An interesting day. We left our nice motel (53 degrees), no coffee etc, and rode down town to the diner recommended by the deer hunters also staying at our motel. We had a good breakfast and caught a bit of the conversations going on in the rowdy end of the room. General talk about deer hunting, bears, and one guy was telling some one about a lady he knew. She got married and on her first anniversary she went to a heavy equipment operator business. They told her they were not hiring and she told them she was not looking for a job but instructions on how to work the back hoe she got for her anniversary present. Fellow said she got a D-6 Caterpillar for second anniversary. It seems I have heard a similar store before.
We headed out of town to the bridge over the Delaware from PA into New Jersey and the toll taker directed us to the walkway along the side of the bridge away from those "crazy drivers."
We anticipated a relatively easy riding day as our route took us through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Our first few miles were very nice, no cars, relatively flat riding, cool sunny weather.
The first thing to make the day interesting was info that the road was closed due to damage from the hurricane that went through. We had seen lots of damage along this secondary, low priority road including several places where they had to cut trees that had fallen across the road; numerous places where the water had run across the road leaving a lot of gravel on the road. We called the Park Service, Yep, road is closed to all traffic, including bikes. Only recourse is 12 miles back, cross over to the Pennsylvania side of the river. Then I recalled Steve, the cyclist we had met in New Hampshire, had told us he had made it through on his bike. So, off we went around the road closed barrier. Nice riding with no cars; however still some debris on the road. We were taking it easy in spite of discovering the route included some pretty steep climbs. Rudy was heading down one hill and hit something, flattening a tire. We stopped, sat in the middle of the closed road and put in a new tube which exploded when it had about 90 psi. Big bang, we jumped, it was the first time that had ever happened to either of us. Anyway, put in another new tube and were ready to hit the road when we discovered his front tire was also flat. No problem, another new tube and down the road we went. We came the damaged area and were able to navigate through with no problem.
We continued on down the road with some more good hills and only met three cars for the first 30 miles of our ride. We arrived in Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania, crossed under I80 and stopped for a bite to eat at a pizza place. Called our wives and got up on things on the home front. The TV was showing snow was falling on I80 in the Sierras in California! And then we headed back into New Jersey along a busy highway through the Gap. We shared our road through the Gap with the Delaware River, I 80, and the railroad which did not leave much room for our road. I was in front and pulled into an overlook for a photo op and Rudy did not see me leave the road. I yelled at him as he was passing but a large truck was going by and he could not hear me. I took my photo (it was not a good overlook) and then called Rudy to tell him I was behind him and to not and try to catch up with me. The call went to voice mail. I got back on the road knowing that if he was trying to catch me, I would never catch him, but he would get my message. About 4 miles down the road, I find him in a parking lot overlooking the river. His face is long. I asked if he got my message, no, He does not have his phone. He knew he left the pizza place with it and we figured that if he lost it along the road it would be in a million pieces by now. Lets call the pizza place just in case. I got out the receipt and discovered it is the first receipt we have on this trip that does not have a name or phone number on it. Neither of us could remember the name. I walked over to a gentleman sitting in his car in the lot. I told him what had happened and asked him if he knew the name of the pizza place and he did. I called 411
and answered the question, "City and State Please" with Delaware Water Gap Pennsylvania which confused the poor lady and after asking again she said she would have someone else help me which translated into she hung up on me. I tried again and got the number and was connected to Doughboys Pizza. No Rudy had not left his phone in the shop but a customer had found it in the parking lot and brought it in. Neither of us wanted to ride the 5 miles back through the Gap to get the phone and Joe, the gentleman in the car who came up with the name of the shop volunteered to drive Rudy back to get his phone. Nice guy. I stayed with the bikes and Rudy went and got his phone. People are nice.
Back on the road toward Belvidere where we have reservations. We continued along the crazy busy highway for a while and then our route takes us down a nice quite road along the river. So Rudy has another flat. Probably my fault as I was leading and missed a rock and Rudy never had time to avoid it. Anyway, tube out, used a new pre-glued patch the bike shop guy said worked great. It did not, so changed the tire again.
By the time we arrived at our hotel we were tired. We showered and
walked across the bridge into Pennsylvania for dinner at an old
restaurant owned by John the Greek. Our waitress was on her 3rd day in
the job, her first job as a waitress, and must have been John's grand
daughter to have lasted three days in the job. Food was good and we
walked back to New Jersey and our comfy room in our hotel which dates from the 1830s. Adam, whose family has been restoring the hotel for a number of years, used to race bikes in the Velodrome near Allentown, Pa when he was younger.
Long day, 57 miles
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Milford, PA 10/4/2011
Up and down the hall for coffee and whatever which today consisted of coffee, tiny donuts, bagels, cream cheese. We chatted with fellow guests, including Lucias and his brother in law from Louisville, KY. Both are retired, Tom, the brother in law, an MD and Lucias a teacher in a Catholic school . He noted that years ago he and his spouse were both teaching in Catholic Schools and realized they had no retirement so he bought a Sylvan Learning Center which did so well he bought 4 more and then sold them when he stopped teaching and retired. They walked across the foot bridge we rode across the Hudson yesterday and they also visited FDR's home in Hyde Park. They raved about the guides at Hyde Park as well as the Vanderbilt home. Today they were going to visit West Point (about 90 minutes by car from here). Lucias's wife rides bikes in Louisville, Ky with a regular group called the Buttermilks, but we won't go into that here (his comment) and the Buttermilks try to include at least one male on their rides in case some one has a flat.. We had a cup of coffee and took a bagel and cream cheese for later and headed into New Paltz for some breakfast. We stopped at the organic bakery ran by Seth who moved his family up from Long Island a few years ago to get away from big city life under the flight paths of a couple of major airports. He very generously split one order of oatmeal into two which appeared to be the size of two orders. Organic oatmeal, with strawberries, bananas, raisins, with organic milk and a cup of coffee, organic freetrade etc. Seth, a musician and has a friend in Sebastopol whom he has visited so he is familiar with Santa Rosa, Healdsburg etc.
On the road in the light rain which cleared up after about an hour or so. We had a few good hills as we left the Walkill River valley and entered the Neversink River valley. There has been lots of rain in this area during the whole month of September and all of the little streams are running a lot of water. We saw evidence of major flooding in the Neversink River channel and yet another bridge was closed to traffic, but we were able to go over it.
We stopped for an early lunch and had a chicken Parmesan panini and substituted french onion soup for the offered fries. Sandwich was huge and we ate half and took the rest with us for later. The soup was just the thing to warm us up after the cool rain riding.
We rolled into New Jersey, (no welcoming sign to take our photo by) and then over the bridge into Pennsylvania to the Meyer Motel in Milford. A nice, busy little town. The Motel is very nice and consists of 19 units, some single cabins, some, like ours, containing two units. We showered and ate our left over sandwiches and then walked up the street to a fish place and had some crab strips and a gin and tonic and conversation with John, a local gentleman who was trained as an attorney. He used to do a lot of ice climbing until he was hit by a car in a cross walk and spent a month or so in the hospital. We discussed our ride, our route, maps (John loves maps, Rudy said, sounds familiar and pointed at me). Conversation ran to topography, local beers, and several minutes about the civil war. John found the Gettysburg battlefield quite moving and "haunted".
Back to the motel, I tried to write the blog from the room but signal was to weak so I am in the office. Other guests include deer hunters who have been here for a few days. They are bow hunters and were successful hunting in New Jersey (across the Delaware River from Milford). The local deer are white tail deer, much bigger than the coastal deer we have in Sonoma County. The hunters made a point of telling Sharon, our inn keeper that it was not they who had dressed the deer behind the motel and it was another guest of the motel.
I had a nice chat with Sharon our inn keeper and gave her our blog name. She had friends who are planing a long bike ride. It is late and I am sure Rudy is asleep by now.
61 miles today. And the forecast is for mild sunny days the rest of our trip!
On the road in the light rain which cleared up after about an hour or so. We had a few good hills as we left the Walkill River valley and entered the Neversink River valley. There has been lots of rain in this area during the whole month of September and all of the little streams are running a lot of water. We saw evidence of major flooding in the Neversink River channel and yet another bridge was closed to traffic, but we were able to go over it.
We stopped for an early lunch and had a chicken Parmesan panini and substituted french onion soup for the offered fries. Sandwich was huge and we ate half and took the rest with us for later. The soup was just the thing to warm us up after the cool rain riding.
We rolled into New Jersey, (no welcoming sign to take our photo by) and then over the bridge into Pennsylvania to the Meyer Motel in Milford. A nice, busy little town. The Motel is very nice and consists of 19 units, some single cabins, some, like ours, containing two units. We showered and ate our left over sandwiches and then walked up the street to a fish place and had some crab strips and a gin and tonic and conversation with John, a local gentleman who was trained as an attorney. He used to do a lot of ice climbing until he was hit by a car in a cross walk and spent a month or so in the hospital. We discussed our ride, our route, maps (John loves maps, Rudy said, sounds familiar and pointed at me). Conversation ran to topography, local beers, and several minutes about the civil war. John found the Gettysburg battlefield quite moving and "haunted".
Back to the motel, I tried to write the blog from the room but signal was to weak so I am in the office. Other guests include deer hunters who have been here for a few days. They are bow hunters and were successful hunting in New Jersey (across the Delaware River from Milford). The local deer are white tail deer, much bigger than the coastal deer we have in Sonoma County. The hunters made a point of telling Sharon, our inn keeper that it was not they who had dressed the deer behind the motel and it was another guest of the motel.
I had a nice chat with Sharon our inn keeper and gave her our blog name. She had friends who are planing a long bike ride. It is late and I am sure Rudy is asleep by now.
61 miles today. And the forecast is for mild sunny days the rest of our trip!
Monday, October 3, 2011
New Paltz, NY 10/3/2011
Woke up to find it was still dark at 7 am. Foggy, but no rain. We left the key on the desk of unit two and left the Willows Motel, never having seen another guest nor an employee of the motel. Four Brothers restaurant was not open for breakfast and we stopped in corner gas station/coffee shop for some GatorAide and directions. Down the street to a little restaurant for breakfast. Chatted with brother of the owner about riding. He is recently divorced and has a 4 year old daughter. He has taken up bike riding again and rides the trail we rode yesterday with her. He stated he has started riding again as he wants to be in shape to walk his daughter down the aisle when the time comes. He also warned us about the big turn on the climb out of town, "very dangerous, if I had my truck with me, I would take you up the hill, corn field blocks the driver's view, etc," which did nothing for our anxiety about starting the day with a good climb. Well it was a steep climb but we were up around the corner before we knew it and had a beautiful ride on Highway 57 between Amenia and Salt Point.
We rolled into Hyde Park, and past FDR's home and stopped for lunch. Chatted with a former McKesson official who used to make regular business trips to San Francisco and he was a regular visitor to Sonoma/Napa valleys. Nice guy, lots of questions about our ride. We got back on the road into Poughkeepsie, NY. past Marist College onto the bridge over the Hudson.
We rode over the Walkway Over the Hudson Pedestrian Bridge, which is an old railroad bridge from the 1800s. Google it as it is a good example what can be done by grassroots organizations to accomplish some thing truly special. We stopped in mid span (1.3 miles or more, the longest pedestrian bridge in the world) for a photo op and started chatting with Julie from eastern Tennessee who is visiting the area checking out Vassar which is close by. Julie was interested in our ride, took some photos and we gave her our blog address Another pleasant person along the road.
We left the bridge and headed up through Highland only to discover up the road a couple of miles that the rail trail from the bridge continues a few miles. We rode the trail to its current end and continued on into New Paltz and stopped at the Rodeway Inn. I had made reservations when we stopped for lunch and discovered the phone number for the motel where we planned to stay in Shawangunk is no longer a working number.
Turns out the Rodeway Inn, althought it has a nice small Main Street address, is not down town or close to any place to eat. We took a cab to the Gilded Otter Brew Pub almost on the banks of the Walkill River. We walked a couple of blocks up river to look at some of the original homes in the area, built by the original Huguenot settlers who arrived in North America on the good ship Gilded Otter. We had the Monday night special, a ten ounce steak and a 10 ounce beer, with salad and veggies. It was a good meal and we walked up the hill away from the river. New Paltz is a college town and lots of college kids were out and about. We stopped in Garibaldi's, called a cab and chatted with James the bartender, college student, long boarder, native of Long Island, a budding writer and a pleasant young man. He spent a summer internship in Guatemala last year and is preparing to go to LA for a college creative writing shindig (my word, not his)
He had some good questions about our trip and was enjoyable to talk with. Our cab arrived and back to motel.
Noelle, the night clerk , with whom we had chatted while waiting for our cab to dinner,was still on duty. Another college student. She is from Wilson Hill Island, near Massena, NY in the Saint Lawrence River, and is a grad student with a major in Music Therapy. Five brothers, not sisters. I asked her if she was ever called Princess and she smiled and said, "My Dad". She did her undergrad work at Utah State. We suggested she could loan us her car as the owner of a B&B in Louisiana did after he had suggested a dinner place several miles down the road. Sorry, this is New York, not Louisiana.
It was a good day with good weather, good riding and great people.
41 miles in the sunshine. New Jersey and or Pennsylvania tomorrow.
We rolled into Hyde Park, and past FDR's home and stopped for lunch. Chatted with a former McKesson official who used to make regular business trips to San Francisco and he was a regular visitor to Sonoma/Napa valleys. Nice guy, lots of questions about our ride. We got back on the road into Poughkeepsie, NY. past Marist College onto the bridge over the Hudson.
We rode over the Walkway Over the Hudson Pedestrian Bridge, which is an old railroad bridge from the 1800s. Google it as it is a good example what can be done by grassroots organizations to accomplish some thing truly special. We stopped in mid span (1.3 miles or more, the longest pedestrian bridge in the world) for a photo op and started chatting with Julie from eastern Tennessee who is visiting the area checking out Vassar which is close by. Julie was interested in our ride, took some photos and we gave her our blog address Another pleasant person along the road.
We left the bridge and headed up through Highland only to discover up the road a couple of miles that the rail trail from the bridge continues a few miles. We rode the trail to its current end and continued on into New Paltz and stopped at the Rodeway Inn. I had made reservations when we stopped for lunch and discovered the phone number for the motel where we planned to stay in Shawangunk is no longer a working number.
Turns out the Rodeway Inn, althought it has a nice small Main Street address, is not down town or close to any place to eat. We took a cab to the Gilded Otter Brew Pub almost on the banks of the Walkill River. We walked a couple of blocks up river to look at some of the original homes in the area, built by the original Huguenot settlers who arrived in North America on the good ship Gilded Otter. We had the Monday night special, a ten ounce steak and a 10 ounce beer, with salad and veggies. It was a good meal and we walked up the hill away from the river. New Paltz is a college town and lots of college kids were out and about. We stopped in Garibaldi's, called a cab and chatted with James the bartender, college student, long boarder, native of Long Island, a budding writer and a pleasant young man. He spent a summer internship in Guatemala last year and is preparing to go to LA for a college creative writing shindig (my word, not his)
He had some good questions about our trip and was enjoyable to talk with. Our cab arrived and back to motel.
Noelle, the night clerk , with whom we had chatted while waiting for our cab to dinner,was still on duty. Another college student. She is from Wilson Hill Island, near Massena, NY in the Saint Lawrence River, and is a grad student with a major in Music Therapy. Five brothers, not sisters. I asked her if she was ever called Princess and she smiled and said, "My Dad". She did her undergrad work at Utah State. We suggested she could loan us her car as the owner of a B&B in Louisiana did after he had suggested a dinner place several miles down the road. Sorry, this is New York, not Louisiana.
It was a good day with good weather, good riding and great people.
41 miles in the sunshine. New Jersey and or Pennsylvania tomorrow.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Amenia, NY 10/2/2011
Well after of a day of rest we were out the door with our laundered clothes, spiffy bikes and ready for a nice breakfast at Pickle Works, the same restaurant we enjoyed so much when we came into Windsor Locks. It is closed on Sundays. Next choice, Friendlys. Way down the list from Pickle Works. We ate and as we are leaving it started raining. Not a problem, we are prepared, we stopped under the protection of a tree and put our rain pants on and I put on my booties over my shoes,which work very well. We rode for about an hour and a half in the rain and then it cleared up for the rest of the day. We rode up some monster hills, found another bridge on our route that was washed out during the hurricane and saw some beautiful scenery. The ride along the West Branch of the Farmington River between Pleasant Valley, CT and Riverton,CT was very nice. There were lots of joggers and other bikers out as the weather was great.
We stopped for lunch at Infinity Music Hall & Bistro in Norfolk, CT. Wonderful hamburgers and they had Lagunitas IPA from Petaluma and Murphy Goode Liar's Dice Zin. Photos will be posted. Staff was very pleasant and a couple of fellow diners approached and we chatted about out ride.
And the best thing about our stop in Norfolk, was when we left we had a great downhill for a few miles into East Canan and then onto a secondary road along the Blackberry River along the CT Wine Trail. We went past a couple of winerys and one very scrawny looking vineyard. Then over one more good hill and then into New York. I called a local motel, no room at the inn. Called a b&b in Amenia, room available at $190/night. We got a number for the Willows Motel in Amenia, $70/night. OK. Instructions form the operator with whom I booked the room, " I charged your card, your room is number 2 and when you get there, go on in, the key is on the desk." We had a nice ride down the Harlem Valley Rail Trail for 8 miles into Amenia and got off the trail and asked a couple of gentlemen, aged 75 and 83, about the location of the Willows. Down to the light, right, up the road across the street where the restaurant used to be. They also recommended the Four Brothers Restaurant, down the hill and to the left.
Well, for the last two nights we had a nice stay at the Econolodge in Windsor Locks at $70/night. Two rooms, etc. Tonight, one room, about 12x12; but there are a couple of beds and the shower was hot.
Dinner at the Four Brothers was good. News clipping on the wall covered President Nixon dining there.
A good day. 69 miles.
We stopped for lunch at Infinity Music Hall & Bistro in Norfolk, CT. Wonderful hamburgers and they had Lagunitas IPA from Petaluma and Murphy Goode Liar's Dice Zin. Photos will be posted. Staff was very pleasant and a couple of fellow diners approached and we chatted about out ride.
And the best thing about our stop in Norfolk, was when we left we had a great downhill for a few miles into East Canan and then onto a secondary road along the Blackberry River along the CT Wine Trail. We went past a couple of winerys and one very scrawny looking vineyard. Then over one more good hill and then into New York. I called a local motel, no room at the inn. Called a b&b in Amenia, room available at $190/night. We got a number for the Willows Motel in Amenia, $70/night. OK. Instructions form the operator with whom I booked the room, " I charged your card, your room is number 2 and when you get there, go on in, the key is on the desk." We had a nice ride down the Harlem Valley Rail Trail for 8 miles into Amenia and got off the trail and asked a couple of gentlemen, aged 75 and 83, about the location of the Willows. Down to the light, right, up the road across the street where the restaurant used to be. They also recommended the Four Brothers Restaurant, down the hill and to the left.
Well, for the last two nights we had a nice stay at the Econolodge in Windsor Locks at $70/night. Two rooms, etc. Tonight, one room, about 12x12; but there are a couple of beds and the shower was hot.
Dinner at the Four Brothers was good. News clipping on the wall covered President Nixon dining there.
A good day. 69 miles.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Windsor Locks, CT 10/1/2011
We both had a good nights sleep and went to check out the fare offered by the hotel. Coffee fine, but limited choice of anything else. A couple of fellow guests joined us. One of whom was a neighbor of the Webbs in New Hampshire; at least he knew where Landaff is located. His accent was remarkable and he told us about his job as a tree cuter following the recent storms. He had 8"rain in one day at his house which created all sorts of problems. His friend joined him and they said they were going to the ET. We asked what the ET was and the reply was, "You know, the fair." Oh, where is it being held? Neither knew, I guess the coffee had not kicked in yet.
We called spouses, and then took the free shuttle to the nearby Bradley International Airport, busiest airport in CT and 2nd busiest in New England, after Logan in Boston. It is also one of 65 in the world than can handle the AirBus 380. We arrived and went looking for a store offering maps of the area and maybe something to eat. There is one small shop offering a few books, newspapers and a new cafe seating about 10 and the rest of the places at beyond security. We walked into the attached Sheraton Hotel and had a nice salad buffet. I was hoping to locate maps of the East Coast Greenway which is going to be a linked system of trails down the east coast. We took the shuttle back to the motel and I loaded a few photos, watched a little football, rested, ate again, cleaned and serviced the bikes, looked at maps, made tentative plans where we might stay down the road, avoided walking up any hills. In general, we took it easy.
I read some of the postings so far and cringed a bit at some of my spelling and sentence structure. i due tri too use good english but its a bit hard two dew some times when i am tired. At least, that is my excuse.
I plan to post more photos in the same photo posting and I will also be adding items to the Along the Road posting.
It rained pretty hard this morning but has generally been overcast to misty most of the day. We are looking at possible rain tomorrow and plan to be up and out on the road early with plans to be in New York state tomorrow evening.
We called spouses, and then took the free shuttle to the nearby Bradley International Airport, busiest airport in CT and 2nd busiest in New England, after Logan in Boston. It is also one of 65 in the world than can handle the AirBus 380. We arrived and went looking for a store offering maps of the area and maybe something to eat. There is one small shop offering a few books, newspapers and a new cafe seating about 10 and the rest of the places at beyond security. We walked into the attached Sheraton Hotel and had a nice salad buffet. I was hoping to locate maps of the East Coast Greenway which is going to be a linked system of trails down the east coast. We took the shuttle back to the motel and I loaded a few photos, watched a little football, rested, ate again, cleaned and serviced the bikes, looked at maps, made tentative plans where we might stay down the road, avoided walking up any hills. In general, we took it easy.
I read some of the postings so far and cringed a bit at some of my spelling and sentence structure. i due tri too use good english but its a bit hard two dew some times when i am tired. At least, that is my excuse.
I plan to post more photos in the same photo posting and I will also be adding items to the Along the Road posting.
It rained pretty hard this morning but has generally been overcast to misty most of the day. We are looking at possible rain tomorrow and plan to be up and out on the road early with plans to be in New York state tomorrow evening.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Windsor Locks,CT 9/30/2011
We finally got out of the room around 8 after finishing our left over Grinders for breakfast, as the Ashford does not offer a continental breakfast and the nearest breakfast place is in Stafford Springs. So up the hill from Ashford, at this point "up the hill" seems redundant. After up and down some hills, we rolled into Stafford Springs and into a coffee shop/breakfast place that turned out to be very warm inside. We chatted with a local yoga instructor about riding in the area and it was clear he had never ridden his bike with any weight on it. Anyway, a bite to eat and yes, up the hill. Pretty town, and as with many of the towns on rivers in the area, some large brick buildings that were previously mills of some sort back in the day. Several of the buildings are now leased out to many firms for various uses. One of the rather nice old mills (not sure "mills" is an accurate description) in Whittinsville is being completely refurbished. There is a lot of money in the area as the towns are in good shape and there are many nice well kept homes along our route. We were close to Boston so I am sure many people commute from the area we have ridden through.
Anyway, on down the road through Ellington on Frog Hollow Road toward Windsor Locks. We stopped and took some photos of tobacco drying in a couple of large buildings (100 ft x 50 ft or so) and rolled on through some nice farm land in the Connecticut River valley.
On Tromley Road we pulled over with the idea of having a bagel. I asked the gentleman working in his garden if I could borrow his tree to lean my bike against. Ok, so I walked over to see his garden. He was picking what appeared to be seed pods of his climbing spinach plant, a new plant for him and me. We introduced our selves and Don Pomeroy, said he had picked spinach off the plant all summer and his wife had made some wonder quiches. We chatted for a while, talking garden stuff and bide riding; his son Peter rides a lot and has mountain bikes as well as road bikes. The dogs in a pen about 20 yards away heard us talking and would interrupt us now and again and Don would hush them with a persuasive, "Shut Up" command. He raises and trains hunting dogs, English Springer Spaniels, and owns Scantic River Kennel. He asked us in for coffee just as his son Robert, one of six children, 4 boy, 2 girls, pulled in to pick up some corn on orders of his Mom. Don, age 81, had been to the doctor this morning and got a clean bill of health and looked and moved very well in spite of having had both hips replaced. We went in and Don introduced his spouse Aggie and said we were here for coffee. We sat and talked for half hour or so and solved some of he world problems but mostly just talked about the important things like family. Aggie's family comes from Waterford, Ireland and we bemoaned the fact Waterford Crystal was closed and/or sold to a German company. Robert suggested they could make some nice crystal beer steins. We mentioned the tobacco and Aggie said the whole valley used to be filled with tobacco fields and the crop has almost disappeared from the area. Robert said that at age 12, under the legal age of 14, he had worked for an old farmer who on payday would gather all the workers around and hand them their pay in envelopes. A nice family and our meeting with them is an example of one of the reasons Rudy and I enjoy our rides. We exchanged e-mails and Aggie said she would try and open our blog on her new computer. After a very pleasant time we were back on the road toward Windsor Locks.
We stopped for lunch at the Pickle Works. I had a salmon caesar and Rudy had a chicken caesar. We had decided to make tomorrow a rest day, but as it was still early we called the motel in Granby listed on our maps. Unfortunately, they only had rooms with one bed. It is only another 9 miles up the road it is 9 miles we would not have to ride on our next riding day. We decided to stay in Windsor Locks which is the location of Bradley International Airport which serves Hartford and this area. Tom, the owner of Pickle Works gave us some suggestions and we settled in the Econo Lodge which has been recently refurbished.
Got settled and rode down the street to the laundromat and did our laundry which we needed to do as our limited wardrobe has suffered in the last few days of hard, rainy riding.
Back in the room and I showered and started my blog. Talked with family at home and Skyped my daughter in Ireland.
We walked a couple of blocks to Papa Ginos for dinner. As we got ready to leave, the skies opened up and heavy rain began to fall. We were standing by the door when Ricky, on break from his job at the local Honda parts distribution center, was leaving. We asked for a ride and he was nice enough to save us from getting soaked.
It is getting late and I am looking forward to kicking back tomorrow.
33 miles today. 37 mph for top speed.
Anyway, on down the road through Ellington on Frog Hollow Road toward Windsor Locks. We stopped and took some photos of tobacco drying in a couple of large buildings (100 ft x 50 ft or so) and rolled on through some nice farm land in the Connecticut River valley.
On Tromley Road we pulled over with the idea of having a bagel. I asked the gentleman working in his garden if I could borrow his tree to lean my bike against. Ok, so I walked over to see his garden. He was picking what appeared to be seed pods of his climbing spinach plant, a new plant for him and me. We introduced our selves and Don Pomeroy, said he had picked spinach off the plant all summer and his wife had made some wonder quiches. We chatted for a while, talking garden stuff and bide riding; his son Peter rides a lot and has mountain bikes as well as road bikes. The dogs in a pen about 20 yards away heard us talking and would interrupt us now and again and Don would hush them with a persuasive, "Shut Up" command. He raises and trains hunting dogs, English Springer Spaniels, and owns Scantic River Kennel. He asked us in for coffee just as his son Robert, one of six children, 4 boy, 2 girls, pulled in to pick up some corn on orders of his Mom. Don, age 81, had been to the doctor this morning and got a clean bill of health and looked and moved very well in spite of having had both hips replaced. We went in and Don introduced his spouse Aggie and said we were here for coffee. We sat and talked for half hour or so and solved some of he world problems but mostly just talked about the important things like family. Aggie's family comes from Waterford, Ireland and we bemoaned the fact Waterford Crystal was closed and/or sold to a German company. Robert suggested they could make some nice crystal beer steins. We mentioned the tobacco and Aggie said the whole valley used to be filled with tobacco fields and the crop has almost disappeared from the area. Robert said that at age 12, under the legal age of 14, he had worked for an old farmer who on payday would gather all the workers around and hand them their pay in envelopes. A nice family and our meeting with them is an example of one of the reasons Rudy and I enjoy our rides. We exchanged e-mails and Aggie said she would try and open our blog on her new computer. After a very pleasant time we were back on the road toward Windsor Locks.
We stopped for lunch at the Pickle Works. I had a salmon caesar and Rudy had a chicken caesar. We had decided to make tomorrow a rest day, but as it was still early we called the motel in Granby listed on our maps. Unfortunately, they only had rooms with one bed. It is only another 9 miles up the road it is 9 miles we would not have to ride on our next riding day. We decided to stay in Windsor Locks which is the location of Bradley International Airport which serves Hartford and this area. Tom, the owner of Pickle Works gave us some suggestions and we settled in the Econo Lodge which has been recently refurbished.
Got settled and rode down the street to the laundromat and did our laundry which we needed to do as our limited wardrobe has suffered in the last few days of hard, rainy riding.
Back in the room and I showered and started my blog. Talked with family at home and Skyped my daughter in Ireland.
We walked a couple of blocks to Papa Ginos for dinner. As we got ready to leave, the skies opened up and heavy rain began to fall. We were standing by the door when Ricky, on break from his job at the local Honda parts distribution center, was leaving. We asked for a ride and he was nice enough to save us from getting soaked.
It is getting late and I am looking forward to kicking back tomorrow.
33 miles today. 37 mph for top speed.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Union, CT, 9/29/2011
We were up fairly early and headed downstairs to the dining room where Karen, our hostess had set up breakfast items the night before including coffee, juice etc. We made some oat meal and toast and got our bikes from the back yard where our host had covered them with tarps. Good thing as it rained pretty good during the night. It was over cast when we left and we took photos of the B&B and will post them along with other photos once I figure it out. We arrived at the corner down the street just as the school bus pulled away from the curb and left the Moms standing there drinking coffee and chatting. We joined the chat and asked the name of their road the bus had just left with their children. After a discussion, it was agreed it was Main which is what we were looking for. Asked about place up the road where we could buy some Gatorade and the answer in unison, without conferring among themselves was "Super Walmart on the right just before you cross Route 148". The group dispersed but the lady with the Bruins shirt lingered and chatted a bit more. The local accents are delightful.
Our route took us by several lakes today and at 9:40 am we entered Rhode Island on Rhode Island route 100 and by 10: 20 am we were in Connecticut. A lot of nice homes along the way as well as a very large state mental hospital. We stopped at the top of a hill near Thompson to have an orange and walked around an old cemetery. Most residing there have been there since the 1800s. We asked a nice lady out for her daily walk (she was older than us by 20 years at least) for breakfast directions and up and down the hill we went to North Grosvenor. Had a pleasant meal and got a bagel and cream cheese to go. Checking our maps, we called a B&B in Stafford Springs looking for lodging but got an answering machine. As we were leaving, a pretty good rain began to fall. We rode in the rain for 45 minutes or so and then it changed to drizzle off and on for the afternoon with some thunder later in the day.
Well, we found the hill that Steve, who we met yesterday, told us about. He said he hit 50 mph going down and I am sure he was on his brakes. We had some very steep hills today at 9% or better. I stopped three times on one rather long hill just to keep my heart rate from going to crazy. I start to think about stopping when it climbs into the 150s. Down hill I hit 39 mph for my fastest today and Rudy hit 41. If the down hills were a bit straighter and you could see farther, I think we could hit a 100, well almost. 39 is fast enough for me.
We called the B&B several more times but never got an answer and began to get concerned as lodging is sparse and we did not want to ride 70 miles, particularly not today because of all the climbing on the steep hills.
We stopped at a nice Fly fishing shop outside of Union on Route 190 just west of I 84. Launa, the owner, was very nice, helpful and told some good stories. After confirming the non answering B&B was the only show in town, Launa suggest the Ashford Motel which is just off our route, yet quite close but not listed on our maps. Launa told us the Ashford has a number Section 8 tenants (not that there is anything wrong with that). She called directory assistance and got the number and I spoke with Mr. Patel who confirmed they had a room. Where do we eat? Launa never offered us a dinner invitation but gave us directions to Smittys for some grinders. We went to the Ashford, checked in and showered and took the unloaded bikes to Smittys hoping to not get caught in the rain. Smitty fixed us one roast beef sandwich for us to take out. It was huge and neither of us finished our half. We should have ordered a half and split it. While we were waiting for our sandwich three other customers came in and Smitty sold 4 twelve packs of beer, two Bud Light, one Busch and one Michelob Light. The conversation centered around the end of the Red Sox season or an Epic Collapse as the Hartford Courant reported. We put our purchases on the bikes and headed up the 9% grade Launa had neglected to mention in her directions to Smittys. Even with our unloaded bikes it was hard for our tired legs. We were back in our room working on our monster sandwiches when the B&B returned our call from noon. She was very apologetic and was happy we had found a room and said that if we were out in the rain, she would have come and picked us up.
Anyway, long day 52 miles. More hills tomorrow.Rudy is asleep and I will work on the photo thing another day.
Our route took us by several lakes today and at 9:40 am we entered Rhode Island on Rhode Island route 100 and by 10: 20 am we were in Connecticut. A lot of nice homes along the way as well as a very large state mental hospital. We stopped at the top of a hill near Thompson to have an orange and walked around an old cemetery. Most residing there have been there since the 1800s. We asked a nice lady out for her daily walk (she was older than us by 20 years at least) for breakfast directions and up and down the hill we went to North Grosvenor. Had a pleasant meal and got a bagel and cream cheese to go. Checking our maps, we called a B&B in Stafford Springs looking for lodging but got an answering machine. As we were leaving, a pretty good rain began to fall. We rode in the rain for 45 minutes or so and then it changed to drizzle off and on for the afternoon with some thunder later in the day.
Well, we found the hill that Steve, who we met yesterday, told us about. He said he hit 50 mph going down and I am sure he was on his brakes. We had some very steep hills today at 9% or better. I stopped three times on one rather long hill just to keep my heart rate from going to crazy. I start to think about stopping when it climbs into the 150s. Down hill I hit 39 mph for my fastest today and Rudy hit 41. If the down hills were a bit straighter and you could see farther, I think we could hit a 100, well almost. 39 is fast enough for me.
We called the B&B several more times but never got an answer and began to get concerned as lodging is sparse and we did not want to ride 70 miles, particularly not today because of all the climbing on the steep hills.
We stopped at a nice Fly fishing shop outside of Union on Route 190 just west of I 84. Launa, the owner, was very nice, helpful and told some good stories. After confirming the non answering B&B was the only show in town, Launa suggest the Ashford Motel which is just off our route, yet quite close but not listed on our maps. Launa told us the Ashford has a number Section 8 tenants (not that there is anything wrong with that). She called directory assistance and got the number and I spoke with Mr. Patel who confirmed they had a room. Where do we eat? Launa never offered us a dinner invitation but gave us directions to Smittys for some grinders. We went to the Ashford, checked in and showered and took the unloaded bikes to Smittys hoping to not get caught in the rain. Smitty fixed us one roast beef sandwich for us to take out. It was huge and neither of us finished our half. We should have ordered a half and split it. While we were waiting for our sandwich three other customers came in and Smitty sold 4 twelve packs of beer, two Bud Light, one Busch and one Michelob Light. The conversation centered around the end of the Red Sox season or an Epic Collapse as the Hartford Courant reported. We put our purchases on the bikes and headed up the 9% grade Launa had neglected to mention in her directions to Smittys. Even with our unloaded bikes it was hard for our tired legs. We were back in our room working on our monster sandwiches when the B&B returned our call from noon. She was very apologetic and was happy we had found a room and said that if we were out in the rain, she would have come and picked us up.
Anyway, long day 52 miles. More hills tomorrow.Rudy is asleep and I will work on the photo thing another day.
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