Capitol bike touring!

We have packed up our bikes to bring home on the plane tomorrow so we are cruising around DC on with the Capitol bike share system. 

We have arrived!

More to come!

U of D to Baltimore

We decided to start our day early because the heat index was supposed to be high. We headed out just before sunrise at 6:30. The sky was misty. We got out of Newark (pronounced "new-ark" not new-wurk like it is said in New Jersey) and onto some beautiful long country roads taking us up and down long rolling hills through horse country. We passed through acres and acres of meticulously maintained pastures. Soon we crossed into Maryland.We traveled along a scenic byway for several miles before turning into more densely wooded areas. The area was filled with horse farms, bean farms and tracks. While the sun was rising, we watched a galloping horse and his rider gallop around the track and then disappear in the fog. So beautiful.   We determined many of the farm fields we passed were lima beans. We continued to pass the occasional apple and peach orchards as well. 

We worked our way close to the Susquehanna river crossing. We were glad to ride these roads- it was shady!! We got to the crossing which is a massive  one mile dam. Oh boy, no shoulder and cars going fast in both directions. We looked at each other and said, "Ok,  stay as far over as you can." But before we clipped in to our pedals, we asked a guy at the stop sign if he was going across. He said no but he would block the cars for us! Awesome! We were so grateful! We  cranked across the bridge, leading the way for his car and several cars behind us. We got a thumbs up and "Yahhhh!!!" from a rider passing us from the other direction. We were all enjoying this scary but enthralling moment. Our blocker gave us a wave and smile and off we went to our next turn. 
Our second directional challenge was when we hit a turn toward a horse farm road that had a small sign posted "private road".  After some discussion and a look to the next road on the iPhone map we decided to head down it. It was  a nice downhill dividing some pristine countryside. I saw some farmers ahead throwing hay, as Amy passed one of the farmers starts yelling at her and throwing up his arms. He didn't see me coming but I stopped and Amy did as well. He told us this was a private road and we were not allowed down it. He said,"Cyclist come speeding down this road  with no regard." He said he had  just had to go to court because recently he got in a fist fight with a cyclist  who came barreling down the road and spooked one of the two horses he was leading. One of the horses broke free and broke his leg.  The horse's injuries cost him $2500. I asked him if we go back up to the main road can we connect with Green Spring Rd. He said we could, but then he softened a little and said we could continue on the private road and find Green Spring Rd. He said you people have to respect the horse properties around here. I totally get it!  I felt bad that that situation had happened to him and that a cyclist caused his horse to go down.  I am not sure if that road was really a private road because there were other homes on it. I just wished, as I do many times when cyclist, driver and horse folks cross paths, that we could all have a little more respect for each other.  If this horseman put a sign at the beginning of the road that said,"Cyclist, speed limit 5 MPH--HORSE PROPERTY" that might be a good solution to this reoccurring situation for him or redirect cyclist with another option. 

As we rode on we grumbled about our leg pain and fatigue. Our leg pains were minimal to the heat we would have to endure as the day progressed. Already at nine in the morning the humidity was rising and sweat was beginning to trickle down our faces. It was time to break out our compact sweat rags. These are great rags that come in a little circular  package about the size of a stack of four half dollar coins.  Adding  a little water allows the material to expand. Amy takes one out, adds some water and tears half off for me. An hour later we are out of water. 

There are no stores to be found, but we find a recreation center. We pull into it and stock up on water, buy a couple of cokes and snacks from the vending machine and enjoy the air conditioned building for a few minutes. I can't believe in these 5 days we have had few crisp fall days and a few hot humid mid-summer like days! As we head out we notice the American flag  at half mast, it's 9/11, the first of many flags at half mast we will see today. 

It's hot!  Within an hour we have to stop again. We stop at a 7-11 in White Marsh, Maryland where we learn they have cancelled school due to the heat. It's ninety-plus degrees. We get more food and snacks and then I said to Amy I am going to get a bag of ice. I sit on the ice for a bit while I drink my second coke of the day then I proceed to fill up my water bottles with mostly ice. I take the rest of the ice in the bag and tie up the top then I place it in my shorts on my lower back.  Amy does the same and we head out. 

We are off the beautiful back country roads now and headed onto 4 lane congested roads with retail and industrial buildings on either side of us. It's very stressful riding. We see the city sign for Baltimore, but sill have quite a ways to go to get to the hotel. We came to a road closed dilemma on our route into the city, but followed the detour signs without a hitch. Every city seems to be the same as we approach it. First, the countryside is left behind then there is generally some sort of industry or retail businesses, as well as suburbia and then as we approach the cities we enter the projects or the ghetto and not until after that, the heart of the city. It's like this with every city on our trip. I don't like these layers. Riding through these layers made me think about why and how this happens. Is it the way it should be?  Is it the only way it works? I try to compare it to other countries I have been to. Are they the same? I don't think so, but I am not sure. 

As Amy and I ate our delicious Maryland crab dinner tonight she asked me what the best part of my day was today. I said to her riding through Maryland; the pastureland, the Susquehanna river area and the pigs who looked at us like we were nutty for traveling in such heat, but as I  write this tonight I realize it was something else entirely. My favorite moment of the day was when we passed through the ghetto where a man opened his door just as Amy and I passed his eyes followed her then he looked at me. It was obvious women cycling through his neighborhood  was not a normal occurrence. He and I made eye contact, he smiled a great big smile...I smiled back and waved.  That was my favorite moment of the day and may be my most favorite moment of our trip. 

We meet some friends along the way today

Maryland has beautiful cycling roads!  Here are a couple of friends we met along the way. They were as curious about us and why the heck we were out in this heat as the Maryland folk were. When we made a stop in White Marsh at a 7-11 we learned that  school had been cancelled because of the heat!

Over!

Over the Susquehanna!

Maryland horse farms! Fair hill stables.

It's a scorchaaaa!

Today was our trip out of Phili to Newark, DE.  We decided to break the trip to Baltimore into two days since the ride totals 127 miles. We were so glad to cut it in half. It was so hot and humid today.  The ride from Phili to Newark was not necessary difficult, but just very  hot and stressful with lots of congested highways and side roads.  The directions were much better today with only a few glitches. Kim and I have become very good at dual navigating!  We stopped around mile 35 for a quick snack and met some guy who was impressed with the weight of our bikes. When he asked where we were riding from and we told him, he gave us the look that everyone has so far on this trip.  The "What?!?  No, where did you really ride from?" look.  He was impressed and gave us some tips on where to eat in Newark. 

We made good time today so we decided to stop at a laundromat before the hotel check-in to wash our bike clothes. Sooooo stinky and soaked with sweat!!  

We arrived in Newark around 4:30. At check in, the receptionist asked us the same thing, "Where did you ride from?" When we told her, we got a raised eyebrow and head shake. We also were informed that there is a fitness room in the hotel if we decide that we want to work out. We gave her the same look back.  

We headed downtown to get some dinner. We are right on the University of Delaware campus, so lots of bars, pizza places and students. We ate at a cool local restaurant recommended by Arley's friend who was a student here. Kim and I enjoyed a huge dinner and a few beers. After dinner we walked down the row and walked into a really cool bike co-op. Lots of old bikes being repaired and students learning how to fix them up. A great idea to get more bikes on the road!

Off to Baltimore tomorrow in the scorching heat and humidity. Early start around 5:30. Fingers crossed for a cool tailwind breeze!




Sent from my iPhone

NYC to Phili Part 2 "Keeping it Sunny!"

We made it through the gravel road and got dumped onto  beautiful farm roads, field after field of soybeans, nice flat roads and a spattering of apple and peach tree fields. We were very happy.

After the gorgeous farmland we hit  the epitome of Jersey; wide streets, "grand front lawns", fake brick, ornamental lions and German Shepards!  

The directions were serving us well until just before we were to hit Trenton NJ, we came across a bridge closing we detoured through a huge park with a giant athletic complex that served just the town. I thought that was pretty amazing!  

We rode into the streets. Trenton schools were letting out.  The inner city kids were all dressed in their school uniforms.  The street and sidewalks were bustling with people walking their children, kids on street bikes with their pants hanging low, men hanging together, women on front steps. We were in the city!  All was well until we hit Philadelphia Ave, I wouldn't call this area the getto, but not far from it. Our directions were not making sense the cue sheet and garmin were not matching up. That's when we get out the iPhone to see what's ahead and to get our bearings. We decide on our route and then head out onto a road with dozens of industrial parks. The road we were to take, Tyburn Rd, was closed for major construction. We continue up the road to a road that will link us to the road we need to be on so that we can get the #%&/ out of Jersey!!!  It turns out that road was private for US Steel only!  it was gated with a guard standing watch. We begged and pleaded to get through. Nope!  She redirected us to get us on Tyburn Rd. We finally found a place to get on to Tiburn... it's an on ramp. We got on reluctantly...a semi-tractor trailer passed us at 55 miles per hour, we got off immediately at the next ramp. We silently thanked a higher being for keeping us safe. We were now on a road that would get us to the road we were supposed to be on (I am not really sure what that road was at this point, Amy has taken control, and I am nodding obediently!). She tells me we are going to head down such and such road and then we have to go the wrong direction on this road for a bit then we just have to get on Fallsington Rd and we will be golden. I was skeptical. We stopped...on the one one way road....something wasn't right. Fallsington was no where to be found. Amy was fingering wildly on her phone. She was determined!  I said "Amy, look there is a commuter train station.  We could just get on and get to Phili like that."  She ignored me. She lead us on a different road. (We were going the right way, with traffic now instead of the wrong way up a one way street!  That was a step in the right direction.). It didn't lead us to where we wanted to go. We turned around. I looked up. I said."Amy, look there is Fallsington Rd!  Isn't that the road we want to be on?"  She said, "Yup, how are we going to get up there."  I was still dreaming about the train. She wasn't. She was determined!  She was thinking about crossing the railroad tracks until the Acela zoomed by at 100mph!  Then we stopped an older couple leaving the train. Amy asked how we could get onto Fallsington, he paused, "You could go back up around there, but I think you'll have to walk your bikes."  I am thinking...people don't get it!  That's an on ramp!  We shouldn't even be up there!  The guy said, "Where you headed?"  We said, "Phili."  (It's 5 o'clock now). He said, "Why don't you take the train?"  I said, "That's what I said!"  His wife handed him her train schedule and helped us figure out whether we could take the bikes and what time the train would arrive for Philly. The train was arriving in 20 minutes. We got on we paid our $8 each, the best $8 ever spent!  

We were on our way. We were chatting with people on the train about our journey and they were impressed, especially the ticket man. Just before exiting the train, a woman who we will call the church lady asked us where we were staying. We told her. She said, "Oh, I know exactly where that is. I am going to the church next door!  I will direct you there." On we went with, Linda, the church lady. She gave us some ideas for dinner and as we headed into the hotel, she grabbed a pen and jotted down her phone number on the back of her business card in case we needed anything. We were relieved to be safe in the hotel. We had some good laughs about the day over the rest of our evening and felt very fortunate to come out of this day with the shiny side up!  It's always sunny in Philadelphia when you have a buddy and you make safe friends!

Especially For Caden and Spenser

A street sign outside of Philadelphia!  

Always bring a buddy.

Since we had 129 miles ahead of us, we left Hartford in the dark at 5:30 am Sunday. We managed to get out of the city without any trouble (no flats, wrong turns, or bad weather). Stopped at Dunkin Donuts in West Hartford around 6:00 am and then continued on. Riding at sunrise is probably one of the coolest things you can do!  As much as I love sleeping in, getting on the road before the sun is up is as peaceful as lying in your bed. 

No real issues moving south for the next several miles. We passed through some apple orchards, traveled on a cool rail trail and road along a pretty reservoir.  After climbing a very steep hill (coincidently named Old Mountain Road)  in Marion we had a little surprise. During the descent a huge turkey vulture popped out of the grass and spread his wings right next to us! We stayed upright, but never did we expect a vulture to crash into us on our ride!

Now everyone loves computers, right? I have the cue sheet printed out and Kim has the Garmin map.  After the LONG turkey vulture hill descent we looked at our directions and they didn't sync up. We pulled over and noticed that we were 12 miles off track! Ugh. We realized that we had made a wrong turn, recalculated and turned back. But those detoured miles were ALL major climbs. We now had an extra 12 miles on our legs. Although... the detour did give us a stop at Paul Bunyon's shop! 

So, Kim had the GPS and I had the cue sheet. They didn't match up.  Lesson here: Always check with your buddy. 

We got to the Waterbury area around noon but have only traveled about 50 miles because of the detour, RIDICULOUS hills, and stopping to read the map.  We stopped at a deli to refuel  and had lunch. Rode towards Danbury,  crossing a very cool bridge.

When we crossed we realized we were now in Newtown. We came around a steep bend and there at the center intersection was a huge flag at half mast.  Kim and I both felt the same way. It was hard not to think about the tragedy riding through.  We wondered how long that flag will stay there. Probably for a very long time. 

Hills still didn't let up and we are now about 80 miles into our ride when we arrived in Bethel. We stopped for a milkshake (I had to have one. You know, for the recovery.)  We were so tired and knew that if we continued on the whole 129 mile ride, we would be arriving in NYC in the dark. So Kim suggested we ride to Purdy station about 20 miles away, forego the last 30 miles of the day's ride and save our bodies for the next day. She's a smart one!! That's exactly what we did. 

We arrived at Grand Central station around 6:00 pm. When we got up to the street, we were a little apprehensive about riding in the traffic. We are in Times Square after all!

But we just wanted to get to the hotel, so we hopped on and joined in with all the crazy cab drivers, cars and buses. I was so upset.  I said to Kim, "Of all the cities that need a bike lane, this is one of them." We were riding on the right side. That's what you do, right?  Nope. The bike lanes are all on the left! Oops.  It felt a little like "lost in translation."  We just need to figure out how to blend in.   We SAFELY arrived at our hotel, showered and grabbed a cab for a delicious dinner at Momofuku.

Kim has been before and really wanted to take me. What an awesome place! A noodle bar with several twists! So good and so well deserved after a long day. 


We made it. Very proud of us and very happy to have a buddy. 

Sent from my iPhone

NYC to Phili

The day started gloriously!  A gorgeous crisp fall morning. We headed over to the 35th street ferry to get on the Seaside Ferry to Atlantic Highlands.  We got on the ferry, one of the hands was asking us about our trip and he said, "Yay, I have this friend that rides his bike 130 miles from here to blah blah to see his mom then he takes the ferry back over to NJ and one day he missed the last ferry by 2 minutes and had to spend the night on a bench."  Anyway, we got off the boat and grabbed a bagel, Amy went to the bike shop to get some air in her tires and she was charged $1 for each tire!  Can you imagine? We shared with him where we were headed. He said"Philadelphia?! How are you going to do that?"  We explained we had a route we were following from a group that had done it before. He proceeded to tell us what highway we should get on and what route he thought we should follow. He was talking to us like we didn't even take the time out to figure this out. We left the bike store and we headed out on this days journey. The first road we hit was a short 8% grade hill through a golf course. We then made a couple of turns where we came to another hill top. This hill top dumped us right on a gravely down hill farm road. Amy looked at me, with eyebrows raised and said, "No!"  I suggested she look at the map on her phone to see if it makes sense with the route. By now, we question a lot of the routes on our map because there have been a good amount of snafus. She checked then looked me and gave me an affirmative nod with her head. So we got on and headed down the road. We are no strangers to gravely roads with d2r2 and battenkill under our belts. It's a bit tricky with packs on the bike, but we did it!  We continued for a couple of miles like that on thick, sandy, gravely road....taking a break now for dinner, more later. ( we did make it to Phili)

Early Morning breakfast with Marco

Good Bye NYC

On to New Jersey!!!

5:30 am Wisdom

Dunkin Donuts patron, a Harley enthusiast, said to us, at 6 am, "Keep the shiny side up and the rubber down!" 

Hartford 2 DC part 2

First rest stop! 30 miles! Lots of climbing!

"Shut up legs!"

So when Jens Voight, a pro cyclist, is asked to explain how he gets up all those brutal climbs in the Tour de France, he simply replies with , "I just say, 'Shut up l

egs!'"  Well, today was one of those days that we needed to steal his catch phrase.

After we hitched a ride from Jon and the boys to Webster, MA, we packed up, said our goodbyes  and began the pedaling. Not 5 miles into our ride and we began the climbing. Hill after hill for at least 30+ miles was our challenge today.

When we asked our friend Richard recently if he had any advice about the ride (he has done the ride twice), he was sure to mention that we should NOT underestimate the first day. Was he ever right! 6500 feet of climbing in about 60 miles today. Northern Connecticut is definitely picturesque, but all I kept telling Kim was, "I just want to get outta Connecticut." 

We made it to Hartford in one piece, had a good soak in the pool and hot tub, ate a yummy dinner in the bistro downstairs  and read over the plan for tomorrow. Happy but tired and sore. 

Tomorrow's agenda: After looking at the map, it seems that Hartford is just a middle divider between the Connecticut hills.  We have very hilly Waterbury and Danbury areas to deal with as well as the bustling NYC traffic.

Another tough day ahead.

"Shut up legs." 

Another pre-ride post

I spent the morning trying to figure out how to upload our routes to the Garmin 800.  After spending a good amount of time trying to figure out how to get the course on "ridewithgps" to the Garmin without success, I called Garmin support.  Within 5 minutes I had my solution!  I should have  called them from the start.  They have excellent support!  We are following the Ride on Washington routes.  TJROW is a ride from Boston to DC to raise awareness for cycling.  http://rideonwashington.org

Amy did a prepack yesterday, here is her bike.  

Looks like she has a few more things in her "Versace" than I do.  She probably brought her curling iron and her make-up case!  She was rethinking her pack today.

We are feeling a little like this.....

Pre-Ride

Amy and I are less than a week from embarking on our trip, by bike, from Massachusetts to Washington DC.  I will try to make our posts brief so you won't mind reading them each day.  We will post lots of pictures.  I can't wait to hear Amy say, "I can't believe we were in MA on Saturday and now we are in DC just 5 days later."  She said something to this effect when we completed our Brewery to Brewery ride which goes from the Harpoon Brewery in Boston, MA to the Harpoon Brewery in Windsor VT, 148 miles in one day! We are both nervous and excited!  We got these great seat bags from revelate designs http://www.revelatedesigns.com/.  Our particular bag is called the Viscacha, however, I like to call it the "Versace" because it's way easier to remember and we sound so much more stylish when we call our "saddle bag" a Versace!  We both test packed our bags.  I am bringing an extra pair of bike shorts, arm and leg warmers, my Birkenstocks, a comb, a toothbrush, contact lens solution, undergarments, a bathing suit, a head lamp for my helmet, skinny jeans, 2 shirts, light wool long sleeve shirt and a skirt.  My rain jacket will go on the outside of the pack.  I will have another bento box behind my handlebars to carry tools and fuel.

Here is my bike with the test pack!

Here is a close up of the "Versace!"