West Virginia---

And He did...have mercy, that is...




When we had checked into Tomlinson Run, the gal in the office had told us we could only have two tents per site. "But they're such itty bitty tents...one-man tents," I pleaded. She hesitated and then decided that would be fine. We got all of the tents put up and a strapping young park ranger drove up in his SUV. "You can only have two tents per site," he called out. I smiled. "The gal in the office said she would make an exception," I said. He smiled. "Okay, but my boss would only allow two tents.". Fine. I hope your boss is off fishing somewhere this weekend. He asked us where we were biking, so I gave him a card and explained our little adventure to him. He had some good information about a trail I wanted to try in Wheeling. They had expanded the trail north so we wouldn't have to ride on the highway as much. There was also another trail in Wheeling that ran east that we could try.


We left at 6 and traffic was very light. So light, in fact, that when we got to Weirton, I pulled over and asked the gals if they would be willing to ride on Highway 22 for a short ways. Affirmative. We avoided a huge hill by doing that and when we got to Wellsburg we hopped on the trail.






Trails are a mixed bag for me. I like not having to deal with traffic and signage, but the pace is slower and I have to dodge runners, walkers, strollers, and other cyclists. All in all, this was a good experience, and I was happy to see the trail being used by so many people. The first trail we were on was the Burke Pioneer Trail, and the second was the Heritage Trail System in Wheeling.












This area has steel industry, coal industry and a chemical plant. But it is old industry with old buildings, and the entire area looks rather depressed. I kept thinking of scenes from Deer Hunter.
I finished the day with an average of 13.4, which isn't bad for being on the trails the better part of the day, 100.9 miles and...just 1960' of gain. The Lord was merciful...I had worried about the hills of West Virginia, but they were nothing, and the temperature topped out at 84 degrees. Pleasant riding, indeed.




We loaded the truck and headed across the Ohio River towards Manfield, Ohio. We had some Warm Showers folks we were going to stay with, but we couldn't get an answer when we called them. I suspect they forgot all about it. They shall forever remain nameless...I know how I would feel if I had scheduled a stay over with some weary cyclists and then forgot about them.
We found camping at Cold Fork Reservoir that would do. We called, but they didn't answer either. Perhaps people in Ohio do not like telephones? :). We drove to the campground and spotted a woman driving to her trailer in one of those golf carts, so I ran her down (no, no...not literally) and she opened a locked gate so we could set up our tents at an open site. The park officials never did come around to check us in. We wearily ate our dinner, showered, did some laundry, and went to bed.
maybe you can't...because you won't...

Pennsylvania---"There were 11 thunderstorms while you were gone, 11, you were right, he doesn't like them and just so you know...I am a dog person, but that is not a dog, that is evil with a dog face that humps my leg and is peeing on your carpet."

We had decided all of us would ride out together in the morning and Karen and Patty would head back to the truck at 20 miles. Wayne was a big help in tweaking my route through Erie and generously offered us his driveway to leave the truck. He is an avid cyclist who enjoys mountain biking and touring. Wayne works for Welch's, the largest employer in the area. He also makes wine. All kinds of wine. I wish we could have stayed longer to sample it. Thank you so much, Wayne, for allowing 4 women to take over your basement.












Our route was pretty simple...back to Highway 5, ride west along Lake Erie, and then turn south at S on Highway 215. We jogged over to Albion, and then rode south the rest of the day on Highway 18. I was disappointed that we didn't get to see more of Lake Erie. I thought we would be riding right next to it, but most of the time, we couldn't even see it. Traffic was light and the road surface was good so we made good time and when we got to Erie, Karen and Patty turned around.








This route is also called Pennsylvania bike route Z. It was well marked and all of us loved it. I am grateful to people like Joe and Carolyn from Dallastown who work as advocates with the state to designate and sign routes like these. Joe and Carolyn were my very first Warm Showers hosts. I was doing a cross country tour and they met me because they thought the route to their house would be too hilly, took me out for ice cream, and gave me a nice comfy bed. The next morning they fed me and rode with me the first 20 miles or so. They are tireless ambassadors for cycling, and an inspiration to me personally.




We rode by Lake Conneaut where Wayne told me there is a place where there are so many carp they literally swim on top of each other. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see that, but we did see a lot of boats...well, it sorta reminded me of the carp. I finished the day with 100.6 miles, 2784' of elevation gain, and an average of 14.3








We finished early and drove to Tomlinson State Park where we camped for the night. Tomorrow we will ride West Virginia. MapMyRide has the elevation gain at about 3900', and they have been off by more than 100% several times. Lord, have mercy...
maybe you can't...because you won't...

New York---"By all means, move at a glacial pace; you know how that thrills me."

We had planned on our usual yogurt, granola, and fruit, but when we got up at 5:00, Patty was busy making French toast. With sausage...and fresh pineapple. Oh my...we are so spoiled by these people. Larry decided to ride with us for 10 miles or so, and he was a wealth of information about the area of Rome. Did you know that the author of the Pledge of Allegiance, Francis Bellamy, is buried there? We said our goodbyes and he turned around, while we rode along the Erie canal and New York's designated Bike Route 5. Thank you both so very much for everything, Larry and Patty! It was excellent riding...along Oneida Lake...through farmland...even a few historic towns like Savannah, Clay, and Clyde.












I feel we have turned another corner. We are out of the heavy urban area states. Today, for example, we were on Route 5 the entire day...it makes a huge difference when you don't have to stop and check cue sheets, maps, and your GPS every 10 minutes. It makes a huge difference when you don't get off route...:). When we went through Bridgeport, I saw a Gramma and a Grandpa walking their grandchildren down the street. To the library, maybe? We exchanged smiles and good mornings...it is my favorite kind of scenery...people out living life, loving life. We are starting to look for road signs that are headed "west". Can I tell you that is an incredible feeling for me? I am headed "home". Highway 5 west...Interstate 90 west...I love it.








The day went by quickly, and before I knew it, I was finished. The temperatures weren't bad...maybe upper 70's, with an annoying but not demoralizing wind out of the west at 10-12 m.p.h. I rode 100.3 miles with an average of 13.7 and 1009' of elevation gain.

I had hoped to visit Niagra Falls. I have never seen it, and I am so close...but it would have taken time that we didn't have in the schedule...and traffic would have been unbearable at that time of day. Sometimes you have to compromise, and this was one of those times. Perhaps I will get to see it another time...

We all hopped (actually we are "crammed") in the truck and headed towards Pennsylvania. We stopped in Westfield for gas and ice and decided to have some dinner as well. We are spending the night with Wayne in North East. We arrived pretty late and he was gracious to offer us his entire downstairs...including the use of his laundry room. Thanks so much, Wayne, for hosting us.


maybe you can't...because you won't...

Vermont---"What kind of man gives cigarettes to trees?"

I slept reasonably well despite the heat and humidity...until 2 a.m. when I decided to roll over and one of my hamstrings quivered its way into a hard cramp. The other hamstring soon followed and I laid there for about 10 minutes willing myself to relax. Fun times...

We had all agreed to try and get up earlier...and by 5:30, Karen and I were rolling down the road. We rode north on Highway 5 towards Bradford and then turned around to ride south...I wanted to be on Highway 5, along the Connecticut River all day. The views were pastoral, and the route was dotted with small towns like Hartford, Windsor, and Putney. There were great little markets selling Vermont's pure maple syrup. I needed an easier day...





I loved today's ride...better road surfaces, undulating hills with some long, sweeping downhills, and light traffic. At one point I was stopped with Laura, and we heard cute little voices behind a hedge. "Marco..." "Polo..." Oh man...it was in the upper 90's and we were near a swimming pool. Would it be wrong to invite ourselves for a dip in the pool? :)I


By noon I had 70 miles, and finished just after 2 p.m. with 3984' of elevation gain, 100.3 miles, and an average of 14.2.





We needed to pick Patty up at the Albany airport at 6:50 p.m., so we had some time to kill. Yeah, right. We stopped at Woodward State Park along Highway 9. What a beautiful place! We went down to the lake for awhile, then took showers. It was a good plan...we were clean and wouldn't have to bother our Warm Showers hosts with that detail. We got to Albany about an hour before Patty was due to land, so we made good use of our time and got an oil change. The garage even had wifi. Gotta love efficiency. We were parked at the airport just a few minutes when Patty texted me to say she would soon be out.

We still had a two hour drive to Rome...to our Warm Showers hosts Larry and Patty. I have to tell you a funny story...when I stayed with Smitty and Roberta in Hawai'i, we were talking about my route and comparing it with their route in 2011. They stayed in Rome too...with the SAME Warm Showers hosts! Larry and Patty welcomed us even at the late hour...had a wonderful dinner of spaghetti, bread, and green salad for us...and beds! They have three cats, and Gepetto seemed to take a shine to me...very sweet cat.





Patty's bike had a flat on the rear wheel. I would have liked to have fixed it for her...I certainly thought about it, but just never got around to doing it. Larry offered his help and his workshop and the two of them had the tire changed and back on her bike in short order.

Thank you, Larry and Patty, for all of your help, and your gracious hospitality. Smitty was right...we were in for a treat.




maybe you can't...because you won't...

New Hampshire---"Oh...Faye...this is so scrumptious! Is this hand shucked?"

Brent and Beth got up with us and we went over the route because there were a lot of turns. The weather forecast called for high humidity and temps in the mid 90's, so I was anxious to get started. Thanks again, Brent, for all of your help with the routing...(he printed off about 15 pages of details for me...) and thanks for riding along with us for awhile...that was really fun!





We zigzagged our way west and north towards Concord, but with all of the hills, Karen's shifting capability was not going to be satisfactory. We stopped, explored our options, and decided she should drive to Concord to a bike shop and come and find Laura and me along the route after she was done.





Laura and I were treated to the cycling trifecta of hills, heat, and headwinds. It nearly did me in. We never did find Capt. French Rd. near Loudon, and from then on, I was using my GPS to try and get back on the route Brent and I had discussed. We finally got on Highway 4 and then 4A. At the end of the day, I had a whopping 5812' of elevation gain, 100.5 miles, and an abysmal average of 12.36.


Karen had called to say that the bike shop had gotten her in quickly. Robert put the bike up on the rack before the shop was even open, but they waited for Tyler, who is the index shifting expert. He looked at the shifter and went to his parts box...it was a lower quality shifter that Karen had on the bike, but Tyler had it on her bike and shifting smoothly before the shop opened its doors. Karen spent a bit of time chatting with Tim Farmer, the owner of S&W Sports, thanking him for squeezing her in and getting her back on her bike.





She met us along the route near Boscawen, I finished up my mileage, and we headed to a McDonald's to update the blog. I had some cramping in my fingers...sort of like trigger finger, and when I got out of the truck at McD's, both my hamstrings started cramping. Karen pulled out the mustard and I downed a couple of tablespoons. The turmeric in the mustard is supposed to be good for muscle cramping. I suspect I didn't drink enough and was a little dehydrated...and combined with the heat and hills, the result was cramping. No worries...it got better. Our overnight spot for the night was the Rest n Nest Campground near Thetford, Vermont. The tent sites were located near a swampy pond and the garbage dump. :(

Still, we had much to be thankful for today...we had shade on some of the route so that the heat wasn't as unbearable as it might have been, Karen's shifter was fixed, and the route WAS beautiful and low traffic. But next time I do a century in New Hampshire, I'm going to follow a route that is along the coast...Brent said it's beautiful AND flat...

maybe you can't...because you won't...

Maine---"Really, Norman, you are the sweetest man I know...trouble is, I'm the only one that knows it..."

We were up early and so were Marie and Tom. We had decided to leave the truck at the parking lot of the Eastern Trail...a rails-to-trails path that runs through the Scarborough Marsh near their house. I do not know how long the trail is, but it seems there are plans to extend it...a great resource for joggers and mountain/comfort bikes, but road bikes have a little trouble negotiating the gravel bed. We headed north and then east, the plan being to do a large loop to the north and back through Portland and then out to the coast to see the lighthouses. I thought it was the best of all worlds...we rode in the forests of Maine (yes, they have A LOT of trees), saw the historical district of Portland, and finally the rugged coastline. Along the way, we sampled Moxie, a soft drink made here in Maine. Keith, from New Jersey had told us about it. When I went into the market to buy a bottle, an older gentleman told me it is supposed to be good for you, and the woman who was with him said her mom swore by it. Okay...good enough for me. I actually liked the taste...sort of like root beer on steroids.












Marie had told us about an ice cream place on the way to Cape Elizabeth called Red'd, so we stopped there for a break and an ice cream cone. Good advice, Marie.












I have gotten us lost a bunch of times in the past few days. I'd like to think it is because we are in heavy urban areas, but twice today I totally misread the map. I started using the map screen on the Garmin and that should help. The Garmin gives me Highway numbers...sometimes in a city, all you get is a name for a road...like Congress Ave. We had to reroute a couple of times, and backtrack a couple of times, and then it dawned on all of us...we were all going to be close to a century by the time we got to the truck. I think I needed 12 more miles when we hit the parking lot where the truck was...so we rode out to the coast and north...little beach towns strung together...lots of people and restaurants selling lobster rolls. I ended the day with 100.5 miles, 3535' of elevation gain, and an average of 13.0.


One of the cute places we stopped was Higgins Beach Market...where they have live lobsters. Stanley was curious.



















I promised you a list of what I ate today...here it is:
Yogurt
Granola
Strawberries/raspberries
Peanuts/dried cherries
Power protein bar
Bagel w/cream cheese
2 nutter butter cookies
Crabmeat salad
Roll with butter
Boiled egg
2 sweet pickles
Large scoop of potato salad




While we were driving on the Maine Turnpike, I noticed this cute little boy's face stuck to the back window of a Subaru wagon in the lane next to us. Flat Stanley was found and put in the window...to say "hi". Pretty soon, a smile crossed his lips and from out of nowhere, a stuffed Yoda appeared to wave back to flat Stanley. We had some fun keeping up with them for the next few miles, and when we went through the toll booth, the clerk collecting the toll told us that the Subaru had paid our $2.00 toll. Thanks Yoda...have a great summer!
We didn't have too far to drive to our overnight destination in Durham, New Hampshire. We are staying with Brent and Beth Bell, another Warm Showers host. Both Brent and Beth are avid cyclists, and they have a garage full of bikes, including a triplet that they ride with their son, Holden. Brent rode cross country in the late 80's and they hope to do some touring on their triplet. They are wonderful people, warm and generous. Karen was having trouble shifting with her right shifter and Brent tightened the cable so that she would at least have three gears until she can get it fixed. He and Beth also tweaked our route for tomorrow...it's supposed to be hot and humid, so I'm heading for bed.
maybe you can't...because you won't...