Day 6: Hazelton to Bethlehem- Bethlehem Israel??

It was how hot today for Grandpa's ride??

Yes Anaca, it was really hot. I just checked and its way hotter in Bethlehem, PA than in Bethlehem, Israel (it hit 92 F today). And people in Bethlehem, Israel are probably not biking 73 miles with 4300 feet of climbing. Oy Vey!  Some temperature-related photos from today!
Believe me, we were watching for ice all day!

Gotta love the heavy hand of the messaging here...

I much prefer the messaging at this church SAG stop "Welcome to Heaven" 

We got out at our usual early start time, this right around 6:20 AM. Here's a shot of us as the sun was coming up.


And here's our buddy George Desser warning us that we need a permit to peddle in a small town on the route.


Today was the toughest day of the week. It was in the high 80's by 9AM, and we completed half our climbing in the first 25 miles of the ride. Luckily we did have shade for a good part of those miles, especially as we biked through Hickory Run State Park.

Bruce and Joanie at Hickory Run


Our toughest climb of the week happened at mile 50 when we climbed Blue Hill, a roughly 900 foot climb and completely sun exposed during our climb. Temps were into the low 90's by this time. There was much celebration at the top of that climb!



There are a lot of families on the Anchor House ride. This year, the Maslanka family has set a new record with 7 family members and one dog participating on the ride! Patty, the Mom, four kids riding, one kid doing (amazing) video production, and her husband who's driving a support vehicle. Here they are on top of the Blue Hill climb. 


We were welcomed into the last SAG stop at mile 60 at a local church, with air-conditioning and church members selling sandwiches.  Near heaven again!


So ends Day 6 of the Anchor House. We survived the hills and the heat so far. Tomorrow is going to be a scorcher- 96 by ride's end. But it will be a little easier as it will be on familiar roads and only 66 miles, with 10 of those miles in procession to Quaker Bridge Mall. Since I'll be driving back to Boston right after the ride's end, no final post from me until Sunday. Thanks for following along so far and stay cool out there! And if you think it's hot here....

Russ Buckley chilling in the hotel pool

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