Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Short day today. Only 35 miles, but with our steepest hill yet. 3.5 miles with grades ranging between 6 and 10 degrees. Good test. Just passed the 500 mile mark. Tonight we’re at a church with the pavilion as pictured below. I’ve staked out a picnic table for my pad and sleeping bag. It’s getting much warmer that at the beginning so sleeping inside gets very stuffy. Note the pouring rain that started after we got to cover. There’s finally good internet and good cell service at the same time so I’m going to post a bunch of pictures. Labels should explain
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Day off…..finally
We rode 55 miles yesterday ending in Damascus, va. Our cumulative mileage in just under 500. As we rode yesterday we noticed that schools were open. I was told that memorial day was originally established at the end of the civil war to honor the union troops lost in the battle. Down here they’re still fighting the war so they symbolically don’t recognize the holiday. I’m really not sure if this stuff is all true, but it makes a pretty good story. I certainly couldn’t pass joeys country kitchen so it was a delicious mid morning coffee and French toast stop. We had three long climbs, one was about 6 miles with no break, but the grade was only 3-5 degrees so it wasn’t a problem and of course the long climb were rewarded with screaming down hills. Damascus is a small town that survives on tourist services. The trans am bike trail crosses the Appalachian trail plus there’ s lots of mountain bike trails. I met a couple in town today who are taking 6 months to hike to complete trail with their dog, Einstein. We are staying in a very rustic camp for the layover. I lucked out and was able to snag a cabin. Bed and electricity but no sink or toilet. I was able to latch the screen door and was serenaded by a small river running just outside the room. Best night’s sleep so far. For the last three or four days we’ve been crossing over and under interstate 81. I couldn’t help but remember the cross country trip I made in 2005 with TOM BRUCCOLERI when we left newtown Monday morning and had lunch in san diego on Thursday. I’m sure as we raced along I-81 and I-40 I must have had some fleeting thoughts of seeing the country at a civilized pace. The mind works in funny ways while pedaling mile after mile. There’s a definitely rhythm that occurs and becomes almost meditative. I was riding for a short distance directly adjacent to I-81(see photo). An incident from the early ‘70s popped into my mind. I was driving along a very congested cross Westchester expressway with beth and ami’s great great grandmother, beth blum sitting in the back seat. Out of the clear blue she makes the observation “wouldn’t it be nice if all those people on the road were riding bicycles instead of cars”. She was quite a lady!!!!! Today has been very relaxing. Leisurely breakfast, then into town to do laundry. Went to the post office and picked up a wonderful care package from caryn. A box of every kind of candy available at bob evans. Actually it was an anniversary gift as today marks 18 years of wedded bliss. It will be very interested to see how refreshed I am when we get back on the road tomorrow after a day off the bike. We’ll see.
We rode 55 miles yesterday ending in Damascus, va. Our cumulative mileage in just under 500. As we rode yesterday we noticed that schools were open. I was told that memorial day was originally established at the end of the civil war to honor the union troops lost in the battle. Down here they’re still fighting the war so they symbolically don’t recognize the holiday. I’m really not sure if this stuff is all true, but it makes a pretty good story. I certainly couldn’t pass joeys country kitchen so it was a delicious mid morning coffee and French toast stop. We had three long climbs, one was about 6 miles with no break, but the grade was only 3-5 degrees so it wasn’t a problem and of course the long climb were rewarded with screaming down hills. Damascus is a small town that survives on tourist services. The trans am bike trail crosses the Appalachian trail plus there’ s lots of mountain bike trails. I met a couple in town today who are taking 6 months to hike to complete trail with their dog, Einstein. We are staying in a very rustic camp for the layover. I lucked out and was able to snag a cabin. Bed and electricity but no sink or toilet. I was able to latch the screen door and was serenaded by a small river running just outside the room. Best night’s sleep so far. For the last three or four days we’ve been crossing over and under interstate 81. I couldn’t help but remember the cross country trip I made in 2005 with TOM BRUCCOLERI when we left newtown Monday morning and had lunch in san diego on Thursday. I’m sure as we raced along I-81 and I-40 I must have had some fleeting thoughts of seeing the country at a civilized pace. The mind works in funny ways while pedaling mile after mile. There’s a definitely rhythm that occurs and becomes almost meditative. I was riding for a short distance directly adjacent to I-81(see photo). An incident from the early ‘70s popped into my mind. I was driving along a very congested cross Westchester expressway with beth and ami’s great great grandmother, beth blum sitting in the back seat. Out of the clear blue she makes the observation “wouldn’t it be nice if all those people on the road were riding bicycles instead of cars”. She was quite a lady!!!!! Today has been very relaxing. Leisurely breakfast, then into town to do laundry. Went to the post office and picked up a wonderful care package from caryn. A box of every kind of candy available at bob evans. Actually it was an anniversary gift as today marks 18 years of wedded bliss. It will be very interested to see how refreshed I am when we get back on the road tomorrow after a day off the bike. We’ll see.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Saturday was the hardest day yet. We rode 55 miles with over 4000 feet of total ascent. Compounding the difficulty was the heat with strong direct sun. I thought I’d be in trouble due to every part of me being very, very sore…knees, neck, back and especially tuchie. I got on my bike this morning with great trepidation, but miracle of miracle I rode strong and with no discomfort. I guess there’s good days and bad days with no explanation. Today was overcast and cool for the first half of the day that went real far in helping to conserve energy. We road 54 miles of rolling hills. Its was 4 m.p.h up hill and a very cooling down hill at 25-30 m.p.h. found our first dairy queen today, which on this route has a tradition of never passing a dq so it was hot dogs and soft serve ice cream. Also, had my first flat tire. And when I say first I really mean first. I’ve never changed a tire. I got the tube and tire off but couldn’t figure out getting the new stuff on. Luckily after a few minutes so others in the group caught up to me and helped. Some sad news today. Jerry whose been riding a recumbent bike had been struggling on the hills and took a spill yesterday. He decided to bail out and go home. I know he’s disappointed and the rest of us will miss him. Other than the flat that can’t be helped my bike has performed perfectly. I must thank the folks at class cycles in southbury. Making the best recommendations on every part of my bike setup. So kudos to roy and his whole crew and robin who spent about 3 hours getting the bike fitted to me.
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