**Never ride on the painted strip on the shoulder when wet. Whole new definition to the term “slippery”.
**Extended mirrors on large RV’s and campers are painful and reduce your balance and ability to negotiate when you are riding.
**Vehicle lights, when turned on, even during the day….REALLY do make a difference.
**Never ride your bike in rivulets and small road streams when it is raining. The back spray up your butt and back is more than just significant.
**Cyclists do not possess the power of reading driver’s minds, or inheritantly “just knowing” that, without your turn indicator on, you are going to turn right. That not only includes city driving, but also taking freeway exits.
**2 inch wide tires with a human body balanced on them cannot “stop on a dime”; dollar maybe, not a dime. My bank is only so full. Please do not pass me, then abruptly take a sharp right turn in front of me. Your vehicle will sustain dents as I crash into it.
**Thank you to the vehicles, large and small, that just take their foot off of the gas pedal (no, don’t even have to slow down or touch the brake pedal) when passing a cyclist while riding in the rain. That “splash” made from your vehicle that you probably can’t see in your rear view mirror is WAAAYY bigger than you think!!
**When crossing Railroad tracks, Cow Guards, or any slit built into the roadway, a cyclist need to hit the slits as close to a perfect perpendicular angle as possible. So, if the slits cross the roadway at an angle, then you swerve in order to hit it as directly as possible. If you don’t, your skinny tires easily can get caught in the deep spaces … and down you go. There is a very specific reason why cyclists swerve as they cross these obstacles.
**A good cycling season ends with really weird tan lines on one’s body: *Demarcation line about 1/3 down on thighs from the groin. Can make wearing short skirts very interesting in appearance *Triangular patch of tan on the back portion of the hands, with the rest of the hands absolutely white. This absence of tan abruptly starts at the wrist from wearing of bike gloves.
*Another sharp horizontal line right below the deltoids of both arms from wearing cycling shirts. Women frequently don’t get these as sharply as many of their riding tops are variable and sleeveless.
**Good Scents -vs- Not So Good Scents when riding
Hay, freshly cultivated farm lands Slaughter houses and mass production animal farms
Freshly fallen rain Road kill after several
hours of no freshly fallen rain on it
Deep forests with streams Tyson Chicken Factory @ Storm Lake, Iowa
**Dr. Doolittle moments (yes, hours on the road does inspire one to ‘talk to the animals’):
Cows: Always look up with you talk to them. They’ll actually walk/run to the fence to check you out.
Horses: Some look, some don’t. About as many are actually fearful of you and trot/run away.
Sheep & Goats: No response what-so-ever. Just continue to chew away.
Birds are quite variable. Hawks will usually fly away; most of the smaller birds just tilt their heads in confusion and/or amusement at your presence.
Eddy's: These are non-leashed dogs that vigorously chase with definate attempts at destruction of you and the bike (from 1980's Kevin Costner movie where he was a professional racing cyclist). Fortunately, only one did we come in contact with...an Irish Red!!! (They usually don't give chase). She ran so hard and fast, but kept entirely on the left side of the rural road, never crossing over to me. Whew. She was just out for excercise.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Atlantic City & Jersey Shore
So here we are ... at the Atlantic Jersey Shore. The first pic is Mark and I at the finish of our ride ... and the start of a vacation and rest period before flying home and resuming our 'lives as we know it'.
The pic is of a happy, although really exhausted couple (Cindy more so than Mark). That night I spent the
next 12 hours in bed ... not moving. I know the nursing theory is to turn every two hours ... perhaps I turned twice.
It's OK ... no pressure sores earned.
The final days of pushing on Thee bike was just a bit too much for me.
Mark and I spent the next day, Sunday, just walking the Boardwalk. No excercise needed.
We had to laugh. Of course, for those of you who have been to most any ocean resort area, these areas offer all sorts of tourist gimmicks and junk for sale. One such offering, is a bicycle being rode by the seller, and the 'buyers', (usually overweight tourists) sit in the carriage for a short trip. Should Mark and I, after riding across America, buy such a ride? Bit ironic, we decided.
The next photos are from our hotel room on the 19th floor. The first is looking directly west into the bay. The Boardwalk, as you can see by the wooden ramps, extends below.
The second pic is directly North, revealing the entrance to the Bay with the Atlantic Ocean on the right. One of their many beaches, er ... shores, are seen.
Finally, directly to the East. The very tip of the famed boardwalk is shown in the upper right corner.
I also attached, but somehow didn't, a pic facing farther to the right/south. There, amidst the huge hotels is a lighthouse ... that use to be the beacon for safe journey for all sea travelers. So sad ... completely surrounded by 30-50 story buildings, and can't even be seen now from the sea. It is a museum and tourist attraction. I just found it rather sad and dismal.
The boardwalk directly below us, being 'around the corner' from the famous Boardwalk, is used primarily by locals who show up crack of dawn until sunset and fish all day. Most of them tend to throw the catch back into the ocean, however, I have seen several diligently measuring to determine if it is legal, and taking their catch home.
Our youngest daughter (22 y/o) is due here via Greyhound in 2 hours from NYC. She'll end our vacation until we fly out on Thursday. I still have to make those reservations tomorrow (see ... the computer thing again).
The pic is of a happy, although really exhausted couple (Cindy more so than Mark). That night I spent the
next 12 hours in bed ... not moving. I know the nursing theory is to turn every two hours ... perhaps I turned twice.
It's OK ... no pressure sores earned.The final days of pushing on Thee bike was just a bit too much for me.
Mark and I spent the next day, Sunday, just walking the Boardwalk. No excercise needed.
We had to laugh. Of course, for those of you who have been to most any ocean resort area, these areas offer all sorts of tourist gimmicks and junk for sale. One such offering, is a bicycle being rode by the seller, and the 'buyers', (usually overweight tourists) sit in the carriage for a short trip. Should Mark and I, after riding across America, buy such a ride? Bit ironic, we decided.
The next photos are from our hotel room on the 19th floor. The first is looking directly west into the bay. The Boardwalk, as you can see by the wooden ramps, extends below.
The second pic is directly North, revealing the entrance to the Bay with the Atlantic Ocean on the right. One of their many beaches, er ... shores, are seen.
Finally, directly to the East. The very tip of the famed boardwalk is shown in the upper right corner.I also attached, but somehow didn't, a pic facing farther to the right/south. There, amidst the huge hotels is a lighthouse ... that use to be the beacon for safe journey for all sea travelers. So sad ... completely surrounded by 30-50 story buildings, and can't even be seen now from the sea. It is a museum and tourist attraction. I just found it rather sad and dismal.
The boardwalk directly below us, being 'around the corner' from the famous Boardwalk, is used primarily by locals who show up crack of dawn until sunset and fish all day. Most of them tend to throw the catch back into the ocean, however, I have seen several diligently measuring to determine if it is legal, and taking their catch home.
Our youngest daughter (22 y/o) is due here via Greyhound in 2 hours from NYC. She'll end our vacation until we fly out on Thursday. I still have to make those reservations tomorrow (see ... the computer thing again).
Our Last Ride!!
We started our ride on the last day of Thee Adventure in Delaware and choose to drive Thee Van and Gear across the Delaware Memorial Bridge into New Jersey due to the significant traffic and lack of cycling access on this route. Note the pic, as we are packing up for the last time, the usual morning cleanliness and eager Ken ... ready to roll. Thee Bikes, of course, are strapped onto the back of Thee van.This second pic is the huge bridge crossing the Delaware ... way different than over two hundred years ago when General Washington crossed it.
Very impressive!!We then took our turns riding on Highway 40 East, which took us all the way to the Atlantic Ocean and the famed Jersey Shore and Boardwalk. (To those 'Westerners', like myself, this is not called the Coast!! And you will be corrected for calling it such.) I rode first, fast and generally flat; generous shoulders; rapid and heave traffic, though very polite overall. Unfortunately, one more time I again saw a Veal Farm (see previous blog). Still very sad. No wonder there is PETA (although I don't support them trying to eliminate the fish throwing guys at Seattle!!). This would sincerely be a cause for them to attack.
Ken rode second and had a great, non-traumatic ride. He has grown in his cycling skills by leaps and bounds....let alone his traveling exposures and experiences.
Finally, Mark rode. This is a pic of him applying, for the last time, his "lucky chap-stick". That is a storey in itself, and way too long for this Blog. He was chosen to be the last rider due to his technical traffic skills as we entered Atlantic City and reached, somehow, in unison, the Boardwalk.
We had our pics (in previous Blog) taken at the shore. Ken ceremoniously again dipped his back wheel into the Atlantic Ocean, as he had at the start of the trip into to Pacific Ocean. We then found the hotel Mark and I are staying. In the parking garage, we did one last shuffle and re-packing of all items of the van. Mark and I took what we will need for the next few days here, and for our flight back to Spokane. Ken then drove immediately to Philadelphia to meet his wife, and they will start their 2+ week vacation drive back to Spokane.
Oh - I forgot to mention. Every evening we rode our bikes, immediately after the unpacking of Thee Van, and as the first person started to shower, we ceremoniously opened a beer and toasted one another. Very important tradition. We did go up to our hotel room so Ken could shower before taking off. Although we didn't have beer, we had a bottle (my favorite) Bombay Gin. One final toast...to us.
More Ponder This ....
**When driving a vehicle on the freeways, all signage is posted on the right side of the road. Makes sense. Avoids blockage to viewing the sign as a vehicle drives in the opposite direction. Why, then, in S. Dakota and Iowa, are the yellow triangular signs “No Passing Zone” posted on the left side of the road??
**In South Dakota we passed this lovely, fairly newly built retirement community. On the very same grounds, linked by the same surrounding fence, was a brand new Funeral Home. Would that save transportation costs?? Do they get a reduced fee?? Do you think its part of the Package Deal when signing to purchase??
**After 4 states of primarily black cattle, today there were herds of white cattle. What do you believe the bleaching process to achieve that “look”? And if it was just a “quick dip” into the bleaching vat, then how could you safely do their faces??
**In the significant heat of 90+ degrees, the horses group together standing in water or under trees. Why do the cattle continue to stand in the direct sun and heat??
**Mini-golf courses usually reflect the culture of the community they are set in. In Wyoming, South Dakota and other western states, the course obstacles have buffalo, wagon wheels, log cabins, and lariats. In Iowa one course included a small jet-fighter. What does it say of Spokane that the obstacles include Holland-like windmills?
**Leaving a town in Wyoming there was the “usual” appearing day-care: small house, lots of play items in the trimmed yard. In the midst of all that, there was the “pet goat”, complete with red collar, munching at the grass. What licensure requirements do you think the center had to pass in order to have a goat in a day-care??
**In Iowa one directional sign was for a park: Weed Park. So does one go there to inhale marijuana? Or, instead of grass, is the ‘lawn’ actually a variety of weeds?
**Throughout the rolling fields of Iowa there would be these lovely finished ponds. Is the purpose to provide a hotel and breeding ground for the mosquitoes? Two check in and a swarm checks out???
**While riding through Mennonite country, a driver of a car (obviously not Mennonite) abruptly pulled out onto the road from my right, saw me and stopped – thank-you!! Is that how they bring people closer to God??
**In Peoria, Illinois the primary 4th of July celebration was sponsored by the Methodist Church. It was titled, “Red, White and Boom”. Grand Funk Railroad was the main attraction. Is this an example of the separation of Church & State?
**Throughout Ohio were gasoline/convenience stores called, “Kum and Go”. I kid you not. Whoever in their right mind would name a store that?? Without any prostitutes involved?!?! Who allowed such a title to be spelled this way??
**2 days trough Maryland and into Pennsylvania, we followed “Peaceful Valley” route. Brings back images of the Monkees – doesn’t it?? A nice tune to get stuck in your head.
**While riding through Ohio a billboard alongside the Highway showed a picture of a box with gift wrapping on it. The ribbon had been untied and the lid was partially opened. Coming out of the box were 4 babies – 3 white with one token dark skinned. The title at the top was “God’s Stimulus Package to America”. Across the road was a medical clinic. Does one suspect the clinic offers birth control and family planning services? How are more babies being born in America helpful to its economic situation?
**In New Jersey we passes a cemetery looking pretty much like all the other cemeteries in the area – old, well kept, green lawn, surrounding black wrought iron fencing. Ken remarked, “Hey, it’s a Jewish cemetery. Looks like all the other cemeteries”. I replied, “Oh, I dunno. I’ll bet there are no crucifixes in there; and a whole lot of stars.”
**The differences between weeds and flowers are only a matter of where you live. On the west coast abundantly growing and taking over space are ferns, mosses, St. John’s Wort, Fox Glove. I shake my head at that amount of $$ I have spent in the past to purchase these only to nurture and protect them in order to get them to grow. Here in the Eastern part of the country Daylilies grow abundantly along the highways and undeveloped areas of land.
**All through Central America, oh, say from the western border of Montana up to the most Eastern states, children are allowed in bars. When I moved from Montana to Spokane, I had a 6 week old baby and was told I couldn’t sit in the bar with her. I was stunned and couldn’t figure out why. She wasn’t going to drink!! I still don’t see why, in most bars, they aren’t allowed. I get they shouldn’t be sitting at the bar, but at a table with the parent …? I also believe it could be an individual business preference; some ambiances are nicer without children present. After living so many years in Spokane, this experience caught me off-guard. I’ve become ingrained with living in Spokane and have forgotten most of the world just doesn’t always think the same way.
**In keeping with the above thought, I really am amazed that only a few of the Western states have mandatory motorcycle helmet laws. That concept of not wearing one, I would have thought, would have been long set aside.
**The far eastern states have “villages” and “boro’s”, not towns or suburbs.
**In Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware there were abundant Garage Sales, Farmers Markets, and Nurseries along the roads we traveled. One resourceful sale had (the wild and uncontrollable) “Daylilies For Sale … With Pot”. Driving the road to this sale, they were overtaking the sides of the public roadway. Are the plants sold with ‘Pot” – see earlier Thought regarding “Weed Park”? Or do you simply have to be high in order to want to buy what you could just dig up yourself?
**Listening to Comedy Central one time, one comedian reflected Bush was not an idiot. He was just an Intellilectual Celebant practicing Good Hard-core mental abstinence.
**While walking the boardwalk in Atlantic City and passing casinos, Mark and I were musing about the names. How would Caesar feel about his accomplishments being represented as a Casino? How would Prince Albert feel about him promoting throat cancer … or as a male piercing?
**Build it and they will come: In Delaware there was a large tourist attraction including rodeo grounds, cattle and horse auction yard, Western Wear clothing store, etc. Cars were parked along the Highway solid in both directions with people excited, coming and going, bringing their purses…. “But what is novel here?” asks the tourist who lives in the West.
**Throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and few eastern parts of Iowa, on the front of some houses and some in front yards, are large “stars”. They appear to be metal with the central spine of each arm pointed. They are generally painted in neutral colours, or as an American flag. At first, we thought they were just decorations. Now I’m wondering, are they hung to represent a house where the inhabitant is in the Armed Forces and serving overseas at this time? I didn’t see but one Red, White & Blue Star banner hanging on a house that usually represents a service person stationed overseas. Does anyone know the answer to this?
**In South Dakota we passed this lovely, fairly newly built retirement community. On the very same grounds, linked by the same surrounding fence, was a brand new Funeral Home. Would that save transportation costs?? Do they get a reduced fee?? Do you think its part of the Package Deal when signing to purchase??
**After 4 states of primarily black cattle, today there were herds of white cattle. What do you believe the bleaching process to achieve that “look”? And if it was just a “quick dip” into the bleaching vat, then how could you safely do their faces??
**In the significant heat of 90+ degrees, the horses group together standing in water or under trees. Why do the cattle continue to stand in the direct sun and heat??
**Mini-golf courses usually reflect the culture of the community they are set in. In Wyoming, South Dakota and other western states, the course obstacles have buffalo, wagon wheels, log cabins, and lariats. In Iowa one course included a small jet-fighter. What does it say of Spokane that the obstacles include Holland-like windmills?
**Leaving a town in Wyoming there was the “usual” appearing day-care: small house, lots of play items in the trimmed yard. In the midst of all that, there was the “pet goat”, complete with red collar, munching at the grass. What licensure requirements do you think the center had to pass in order to have a goat in a day-care??
**In Iowa one directional sign was for a park: Weed Park. So does one go there to inhale marijuana? Or, instead of grass, is the ‘lawn’ actually a variety of weeds?
**Throughout the rolling fields of Iowa there would be these lovely finished ponds. Is the purpose to provide a hotel and breeding ground for the mosquitoes? Two check in and a swarm checks out???
**While riding through Mennonite country, a driver of a car (obviously not Mennonite) abruptly pulled out onto the road from my right, saw me and stopped – thank-you!! Is that how they bring people closer to God??
**In Peoria, Illinois the primary 4th of July celebration was sponsored by the Methodist Church. It was titled, “Red, White and Boom”. Grand Funk Railroad was the main attraction. Is this an example of the separation of Church & State?
**Throughout Ohio were gasoline/convenience stores called, “Kum and Go”. I kid you not. Whoever in their right mind would name a store that?? Without any prostitutes involved?!?! Who allowed such a title to be spelled this way??
**2 days trough Maryland and into Pennsylvania, we followed “Peaceful Valley” route. Brings back images of the Monkees – doesn’t it?? A nice tune to get stuck in your head.
**While riding through Ohio a billboard alongside the Highway showed a picture of a box with gift wrapping on it. The ribbon had been untied and the lid was partially opened. Coming out of the box were 4 babies – 3 white with one token dark skinned. The title at the top was “God’s Stimulus Package to America”. Across the road was a medical clinic. Does one suspect the clinic offers birth control and family planning services? How are more babies being born in America helpful to its economic situation?
**In New Jersey we passes a cemetery looking pretty much like all the other cemeteries in the area – old, well kept, green lawn, surrounding black wrought iron fencing. Ken remarked, “Hey, it’s a Jewish cemetery. Looks like all the other cemeteries”. I replied, “Oh, I dunno. I’ll bet there are no crucifixes in there; and a whole lot of stars.”
**The differences between weeds and flowers are only a matter of where you live. On the west coast abundantly growing and taking over space are ferns, mosses, St. John’s Wort, Fox Glove. I shake my head at that amount of $$ I have spent in the past to purchase these only to nurture and protect them in order to get them to grow. Here in the Eastern part of the country Daylilies grow abundantly along the highways and undeveloped areas of land.
**All through Central America, oh, say from the western border of Montana up to the most Eastern states, children are allowed in bars. When I moved from Montana to Spokane, I had a 6 week old baby and was told I couldn’t sit in the bar with her. I was stunned and couldn’t figure out why. She wasn’t going to drink!! I still don’t see why, in most bars, they aren’t allowed. I get they shouldn’t be sitting at the bar, but at a table with the parent …? I also believe it could be an individual business preference; some ambiances are nicer without children present. After living so many years in Spokane, this experience caught me off-guard. I’ve become ingrained with living in Spokane and have forgotten most of the world just doesn’t always think the same way.
**In keeping with the above thought, I really am amazed that only a few of the Western states have mandatory motorcycle helmet laws. That concept of not wearing one, I would have thought, would have been long set aside.
**The far eastern states have “villages” and “boro’s”, not towns or suburbs.
**In Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware there were abundant Garage Sales, Farmers Markets, and Nurseries along the roads we traveled. One resourceful sale had (the wild and uncontrollable) “Daylilies For Sale … With Pot”. Driving the road to this sale, they were overtaking the sides of the public roadway. Are the plants sold with ‘Pot” – see earlier Thought regarding “Weed Park”? Or do you simply have to be high in order to want to buy what you could just dig up yourself?
**Listening to Comedy Central one time, one comedian reflected Bush was not an idiot. He was just an Intellilectual Celebant practicing Good Hard-core mental abstinence.
**While walking the boardwalk in Atlantic City and passing casinos, Mark and I were musing about the names. How would Caesar feel about his accomplishments being represented as a Casino? How would Prince Albert feel about him promoting throat cancer … or as a male piercing?
**Build it and they will come: In Delaware there was a large tourist attraction including rodeo grounds, cattle and horse auction yard, Western Wear clothing store, etc. Cars were parked along the Highway solid in both directions with people excited, coming and going, bringing their purses…. “But what is novel here?” asks the tourist who lives in the West.
**Throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and few eastern parts of Iowa, on the front of some houses and some in front yards, are large “stars”. They appear to be metal with the central spine of each arm pointed. They are generally painted in neutral colours, or as an American flag. At first, we thought they were just decorations. Now I’m wondering, are they hung to represent a house where the inhabitant is in the Armed Forces and serving overseas at this time? I didn’t see but one Red, White & Blue Star banner hanging on a house that usually represents a service person stationed overseas. Does anyone know the answer to this?
We Arrived!!
Thee final day of riding was still blessed with incredible weather without rain or severe heat. Although there were some winds from the south, they were generally blocked due to buildings, trees and the environment in particular. As expected, the traffic was much more intense, even though we took a "road less traveled". Not much out in this area of the country is "less traveled".
I'm not sure which state we traveled through was the prettiest. Seems like each day of riding through the various country sides just got nicer and nicer. Each area of land we traversed had something really special to offer ... some item of "gorgeous" that "just couldn't be prettier". Each place we stayed at, each restaurant we stopped at offered us an interesting tale to discuss later on. People were interesting with various dialects, reactions to our trip, humouring statements and insights.
We loved hearing from those who bravely posted comments. Thanks to those who also provided answers: N&L for the asphalt dilemma; Patty for the WaWa explanation. Every evening as we were settling down, the question was asked, "What comments did we get today?". They were enlightening and uplifting. This is Mark's and my first vacation traveling with a computer and its links to the world and home. Very educational and it provided a different slant on the term "vacation". Also, for the three of us, it was our first trip with cell phones. Hmm.m.... Not sure I'm going to continue with mine after this week.
Would I do anything different now that I'm looking back at Thee Trip?
Only a few things: The previous 3 days of grinding to get to Atlantic City just wasn't our best decision. As noted in the previous blogs, we repeatedly climbed and climbed, then climbed some more. We really should have stuck to the original plan of arriving on Sunday. That one extra day of riding would have made the final rides much more pleasant - and easier to endure.
I wouldn't change the route we took, nor the time of summer. The northern route brought us beautiful scenery and weather, and we were able to avoid the really populated cities of Chicago, Detroit and Philadelphia.
Thee Van, sleeping in hotels, hot showers, cooked food - call me soft. Wouldn't change those items at all.
The company and friendship provided memories that will last for a lifetime ... or until our brains fail us.
Overall, the trip was near perfect as one could hope!!
I've been gathering a few thoughts as we've traveled, and will be posting those for your amusement in the next day or so. Then the Shop Will Be Closed.....and back to work and real life as we three know it.
Friday, July 10, 2009
3 States
Today we went from Maryland, to Pennsylvania, and now we are in Delaware. We took a variety of back roads with only minimally short time getting lost.
Initially Ken felt "like it was in Oregon", and some definite truth to that. The foliage became very dense, deep green with moss and ferns. The trees grew over the roads and although there were no rivers, there were multiple streams and creeks.
The farmlands have generally become much smaller. Above is a pic of the few farmlands that still have large acreage. So pretty with their patch-work appearance of harvest, new and old growth. Most of the lands are much smaller now. The corn in this field is some of the water damaged corn, and probably won't produce much a harvest. Note how short they have grown. Several points along the ride the corn stood sharply between 6-8 feet high.
Throughout today were the grand estates, horse stables surrounded by fences, (not at eloquent as yours, Janet!), huge brick and stone homes with long, narrow windows. No openly large 'picture' windows, like we are used to. Multiple tall windows. Many of the houses also have smaller "servant quarters" near-by.
I felt these mansions reflected "Old Money", romantic novels, turn-of-century stories, Great Gatsby, etc. One street was named, "My Lady's Manor". Ken was reminded of stories about espionage, CIA mysteries, hidden computers and spies. Here has been the most expensive cars, intermittently, we have seen thus far.
On a lighter side, while riding in more dense traffic after we entered Delaware, there was the official yellow sign along the side of the road, "Watch for Aggressive Driver". And ... what do you do when you find one? Do they wear signs saying they are such??? The state also has an interesting method of, hopefully, preventing tail-gating: huge white painted spots on the center asphalt of each lane. These are specifically spaced from each other in their distance. There are sign directions to keep at least 2 spots between you and the car in front of you. Actually, seems like that would work better than the counting (1-1000, 2-1000) method that most other states urge drivers to use.
There is also a new chain of gasoline and convenience stores titles, "Wawa". Who would name a store that?? The owner's infant child??
Tomorrow we finialized our ride into Atlantic City.
We are all ready for that.
I'll blog for a few more days as I've been accumulating interesting "items" along the way, then we'll call it a wrap.
One more day of riding....
Thursday, July 9, 2009
I'm Not Pregnant!!
For those of you who know me, you understand the titled statement!!See ... life is just a matter of perspective's as compared to other ones. I've always believed that even though things can get really bad ... if you just turn around, compare to the other direction, well ... things aren't quite so bad after all.
Today we took a route that wasn't complete in existence, that would disappear then, a few miles down the road, again suddenly reappear.
We started today at Morrisville, PA and finished at Hancock, MD. Much like yesterday - continuous straight up with straight down hills. Over and over and over. Spokane cannot compare to this (thank the goddesses of hill and dales).
Mark started and completed his 50 miles. Near the end was his 'hill from hell'. He even became irritated and exhausted with it. The good part of this, was the weather was again near perfect (not the 109 degrees my friends are experiencing traveling in Oklahoma!!).
Ken took up the next 50. Still very hilly over and over and over.
Then it was after 2:00 pm, and my turn. Ken was finishing his ride (somewhere back there), so Mark drove me ahead so I could start. Which I did. Abruptly uphill. I believe it was actually climbing up a tree while riding my bike. I'm really not sure bikes are made for that .... or did the guys sign me up with 'thee Tour' and just didn't tell me???? Then the same confusing road signage, with the route we were on suddenly disappearing. But I continued to climb. Mark kindly drove ahead on the winding, straight up road; and within 5 miles realized this wasn't the road we wanted to take. So back to me; I load back into thee van. Ken calls as he is done with his ride. We drive back into the town and pick him up. We'll try the Freeway for a few miles; and again found the route we wanted. I get back out and restart the whole process.
This took me up, not only the abrupt hills with curves you couldn't see around, but over two mountains - the second being higher than the first. By this point, I'm doing a lot of hill climbing standing, which then causes my left leg/foot to go numb, and I'm thinking, "I'm doing this why??".
The guys are sagging me nicely. At one portion of the climb, as they drive by they ask, "Am I OK?". My reply, "I'm not pregnant". Which means - at age 53, post menopause, spouse with vasectomy, kids grown and gone, grand kids starting adolescence ... that would be horrible!!!!! So see, life really is good and I'll just keep pedalling. All a matter of perspective.
The top and second pics are views from the "easy rolling hills" the three of us climbed over and over. Makes roller-coasters look simple. The third pic is from the top of the second mountain I accomplished. Beautiful, wickedly steep country. But really really pretty.
So we are starting the final 2 day grind into Atlantic City. We'll 'put the hammer down' as Ken's wife is flying out to meet him Saturday and we need to be done by then.
It's impressive how abruptly the architecture of the buildings change as we merely cross a state line. You wouldn't think the buildings would know that stuff. There are suddenly very tall, slender buildings built very close to one another; much more brick and stone; sharply sloped roofs; balconies. Everywhere are cemeteries, getting older and older as we near the coast.
We now again see "Share the Road" signs with a bicycle posted. Doesn't mean they do, however, these last few days people have been kind regarding the road sharing process.
Saw 2 Confederate flags flying outside of a house - one today and one when we were in Iowa. No American flag ... just Confederate.
The guys are in bed awaiting me to wrap this up and turn the lights out. Another day of hills awaiting ....
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