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!!??

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!)  

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!)

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!”

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)

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).

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)

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)

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!!)

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. 

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)

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].”

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!) 

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!)

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!)

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!)

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!!

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?!” 

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!)

Day #18 Shallotte, NC to Carolina Beach, NC No miles on bike (40miles in van)

The van that carried the cyclists (2 trips) and their bikes, across the water, from Southport,over the inlet, on the ferry, to Carolina Beach, NC!

Best of Day:  The 13 cyclists who decided to ride, made itsafely to their destination.
Worst of Day:  Reports of the sub-tropical (now upgraded toTropical) storm Ana that is brewing along the Carolinas continues for tomorrow.
Quote of Day:  “The week has not had many redeeming days and somepeople are starting to have that thousand mile stare!”  (Carolyn, one of our super SAG drivers)

Day #17 Conway, SC to Shallotte, NC 52.4 miles

Arriving in North Carolina, State #4---8 to go!

 

Best of Day:  Great weather and closer now to the coast line.

Worst of Day:  Reports of a sub-tropical storm (Ana) that is brewing along the Carolinas.

Quote of Day:  When we check in at our hotel, people at desk often ask for identification.  Today I asked and they said, “Honey, if you come in on a bike, we believe you are who you say y’all are!”

Day #16 Georgetown, SC to Conway, SC 39.4 miles

Stopped at the Pee Dee Grocery to wring out gloves and warm up!
Kathy (Canada), Tina (NJ), Kathy Q, Katie  

Best of Day:  We were one of the first ones in (noon!)
Worst od Day: Took wrong route but saved 12 miles!  Rained most of day.
Quote of Day:  “Wonderin’ where y’all are from and what was goin’ on?  Thought maybe there was a yard sale!”  (Clothes hanging out to dry [andbikes] outside of rooms!)

Day #15 Moncks Corner, SC to Georgetown, SC 67.4 miles

Lunch in Georgetown, SC….first Oyster Po’Boy of the trip!
L to R: Katie, Kathy(Canada), Leslie (Australia), Kathy (Australia), Kirby, Kathy Q

Best of Day:  Shorter route than yesterday! Arriving in this beautiful historic town!
Worst of Day:  Bad (patched) roads that are never ending!  Kirby changed same tire twice today.
Quote of Day:  “You’re going where??....What happened to y’all, just all go crazy one day?!” (Contractor (historic renovation) on street in Georgetown SC who asked where we were going.)

Day 15 Mionks Corner to Georgetown SC 67.4 miles

Great day but no access to AOL....will post  2 days tonight!

Day #14 Point South, SC to MoncksCorner, SC 80.4 miles

Fouse (who gave Mary D. a ride) and Mary made a surprise visit to our first SAG stop on their way to the airport in Charleston! 
L to R:  Kathy Q, Mary D., Kirby and Fouse 

Best of Day:  Good weather and smoothies for dessert tonight!
Worst of Day:  Bad (patched) roads!
Quote of Day:  All of us trying to figure out why there was cotton (unpicked) in the fields?

Day #13 Point South, SC Recovery Day, no miles

Dinner and map meeting in Point South with Jeff Fouse (Kirby’s hubby).
L to R:  Patricia, KathyQ., Fouse, Kirby, Kathy D., Kathy M., and Katie

Sad news all around today.  
Peg, one of cyclists and a SAG driver had fallen on the rumble strips one day last week.  Taken to the E.R. with possible concussion and shoulder injury.  She was cleared from the E.R. and returned.  Her physician at home however, told her today she should come home and not ride for at least 6 weeks.  She will return home to California tomorrow.

During dinner tonight, Mary Drennen found out that her Dad passed away this afternoon. Both of her parents were still living in the family home in Springfield, OH. He was 93years old.
Mary flies home tomorrow and hopes to return to the tour. 

We are down in numbers, but will leave early tomorrow on an 80 mile day.

Day #12 Statesboro, GA to Point South, SC 70.7 miles

Arriving in Statesboro, our last day in Georgia (Katie, Kirby, Kathy) yesterday!

Arriving in South Carolina today!

Best of Day:  Today was another “This is why we ride” day!  TCBY (next to hotel) when we finished at 1:30.  
Worst of Day: No services on route.  
Quote of Day:  “I think we are close to finishing 25% of the trip (both in time and mileage!)  (Pam, one of our ST 2010 crew). 

Day #11 Glennville, GA to Statesboro, GA 48.7 miles

And then there were 4…..  These are the remaining 4 (of 5) members of the Southern Tier 2010 ride at a SAG stop on route today (Katie, Pam, Kirby and Mary). Alayne made the decision today to leave because of quadricep tendinitis.
Best of Day:  Today was a “This is why we ride” day!  Great roads, little traffic, no head winds, 70’s and clear skies!
Worst of Day: Confusion with directions sent a rider off route, Kathy (Canada) lhad a flat and Barb had two broken spokes from a rumble strip.
Quote of Day:  “I would invite you in for coffee but my Aunt is still sleeping” (by the woman who owns an historic folk Victorian home (Foy-Hodges house) where some of the riders stopped to take pictures).

Day #10 Blackshear, GA toGlennville, GA 61.45 miles

The Fab Five K’s under the gas station sign that spoke to us!

Best of Day:  Found my first Snickers Ice Cream Bar with 6 miles left on the route!  
Worst of Day:  Rumble Strips
Quote of Day:  “I’ll say good-bye 10 more times since I’ll be here in the morning.” (Denise, our guide who scouted this trip, is leaving tomorrow.  Patty, who has been mentoring our new cook, will be taking over.)  

Day #9 Folkston, GA toBlackshear, GA 55.32 miles

Emily, our cook (in training) working her magic in Woman Tour’s mobile kitchen!

Best of Day:  Less humidity as we go inland; Sunny day; Finished by 1:30!
Worst of Day:  Chip seal roads for last ten miles with head winds
Quote of Day:  “So do y’all take turnssleepin’ in that their van?!” (Customer at gas station when van and truck were parked in the lot and we stopped for water)