Monday, June 15, 2015

Day #53-54 (Home 2 days) The Atlantic Coast Journey “Wrap Up”


Florida
Georgia

South Carolina 
North Carolina 
Virginia
Washington DC
Maryland 
Pennsylvania 
New Jersey
New York
Connecticut 
Massachusetts 
New Hampshire 
Maine


Video of T.V. coverage in Bar Harbor:
 
 
Total Mileage:  2582 miles
Days on the road:  51 with 8 recovery days
Total Climbing:  est. 80,000 feet
Total Number of States: 14 including D.C.
Number of flats:  1 (Piece of glass; still have Pam’s dollar bill under front tire and super glue on top!)
Gearing phenomena:  Put my bike into first gear in front chain ring on June 5thand wasn't moved again!
Best Meal:  “The Wharf” in Alexandria, VA Old Town
Best Coffee:  “The Daily Grind” East Windsor, CT
Best Ice Cream: “Frozen Caboose” Highland, NY
Best Lobster Roll:  “The Maine Diner” Wells, ME
Worst weather: Tropical Storm Ana in Surf City, NC 
Best weather:  Sunshine in Bar Harbor, ME
Great Quote: “….I would always have the memories….just a little longer to take in the views, breathe the air, ride my bike, and be absolutely and completely free.”  (Taken from an article in Adventure Cyclist, Dec2014/Jan2015)
 
“How to Deal with Re-Entry” (Provided at Bar Harbor Banquet by Mary Blake)
1)     When you get home, don’t take your bike to the bedroom.
2)     Refrain from putting a plastic chair in your driveway, expecting dinner to be served.
3)     Don’t go to the neighbor’s house and ask if you can “just throw a few things in the laundry.”
4)     When doing errands around town and “mother nature” calls, green rooms are not the way to go; public restrooms are available.
5)     If a white Subaru comes along while you are riding, don’t tap your helmet expecting it to stop and offer you water or snacks [or a bike pump]!
6)     No list is required before doing laundry.  You can be first.
7)     Don’t obsess with the ground in dirt on your ankles – skin cells replace themselves about every month.
8)     If you find yourself having a difficult time going through re-entry alone – know that we can always call one another to ease the way. We will understand.

Thanks again to my wonderful friends and colleagues for all their support, and my incredible family for making this trip a reality!

 




Friday, June 12, 2015

Day #52 Bar Harbor, ME to Bangor, ME to Madison, WI to Soldiers Grove, WI


Home Again!!
L to R:  Katie and Luna 

Best of Day: Bud brought flowers to airport!
Worst of Day: Saying good-bye again to wonderful new and old friends.
Quote of Day: “What happened to your feet?!”  (TSA staff at OO Bangor Airport)  
“O You are our heroes!”  (TSA staff when we explained our strange tanlines from biking sandals!)

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Day #51 Bucksport, ME to Bar Harbor, ME 46.7 miles


The K-Team Dipping Tires at the Bar Harbor Pier
L to R:  Kathy Q, Katie, Kirby, Cathy M, Katricia and Canada

Best of Day: Finished!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dipping of tires at Bar Harbor Pier; Lobster roll for lunch; Taking bikes to bike shop for shipping; Ice cream break; Banquet tonight! 
Worst of Day: Saying good-bye to wonderful new and old friends.
Quote of Day: There were many quotes today!  One of the more memorable was “The breakfast Emily made for us this morning was like the finale at a fireworks display!!” which was a reference to homemade cinnamon buns and quiche!  (Unidentified member of the K-team!)

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Day #50 Rockport, ME to Bucksport, ME 42.8 miles


West Penobscot Bay in Camden, ME
L to R:  Katie, Kathy Q and Kirby 

Best of Day: Took advantage of short mileage and sunshine; Ate our way to Bucksport with 3 different stops for food (lunch, bakery and ice cream); Went to the top of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory; Map meeting included plans to meet at pier in Bar Harbor to dip wheels and take a group picture!
Worst of Day: 3000 ft. more of climbing.
Quote of Day: “You gals are having too much fun to ever get back on those bikes out there!”  (Gentleman sitting next to our table at lunch.)

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Day #49 Freeport, ME to Rockport, ME 68.8 miles


And we rode 68 miles today looking like this?!
L to R:  Kathy Q, Kirby and Katie

Best of Day: Wide shoulders on many roads today; Crossing inlets; Lobster boats; Lobster roll for lunch.  
Worst of Day: Cold, foggy, misty rain; Hills (4855 ft. of climbing)
Quote of Day: “The hardpart of stopping is starting” (K-Team consensus)

Monday, June 8, 2015

Day #48 Freeport, ME 0 miles (Recovery Day)




L.L. Bean Headquarters is Freeport, Maine!
L to R:  Kirby, Katie and Kathy Q.
Best of Day: Weather is holding off – rained for awhile then stopped!
High tea at our Inn at 3:30 in the afternoon!  This is a town of “outlets” of all sorts.  Great restaurants near our Inn; Lobster roll for lunch. 

Happy Birthday Lisa!

Worst of Day: Never long enough!
Quote of Day:  “It’s been quite the day with all these bikes in town!”  (Bike Technician at L.L. Bean Bike, Boat & Ski Store)

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Day #47 Kennebunk, ME to Freeport, ME 63.76 miles


Walking the last half of this hill (15-16% grade)!
(Picture taken by friends of other cyclists on our tour, passing us in their car!)
Best of Day: One more spectacular day of great weather; The route took us inland to get around Portland; Lobster rolls for lunch! 
Worst of Day: Road surface and hills kept us alert the last 20 miles (3582 ft of climbing)!
Quote of Day:  “Not even Pavarotti could help me up this hill!”

Day #46 Hampton, NH to Kennebunk, ME 46.4 miles


Kelle sent a large package of “Kind” energy bars for the tour in Hampton, NH.  They were much appreciated by all at the snack table this morning!
L to R:  Kathy “Canada,” Gail, Sue and Dolly

Best of Day: Spectacular day; Rode along the coast for most of day; SAG stop at the Nubble Lighthouse; Lobster rolls for lunch!
Worst of Day: Nothing!
Quote of Day:  “Today’s ride was the ride I signed up for!”(Katricia)

Friday, June 5, 2015

Day #44 Boxborough, MA to Hampton, NH 78.3 miles


“Arrived at the Ocean Again!”
L to R:  Kathy Q., Katie and Kirby 

Best of Day: Great weather (70’s again with no wind); Up or down with nothing in between with 3000 ft. of climbing (never took bike out of first gear in big chain ring); Chocolate Shop in Exeter; New State with one to go!; Finding the ocean again!
Worst of Day: Forgot to call Nancy B.(SAG driver) to let her know that we stopped at gas station and ate packed lunches while she sat 4 miles up the road and waited for us!
Quote(s) of Day:  “Tomorrow we’re only eating seafood.  I’m not going to pack a PB&J.  I will live dangerously!”  (Kirby)
“We will leave later in the morning and hopefully some of you will NOT arrive [at next destination] while the people in your rooms are still sleeping!”  (Michelle, Guide, at Map Meeting)

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Day #43 Sturbridge, MA to Boxborough, MA 62.9 miles

P
“On the Road Again!”
L to R:  Katie, Patricia (aka Katricia) and Kirby
(Picture taken by Kathy Q)



"Dinner at Robyn's house!"

Best of Day: Great weather (high 60's with no wind); Hills were “doable” (3500 ft. of climbing); Beautiful country roads; Miles of stone fences and walls; Dinner in the back yard at Robyn's historic home (Woman Tours rider who lives nearby and fixed a wonderful dinner for us.) 
Worst of Day: Ice cream shop recommended on cue sheet did not exist!
Quote of Day:  When we stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts to get coffee (we were desperate) an “older” gentleman at the table next to ours, said“I can barely walk and you girls are riding bikes!”  I said, “Yes sort of crazy, don’t you think?”  He replied, “Maybe crazy but crazy healthy!”

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Day #42 Sturbridge, MA 0 miles (Recovery day –70 degrees and sunny)




“Day off” Dinner!
L to R:  Kathy Q., Pam, Roberta, Mary D., Tom B., Tom K., Katie, Kirby, Katricia, (Vickie joined us later).

Best of Day: Bike odometer repaired at bike store; Hair color and cut; Reunion with Roberta and Tom Brown who took our laundry last night, returned it tonight AND treated us (2010 ST alum) to dinner; Tom Kirby (Kirby’s brother) with us for dinner.
2010 Southern Tier reunion included Mary D., Pam, Kirby and Roberta.
Worst of Day: Not long enough!
Quote of Day:  Dinner was full of quotes – probably most memorable was Q telling the story of her second flat tire and sharing the wisdom of “When someone asks if you need help, you always say YES!”  

Also, Tom Brown's idea of providing a laundry service on epic tours in addition to a "blog synthesis" service!

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Day #41 East Windsor, CT to Sturbridge, MA 0 miles (SAG day – 50 degrees with hills and rain)


The “K” teamdivided!
Some dressed to bike in the cold and drizzle; others dressed to ride in the van!

Best of Day: Stayed warmand dry; Kirby’s brother came and took the “K” team van riders to lunch while we waited for Kirby to arrive; Crossed over to one more new state; Roberta, another of the ST 2010 alum met us for dinner and brought their beer for the tour group (Atlantic Coast 2015 label!)
Worst of Day:  Hills
Quote of Day:  Roberta coined this phrase on the Southern Tier and Mary D. used it today, “And we actually pay to do this??!!“

Monday, June 1, 2015

Day #40 Lakeville, CT to East Windsor, CT - 0 miles (SAG day – 50 degrees with wind chill and rain)


Icing my knees the night before the cold snap/rain day.

I rode in the van today (with strong knees) and ran crisis interference at the 20 mile SAG stop.  Subaru had a low tire and needed repair so the van took the first SAG stop.  Emily opened the kitchen to make popcorn and heat water for hot chocolate.  The 7 people in the van gathered all their extra clothing to contribute to the wet and cold cyclists as they came through.  We also improvised with plastic bags and non-latex gloves from kitchen.

Best of Day: Stayed warm and dry; Oysters and clams on the half shell for lunch in East Windsor; Brother (who lives here) of one cyclist on tour brought us wine and cheese before dinner tonight; Everyone who rode today arrived safely. 
Worst of Day: Rain and more rain expected.  Cold front moved in with temperatures in the 50’s (lowest today was 46 degrees); Watched and worried about hypothermia.
Quote of Day:  “Are we having fun yet?”  (Mary D. arriving at SAG stop.)

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Day #40 Highland, NY to Lakeville, CT 45.5 miles


Picture: Southern Tier 2010 reunion with Karen Carlson
L to R:  Pam, Mary D., Karen, Katie and Kirby

Best of Day: Crossed into Connecticut (feels like we are making progress!); Lovely motel/inn that looks/feels like New England; Karen Carlson met us for a visit and dinner tonight (she is one of our 2010 Southern Tier alum who lives in Connecticut!)
Worst of Day: Rained off and on; My first flat of the trip! (thank you Cathy, Pam, and Mary for being my village); Temperatures dropped to the 50’s!
Quote of Day:  “Southern Tier was magical” (while I was icing my knees.)  For some reason everyone thought it was funny (and suggested it should be the quote today) – I was actually only responding to the “cross country” image/myth that seems to be so compelling!!??

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Day #39 Matamoras, PA to Highland, NY 58 miles


On the walkway above the Hudson River (between Highland NY and Poughkeepsie, NY)
L to R:  Kathy Q., Mary D., Patricia (aka Katricia), Kathy “Canada,” Kirby, Katie & Pam

Best of Day: Great weather; Beautiful rolling hills (after the steep ones the first 20 miles!); Meeting up with the mid-Hudson Bike Club who were biking and stopped to visit.  They told us where to eat lunch in New Paltz.
Worst of Day: Lost our reservations in New Paltz and were moved on to Highland, NY where we are in 2 different-hotels (another adventure!)
Quote of Day:  “Oh, you are staying at the hotel that has been re-branded.  They have a new sign!”  (Gentleman who told us how to get to the walkway at the Hudson River and was asking about the ride!)  

Friday, May 29, 2015

Day #37 Easton, PA to Matamoras, PA 75.04 miles


At about mile 30.6,while biking in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, we crossed the Appalachian Trail.

Best of Day: Crossingthe Delaware River 4 different times; crossing the Appalachian Trail; Finding the best Greek and Italian food in small town, Layton, NJ.
Worst of Day: Hilly and Hot!
Quote of Day:  “That is really an amazing old tree (stopping for a picture).”  Response: “And this is an amazingly long day!”  (Our biking team having a typical conversation!)

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Day #37 New Hope, PA to Easton, PA 38.5 miles


The picture Martin took!
L to R:  Patricia M. Kirby, Mary D., Cathy M., Kathy "Canada," Katie and Kathy Q.

We crossed the Delaware River in New Hope, PA over to Lambertville, New Jersey, and rode along the river on the New Jersey side, up to Easton, PA

Best of Day: A very wonderful and “against all odds” story. 
We wanted a group picture under the “Welcome to New Jersey” sign. Kathy Q gave her camera to the next person we saw walking toward us on the street, and asked if he would take our picture.  When he held the camera up to take the picture he lowered it and said, “Kirby???” Kirby said “Martin???”
Turns out he is a close business associate/friend who is meeting her husband in Italy tomorrow for a 10th anniversary celebration of mutual friends! He lives on the Jersey Shore and comes to Lambertville once every two months for a meeting.  He’s usually late, but today was early.  He usually takes another street but today needed to go to the post office!  
Worst of Day: A few 12%grade hills!
Quote of Day:  When we found Martin (or Martin found us) he said to Kirby, “When I die from eating too many doughnuts, you will bike to my funeral!”

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Day #36 Phoenixville, PA to New Hope, PA 47 miles


Bud arrives in New Hope (on his way to D.C. for 50th college reunion!)  
Picture taken in front of a grand piano keyboard that was used for a Mantovani album (Pineapple Hill Inn B & B.)

Best of Day: Bud arrived (of course!)
Worst of Day: Lots ofhills and a few mistakes on cue sheet!
Quote of Day: “No!! You’re going where and you’re how old??!!” (Owner of our B&B)

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Day #35 Phoenixville, PA No miles (“Off the bikes” day)


Now this is the way to spend a recovery day!
L to R: Kirby, Patricia, Kathy “Canada” and Susan R.
 
Best of Day: Starbucks within walking distance and hard copy of NYT!
Worst of Day: Not long enough!
Quote of Day: “Really, tell us where you women are really going?!”  (Hotel guests at breakfast).

Monday, May 25, 2015

Day #34 Denver, PA to Phoenixville, PA 48.1 miles


Lunch on the terrace of “The Inn” St. Peters, PA (the only open restaurant on the route!)
Front Table, L to R:  Kathy “Canada,” Kirby, Katie, Patricia and Kathy Q.  Back Table, L to R:  Susan, Gail, Dolly, Marilyn and Janet
 
Best of Day: Beautiful weather, more rolling hills, short mileage day!
Worst of Day: Twists and turns on cue sheet and some riders were backtracking.
Quote of Day: “I never heard of Bob Evans, I had to ask someone outside the building if it was a restaurant?!  (Cyclist on our tour who lives in California)

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Day #33 York, PA to Denver, PA 49.9 miles


Lunch in the park in Manheim, PA
L to R:  Mary D., Pam, Kathy M., Katie, Michelle(Guide), Patricia, Kirby and Kathy Q.

Best of Day:  Rolling hills through Amish Country; Crossing the Susquehanna River
Worst of Day: A few 8-10% grade hills
Quote of Day: “It will take them a lot longer to get to Bar Harbor but at least they are healthier than we are!”  (Motorcycle riders at gas station)

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Day #32 Owings Mills, MD to York, PA (20 miles to the trailhead, 40 miles on the trail!)

,
The rails to trails path (map) we rode today. Reflections in the glass:  Katie (taking picture), Mary D (taking her picture!) and Kirby 

Best of Day:  Most of day on the trail, some stand-alone stretches of trail, other stretches ran along existing railroad tracks, renovated steam engine in New Freedom, coffee shops and small restaurants all along the way.  
Worst of Day:  When we got off the trail we drove through York and after climbing a hill, were back on a 4 lane highway to hotel (welcome back to reality!)
Quote of Day: “I would rather bike with alligators than bike on the roads in Florida!”  (Gentleman we met on the path with his wife who was asking us about the tour!!)

Friday, May 22, 2015

Day #31 Alexandria, VA to OwingsMills, MD 30.5 miles (40 miles inthe van to arrive early for visit with friends in Owings Mills!)


Visiting special college friends in Owings Mills, MD
L to R: Katie, Barrie and Lawre

Best of Day:  We were on bike paths until Rockville, MD (Mount Vernon, Capital Crescent, Georgetown Branch, and Rock Creek Park Trails).  Barrie picked me up at the hotel and we went to her house!  Lawre joined us there!
Worst of Day:  Trying to figure out cue sheets on bike trails that twisted and turned without signage.
Quote of Day: “Be Careful Out There!”  (Patty Jackson, our tour guide’s last message to us at map meeting.)  She will be leaving tomorrow morning and another tour guide extraordinaire, Michelle Slusher, has come to continue the tour with us.

Day # 30 Mount Vernon bike path from Alexandria into and around D.C. 17 miles


Katie in D.C./Washington Monument

Best of Day:  Recovery day today.  Rained most of day.  Kathy Q and I ventured out on the bike path and toured the monuments.  
Worst of Day:  Cold and wet (although we didn’t care!)  
Quote of Day: Washington monument – site of Katie and Bud’s first date, 54 years ago!  
“Who would have thought I would be back at this monument on my bike (dripping wet with a shower cap on my helmet ??)”

Day #29 Fredericksburg, VA to Alexandria, VA 42.3 miles (40 miles in the van!)


Wisteria in the tree on street in Alexandria, VA (Old Town)
L to R. Kathy Q, Kirby,Patricia

Best of Day:  Making the decision to SAG the second half of the ride (knees and legs were not happy after yesterday’s hills!)
Worst of Day:  Hearing the riders say today was the worst day of riding yet!
Quote of Day:  Depending on whom you asked, “The mileage today was 80 miles/or the mileage today was 85.”  (Remains undecided!)

Katie update

Katie doing fine; Internet issues last two days. Hopefully can post tonight - Friday. 

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Day #28 Richmond, VA to Fredericksburg, VA 71.3 miles




People wonder why it takes us so long to bike the day!
This is the turn at mile 67 of 71 miles, and the landscapers in the group are trying to figure out what kind of tree this is!  Picture of blossomincluded!  
L to R:  Kathy (Canada), Kirby and Kathy Q (holdingthe tree!)

Best of Day:  Change in elevation during the day was 206 ft.to 237 ft.
Worst of Day:  Total climb of 2500+ feet!  (We are back in the hills!)

Quote of Day:  “Is this really the home of Secretariat?”  (Biking through horse country)

Monday, May 18, 2015

Day #27 Williamsburg, VA to Richmond, VA 66.6 miles


Doors through the concrete wall built for “flood protection” along the river front, under railroad tracks entering Richmond, VA.
L to R:  Patti Jackson (our tour guide extraordinaire who rode with us today) and Katie

Best of Day:  Virginia Capital Trail (paved bike trail) and Mary Drennen has returned!
Worst of Day:  Torrential rain 5 minutes from hotel!
Quote of Day:  Cue sheet for tomorrow was “backwards” when Patti went out to scout the route.  “Map meeting will be after breakfast,  tomorrow morning at 7 [collective sigh].”

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Day #26 Williamsburg, VA 0 miles (Recovery Day)


Dinner at the Blue Talon Bistro, Williamsburg, known for its “comfort food.”
L to R: Cathy M., Kathy “Canada,”Patricia, Kirby and Katie

Best of Day:  Having some down time, spa day, tourist day!
Worst of Day:  Unpredicted torrential rain while waiting for the shuttle bus!
Quote of Day is being replaced by “Food of the Day:”  
Katie’s breakfast was poached eggs on cheesy grits; 
Kathy Canada’s was French toast stuffed with blue berries;  
Cathy’s was French toast stuffed with melted brie and her first pot of loose tea on the trip!! 

Day #25 Suffolk, VA to Williamsburg, VA 53.6 miles


Visiting the Jamestown Living Museum which included the re-creations of the ships (Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery) that brought the first permanent English colonists to Virginia in 1607.
L to R: Patricia, Kirby, Kathy “Canada” and Katie
 Best of Day:  Perfect riding conditions.  Touring the Jamestown Museum.
Worst of Day:  Cumulative fatigue – definitely need the day off tomorrow!!
Quote of Day:  “You must be having a blast!” (Woman at museum who asked if we were riding on a group tour!) 

Friday, May 15, 2015

Day #24 Elizabeth City, NC to Suffolk, VA 64.6 miles


“SAG (Supportand Gear) Stop” in this beautiful North Carolina farm country.

Best of Day:  New State! Welcome to Virginia!  Reached 1291miles today…1291 to go!
Worst of Day:  No towns with services so we ate on the road (see picture!)
Quote of Day:  “We are half way through the ride!!!”  (Kathy Q at 39 miles on today’s route!)

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Day #23 Plymouth, NC to Elizabeth City, NC 57.11 miles


Cycle Gallery, a bike shop in Elizabeth City, NC where I had my bike fixed by this wonderful technician, whose name is Austin (see quote).

Best of Day:  Lunch in Hertford, NC (fried okra!)
Worst of Day:  Head winds most of day and rough road surfaces.
Quote of Day:  “Miss Katie, you are money!   Take that bike and rock and roll!”  
(Austin, bike tech, after he figured out the problem with the gears!)

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Day #22 New Bern, NC toPlymouth, NC 76.11 miles


We added 3 miles to our distance driving around Plymouth, looking for a local ice cream shop.  We found it. And it was worth the extra miles!

Best of Day:  Crossing the Pamlico River on the Ferry.
Worst of Day:  Head winds most of day.
Quote of Day:  “Where are all the men in your group?”  (Motorcyclists waiting to board the Ferrywith us!)

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Day #21 Surf City (Top SailIsland) NC to New Bern, NC 100 miles


My odometer at 100 miles (the one and only century of this ride!)

Best of Day:  Tail winds and no rain! 
Worst of Day:  I have heat rash all over my legs (ugh).  Other riders were taking pictures of it before dinner tonight – so you might see them on someone else’s blog -- ditto ugh!  (TMI?!)
Quote of Day:  This morning at breakfast, I told Patti (ourguide) that she should write a memoir and she responded by saying, “Yes, I will….right before I leave for Antarctica!”


p.s Happy Birthday, Abby!!

Monday, May 11, 2015

Day #20 Surf City (Top SailIsland) NC Recovery Day



Breakfast Club: Walked a mile to this coffee shop on Top Sail Island.
L to R: Pam (CA), KathyQ (TX), Katie, Kirby (IL), Kathy (CAN), Susan (CA). Barb (GA), 

Best of Day:  We toasted tonight to the “End of Tropical Storm Ana.”  
Worst of Day:  Nothing!
Quote of Day:  When we called the cab from our restaurant after dinner, he asked “Are you the biker girls?!” 


Sunday, May 10, 2015

Day #19 Carolina Beach, NC to Surf City (Top Sail Island) NC No miles on bike (54 miles in the van) because of severe weather.


Lunch at Gallagher’s restaurant in Surf City, NC.  We were celebrating the riders who made it to their destination today. 
L to R: Pam (CA), Kathy Q (TX), Marilyn (NZ), Judi (MO), Cathy (AUS), Kirby (IL), Lynda (WA), Barb (GA), Kathy (CAN), Nancy (MA), Patricia (CO), Nancy (ME), Katie, and Susan (CA).  
 
Best of Day:  The 21 cyclists who decided to ride, made it to their destination (with a tail wind!)
Worst of Day:  Tropical storm Ana reached land fall along the Carolinas today.
Quote of Day:  “I thought I saw some knuckleheads out there in the rain on their bikes, earlier today!”  (Bar owner near hotel who told us where we could find food…and wondered why we didn’t have a car…...and called a cab for us!)