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Thursday, June 23, 2011
Day 9 1/2: Tolland, CT to North Oxford, MA
Lee received this message around lunchtime today. "I'm sitting in a restaurant on Route 20 and it looks like rain forever. I think I'm just south of Worchester. The address is: Periwinkles Restaurant, 917 Southbridge St., North Oxford, MA 01537." The subject was "Done!"
I left Tolland this morning under an overcast sky with wet cycling shorts and gloves. It felt good for three to four minutes. Not really, but I tried to convince myself. I traveled 42 miles @ 13.1 mph and felt fine; however, traffic was picking up, no shoulder on the road, and it occurred to me that if I was playing blackjack, I would have left the table long ago. Weather projection for Boston was more rain.
This could be the earliest I've ever sent a blog entry, but I have a little extra time. The car GPS sent Lee on a scenic tour through New York City! I'm feeling better about my SOPG and patiently waiting for my connection to Bar Harbor, Maine. It's easier to be patient while having a beer.
One final note about this excursion. You can see from the departure pic that I was traveling light. Under five lbs. for necessities and repair equipment for the bike. The airlines love me!
It's over and out from this road jockey, until next time.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
I left Tolland this morning under an overcast sky with wet cycling shorts and gloves. It felt good for three to four minutes. Not really, but I tried to convince myself. I traveled 42 miles @ 13.1 mph and felt fine; however, traffic was picking up, no shoulder on the road, and it occurred to me that if I was playing blackjack, I would have left the table long ago. Weather projection for Boston was more rain.
This could be the earliest I've ever sent a blog entry, but I have a little extra time. The car GPS sent Lee on a scenic tour through New York City! I'm feeling better about my SOPG and patiently waiting for my connection to Bar Harbor, Maine. It's easier to be patient while having a beer.
One final note about this excursion. You can see from the departure pic that I was traveling light. Under five lbs. for necessities and repair equipment for the bike. The airlines love me!
It's over and out from this road jockey, until next time.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Day 9: Kent, CT to Tolland, CT
This was just one of those days and you, my friends, will provide the emotional catharsis necessary for my full recovery. I started riding a little before 8:00 A.M. in a slight drizzle and then it began to rain. It was one of those rains I was sure would let up within the next week.
The optimism in me was quickly dashed when in the first couple of miles I was detoured off my route. What's a few extra miles in the rain. As I returned to my planned route, it was time to ride uphill in the rain with morning traffic. Could this day start off any better? The hill was significant by southwest Virginia standards and could hold its own with any I've climbed.
I made it to Litchfield, CT without any serious problems. It should be noted that people come from all over the world to see this quaint New England village. Naturally, my ten feet of visibility through fog and rain in amber sunglasses gave me a unique perspective.
It was on to Torrington for my first scheduled break. I was looking for anything that said, "warm and friendly" and had a caffeine kick. Look quick to the right and Dunkin Donuts is waiting. Turn quick to the right and cross the very murky water running in the gutter. Fall quickly to the pavement as my front wheel disappears into a hidden water hole. I picked myself up and walked back to the water hole. I carefully placed my foot into what I could not see and only my calf remained above water level. I'm pretty sure this concealed crater once held the lost city of Atlantis!
After a short recovery, it was time to peddle on toward Hartford. At this point, I was becoming a little less optimistic about the day. Wouldn't you know it that Route 44 into Hartford was one of the most harrowing rides ever! Let me repeat it was raining, it was uphill for over one and a half miles, commuter traffic, no shoulder, and an 8% downhill grade for two miles! I felt like I was on ice skates for the first time.
You might guess that by now I was wet, very wet and everything that I had with me was wet. This included my smartphone, which I refer to regularly for map information. The map screen developed ADHD and was impossible to control. I road several extra miles with a smile on my face as I tried to use my SOPG. Smartphones are not that smart when they get wet.
It was 81 joyous miles at a 12.2 mph pace. The road grime and grit embedded in my body will last a lifetime. Thanks for listening.
The amphibious cyclist.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
IMG00100-20110621-1123.jpg
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Day 8: Sussex, NJ to Kent, CT
It was a long 96 miles @ 13.2 mph. I started early and finished late and I'm tired to the bone. The good news is New York is history. Actually, NY was good until late in the day when the temps and the roads started rising.
I've decided that road names with terms like ridge, peak, good view, skyline, etc. should be avoided if possible. Pleasant Ridge Road was not pleasant after 75 miles. It climbed to the heavens and then just rolled up and down enough to let you know that you should not expect anything good from this cycling life!
This conclusion was wrong because just as my spirits were dashed beyond hope, what did I see? Food! More precisely, it was a diner with pie and Gatorade. It was not just any pie, but lemon meringue pie. Geez, life is good on the road.
Here's to the sweet and sour of cycling.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Monday, June 20, 2011
Day 7: Bethlehem, PA to Sussex, NJ
It was another pleasant day for riding. I started with about 6 miles on a rails-to-trails conversion which got me headed in the right direction without any hassles with traffic. Now, it was time to start crossing bridges again. First, the Lehigh River in Bethlehem and next the Delaware River. Both crossings were fairly easy compared to the experience of George Washington and my car chase across the Potomac.
The next few miles were congested with traffic and then I made a left turn. All was right with the cycling world. The traffic was light, the road was good, and I was making fairly good time for an old guy on a bike. It was now approaching lunchtime and all I could see was road. Hmmm... I get grumpy without food. I asked a guy working on the road and he directed me two miles downhill. Not happening, unless I'm falling off the bike. It was time to truck on.
I ended up in Newton, NJ for lunch. Great deli and the best part was finding out I only had another ten miles to Sussex. After I arrived in Sussex I found out the town was without lodging. Yours truly was running on empty and it was hot. Time to gear down for a long sustained climb up to the highest point in NJ. About half way up the climb I have a vision. Not a religious thing, but a food thing, ICE CREAM! A farm serving ice cream appeared. A chocolate shake might just bring me to the top of the climb. It was worth a try and I might add that it worked.
I logged 79 miles at 13.5 mph. The day was hot and the last miles were long, but I'm safely tucked away in my motel room and looking forward to crossing New York tomorrow.
This is soda jerk Mick looking for a shakey shakey.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
The next few miles were congested with traffic and then I made a left turn. All was right with the cycling world. The traffic was light, the road was good, and I was making fairly good time for an old guy on a bike. It was now approaching lunchtime and all I could see was road. Hmmm... I get grumpy without food. I asked a guy working on the road and he directed me two miles downhill. Not happening, unless I'm falling off the bike. It was time to truck on.
I ended up in Newton, NJ for lunch. Great deli and the best part was finding out I only had another ten miles to Sussex. After I arrived in Sussex I found out the town was without lodging. Yours truly was running on empty and it was hot. Time to gear down for a long sustained climb up to the highest point in NJ. About half way up the climb I have a vision. Not a religious thing, but a food thing, ICE CREAM! A farm serving ice cream appeared. A chocolate shake might just bring me to the top of the climb. It was worth a try and I might add that it worked.
I logged 79 miles at 13.5 mph. The day was hot and the last miles were long, but I'm safely tucked away in my motel room and looking forward to crossing New York tomorrow.
This is soda jerk Mick looking for a shakey shakey.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Day 6: Lititz, PA to Bethlehem, PA
Today I traveled through the most beautiful countryside. No really! Wonderful farms and rolling hills that seemed endless. Since I was trying to dodge many of the larger cities, this was partly out of necessity.
Several people were helpful along the way and that contributed to a good ride. It got very hot in the afternoon and I arrived late in the day, so I was trashed! The delay was not the distance traveled (70 miles), but a slow pace of 13.1 over the rather steep inclines. By the end of the day these climbs hurt.
I would sound like Lee if I didn't give at least one negative. The hassle of the day was a thousand turns. I had to stop and change from sunglasses to my Rx glasses, mop my brow with my bandanna, get out my BlackBerry, get to the map ap, find my location, check the road signs, and then reverse the process. I spent a lot of time standing or sitting beside the road. No way SOPG was going to work today.
This is the optimistic cyclist signing off for another day.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Several people were helpful along the way and that contributed to a good ride. It got very hot in the afternoon and I arrived late in the day, so I was trashed! The delay was not the distance traveled (70 miles), but a slow pace of 13.1 over the rather steep inclines. By the end of the day these climbs hurt.
I would sound like Lee if I didn't give at least one negative. The hassle of the day was a thousand turns. I had to stop and change from sunglasses to my Rx glasses, mop my brow with my bandanna, get out my BlackBerry, get to the map ap, find my location, check the road signs, and then reverse the process. I spent a lot of time standing or sitting beside the road. No way SOPG was going to work today.
This is the optimistic cyclist signing off for another day.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Day 5: Hump Day from Frederick, MD to Lititz, PA
It was a hot and long day. I traveled 92 miles at 14.2 mph. On the road before 8 am, which is early for this casual tourist, but I had miles to go. Luckily, the terrain was nicely rolling and even most of the traffic was cooperative, which left one person that was not cooperative.
As I crossed the Mason-Dixon Line into the land of "You Have a Friend in Pennsylvania," I had a little situation. After yesterday's blog that was less than friendly to truckers, I was determined that today would be more uplifting. Most of you know that that would be more consistent with my bubbly personality, but I digress.
Some background will help you to understand today's situation. So, under duress, I've been known to weave on the road to miss potholes, experience fatigue on hills with the same results, and even attempt cycling feats beyond my meager set of skills which contributed to erratic riding. Rarely have I ventured into oncoming traffic! Without any of these contributing factors, I was quietly peddling up the road minding my own business, when a "you have a friend" guy drops the "F You" bomb from the oncoming traffic. Now I expect this behavior from some of my friends, but this person was not my friend; hence, my irritation for the day. May the "Force" be with all of you, except the guy in the pickup!
This is your friend signing off in Pennsylvania.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
As I crossed the Mason-Dixon Line into the land of "You Have a Friend in Pennsylvania," I had a little situation. After yesterday's blog that was less than friendly to truckers, I was determined that today would be more uplifting. Most of you know that that would be more consistent with my bubbly personality, but I digress.
Some background will help you to understand today's situation. So, under duress, I've been known to weave on the road to miss potholes, experience fatigue on hills with the same results, and even attempt cycling feats beyond my meager set of skills which contributed to erratic riding. Rarely have I ventured into oncoming traffic! Without any of these contributing factors, I was quietly peddling up the road minding my own business, when a "you have a friend" guy drops the "F You" bomb from the oncoming traffic. Now I expect this behavior from some of my friends, but this person was not my friend; hence, my irritation for the day. May the "Force" be with all of you, except the guy in the pickup!
This is your friend signing off in Pennsylvania.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Friday, June 17, 2011
Day 4: Strasburg, VA to Frederick, MD
Friday is always a day of survival on the bike, but skirting around DC on Friday is like being a part of a demolition derby. After a farm tour with Lyne and Richard (see pic), calling in the highland cattle (see pic) and a rescued horse, it was a late start getting on the road.
Early hours were not easy as I made a few surprising climbs in order to get back on a main route. Finally, I worked my way close to Harper's Ferry, West (By God) Virginia. Roads get narrow in this small stretch beside the confluence of the two rivers. A few 18 wheelers that OWNED the road were hesitant to share. Traffic increased and I politely move to the right into the inch and a half of space reserved for trash and cyclists.
It was time to cross the bridge into Maryland. This is a NARROW bridge and sharing and traffic flow had not improved. In an unlike Mick move, I stopped! The safe pedestrian route was under construction on both sides of the bridge. I waited. I waited. And I waited until I could not see any vehicle coming from behind. After 55 miles of riding the pickup in my legs was a little slow, but fear is a powerful motivator. I hit the pedals with shocking intensity and checked my mirror. Nothing! I road past the construction workers on the bridge and they cheered and waved. I checked the mirror and now I see a vehicle. The race is on! I'm closing in on the far side of the bridge and I can see the orange barrels; however, it's Friday afternoon, and the vehicle is closing fast. Does he slow down? I think not, so as I reach the end of the bridge I dodge between two barrels and find cover!
Shortly, I see a sign that indicates that I'm on a bike friendly road in Maryland! What a relief. That is until
I got to a sign slightly farther down the same road that read, "Bicycling Prohibited." Today was hot and long (81 miles) and slow (14.1 mph). I'm now safely tucked away in my room at Motel 6 in Frederick, MD and I don't care if they leave the light on.
This is your truckers best friend signing off with the "finger flash" not used on the road!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Day 3: Staunton to Strasburg, VA
Expectations for today's weather was a 50-50 chance for rain. The early riding was terrific and then I watched it drizzle while I enjoyed a sausage sub at an Italian restaurant. After lunch I continued my ride in sunshine. I had ridden most of today's 78 miles before lunch at a nice pace just under 16 mph.
It was a great ride with only one disappointment. As I was humming along a slight downhill (about 24 mph), I looked into my rear view helment cam (mirror) and notice another cyclist. Then I looked to the left and saw a blur with a cyclist hat (on backwards), i Pod headphones, no body fat, and legs of steel. I said hi, but since he was going faster than the speed of sound he couldn't hear me! I wanted to load him up with my 5 lbs. of traveling gear and 25 lbs. of winter insulation and then see how fast he could ride. To bad there isn't a way to "handicap" cyclists.
This is the turtle on the road so don't run over me.
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Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Day 2: Fincastle to Staunton, VA
Another great day for cycling with a few caveats. Let me start with my departure from Fincastle. After a great breakfast with Nancy and Alex (see pic), it was time to get ready to ride. My laundry had hung outside to dry overnight. Only problem was, it didn't dry. It was at this point that I began to miss west Texas! If you ever had the urge to put on a wet diaper then I would recommend this procedure. I can tell you, by my estimation, that the padding in cycling shorts holds about a gallon of water!
After a few miles, I began to have an enjoyable ride. This included lunch in Lexington and some relaxation before the final miles. It was then that I was hit with the second caveat. Abiding by my trusty Google cycling maps I made a turn. It was the correct turn; however, Google maps coordinates their cycling maps with the Rails to Trails Conservancy and it's in the Beta version. My turn put me more in the "trails" category. So for about 10 miles on very, very skinny tires I carefully negotiated a gravel road while going UP HILL! My back wheel was spinning because the incline was so steep and on the few downhills I relied on my medical Road ID as a source of inspiration.
The final miles began to drag as my quads started to lament the miles from yesterday and the additional 77 miles today. It was at the very pedestrian pace of 12.4 mph, but I was delighted to arrive in Staunton.
This is the "Diaper Rash Dandy" signing off for another day.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
After a few miles, I began to have an enjoyable ride. This included lunch in Lexington and some relaxation before the final miles. It was then that I was hit with the second caveat. Abiding by my trusty Google cycling maps I made a turn. It was the correct turn; however, Google maps coordinates their cycling maps with the Rails to Trails Conservancy and it's in the Beta version. My turn put me more in the "trails" category. So for about 10 miles on very, very skinny tires I carefully negotiated a gravel road while going UP HILL! My back wheel was spinning because the incline was so steep and on the few downhills I relied on my medical Road ID as a source of inspiration.
The final miles began to drag as my quads started to lament the miles from yesterday and the additional 77 miles today. It was at the very pedestrian pace of 12.4 mph, but I was delighted to arrive in Staunton.
This is the "Diaper Rash Dandy" signing off for another day.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Day 1: Radford to Fincastle
If you were going to do something stupid, today was a terrific day to start. Temps were in the 55 to 65 range most of the day with lots of sunshine and only a little wind. The hills of the New River Valley have faded into the other hills of several valleys between Radford and Fincastle. The scenery along today's route was nothing less than beautiful and serene. (see pic). I tried to enjoy the ride at a comfortable pace of 14.2 mph and not worry about the 78 miles of hills. This mental framework carried me for almost 73 miles. At that point, I stopped at a convenience store for a Gatorade. I was sipping and writing my blog when lightning struck my left quad and hamstring. It was only a slight jolt, but, I fear, a warning shot of what's to come. I had a great dinner and settled in for the night with Alex and Nancy on their farm with Watusi cattle (see pic). This is the vagrant traveler on the road to nowhere.
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Monday, June 13, 2011
GPS versus SOPG
As I researched my plan for traveling the back roads from Virginia to Boston, someone (that would be Christina) inquired about my GPS for cycling. The thought hadn't occurred to me; however, due diligence prevailed and overcame my original plan. The original plan was my personal preferred navigation system, SOPG (seat of pants guidance). This latter system worked nicely for Bill and I on our cross country trip until we arrived in west Texas. Bill wanted to know where we were going and if there were roads to our destinations. This seemed a little picky by my rather low standards for navigation. Anyway, we bought maps and found out that interstate travel via bicycle is really an exciting way to travel!
Well, in the current situation neither GPS nor SOPG seemed to meet my basic needs. It was time to go to the God of the internet, Google. Google maps for cyclists to be more precise. You simply type in beginning and ending locations and you get 50+ pages of turns every 75 feet between Radford and Boston! Eventually, I reduced the font size and chopped the information into a more portable 20 pages. Since I'm going blind trying to read the small print without a magnifying glass, I'm going back to SOPG. It's still my comfort zone!
This is yours truly lost in space,
Mick
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Well, in the current situation neither GPS nor SOPG seemed to meet my basic needs. It was time to go to the God of the internet, Google. Google maps for cyclists to be more precise. You simply type in beginning and ending locations and you get 50+ pages of turns every 75 feet between Radford and Boston! Eventually, I reduced the font size and chopped the information into a more portable 20 pages. Since I'm going blind trying to read the small print without a magnifying glass, I'm going back to SOPG. It's still my comfort zone!
This is yours truly lost in space,
Mick
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Solo Cruiser
The "Old Land Cruisers" blog has been reconstructed as "Solo Cruiser." This means that Bill, Jim, and Warren, my partners in long distance cycling, have regained their senses and created a life beyond "doing dumb things." As for me, I need serious intervention! Lee provides encouragement for my cycling adventures as she makes the call to my life insurance agent. This time I have the security of Medicare to handle my day to day needs as I venture from Radford, Virginia to Stoneham, Massachusetts (just north of Boston). The adventure begins Tuesday, June 14th and depending on how many times I get lost, I should cover slightly less than 800 miles in 10 days. Also, as an exception to my "wing it" philosophy, I have actually planned for overnight arrangements at several destinations. It is my intent to offer daily blog posts as I head from the Confederacy across the Mason-Dixon line into the yankee stronghold where Paul Revere "warned the British!" Who knows what tomorrow may bring? Actually, I'm thinking tomorrow may be too hot to train, so I've created a "rest cycle" for most of the day with a gin and tonic late in the afternoon. Cheers to rigorous training!
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