fortwayne to chicago hghts...
we have had some really good luck in road conditions for the most part, but every once in a while things go way south--which is an expression that basically means, the roads were really shitty, the salient word being really!
day 14 (80 miles)--a grand day out: setting out from fort wayne we got out into the country side fairly quickly only to be greeted by a steady head-wind. as long as we were headed west we were going to have to just keep our heads down and pedal. i don't know about jalil, but i was constantly experimenting with body position and aerodynamics. we started longing for the times we would turn north in our zig-zag trail toward chicago.
a section coming into mentone had the winds at our backs and we practically flew, drafting each other in our highest gears--a rarity on this trip so far. we celebrated with a foot-long sandwich at a subway (getting to be a regular stopping place--and this particular one played a part the next day). after a desert cookie, we pedaled off into the sun as it started its evening descent but soon stopped to watch a farmer combining his beans. when he was switching from the tractor pulling a wagon load of beans to the actual combine--with a monstrous 40 foot picking head!--he came over to talk with us. turned out he and his dad worked over 2000 acres and now that harvest has started would be very busy until after halloween. no wonder his dad wandered out into the field and wondered aloud "taking a break?"
we put in about twenty good miles west before getting to another turn north. a golf course right at the corner looked too good to pass up as a camping spot. we pulled into the club house and asked about a place to crash. the owner got all excited about us sleeping on his acre knoll he had tucked between two holes and the sprinklers he was just about to turn on. it was indeed a fantastic spot, complete with an apple and a pear tree, even though the pears were just on the edge of being ripe. (do i remember sadie telling me otavio loved pears like that...?) as we set up our tents in this perfect spot jalil announced "uh-oh, i think i left my phone and wallet back at subway..." we decided to sleep on any action given it was 20 miles back and that big signs had said "now open at 6am!" that seemed like strong advice to take care of it in the morning.
day 15 (70 miles)--a funky start and a fine finish: up at my usual 5-ish o'clock, i scared the women opening the clubhouse when i knocked on the window to see if we could call the subway. i ended up hitchhiking--and walking a fair bit--back and was jubilant when the morning crew turned the items over, even though i didn't "look like the owner of the wallet!" we have both been getting darker with all the sun, but jalil had a bit of a head start.
i ate when i got back, we packed up, and finally took off just before noon. given our late start, we were skeptical of whether we would get to chicago heights or not. heads down into the wind or backs upright to help sail when it got behind us, we put in 70 plus hot miles. this was the day that inspired this post's title--the part about roads can suck for biking...
from lacross to kouts we had the worst broken pavement and lack of shoulder combination we have had yet. it was seven miles of wondering if we would just bounce off into the ditch or if the next truck whizzing by would blow us into the corn or beans. jalil had mentioned that he just reposted this blog address on facebook "because it was full of exaggerations and lies." at least for this section death seemed relatively close to the truth.
the next ten miles from kouts to hebron seemed tame even though the entire road was line-less. save for a periodic 4-6 inch smooth-ish strip at the very edge, the surface was comparable to a gravel road, oiled and solid, but definitely rough. i never asked, but i bet jalil might even rather go through astabula oh again--maybe even at rush hour--than repeat this section.
angling north west out of hebron just before 5pm, we got onto 231 with a smooth and wide shoulder and suspected we could actually make it to saint john to stay with matt, my brother. with the wind not directly in our faces, we might even beat him there. at crown point we started winding our way through the back roads and about 7 miles later, passed matt and kathy's to get a treat from ice cream truck blasting its "summer song" just down the street. after trying to break into the wrong house one block from matt's we finally figured things out and unloaded in their garage and braved the 'vicious' dog molly when she greeted us--ten minutes before matt pulled in. it was a good reunion, complete with hot showers, plenty of great food, and a comfortable place to sleep. we could go to mum's in chicago hghts tomorrow.
day 16 (20 miles)--short is not always sweet: it was only a few miles...but i would skip the eastern end of joe orr road if i was to do it again. we left just before noon and an hour later pulled into my mum's drive--scaring a couple of the outside cats she feeds as we parked our bikes. in the last two weeks and one day, we had put in about 1000 miles, with the heat, wind, and hills, it seemed like enough. back in fort wayne we debated where jalil would pack his bike and fly out to la, and this seemed to be the appropriate place.
turns out my nephew mason manages the goodspeed bike shops close by and we visited one to get a box to start the packing process...
ciao
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015
why did the raccoon cross the road?
...to get run over! headed south and west, from twinsburg ohio to fort wayne indiana.
jalil wondered aloud, "do raccoons have some sort of problem with crossing roads?"
from a bike, one sees a tremendous amount of 'road kill'...mammals: from a tiny shrew to a rather large deer; reptiles: turtles, frogs, and snakes; birds: colorful songbirds to large hawks; invertabrates: ubiquitous grasshoppers to hundreds of butterflys--including the monarchs who just settle down near the road when their trip is finished; and one of my favorites, tools and assorted equipment: cresent wrenches, screwdrivers, bungie cords, and rolls of duct tape.
not so amazing, and just as sad, is the amount of trash...i was attempting to keep track of the little flossing sticks after noticing easily a dozen or more one day in ny state. the next day maybe half, a dozen, tapering to only one yesterday in western ohio.
day 10 (70 miles)--into our first hard rain: setting out from twinsburg quieted jalil right down. not that he is a ever a noisy person, but it was obvious, even to me, leaving his family had a strong emotional impact.
what started out a fine day riding away from cleveland and into the countryside. jalil's mom had warned us about a hill "we might have to walk up!" we assured her that our hill practice in vt and ny would make anything ohio had to offer 'cake!' she was right about it being steep--the steepest we encountered yet, thankfully it was short--and although we did not walk we were definitely out of the saddle and heavy breathing by the time we topped out.
later, with a couple of crazy detours and a torrential down pour, we got pushed way off our intended path and very wet. it may have been for the best though as we met alex who took us to his house, back close to our path, and let us sleep in a dry shed. i helped him bleed the brakes on his girlfriend's van and only got a little bit wetter. it rained even harder once i crawled into my sleeping bag. the metal roof was drumming all night with the sounds the down pour and an occasional sharp crack of an acorn. we didn't make as many miles as we wished, but we were dry for the night.
day 11 (80 miles)--flat and windy: if we remember yesterday for the rain, we might remember today for the wind. while jalil prefers the wind to the hills, i am quite the opposite. i look down the road and mark where a line of trees will give us a bit of a break and wish that there could be more.
while the wind was at us all day, the 'road' was really pleasent. on one of our detours yesterday we ran into about ten miles of the north coast inland trail as it ran past oberlin. we hit it today in norwalk after breakfast at berry's and a visit to the local bike shop--established back around 1912! it lasted on an off for many miles, some paved, some gravel, until we got to fremont. going through clyde, we stopped for lunch and i saw this historical marker (skip p., i am actually reading some of the ones we pass!) and thought of the english department at mascoma.
later, as we approached custer, i could see a huge group of grain elevators from miles off. i told jalil that from my experience that promised at least one gathering spot. sure enough, just before dark, we pulled up to the custer tavern and were able to get some supper. we had to use lights to find a place to sleep after, but it seemed worth it...
day 12 (75 miles)--a cold morning with a fine evening: ...it seemed great the night before, gave me a bit of apprehension the next morning. i got past the several trains that rumbled through town during the night, and didn't even mind the temperature down in the 40's--jalil ate breakfast with his full gloves on. what bothered me was the little tendrils of poison ivy i noticed next to our tents and how during my nightly visit to the bushes i may have tread on some...i am waiting for the itch. (speaking of itch, my arm still feels funny from getting stung by a wasp way back in gowanda ny.)
we got on the sunny road and peddled off into the ever increasing wind hoping for fort wayne indiana by the evening. at a second or third lunch in antwerp ohio, we figured the last 20-30 miles would be windy, but very doable, especially since we were turning somewhat south. around 10 miles away from jalil's brother's amir's place (three ' in a row!), i noticed my rear tire was really out of round and rubbing on the brakes. another spoke had popped and of course it was on the freewheel side. i disconnected the rear brake and we wobbled into fort wayne arriving to a cheering party. amir's neighbors were all out shouting encouragement and congratulations. it was a good feeling. equally cheery was the warmth amye, whom amir is living with, welcomed us with. to top off an amazing evening, amir's red beans and rice, plus the corn bread was super delicious!
day 13--resting and bike repair: bike shop day...the back wheel has been replaced and we are ready to start rolling toward chicago heights tomorrow! amye's hospitality has surpassed generosity--she is one of the warmest persons i have ever met. amye works with all sorts of people who need support, especially young adults. she has a passion for using horses to help connect people to their abilities. check out the model she just heard about and you will know the people she loves to help. amir and jalil got in a good amount of quality time. a hot sun dried the tents from the custer dew in no time.
later
jalil wondered aloud, "do raccoons have some sort of problem with crossing roads?"
from a bike, one sees a tremendous amount of 'road kill'...mammals: from a tiny shrew to a rather large deer; reptiles: turtles, frogs, and snakes; birds: colorful songbirds to large hawks; invertabrates: ubiquitous grasshoppers to hundreds of butterflys--including the monarchs who just settle down near the road when their trip is finished; and one of my favorites, tools and assorted equipment: cresent wrenches, screwdrivers, bungie cords, and rolls of duct tape.
not so amazing, and just as sad, is the amount of trash...i was attempting to keep track of the little flossing sticks after noticing easily a dozen or more one day in ny state. the next day maybe half, a dozen, tapering to only one yesterday in western ohio.
day 10 (70 miles)--into our first hard rain: setting out from twinsburg quieted jalil right down. not that he is a ever a noisy person, but it was obvious, even to me, leaving his family had a strong emotional impact.
what started out a fine day riding away from cleveland and into the countryside. jalil's mom had warned us about a hill "we might have to walk up!" we assured her that our hill practice in vt and ny would make anything ohio had to offer 'cake!' she was right about it being steep--the steepest we encountered yet, thankfully it was short--and although we did not walk we were definitely out of the saddle and heavy breathing by the time we topped out.
later, with a couple of crazy detours and a torrential down pour, we got pushed way off our intended path and very wet. it may have been for the best though as we met alex who took us to his house, back close to our path, and let us sleep in a dry shed. i helped him bleed the brakes on his girlfriend's van and only got a little bit wetter. it rained even harder once i crawled into my sleeping bag. the metal roof was drumming all night with the sounds the down pour and an occasional sharp crack of an acorn. we didn't make as many miles as we wished, but we were dry for the night.
day 11 (80 miles)--flat and windy: if we remember yesterday for the rain, we might remember today for the wind. while jalil prefers the wind to the hills, i am quite the opposite. i look down the road and mark where a line of trees will give us a bit of a break and wish that there could be more.
while the wind was at us all day, the 'road' was really pleasent. on one of our detours yesterday we ran into about ten miles of the north coast inland trail as it ran past oberlin. we hit it today in norwalk after breakfast at berry's and a visit to the local bike shop--established back around 1912! it lasted on an off for many miles, some paved, some gravel, until we got to fremont. going through clyde, we stopped for lunch and i saw this historical marker (skip p., i am actually reading some of the ones we pass!) and thought of the english department at mascoma.
later, as we approached custer, i could see a huge group of grain elevators from miles off. i told jalil that from my experience that promised at least one gathering spot. sure enough, just before dark, we pulled up to the custer tavern and were able to get some supper. we had to use lights to find a place to sleep after, but it seemed worth it...
day 12 (75 miles)--a cold morning with a fine evening: ...it seemed great the night before, gave me a bit of apprehension the next morning. i got past the several trains that rumbled through town during the night, and didn't even mind the temperature down in the 40's--jalil ate breakfast with his full gloves on. what bothered me was the little tendrils of poison ivy i noticed next to our tents and how during my nightly visit to the bushes i may have tread on some...i am waiting for the itch. (speaking of itch, my arm still feels funny from getting stung by a wasp way back in gowanda ny.)
we got on the sunny road and peddled off into the ever increasing wind hoping for fort wayne indiana by the evening. at a second or third lunch in antwerp ohio, we figured the last 20-30 miles would be windy, but very doable, especially since we were turning somewhat south. around 10 miles away from jalil's brother's amir's place (three ' in a row!), i noticed my rear tire was really out of round and rubbing on the brakes. another spoke had popped and of course it was on the freewheel side. i disconnected the rear brake and we wobbled into fort wayne arriving to a cheering party. amir's neighbors were all out shouting encouragement and congratulations. it was a good feeling. equally cheery was the warmth amye, whom amir is living with, welcomed us with. to top off an amazing evening, amir's red beans and rice, plus the corn bread was super delicious!
day 13--resting and bike repair: bike shop day...the back wheel has been replaced and we are ready to start rolling toward chicago heights tomorrow! amye's hospitality has surpassed generosity--she is one of the warmest persons i have ever met. amye works with all sorts of people who need support, especially young adults. she has a passion for using horses to help connect people to their abilities. check out the model she just heard about and you will know the people she loves to help. amir and jalil got in a good amount of quality time. a hot sun dried the tents from the custer dew in no time.
later
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
september can be so hot...
from delmar new york to twinsburg ohio ...and new york state can be very hilly. we thought that after we got through the green mtns things would be less precipitous--we were wrong. jalil says he would rather be surprised by the hills than be able to see them for a mile or more before you have to go up. i love hills, but this heat is killing me. we left nancy and robert's house on friday am and headed for rt 20 west. we stayed on that for days three into a bit of six.
day 4 (65 miles)--still hot and plenty hilly: the next day seemed to get hotter and the hills kept coming. at some point towards the end of the day i realized we were close to cazenovia and a lake. now, we had only gotten in just over sixty miles but with the heat and hills, a lake side camp seemed like an appropriate reward. we pulled into the public swimming area and jalil discovered they even had a shower in the bathroom. we set up on one of the picnic tables and i tried jb-welding the stove while we cleaned up. we heated some beans and had tostadas of a sort.
day 5 (80 miles)--plenty hot and still hilly: at one point riding up another "big ass hill," as jalil calls them, i saw a sign for apple fritters ahead. jalil pulled in after me and said "i knew you would pull in here." keith oneil at oneil's orchard, and his wife pat, gave us access to a hose and water. i had a couple of fritters and licked the plate they were so good and jalil had some barbecued chicken and licked his fingers. keith got out his tablet and started looking at our route. he gave us the news that the hills got smaller after skaneatales. he was pretty right on with that. we went for a swim in the finger lake at skaneatales to try and cool our bodies down. jalil was wicked excited when he spotted a dead duck on the bottom. as we headed west from there, things seem to go faster.
day 6 (100 miles)--maybe not quite as hot and certainly less hilly, most of the time: at avon ny we turned off 20 and took 39 west (which ran mostly south for the first half). the same keith, told us about letchworth state park which we went right close by...only we didn't stop. it got to the point that we were so hot and wanted to make cleveland before october...jk but, we kept peddling and i made a deal to go back some day. from what i hear, we missed it. one reason we kept going was that the wind was picking up and directly into our face. a long climb out of a valley just past perry was particularly brutal. but at the top where i stopped in some shade, jalil came up and pointed out the two trees that form an arch. i actually didn't even notice but got a picture of him directly under it--only my finger is also in the frame and i have not learned to crop yet.
day 7 (80)--fresh fruit for sale and for the picking: speaking of crops, what we didn't miss was when 39 ended back at 20, i stopped at feinen's fruit stand. marcia feinen was selling the fruit and veggies and was super good to us. we bought peaches and grapes and chatted about this and that, mostly about how wonderful the fruit was, as we inhaled it in front of her. she filled up another bag to "send with us along our way." both jalil and i thought that if only jay could have been here with us--to eat a peach! i have never eaten so many peaches and grapes in one day, it was probably lucky that the librarian at fredonia, preferred that we not eat in the library. interestingly, we set up camp that night inbetween an vineyard and a 50-60 foot drop into lake erie. we hung close to the grapes though jalil did challenge me to dive in...
day 8 (75 miles)--suffering the crazy drivers in more and more traffic: well, we got up real early, packed, and rode into pennsylvania to breakfast at a table in front of mazza winery. it was a fine breakfast of bagels and peanut butter for starters, more fruit, and assorted things from our overstuffed food bags. as at all our prime stopping spots a well appointed bathroom was provided. the riding stayed pretty flat as we followed 5 down the coast. erie pa was a bit of a chore to get through but nothing like rush hour in astabula ohio (see later). we got a little sprinkled on but nothing drenching. the rain was easy to deal with as it came with wind and once the front got by us the wind died down to an acceptable level. we stopped for first lunch at a farm stand and i picked up some delicious pumpkin butter to add to the pantry. late lunch was just into ohio at the rainbow cafe in conneaut. we were a tad early for pasta night so jalil ate a pizza and i had a humungus hot veggie sub. (we have taken to eating foot long subs and wondering what else we could consume--this time i had a half-pound of "gamma's potato salad" i picked up at a local grocery just before...)
as we peddled away full, we came up to a road closed sign back on 20. the guy we asked about getting around it, gave us a hard time for missing all the signs that "we had to have seen for miles." we figured things out and got going again after flagging a friendly driver down for the local unmarked detour--"turn right at the 'mike's mowers' sign." (three or four other cars stopped when i waved, one of them even waving back, but rushed off as i approached to ask.) down the road we hit ashtabula at just the wrong time--rush hour--and with 20 under more construction, it was not at all relaxing. jalil was able to push through and we got into geneva at dusk. kim, a friend he has known since third grade (and reports that he is still the same jalil!) graciously came out and picked us up and drove us through any further traffic madness to jalil's mom's house in twinsburg.
day 9: today is a rest day...jalil has already done laundry and made me a grilled cheese. i am on my second pot of tea as i finish this and we get ready to watch the nina simone documentary. (this movie was really intense and highly informative about so many aspects of nina simone--i recommend it highly!) i also had to fix two rear spokes--of course they were on the freewheel side. we found a local shop and got it done quickly. he--curtis--also cut me two extra and i taped them on the seat tube. we are close to being ready tomorrow...
ciao
day 3 (75 miles)--plenty hot and hilly: that first day out from albany we ran into some really big ones...the kind you see from miles away. i can remember one in particular around carlisle, climbing about a thousand feet in three big jumps over four miles. i met two guys pouring cement with their hose out and got a wet down before going up a much smaller fourth climb. i took to wetting the shirt down two or three times a day when i could find cool water.
at the top of another particularly large hill, this one at the end of the day, we found a 'park' area for people to pull off and rest just before you drop into cherry valley. we took the truck stopped there as a sign that we should also. this was our first camp. picnic tables and grass made it all quite comfortable. jalil was not so sure about the bats, but i took them as a good sign. the only issue i had was with our soda can stove. i have to make a new one i think.
day 4 (65 miles)--still hot and plenty hilly: the next day seemed to get hotter and the hills kept coming. at some point towards the end of the day i realized we were close to cazenovia and a lake. now, we had only gotten in just over sixty miles but with the heat and hills, a lake side camp seemed like an appropriate reward. we pulled into the public swimming area and jalil discovered they even had a shower in the bathroom. we set up on one of the picnic tables and i tried jb-welding the stove while we cleaned up. we heated some beans and had tostadas of a sort.
day 5 (80 miles)--plenty hot and still hilly: at one point riding up another "big ass hill," as jalil calls them, i saw a sign for apple fritters ahead. jalil pulled in after me and said "i knew you would pull in here." keith oneil at oneil's orchard, and his wife pat, gave us access to a hose and water. i had a couple of fritters and licked the plate they were so good and jalil had some barbecued chicken and licked his fingers. keith got out his tablet and started looking at our route. he gave us the news that the hills got smaller after skaneatales. he was pretty right on with that. we went for a swim in the finger lake at skaneatales to try and cool our bodies down. jalil was wicked excited when he spotted a dead duck on the bottom. as we headed west from there, things seem to go faster.
day 6 (100 miles)--maybe not quite as hot and certainly less hilly, most of the time: at avon ny we turned off 20 and took 39 west (which ran mostly south for the first half). the same keith, told us about letchworth state park which we went right close by...only we didn't stop. it got to the point that we were so hot and wanted to make cleveland before october...jk but, we kept peddling and i made a deal to go back some day. from what i hear, we missed it. one reason we kept going was that the wind was picking up and directly into our face. a long climb out of a valley just past perry was particularly brutal. but at the top where i stopped in some shade, jalil came up and pointed out the two trees that form an arch. i actually didn't even notice but got a picture of him directly under it--only my finger is also in the frame and i have not learned to crop yet.
day 7 (80)--fresh fruit for sale and for the picking: speaking of crops, what we didn't miss was when 39 ended back at 20, i stopped at feinen's fruit stand. marcia feinen was selling the fruit and veggies and was super good to us. we bought peaches and grapes and chatted about this and that, mostly about how wonderful the fruit was, as we inhaled it in front of her. she filled up another bag to "send with us along our way." both jalil and i thought that if only jay could have been here with us--to eat a peach! i have never eaten so many peaches and grapes in one day, it was probably lucky that the librarian at fredonia, preferred that we not eat in the library. interestingly, we set up camp that night inbetween an vineyard and a 50-60 foot drop into lake erie. we hung close to the grapes though jalil did challenge me to dive in...
day 8 (75 miles)--suffering the crazy drivers in more and more traffic: well, we got up real early, packed, and rode into pennsylvania to breakfast at a table in front of mazza winery. it was a fine breakfast of bagels and peanut butter for starters, more fruit, and assorted things from our overstuffed food bags. as at all our prime stopping spots a well appointed bathroom was provided. the riding stayed pretty flat as we followed 5 down the coast. erie pa was a bit of a chore to get through but nothing like rush hour in astabula ohio (see later). we got a little sprinkled on but nothing drenching. the rain was easy to deal with as it came with wind and once the front got by us the wind died down to an acceptable level. we stopped for first lunch at a farm stand and i picked up some delicious pumpkin butter to add to the pantry. late lunch was just into ohio at the rainbow cafe in conneaut. we were a tad early for pasta night so jalil ate a pizza and i had a humungus hot veggie sub. (we have taken to eating foot long subs and wondering what else we could consume--this time i had a half-pound of "gamma's potato salad" i picked up at a local grocery just before...)
as we peddled away full, we came up to a road closed sign back on 20. the guy we asked about getting around it, gave us a hard time for missing all the signs that "we had to have seen for miles." we figured things out and got going again after flagging a friendly driver down for the local unmarked detour--"turn right at the 'mike's mowers' sign." (three or four other cars stopped when i waved, one of them even waving back, but rushed off as i approached to ask.) down the road we hit ashtabula at just the wrong time--rush hour--and with 20 under more construction, it was not at all relaxing. jalil was able to push through and we got into geneva at dusk. kim, a friend he has known since third grade (and reports that he is still the same jalil!) graciously came out and picked us up and drove us through any further traffic madness to jalil's mom's house in twinsburg.
day 9: today is a rest day...jalil has already done laundry and made me a grilled cheese. i am on my second pot of tea as i finish this and we get ready to watch the nina simone documentary. (this movie was really intense and highly informative about so many aspects of nina simone--i recommend it highly!) i also had to fix two rear spokes--of course they were on the freewheel side. we found a local shop and got it done quickly. he--curtis--also cut me two extra and i taped them on the seat tube. we are close to being ready tomorrow...
ciao
Friday, September 4, 2015
lost and found in the hills...
day 1 (80 miles)--our first day out and already...: it was a cool and foggy morning, at least once we started rolling down the road--jalil put his long sleeve on by the end of stark hill road. pam woke a tad early to take some pictures. we final packed, said our farewells, and started pedaling...
at the corner of stark hill and rt. 4, stopped so jalil could shirt up, pat mccleary beeped as he went by on his way to the school. i waved then and again as i passed the high school. it still hasn't hit me that i retired, i am just doing something different. i realized it is just like my conception of friendships: i am intensely in the moment--loyal if we are talking friends--but i don't dwell on things. the practice has its benefits and has become a 'new age' mantra--be present.
my presence was now on the bike and even though i wished the returning teachers--and custodians--a great year as we went by mascoma, my joy was now biking, not in leaving a long happy career. i will definitely miss people: staff, students, parents... this brought back the memory of nadine gordimer's wonderful book burger's daughter, and the line where rosa burger notes that "sentiment is for those who don't know what to do next." i am traveling across the country on a bike with jalil, and it is good.
so good that jess paterson, a former student, saw us pedaling through cornish. we were headed to another alum's house down in brattleboro vermont. carly reitsma, now with her husband jesse and their two kids, maeble and lena, let us occupy their wonderful space. i am still kicking myself that i didn't take a picture of the beautiful family.
since getting there is half the fun, i should say some more about the ride...it was hot and jalil and i lost each other. considering that we hope to get at least to the rockies, that didn't bode well as a first day. but, it was equally hot the second day and is promised to stay that way for a while. however, jalil and i have established a more secure bond without my having to "get a phone" as pam strongly suggested. i do admit, it would make things more convenient, but...
one of the coolest things about a long distance bike ride is all the people you meet. i use the word loosely as some just pass quickly by, beep, give a thumb's up or wave, while others help you find a bathroom and volunteer to 'guard' your bikes while you are using it. we had a fun little conversation talking about the repair to a collapsed road along side the connecticut river with a flagman just before walpole. the topic morphed into a short list of local heron and egret rookeries and ended with directions to get to an established bald eagle nest. then there were the folks at west hill bike shop that helped me reconnect with jalil, at least by phone, and straighten out my rear derailur.
i already mentioned carly and family, and i sit and type at this very moment with nancy and robert, long time friends of pam and me. these fine folks were waiting for as at the end of some huge hills.
day 2 (70 miles)--hot and hill -- y, as in one big mother: it was just as hot as yesterday only today we had to climb up and over hogback mtn. between brattleboro and albany. i think that first part of the climb was tougher, but jalil is sticking with the second set of ups before searsport.
i took a picture of jalil, in the shade, on the way up one of those 'hills'. the effort was fairly grueling but gave some downhill wind in our hair, or lack there of in my case. it was practically a cruise into ny state even though we were both tired. it was also much cooler.
i want to go on record here that jalil is amazing! before this summer he has only ridden a bike around the neighborhood as a kid. now, he is committed to riding for at least three weeks. on top of that, he has entrusted me as a guide. i am honored and hope that my tendency to ride along most of the day and 'stealth camp' by the side of the road does not freak him out--too much. (i am thinking back to that moose head at jesse's that strarted this whole trip.)
robert actually grabbed us in troy and ferried us through city traffic to their place on the edge of albany. nancy opened her larder to two hungry bikers and after the feast, gave us each a bed. we have been well taken care of, and even though the next planned stop at a house is cleveland, i expect our camps to be comfortable enough on the road--only maybe with less luxury. i look forward to that.
at the moment though, i woke up way too early today and should stop here and actually eat some breakfast...more breakfast that is.
ciao
my presence was now on the bike and even though i wished the returning teachers--and custodians--a great year as we went by mascoma, my joy was now biking, not in leaving a long happy career. i will definitely miss people: staff, students, parents... this brought back the memory of nadine gordimer's wonderful book burger's daughter, and the line where rosa burger notes that "sentiment is for those who don't know what to do next." i am traveling across the country on a bike with jalil, and it is good.
so good that jess paterson, a former student, saw us pedaling through cornish. we were headed to another alum's house down in brattleboro vermont. carly reitsma, now with her husband jesse and their two kids, maeble and lena, let us occupy their wonderful space. i am still kicking myself that i didn't take a picture of the beautiful family.
since getting there is half the fun, i should say some more about the ride...it was hot and jalil and i lost each other. considering that we hope to get at least to the rockies, that didn't bode well as a first day. but, it was equally hot the second day and is promised to stay that way for a while. however, jalil and i have established a more secure bond without my having to "get a phone" as pam strongly suggested. i do admit, it would make things more convenient, but...
one of the coolest things about a long distance bike ride is all the people you meet. i use the word loosely as some just pass quickly by, beep, give a thumb's up or wave, while others help you find a bathroom and volunteer to 'guard' your bikes while you are using it. we had a fun little conversation talking about the repair to a collapsed road along side the connecticut river with a flagman just before walpole. the topic morphed into a short list of local heron and egret rookeries and ended with directions to get to an established bald eagle nest. then there were the folks at west hill bike shop that helped me reconnect with jalil, at least by phone, and straighten out my rear derailur.
i already mentioned carly and family, and i sit and type at this very moment with nancy and robert, long time friends of pam and me. these fine folks were waiting for as at the end of some huge hills.
day 2 (70 miles)--hot and hill -- y, as in one big mother: it was just as hot as yesterday only today we had to climb up and over hogback mtn. between brattleboro and albany. i think that first part of the climb was tougher, but jalil is sticking with the second set of ups before searsport.
i took a picture of jalil, in the shade, on the way up one of those 'hills'. the effort was fairly grueling but gave some downhill wind in our hair, or lack there of in my case. it was practically a cruise into ny state even though we were both tired. it was also much cooler.
i want to go on record here that jalil is amazing! before this summer he has only ridden a bike around the neighborhood as a kid. now, he is committed to riding for at least three weeks. on top of that, he has entrusted me as a guide. i am honored and hope that my tendency to ride along most of the day and 'stealth camp' by the side of the road does not freak him out--too much. (i am thinking back to that moose head at jesse's that strarted this whole trip.)
robert actually grabbed us in troy and ferried us through city traffic to their place on the edge of albany. nancy opened her larder to two hungry bikers and after the feast, gave us each a bed. we have been well taken care of, and even though the next planned stop at a house is cleveland, i expect our camps to be comfortable enough on the road--only maybe with less luxury. i look forward to that.
at the moment though, i woke up way too early today and should stop here and actually eat some breakfast...more breakfast that is.
ciao
Friday, August 28, 2015
gearing up...
as said, it rained and i started making piles. the sleeping bags, pads, and solo tents--that red bag on a yellow stuff sack on the left--will go on top of our rear racks. my pile on the left has clothes included, while jalil's is still wanting most of that. cooking gear is in the middle and i am still toying with which stove set up to take--the msr white gas rig or the dry gas soda can one. all these decisions remind me of going down the cereal isle in the grocery store.
the main reason for this post is to try out the itouch camera uploading system.
i can handle tech, but a lot of the interfaces are new to me as i still have yet to join most social media trends. my go to 'help' is sawyer and we have talked about the relative merits of instagram, picasa, and this and that (shades of the cereal isle again).
another amazing change compared to the last time i did this--besides a doubling of my age--is the specialized bike gear i am using. i can remember sticking circuit board cutouts under my insoles in a pair of running shoes which did make them stiffer, until they cracked. my khaki shorts and cotton t-shirts seemed fine but, they are a heck of a lot heavier and not great when wet. along about minnesota, i finally bought bike gloves, a hand-saver, just much too late. comfort and safety are key, still, i try not to get too obsessive.
back to the 'to do before you go' list...
ciao
the main reason for this post is to try out the itouch camera uploading system.
i can handle tech, but a lot of the interfaces are new to me as i still have yet to join most social media trends. my go to 'help' is sawyer and we have talked about the relative merits of instagram, picasa, and this and that (shades of the cereal isle again).
another amazing change compared to the last time i did this--besides a doubling of my age--is the specialized bike gear i am using. i can remember sticking circuit board cutouts under my insoles in a pair of running shoes which did make them stiffer, until they cracked. my khaki shorts and cotton t-shirts seemed fine but, they are a heck of a lot heavier and not great when wet. along about minnesota, i finally bought bike gloves, a hand-saver, just much too late. comfort and safety are key, still, i try not to get too obsessive.
back to the 'to do before you go' list...
ciao
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