Towards next location 346.3 + 11.3 = 357.6km (of 571.2)

G-Maps Pedometer Report
 

Sorry this took so long, folks, but this is a visual on what we've done so far. If I was better at this, and a topographer, I might factor in hills and rivers and valleys to make the route more interesting that a straight line... however, life's too short.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=898199

As you were. More KMs from me tomorrow.

5 miles (8km) last night

Self Total 149 miles
Grand Total 1164.1 + 8 = 1172.1 km
Towards next location 357.6 + 8 = 365.6km

Grand Total 1172.1 + 4.5 = 1176.6 km
Towards next location 365.6 + 4.5 = 370.1km of 571.2km

Todays contribution = 34km

Total self contribution = 325+34 = 359km

Total distance = 1176.6 + 34 = 1210.6km

Distance towards Anchorage from Fairbanks = 370.1 + 34 = 404.1 (of 571.2km)

Almost there! We can totally get there this week!

4 miles (6.4 km)this morning

Self Total 153 miles
Grand Total 1210.6 + 6.4 = 1217.0 km
Towards Next Location 404.1 + 6.4 = 410.5 (of 571.2)

Grand Total 1217 + 5 = 1222 km
Towards Next Location 410.5 + 5 = 415.5 (of 571.2)

4 miles closer!

Self Total 157 miles
Grand Total 1222 + 6.4 = 1228.4
Towards Next Location 415.5 + 6.4 = 421.9 (of 571.2)

Grand Total 1228.4 + 3.6 = 1232 km
Towards Next Location 421.9 + 3.6 = 425.5 km (of 571.2)

Was raining last night, but forced myself to get some riding time in as it has been a while.

18.8 km Bike Ride

Total Self Contribution 55.2 +18.8 = 74 km

Grand Total 1232 + 18.8 = 1250.8 km

Distance towards Anchorage from Fairbanks 425.5 + 18.8 = 444.3 km (of 571.2)

Todays contribution = 45km

Total self contribution = 359+45 = 404km

Total distance = 1250.8 + 45= 1295.8km

Distance towards Anchorage from Fairbanks = 444.3 + 45= 489.3 (of 571.2km)

Okay! Maybe we'll get there this week! Right!?



right?

4 miles this morning

Self Total 161 miles
Grand Total 1295.8 + 6.4 = 1302.2km
Towards Anchorage 489.3 + 6.4 = 495.7km

Last week:
7.9 km elliptical trainer
7.4 km elliptical trainer

And, I finally got my bike out, now that I'm convinced the snow ain't comin' back this season. I did a light 10 k'er to start and it went pretty good. I'll be starting to run in the next while too; I'm on a cross-training program.

7.9 + 7.4 + 10.0 = 25.3 km

Grand Total: 1302.2 + 25.3 = 1327.5
Towards Anchorage: 495.7 + 25.3 km = 521 km (of 571.2)

And I didn't mean to leave this until the weekend. I usually try to post the day I do the workout... sorry.

Well, this will work out well for me since I started my marathon training for the year. I suppose it's not fair to back track, so I'll just post what I did today: 10 miles (or 16 km)

1327.5 + 16 = 1343.5

Grand Total: 1343. 5 + 5.5 = 1349
Towards Anchorage: 537 + 5.5 km = 541.5 km (of 571.2)

The running improves by the week. But I took my first bike ride on Thursday. Watch out, motherFs.

Bring that shi' on!

1349 + 20 = 1369km
Towards Anchorage: 541.5 + 20 = 561.5km

Todays contribution = 33km

Total self contribution = 404+33 = 437km

Total distance = 1369 + 33= 1402km

Distance towards Anchorage from Fairbanks = 561.5 + 33= 594.5 (of 571.2km)

*DING DING DING* LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AND THE NOT SO GENTLEMEN IN THE AUDIENCE, WE HAVE ARRIVED AT OUR DESTINATION!!! *DING DING DING*

I thought about going to as our next stop, down the lovely stretch of the Alaskan highway, into our lovely neighbor to the north, CANADA!!! We were going to visit a little place called White Horse, in the Yukon Territory. But I noticed that its over 1200kilometers away. THIS IS ABOUT SMALL SEXY (and achievable?) GOALS. Keep interest high as we go from new place to new place!!

SO INSTEAD, we go to the just as sexy (but even closer) CORDOVA, Alaska!! *bells and whistles*

Careful everyone! You can shave with these clams!! (ba-dum-tshhh)

Our next location, CORDOVA ALASKA, is a mere 624 kilometers away!

From Anchorage AK to Cordova = 594.5 - 571.2 = 23.3 km (of 624km to Cordova AK)

meanSpleen... now it's your turn to do a feature post on Anchorage. Give us a nice little tour. Pics would be nice.

I knew that!!! Maybe!

ANCHORAGE

Did you know that relative to the rest of Alaska, Anchorage is HUGE? This city is the largest in the entire state both in physical size, and in population!

http://www.mindspring.com/~alutiiq/p...set-apr003.jpg

Tourism plays a major part in the city's economy, but for some odd reason it is usually in the mid-spring to early autumn parts. Something about it being too cold during the rest of the year! Maybe those boats can't sail in. Who knows?!!?

http://www.anchorage-alaska-lodging....ska-eagle1.jpg

Watch out for the Grizzly Bears!

http://www.hickerphoto.com/data/medi...-bears_192.jpg

Check it out! Anchorage LIVE CAMS of the city! ---- http://www.acsyellowpages.com/webcam.htm

Watch out! You can get educated in the state's biggest University, the University of Alaska, Anchorage! -- http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/
Interested in Aviation? They got you covered!

G-Maps Pedometer Report
 

Nice work, Spleen

1402 + 3.7 (treadmill) + 11 (bike to lesson) = 1416.7km Total Distance

23.3 + 3.7 + 11 = 38km (of 624km to Cordova AK)

Check out our progress a la "Indiana Jones aeroplane style" at the following link: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=938736

I truly enjoy riding my bike at night now. Like, 8pm at night. You have to pay so much more attention that you can feel yourself become even more focused on the small details of riding your machine. Every small crack or unevenness in the road becomes magnified and it almost seems like you can feel the road better. Probably because you can barely see it!

ON THAT NOTE (SEGUE!??!)

Let It Be Known - I hate people who wear all black exercise clothing/outfits/whatever when they are out walking on a marked BIKE PATH in an area with NO LIGHTS, and that, while I have right of way and have a front headlight on the front of my bike REFUSE to not get in a single file line and continue to walk three abreast taking up the whole lane. It is not that I don't mind the taking up the entire path. It is the fact that, while dressed all in black, at night when everything is black, and while a light is being shone upon them by a 15+mph bike THEY STILL APPEAR BLACK AND THEREFORE ARE EXTREMELY HARD TO SEE!!!!

Todays contribution = 33km

Total self contribution = 437+ 33 = 470km (32.4%)

Total distance = 1416.7 + 33= 1449.7km

Distance towards Cordova from Anchorage = 38 + 33= 71 (of 624km to Cordova AK)