Friday May 20, 2010
Chester, Va
Made it home on Tuesday after doing about 96 miles @ ~12 MPH. The day started out rainy but ONLY for the first 2 hours or so. Then the nice rolling hills of Virginia took over. What a much needed relief.
Chris ended up having a flat just north of Ashland where we had planned to have lunch. ( I guess he couldn't wait until we stopped). He actually ended up having a blow out. It's a good thing he was carrying an extra tire.
Ran into (not literally) another biker while we were fixing Chris' flat. He was on his way North. All packed up but by himself. He was raising money for a hospital in Canada. I told him that i didn't think the hospitals needed extra fundraising (just my opinion).
Then we found another biker from Australia on her third day going from Va to California just as we were leaving lunch. She was planning on bicycling for 3 and 1/2 months. I think my buttocks (and my wife) would divorce me.
The last 30 miles went like a breeze knowing we were getting close. I think both Bill and Chris' knees were aching a bit by then.
Sandy and crew fixed a huge supper of salmon, tuna, steak and chicken to commemorate our return. We half expected the streets to be lined with cheering fans as we pulled into Chester, kinda like in the Tour de France....Oh well.
Except for the weather, What a great trip. I would do it all over again tomorrow. Actually I am. The MS Dare ride is this weekend. (Richmond to Williamsburg on Saturday and back on Sunday). A mere 75 miles each day...should be a piece of cake.
So I'm already planning round 3. Where, when and who are to be determined forthwith. Hopefully forged a lasting relationship with Chris and Bill that they will want to accompany me in the future.
Until then......All is well.
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Friday, May 21, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Monday May ??, 2010
Fredricksburg, Va
Yesterday, we ended up in Woodbridge, Va, after a beautiful ride thru Mt. Vernon. 30 miles of the 67 were on a trail. Beautiful!!! Probably not good to have been going thru on a Sunday. I have never seen that many bikers/runners/walkers in my life between Saturday and Sunday. Probably thousands. TERRIFIC!!! Nobody waves but then we realized that there are too many to wave at.
So, we miscalculated by 50 miles and did not make it home by Monday. Not sure how we did that, especially since I'm kinda in charge of the maps and maps are kinda my thing ( i study them in my private library).
Woke to rain. Rode in rain . Went to supper in rain. Guess what...it rained today!!! We were suppose to get 1-2 inches today and I'm pretty sure we got it.
We ended up only doing 57 miles today and arriving at 3 pm (earliest yet). Got to take a nap and a well deserved hot tub.
Bill had a flat (more like a blow out), luckily at a closed store so we had refuge from the rain. We are getting pretty good at changing flats although i really didn't want to get good at that. It made me realize that since i bought my new bike, i am not carrying a spare tire (3 tubes but no tire) (the one i was carrying fit the old bike). Let's hope for the best with no need for any spare parts.
We finally got into flat territory and averaged 12.3 MPH. If wasn't raining who knows...I kept telling them that this what i was used to training on (not that it's completely flat just rolling hills, much more acceptable).
Splurging at a Marriott, hence the computer access.
One more day, if everything stays on track, even though it will be a 90+ mile day. Looking forward to seeing my kids and hugging :) my wife.
All is well.
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Fredricksburg, Va
Yesterday, we ended up in Woodbridge, Va, after a beautiful ride thru Mt. Vernon. 30 miles of the 67 were on a trail. Beautiful!!! Probably not good to have been going thru on a Sunday. I have never seen that many bikers/runners/walkers in my life between Saturday and Sunday. Probably thousands. TERRIFIC!!! Nobody waves but then we realized that there are too many to wave at.
So, we miscalculated by 50 miles and did not make it home by Monday. Not sure how we did that, especially since I'm kinda in charge of the maps and maps are kinda my thing ( i study them in my private library).
Woke to rain. Rode in rain . Went to supper in rain. Guess what...it rained today!!! We were suppose to get 1-2 inches today and I'm pretty sure we got it.
We ended up only doing 57 miles today and arriving at 3 pm (earliest yet). Got to take a nap and a well deserved hot tub.
Bill had a flat (more like a blow out), luckily at a closed store so we had refuge from the rain. We are getting pretty good at changing flats although i really didn't want to get good at that. It made me realize that since i bought my new bike, i am not carrying a spare tire (3 tubes but no tire) (the one i was carrying fit the old bike). Let's hope for the best with no need for any spare parts.
We finally got into flat territory and averaged 12.3 MPH. If wasn't raining who knows...I kept telling them that this what i was used to training on (not that it's completely flat just rolling hills, much more acceptable).
Splurging at a Marriott, hence the computer access.
One more day, if everything stays on track, even though it will be a 90+ mile day. Looking forward to seeing my kids and hugging :) my wife.
All is well.
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Saturday, May 15, 2010
Saturday May 15, 2010
Brookeville, Md.
Well, since this the first time I've had access to a computer i get to blog. The problem is all the days have run together. So I'll just give you some of the more unfuzzy highlights.
The weather has to be the talk from record highs in Maine to record lows in New York (26 degrees) to hot, hot, hot in Pennsylvania. The wind has been really bad to almost none but almost always in our faces. The hills have been mostly, can you guess, up and down. We left one day at noon because of the rain. My bike has not been cooperating so i stopped at a bike shop and it was beyond repair. Did i mention i had to buy a new bike...Yesterday was through Amish country. Today was gorgeous with temps in the 50's to begin with and maxing out in the high 70's.
Doing approx 75 -100 miles a day but length is being dictated by hills/wind/rain.
The hotels ( I'm being generous), have been having their problems. But at least we have a bed and shower. Not a Hampton Inn in sight!!!
By our calculations, we only have two more days and should be arriving on schedule on Monday.
If I remember any more, I'll blog it next time. Until then...............
All is well.
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Brookeville, Md.
Well, since this the first time I've had access to a computer i get to blog. The problem is all the days have run together. So I'll just give you some of the more unfuzzy highlights.
The weather has to be the talk from record highs in Maine to record lows in New York (26 degrees) to hot, hot, hot in Pennsylvania. The wind has been really bad to almost none but almost always in our faces. The hills have been mostly, can you guess, up and down. We left one day at noon because of the rain. My bike has not been cooperating so i stopped at a bike shop and it was beyond repair. Did i mention i had to buy a new bike...Yesterday was through Amish country. Today was gorgeous with temps in the 50's to begin with and maxing out in the high 70's.
Doing approx 75 -100 miles a day but length is being dictated by hills/wind/rain.
The hotels ( I'm being generous), have been having their problems. But at least we have a bed and shower. Not a Hampton Inn in sight!!!
By our calculations, we only have two more days and should be arriving on schedule on Monday.
If I remember any more, I'll blog it next time. Until then...............
All is well.
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Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Sunday May 9, 2010
Windsor Locks, Conn
Well, I guess we had to pay for our day off yesterday. We had 15-25 MPH headwinds all day with gusts up to 40. Isn't that a category 1 hurricane?!? Combine that with an outrageous amount of hills...we figured we had 10 up for every one down (only a slight exaggeration). It was scary even going downhill as the wind had a tendency to gust whenever...imagine that?!? We couldn't figure...it would be blowing in our face and we would take a left turn and it's still in our face. It's kinda like when the smoke chases you around the campfire. Beautiful blue skies, though.
We ended up with 65 miles but only 9.3 MPH. We are where we were suppose to be last night.
Several dropped chains (all mine) but no f____. I actually don't want to jinx it by spelling it out or saying it out loud (it has to do with how much air is in the tubes).
Learned a valuable lesson yesterday...even though it was raining, i still need to drink. Woke up after my nap yesterday (after only doing 20 miles in the cool rain), with a dehydration fever. Still need to drink whether i feel the 'need' or not.
Suppose to be 35 degrees in the morning with a wind. I'm going to be wearing everything i brought (so i may have a tendency to look like the Michelin Man). No pictures, PLEASE!!!
Think good thoughts and get me one or the other (or both)...No Hills or if there is going to be wind, let it be from behind us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All is Well,
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Saturday, May 8, 2010
Saturday May 8, 2010
Sutton, Mass
Let's catch up on yesterday before all the days start to to blur...Made it to Westboro, Ma in 87 miles at 11.5 MPH. It seems like we have either hills or wind. Yesterday we got both. This wind, if it wasn't directly in our face, was blowing from our right side and nearly knocked us off the bike several times. It pushed us briefly from behind and we were grateful for the respite. But then it changed directions or we did, and there it was, back in our faces.
Stayed at a quaint little motel with very accommodating owners/managers. I got a free beer upon checking in. :) Chicken Parmesan seems to be the food of the day. (Sandy would be proud).
The mechanical problems seem to be lessening. Although, we couldn't finish the ride because my rear tire went flat which we had to blown up twice in the last 5 miles to finish (by the time we checked in at motel, it was flat). My derailleurs are not cooperating and the dirt/grit/water is not helping. Makes it interesting going up hills. All those trips to the bike store to get the bike perfect doesn't seem to have worked out like planned.
So, back to today. Ate breakfast and fixed the flat but can't seem to manage to leave early (it gets light here REAL early). Got on road at 8:50 to a steady rain. It went from a light drizzle to absolute down pour. The only time it wasn't raining was when we had stopped for a hot chocolate (I just wanted to pour it over my head) at 15 miles after almost 3 hours. As we got back on the bikes, it started to pour again. Doesn't make the downhills any fun. Did i mention zero ability to stop!!! We found out about a motel near the route and stopped for the day at 19 miles. It did not take much arm twisting to convince Chris or Bill to stop. After a 2 hour nap, we woke up to blue sky's. UGH!!! It was suppose to rain all day. The weathermen were right again...Suppose to be very windy tomorrow. I CAN'T wait!!!
Off to dinner.
All is well.
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Sutton, Mass
Let's catch up on yesterday before all the days start to to blur...Made it to Westboro, Ma in 87 miles at 11.5 MPH. It seems like we have either hills or wind. Yesterday we got both. This wind, if it wasn't directly in our face, was blowing from our right side and nearly knocked us off the bike several times. It pushed us briefly from behind and we were grateful for the respite. But then it changed directions or we did, and there it was, back in our faces.
Stayed at a quaint little motel with very accommodating owners/managers. I got a free beer upon checking in. :) Chicken Parmesan seems to be the food of the day. (Sandy would be proud).
The mechanical problems seem to be lessening. Although, we couldn't finish the ride because my rear tire went flat which we had to blown up twice in the last 5 miles to finish (by the time we checked in at motel, it was flat). My derailleurs are not cooperating and the dirt/grit/water is not helping. Makes it interesting going up hills. All those trips to the bike store to get the bike perfect doesn't seem to have worked out like planned.
So, back to today. Ate breakfast and fixed the flat but can't seem to manage to leave early (it gets light here REAL early). Got on road at 8:50 to a steady rain. It went from a light drizzle to absolute down pour. The only time it wasn't raining was when we had stopped for a hot chocolate (I just wanted to pour it over my head) at 15 miles after almost 3 hours. As we got back on the bikes, it started to pour again. Doesn't make the downhills any fun. Did i mention zero ability to stop!!! We found out about a motel near the route and stopped for the day at 19 miles. It did not take much arm twisting to convince Chris or Bill to stop. After a 2 hour nap, we woke up to blue sky's. UGH!!! It was suppose to rain all day. The weathermen were right again...Suppose to be very windy tomorrow. I CAN'T wait!!!
Off to dinner.
All is well.
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Thursday, May 6, 2010
Thursday May 6, 2010
Exeter, N.H.
Well, no blog yesterday as the dive motel had no computer access. This place provided what looked like 2 washclothes. The only problem is one of them was the bath towel.
Yesterday's trip was a little longer than expected as we got slightly lost and then the motel was off the beaten path. So we ended up with 97 miles but with lots of hills, only averaging 11.3 MPH. Less mechanical problems, only dropped chains.
Met another biker (he was just out for ride) who took pity on us and not only showed us where the hidden motel was but also went home and changed clothes and took us in his car to dinner. Fellow bikers are great. Kudos to Dennis and his beautiful daughter Jazmine. Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou.
Back to today. We got off map and onto real roads but this actually panned out better. Shorter, flatter and with a nice shoulder. Started out before we left the motel room with a flat on my bike. After fixing it, we walked out to rain which continued for the next 4 hours. At least I know my new untried rain gear works really well. Mechanical problems getting lesser by the day. Ended up with only 77 miles but with a vicious head wind (i thought the wind was always suppose to be behind me!!!). My wife called me a woos for ONLY doing 77 miles. :)
The roads are slighly better here than in Maine. It was explained to me that there are more miles of road per capita than any other state so they don't have the tax money to fix them. People seem nice for the most part except for the red neck in a pick up truck who threw a muffin at us this morning. Red necks are every where!!!
They are hitting record heats in Maine. Isn't that wonderful?!?
All pasta upped and ready for bed.
All is well.
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Exeter, N.H.
Well, no blog yesterday as the dive motel had no computer access. This place provided what looked like 2 washclothes. The only problem is one of them was the bath towel.
Yesterday's trip was a little longer than expected as we got slightly lost and then the motel was off the beaten path. So we ended up with 97 miles but with lots of hills, only averaging 11.3 MPH. Less mechanical problems, only dropped chains.
Met another biker (he was just out for ride) who took pity on us and not only showed us where the hidden motel was but also went home and changed clothes and took us in his car to dinner. Fellow bikers are great. Kudos to Dennis and his beautiful daughter Jazmine. Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou.
Back to today. We got off map and onto real roads but this actually panned out better. Shorter, flatter and with a nice shoulder. Started out before we left the motel room with a flat on my bike. After fixing it, we walked out to rain which continued for the next 4 hours. At least I know my new untried rain gear works really well. Mechanical problems getting lesser by the day. Ended up with only 77 miles but with a vicious head wind (i thought the wind was always suppose to be behind me!!!). My wife called me a woos for ONLY doing 77 miles. :)
The roads are slighly better here than in Maine. It was explained to me that there are more miles of road per capita than any other state so they don't have the tax money to fix them. People seem nice for the most part except for the red neck in a pick up truck who threw a muffin at us this morning. Red necks are every where!!!
They are hitting record heats in Maine. Isn't that wonderful?!?
All pasta upped and ready for bed.
All is well.
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Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Tuesday May 4, 2010
First day is behind me. Always good to get that out of the way. Didn't realize that there would be so many other firsts....First flat, first rain, first flat in the rain, dropped chain, dropped chain the rain...
So many hills. When i usually train around home, i rarely use my gears because it's so flat. I was on my lowest gear three times in first three miles and probably 25 times all day.
Chris had the first flat. We don't need any more experience changing flats but thank you.
Pulled in with about 20 minutes before dark. Started at 8:00. Lots of hills and head wind. UGH!!!
Maine has been voted the worst road conditions in the US by the Alphabet Cycling Team (Adam, Bill and Chris).
All pasta upped and hot tubbed. (are those even words).
Looking forward to round two.
All is well!!!!!!
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First day is behind me. Always good to get that out of the way. Didn't realize that there would be so many other firsts....First flat, first rain, first flat in the rain, dropped chain, dropped chain the rain...
So many hills. When i usually train around home, i rarely use my gears because it's so flat. I was on my lowest gear three times in first three miles and probably 25 times all day.
Chris had the first flat. We don't need any more experience changing flats but thank you.
Pulled in with about 20 minutes before dark. Started at 8:00. Lots of hills and head wind. UGH!!!
Maine has been voted the worst road conditions in the US by the Alphabet Cycling Team (Adam, Bill and Chris).
All pasta upped and hot tubbed. (are those even words).
Looking forward to round two.
All is well!!!!!!
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Monday, May 3, 2010
Monday May 2, 2010
Hi all,
Drove up to Maine on Sunday. The traffic was incredible in and around NYC. I'm glad i live in little old Chester. I think after experiencing my brother-in-law's driving , that it will be much safer on the bike!!!
Spent the day in Acadia National Park. Unbelievable!!!! Got WAY out of my comfort zone by climbing a sheer rock wall mountain. The view from the top was indescribable. I hope the pictures do it justice.
Just met #3 rider and we are off to dinner.
Ride starts tomorrow. Weather suppose to be good. Wind is blowing and there are a lot of hills, but I'm thinking positive and the winds behind me and the hills are all down.
All is well.
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Hi all,
Drove up to Maine on Sunday. The traffic was incredible in and around NYC. I'm glad i live in little old Chester. I think after experiencing my brother-in-law's driving , that it will be much safer on the bike!!!
Spent the day in Acadia National Park. Unbelievable!!!! Got WAY out of my comfort zone by climbing a sheer rock wall mountain. The view from the top was indescribable. I hope the pictures do it justice.
Just met #3 rider and we are off to dinner.
Ride starts tomorrow. Weather suppose to be good. Wind is blowing and there are a lot of hills, but I'm thinking positive and the winds behind me and the hills are all down.
All is well.
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