Shortly before 11AM today, Rick checked into TS 37 at Effingham, IL: 2139 miles completed and 866 to go. With about 77 hours left to cover that distance, Rick needs to maintain an 11.2 MPH pace to officially finish. This certainly is still within Rick’s grasp. But on top of all the miles and neck pain, the heat and humidity are probably the highest Rick has seen since the start. Temperatures are in the 90’s and the dew point is a staggering 78F — that puts the heat index up around 106F. And for any exposed sections of the course, the on-road temperatures will be even hotter.
Update: NOAA Heat Advisory posted:
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL 1157 AM CDT FRI JUN 18 2010 ...HEAT INDEX VALUES OVER 100 DEGREES THIS AFTERNOON... ILZ062-063-066>068-071>073-182130- /O.NEW.KILX.HT.Y.0002.100618T1800Z-100619T0000Z/ CUMBERLAND-CLARK-EFFINGHAM-JASPER-CRAWFORD-CLAY-RICHLAND-LAWRENCE- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...EFFINGHAM...FLORA...LAWRENCEVILLE 1157 AM CDT FRI JUN 18 2010 ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LINCOLN HAS ISSUED A HEAT ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING. * TEMPERATURE...HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE LOWER 90S...WITH HEAT INDEX VALUES RANGING FROM 100 TO 105 DEGREES INTO EARLY EVENING. * IMPACTS...HEAT EXHAUSTION CAN OCCUR QUICKLY IF PROPER PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT A PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES IS EXPECTED. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL CREATE A SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS...STAY IN AN AIR CONDITIONED ROOM...STAY OUT OF THE SUN...AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS.
The Spot Tracker data is showing Rick battling on in these horrendous conditions. But not surprisingly, progress has been slow as Rick heads to TS 38 in Sullivan, IN. To stay on track, Rick would need to arrive before 6 PM EDT, but his current pace has him arriving after that. There’s a 20% chance of thundershowers in the forecast — those would be a welcome relief right about now!
-Tom Rosenbauer Eastern PA RBA p.s. Several of the previous posts have been updated … as you check out anything you may have missed, be sure to look at the very nice comments that followers have been leaving!
Hey Rick, pain is temporary. Quitting is for ever.
You can do it, we know you can
G
Thanks for all the great updates! All the best to Rick… many people are following and rooting for him!!!
Hey, Rick. I just took pictures of Jure Robic riding through Mt. Airy, MD on his way to Annapolis. But I am really looking forward to seeing you there. You can do it!
Rick – you’re an inspiration. Here’s hoping for some cool temps and more pleasant evening riding, maybe a tail wind to help the pace a bit too.
Mike
Rick – Its too hot when you stop! Keep going! Have your crew get some super soaker guns so they can shoot you with water from 25 ft back.
Scott
Rick, you’ve dealt with this kind of weather and heat before. I know you’re tired but you’re strong. Make your own wind buddy and ride! Support crew, you’re just awesome. Keep him going. I always used to blow on my mom when she had hot flashes, maybe that would work!
Hang in there, kid! You’re headed toward the beach!
Had to pass along what Paul said. “At this point I would say he’s already won. He’s just accumulating more bad ass points!”