Bob:
I’ve been accorded the honor of guest blogging, as I joined
Carol & Colin for their final state and last three days of their journey.
Having kept up with their reports, I was still amazed at the mass quantities of
food they managed to consume at our hotel breakfast in Northampton. In fact,
not once during our time on the road did we leave anything other than a
completely clean set of plates.
The day’s ride began with a trip across the Connecticut
River on the Norwottuck Rail Trail, eleven miles of wonderful, flat, shaded
pavement. Coming to the end of the trail, it wasn’t long before we found some
short, fairly steep hills, and headed south in search of flatter ground.
Turning east onto state highway 20, we made steady progress with just one long
climb approaching our lunch stop in Brimfield. Following lunch, we waddled back
to the bikes feeling that the temperature seemed to have risen 10 degrees while
we were in the restaurant. It was hot .
Another town, another long climb, and we turned south again
to avoid more hills. Our detour became a V when we swung back northeast in
Southbridge for a long, steady, but thankfully not steep climb without a bit of
shade. At the top we were passing a golf driving range when I got a flat. The
break while we replaced the tube marked the end of both my resolve and energy,
and I was through for the day less than a mile later, where my wife Nancy, with
our support vehicle, picked me up.
Not so Carol and Colin. They continued on for another 15
miles through hilly country. At the end of the day’s ride, we marked the spot
(for the next day’s starting point) and headed off in search of a place to stay
and a good dinner.
In addition to constant amazement at the ability of two fit,
trim individuals to eat so much food, I was impressed with Carol’s climbing
ability. The hills didn’t seem to phase, or slow, her in the least. More than
anything, I was appreciative with the positive attitude, sense of teamwork, and
good spirit they both carried through a long day in the saddle and the sun.
69 miles
3539 miles total
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