tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303603412024-03-07T01:56:13.689-08:00Jim Lehman's Ride Across AmericaThe day by day account of my ride across the USA on my recumbent bicycle.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1155610252732282652006-08-14T19:39:00.000-07:002006-08-14T19:50:52.743-07:00My Just Desserts!Having been largely disappointed by the lack of pie availability on my ride across America, I set out to make my own. I found some really good rhubarb at a local grocer, and made two cherry-rhubarb pies. I used the Betty Crocker oil crust recipe, and used only canned cherry pie filling as sweetener for the rhubarb. I made one pie with top crust, and one with crumb topping. They were both delicious. Sara and Chuck, I hope you can taste them over the internet!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/pie1-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/pie1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/pie2-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/pie2-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/pie3-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/pie3-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/pie4-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/pie4-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1155037468953019222006-08-08T04:40:00.000-07:002006-08-09T05:03:09.460-07:00Splash!!! The Atlantic is Ours!!Short Posting: We made it!!! A little after noon, we reached the beach near Rye, NH, and dipped our wheels into the Atlantic Ocean. It will take some time for the reality to set in, but our journey is complete! I will add more to this page later.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/DSCF0295.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/400/DSCF0295.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><iframe src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1175312&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=20&view=portlet" width="530px" height="300px" title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1154896236845170082006-08-06T13:28:00.000-07:002006-08-14T20:19:21.416-07:00So Much Fun I Feel GuiltyToday and yesterday were what I had been waiting for quite a long time: good biking weather combined with great terrain and scenery. It was so cool when we set out from Brattleboro that many riders were wearing jackets for warmth, not rain protection. The light had an ethereal quality as it filtered through the cool fog.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/fog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/fog.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />What a change from just a few days ago when we battled fierce heat in western New York. I felt so invigorated and happy I didn’t want the morning to end. The first few miles were near some beautiful lakes, and I took some side trips to drink in the view and take some pictures.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/lake.3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/lake.3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/lake2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/lake2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Another goal of the morning was to spot a moose. At certain times of the year, they come out more during the day, but I was told by locals not to get my hopes up right now. I figured that a bog would be the most likely place to spot a moose. Although I never saw one, I took this picture in hopes that one would turn up when I enlarged the image. Let me know if you spot anything.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/moose1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/moose1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Soon we entered our final state of the ride!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/newham.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/newham.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Many riders were dreading the climbing today, since it was reputed to be harder than some of what we did out west. As it turns out, most of the climbs were short, but steep. They were mostly up hills, not over mountain passes, so it was more like what I encounter around the Shenandoah Valley, but with more trees and quaint villages.<br /><br />I rode with a lot of different riders today, but hung with Sara, Chuck, and Peg around lunch time in hopes of finding a good place to eat, hopefully with homemade pie. We scored on the lunch end by finding a café with a railway theme. The hamburgers were good, but there was unfortunately, no pie today. I did buy a raspberry turnover at the gift shop to which the café was attached.<br /><br />After lunch we attacked the biggest hill of the day. I was able to get by with third gear for the steepest part of the climb, since I never knew if the road would get steeper, and it is always good to have something in reserve. A few more rollers and we found ourselves in the old industrial city of Manchester. I was wondering if we were headed for the same hotel I had stayed in several times when I was in Manchester for the FIRST Robotics kickoff. When we were about two blocks away I recognized that it was in fact the same place.<br /><br />This evening we gathered for our last dinner officially together as an ABBike function. The “feast” consisted of some lasagna and salad, but nothing to drink until the ABBike staff rounded up some water pitchers. Although the food was lame, we had a good time recalling highlights of the ride, and each of us was given the chance to offer a few words to the group. Most of us commented on the closeness of our group as a whole, and how it was the people that really made this ride work out to be such a great experience. I am sure there will be more reminiscing tomorrow night at the lobster dinner.<br /><iframe src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1161374&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=27&view=portlet" width="530px" height="300px" title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1154807717101540542006-08-05T12:54:00.000-07:002006-08-06T18:24:17.203-07:00Green Mountains TreatI have been anxious for quite a while to get back into the mountains. Today, I got my wish! Right out of Troy, we started climbing, and the rolling terrain continued until we got to the first SAG stop. They had a lot of carved animals for sale at the store where the SAG was set up. We knew right away that we were in for a tourist-trap day. <br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/sag%20horse.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/sag%20horse.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />In the distance, we could see the mountains we would be climbing, or skirting, as it were. <br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/mountains.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/mountains.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />All of the towns we passed through today were ripe with history, and I took pictures of some of the old buildings and monuments as I rode.<br /><br />This is a monument in Bennington in honor of the Green Mountain Boys of Revolutionary war fame.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/monument.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/monument.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />In the same town, there was this old hotel, which I photographed but did not investigate.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/hotel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/hotel.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Here is a picture of me entering Vermont, the penultimate state of this tour.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/vermont.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/vermont.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The first "designated" climb was sort of long, but not too steep. I did really well thanks to my preparations yesterday. On the route to Troy, we had few hills, but on each one I had started slow at the bottom, and sprinted up each one, trying to accelerate over the top, not slowing to recover. I feel this paid off well today, as I felt great on every climb. Also, I have been intentionally not riding with anyone (very closely at least) to make it a little safer. In honor of Kent, I am taking every precaution I can think of to make sure I have no incidents that could send me home early. Some of the others are doing the same.<br /><br /><br />I descended into Wilmington, a town full of tourists competing with trucks for space on the road, with little room left for bikes. <br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/traffic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/traffic.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Fortunately, Sara had told me about this pie shop she had remembered from riding through here before. I checked in at the SAG, then headed back into town to wait for Sara, Chuck, and Peg, who ride together. We met up at the bakery she had remembered, and I had this great piece of raspberry pie. It was about time! The last good piece of pie I had was in Idaho. The states in between either had no good pie, or kept it hidden.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/pie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/pie.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Sara and her raspberry pie<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/sara%20pie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/sara%20pie.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Chuck, looking cool in his ABBike Doo-Rag<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/chuck.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/chuck.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The scenery today was the best since the Black Hills, in my opinion. I am refering to the overall presentation, not specific things like Niagara Falls. Today we passed a lot of lakes and mountain streams, which combined with the exquisite cool mountain air, made for a most delightful day of riding.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/lake.2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/lake.2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/stream.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/stream.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><iframe src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1155360&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=27&view=portlet" width="530px" height="300px" title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1154735583485171942006-08-04T16:52:00.000-07:002006-08-04T17:18:58.693-07:00Beautiful Ride Along the MohawkOnce again I woke up to the ominous words from Stu, “Its pouring rain”. Once we turned on the Weather Channel, however, I could see that the rain was in a narrow band that was moving rapidly past our location in Little Falls. Much discussion took place at breakfast, but in the end the concensus was that rain gear would not be needed, and that proved to be the case.<br /><br />Little Falls in the Rain<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/rainy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/rainy.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />The clouds were still hanging low over the mountain ridges surrounding the Mohawk Valley, and occasionally a few drops fell, but mostly we dealt with wet roads and traffic. The route today was unique (at least in recent terms) in that it involved only two turns at the beginning, and a few at the end. The rest was a long run on Route 5, and then a long ride on a series of bike trails along the Mohawk and Hudson rivers. <br /><br />A castle along Route 5, now used as a restaurant.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/castle1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/castle1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The trails made for a fantastic ride, especially since the sun had burned off the clouds, and brought out the colors of the vegetation along the route. We always see wildflowers, but a bike trail brings them so much closer. There is just nothing like riding through shady glades in the cool of the morning. It makes you want to linger, even though the path begs you to ride fast along its dips and rolls. <br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/glades.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/glades.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Several places the path seemed to be painted over the landscape, contrasting with roads, which are forced through it.<br /><br />We rode today for the first time without our compadre, Kent, who took too literally the motto “New Hampshire or Bust”. He left this morning for Virginia, where he will have more treatment for his broken collarbone. Kent, we miss you!!<br /><br />Me at a lock on the Erie Canal<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/jimcanal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/jimcanal.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Another lock on the canal. Locks are located at dams, which level the water behind them. Locks allow the boats to be lifted or lowered to the next level, ranging from less than 15 feet to over 40 feet.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/newlock.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/newlock.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />One of the old locks. This one looked somewhat preserved.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/oldlock.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/oldlock.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Ilkka and I at lunch, Kent's vacant chair in the background.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/lunch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/lunch.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><iframe src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1151166&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=27&view=portlet" width="530px" height="300px" title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1154647713419059722006-08-03T16:17:00.000-07:002006-08-03T16:32:20.573-07:00August 3 Addendum- Kent Back for Supper!In light of our disappointment in hearing about Kent's accident, we were delighted to see him show up as the guest of honor for dinner. He was released from the hospital after getting the X-rays that showed the extent of his injuries, and treatment for the pain that is sure to follow.<br /><br />Kent will be flying out tomorrow morning, and then get some other opinions from several orthopedic surgeons regarding suggested treatment. His previous injury to the same shoulder the erector set you can see in the x-ray.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/xray.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/xray.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Here, Lil and Ray wish Kent well, and say goodbye.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/kent.2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/kent.2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Kent, we all will miss you, especially Ilkka and myself. I thought we made a great team, even though the 3 amigos ended up with our name. We will think of you every time we eat Mexican!! You already have two volunteers to accompany you when you want to finish up the final stage next year! Take care, heal soon, and God Bless!Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1154638701236128382006-08-03T13:56:00.000-07:002006-08-03T17:15:44.303-07:00Cooler, Yes! but Kent Breaks CollarboneWe were looking forward to a nice riding day after the heat wave of the past week. The storms of yesterday gave way to cool and cloudy, with occasional sprinkles. The sky looked really red at sunrise.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/sunrise.4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/sunrise.4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I passed this little church in the middle of a small pond. They claim to be the smallest church in the world. Others in our group said they saw churches in other places that make the same claim. Does it really matter?<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/minichurch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/minichurch.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/churchsign.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/churchsign.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Our second SAG was in the town of Whitestown. I thought their town square really captured the essence of community. Our snack table was set up in the gazebo.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/square.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/square.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />It was a couple miles past this SAG where Kent met up with misfortune. He was changing his route sheet, and hit a large bump that caused him to crash. He reinjured the same shoulder that he had broken at the start of his ABBike ride last year, which was why he was back this year. Nancy came upon the scene shortly after his crash, and said Kent had already called the paramedics and ABB staff. He seemed to be otherwise OK. I will report later on his status. We wish him the best.<br /><br />After hearing about the mishap,I continued on to Little Falls in a rather subdued and cautious manner. I have been to Little Falls before in 1972 with the Mennonite bicycling group OutSpokin'. We arrived a day after Hurricane Agnes deluged the area with huge amounts of rain, and we had to seek shelter ourselves since our tents got pretty much destroyed by the storms. We were offered a place to stay overnight at a church that I have pictured here. The church is now vacant, and there was no name I could find, but I am fairly sure this was the place. Tomorrow we will also be retracing the 1972 journey for awhile. It has changed a lot around here since then.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/church.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/church.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><iframe src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1147086&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=27&view=portlet" width="530px" height="300px" title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1154546082458864972006-08-02T12:14:00.000-07:002006-08-02T17:55:42.303-07:00Last Hot Day? Please?On the burner again. That was the prediction for today. We seem to have brought with us the heat wave we started out in South Dakota. Record heat seems to be the norm for this trip. I usually do fine with the heat, I just can't enjoy riding in it at all. <br /><br />The sunrise looked a lot like yesterday's. Clear and beautiful in a sinister sort of way.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/sunrise8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/sunrise8.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I joined a group of riders negotiating a maze of turns through road construction, and got this picture of Eberhard and Anja as they followed me. It took 6 shots to get the one I wanted. The rest were of the road. <br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/eber.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/eber.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />My sister Judy wants me to take a series of shots showing my facial expressions for various situations, including pie proximity. I am working on this, and will publish it on a later posting.<br />Most of the day we were close to the Erie Canal. I was unaware that it is still in operation, and not just a historical relic. Here are a couple pictures of the canal.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/erie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/erie.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/canal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/canal.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Later I passed this building. I never would have guessed that it was a barn without the conspicuous label. Well Done!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/barnduh.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/barnduh.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Toward the end of the ride, I stopped at a roadside stand run by a young Mennonite girl. I bought some delicious peaches, and wanted to buy a rhubarb pie. Not being able to carry it, I waited in vain for someone else to come down the road and help me eat it. (The girl declined to share in eating it) While waiting, I told her that I was also Mennonite. She said I didn't look like it in the biker outfit. I asked if she had heard of Floyd Landis. She had, but didn't know much about him.<br /><br />I reluctantly left the rhubarb pie behind, in hopes of finding a restaurant with some later. I caught up to Sara, Chuck, and Peg on the final leg into Liverpool, just south of Syracuse. We found a nice, restaurant, had lunch, and they did have pie. I had raspberry. It was quite good, and long overdue. When we left to ride the remaining two miles to the motel, we noticed that a large thunderstorm was approaching. We made haste, and beat it to the motel. Many others were caught out in it, but made it to shelter OK. It should be cooler tomorrow. I'm glad. I would like to ride with temps in the 80's again.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/storms.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/storms.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><iframe src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1141760&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=27&view=portlet" width="530px" height="300px" title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1154459823861839152006-08-01T11:53:00.000-07:002006-08-01T14:21:38.066-07:00On the Home Stretch!Today we began our last week of riding! Like most experiences of this kind, the time has really flown by, and yet it seems like it has been going on since I can remember. At certain times of the day (usually between the last sag and the motel, I look at the empty road ahead, the endless corn fields, feel the endless heat, and vainly try to find some redeeming value in each mile I have yet to ride. Of course, the real value is when I realize the vastness of this continent, and think of those who trod those same miles before, and realize how easy I have it compared to some of them. You just can't get the same depth of that feeling in a motor vehicle. I remember back to my journey out to Astoria, and the "problems" I had getting there. How trivial they now seem, compared to the daily grind of the ride. Even with those "problems" it took but one day for me to fly serenely over the terrain I have traversed now for over 43 days.<br /><br />The ride from Niagara Falls to Henrietta, NY, was a day where that kind of questioning pops up like a "whack a mole" game at the state fair. The terrain: flat and featureless. The main crop: weeds, or maybe corn. Heat: hot and humid by 9 a.m., sweltering and oppressive by noon. Our destination: a motel with no pool in the middle of a hot nowhere called Henrietta. Maybe by tomorrow morning I will find some gem of value in Henrietta, other than just another "Here" on the way to "There". At least we had a stiff tailwind much of the way.<br /><br />Last night many riders had put their bikes in the window boxes of their motel rooms. Had there been any passers-by on the US side of the falls, they might have thought this was a four-story bike shop with window displays.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/windows.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/windows.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />This morning, our prime enemy was soon spotted and photographed.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/enemysun.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/enemysun.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />There seemed to be a bumper crop of weeds everywhere, including these intruding onto the bike lane.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/weeds.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/weeds.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Other places, the crops stayed where they belonged, like these cabbages.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/cabbage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/cabbage.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The owner of this barn must have entered the "Reddest Barn Contest" My bike looked pink by comparison.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/redbarn.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/redbarn.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><iframe src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1137678&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=27&view=portlet" width="530px" height="300px" title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1154381840392305492006-07-31T14:33:00.000-07:002006-08-01T02:59:15.180-07:00Sad news on Rest DayOn what should be a carefree rest day, I found out from a co-teacher that one of my students at Godwin High School drowned at Virginia Beach Saturday. I remember Mani as outgoing, funny, bright, and dedicated. My heartfelt sympathies to his family, some of whom are currently in India.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149189700442&path=%21news&s=1045855934842">Here</a> is the article about the drowning in the Richmond paper.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1154290444739979602006-07-30T13:13:00.000-07:002006-07-30T18:24:04.760-07:00Niagara Bound!It was somewhat cooler this morning when we headed up the road to the same restaurant that had given us such poor service last night. Breakfast was quite deliscious and quick. I was on the road with 2 pieces of French toast, two pancakes, and a good scoop of hash browns on board.<br /><br />The light had a really nice quality for my standard morning shot.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/sunrise.2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/sunrise.2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I liked the layout of this farm, with the house and barn on raised "islands" above the rather flat terrain.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/farm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/farm.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Tobacco fields gave way to sod farms, some of which had neatly mown grass as ar as you could see. I approve of the change. Other farms, especially on yesterday's route had switched from tobacco to ginseng as a big-money crop.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/sod.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/sod.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />At one point today, the pavement ran out and we ended up on a dirt road for about 2km. We had been briefed about this at route rap, but when you are riding road tires, you never like to see the end of the pavement. The dirt ended on a very steep downhill stretch, stop sign at the bottom. As my dad would say, "What a waste of good energy!"<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/dirt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/dirt.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Niagara Falls was soon in our sights, and we headed for the Canadian side, with its views of Horseshoe Falls. I took this picture of the American Falls first.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/falls1.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/falls1.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Here are the other requisite pictures showing myself, and my travel companions Kent and Ilkka. <br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/jimfalls.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/jimfalls.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/kentilk%20falls.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/kentilk%20falls.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Here Kent tempts fate by trying to eat my lunch while I am carrying out my important documentation.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/kentilk.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/kentilk.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />After lunch at the Falls, I headed over the Rainbow Bridge, through US Customs, and got my picture entering New York. I couldn't find a "Welcome to the USA" sign anywhere. I will investigate tomorrow.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/newyork.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/newyork.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Dinner was at Denny's, and then Dan and I walked over to the US side of he falls and got some more pix that I will put up tomorrow. Now for a great day off!<br /><iframe src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1127373&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=5&view=portlet" width="530px" height="300px" title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1154290254595606252006-07-30T13:07:00.000-07:002006-07-30T17:59:07.486-07:00Into Urban DecayLondon turned out to be a very bustling place. There was a large mall close by, with all the related traffic. Anya, Eberhart, and I managed to get up to the mall on our bikes, and took them inside with us to the food court. Other than that, I didn't try to anything else in London. Our goal for today was to get to Brantford, which I somehow thought might be more laid back. <br /><br />On the way, I got another good morning shot showing the mist that made the riding pleasantly cool for a while.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/mist.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/mist.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I got this shot of Sarah taking a picture of the same thing. This is how we take pictures on the fly.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/sarah.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/sarah.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I ran into this other recumbent rider (almost, literally) at an intersection about halfway to Brantford. His name was Fred, and his bike was almost like Larry's. He was a local and knew all the roads we would be riding. He was on a 60 mile loop if I got my facts straight.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/bent.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/bent.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Tobacco seemed to be the main crop in this area, which surprised me. I thought tobacco needed the hazy, hot, humid weather we have in the south.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/tobacco.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/tobacco.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />At one point three of the coolest bikes were together on the route, including Larry's recumbent and the tandem of Barb and Steve. Mine, of course, didn't quite make the picture.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/coolbikes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/coolbikes.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I didn't take any more pictures because I found the rest of the route to be rather depressing. Our course took us through the former main drag of the old town of Brantford, and most of the businesses were boarded up, closing as the transition was made to the more suburban areas with WalMarts and McD's. Our motel was in the older area, which must have been really nice at some point, but no longer. <br /><br />Dinner was at another restaurant where the staff was not prepared to serve us. It took about a half hour for them to get the hot foods onto the steam table, and they once again took drink orders, rather than just putting pitchers of water, tea, and soft drinks on the table. I am working on a list of suggestions for the restaurants which the ABBike staff could give the restaurants in order to make sure we can get in and out in less than 2 hours. Having spent ten years in food service, I know I could have organized any of these meals quite easily, and it doesn't take a nuclear physicist to figure it out.<br /><iframe src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1121020&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=5&view=portlet" width="530px" height="300px" title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1154117617175879402006-07-28T13:12:00.000-07:002006-07-28T18:19:12.013-07:00O Canada, We're Glad to See You!The sun was up a little higher by the time we started out today. We had a slightly shorter route, and were also departing in an unusual manner: as a group. This was because we had to cross the Port Huron-Blue Water Bridge over the St Clair River into Canada, and they wanted us to go together to make things safer and easier through Canadian Customs. Here are some pictures I took while we were waiting for our escort for the bridge crossing. (Musical interlude: The Final Four singing O Canada)<br /><br />"The 'Bent Brothers" Jim and Larry<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/bents.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/bents.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Riders with the bridge in the distance.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/waiting.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/waiting.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Finally we got our escort, and they closed the bridge to eastbound traffic so we could trave unimpeded. It was great they could do that for us, rather than make us ride off to the side with bridge traffic inches away. Here are some pictures during the crossing.<br /><br />Ilkka, concentrating on the uphill stretch.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/ilkkabridge.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/ilkkabridge.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The group, heading up the American side.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/crossing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/crossing.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />We had to stop and dismount at these large expansion joints. You can see my front wheel in thee picture for size. One rider didn't follow the instructions, and tried riding across. Score: Bridge 1, rider 0.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/joionts.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/joionts.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />After descending the Canadian side, we went through customs, and they didn't even check the passports we had so carefully brought along. We will no doubt need them re-entering the US on Sunday. We had to ride together for a while longer, due to some re-routing to avoid road construction. I tried to capture some pictures without looking at the camera, to the side and rear. Here Annie is telling me that I have the camera aimed wrong. I thought the shot turned out pretty well.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/Annie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/Annie.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />After we got on route, it was pretty much Michigan repeated, so I didn't take any more pictures. I got in at about 12:30, all in all an easy day at the office. I am still glad to be out of Michigan. It was my least favorite state yet: Bad roads, bad drivers, sloppy farms, mosquitoes, rain.<br /><iframe src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1115237&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=5&view=portlet" width="530px" height="300px" title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1154033494494346532006-07-27T13:50:00.000-07:002006-07-27T17:53:06.163-07:00Michigan, We're Outta Here!Hooray, we are done with Michigan. I guess the endless cornfields are better than the endless scrub of South Dakota, but I miss the mountains. I am just not comfortable on flat land. As I am writing this, a severe thunderstorm is moving in, and I am glad that I didn't have to ride in it today. <br /><br />The day started muggy and warm. Just like back home. It reminds me of my ulterior motive for the trip, escaping the Richmond heat. I guess I didn't choose well on that one.<br /><br />Here is my bike in its parking place, the end of the hall at the Comfort Inn in Birch Run. We often use the halls as parking, since the rooms are not always big enough for the bikes and three of us.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/parking.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/parking.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The obligatory sunrise photo<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/sunrise.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/sunrise.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />As I ride, this is what I see from my seat.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/cockpit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/cockpit.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I decided today to do a scenery theme. I had noticed the huge number of fallen (or falling down) barns. After seeing the neat, tidy farms of Minnesota and Wisconsin, I noticed right away that the way most Michigan farmers deal with fallen buildings is to let them stay there and hope they eventually erode into the ground. A few of these have just about made it. Others need more aging. Very sloppy to say the least.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/barn3.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/barn3.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/barn4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/barn4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/barn2.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/barn2.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/barn1.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/barn1.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Tomorrow we leave Michigan and cross the bridge into Ontario. I am looking forward to being back in the area where I first started my bike touring in 1972. In that trip, our group from OutSpokin', a Mennonite youth biking venture, set out from Kitchener bound for Harrisonburg VA by way of Ottowa. We ended up encountering Hurricane Agnes along the way in New York, and we will be retracing some of that journey. Hopefully this time there will be no tropical weather.<br /><iframe src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1110756&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=20&view=portlet" width="530px" height="300px" title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1153946211998002622006-07-26T13:34:00.000-07:002006-07-27T13:42:44.503-07:00How Do You Spell Flat?--Central MichiganAfter yesterday’s rainy marathon ride, I was looking forward to a shorter, drier ride. I got pretty much what I expected. We woke to rain, and the radar showed a band of showers moving across the area, with another big blob behind, probably in Wisconsin. By the time we loaded, however, the rain had ended, and the roads were pretty good. The winds were from the southwest, which meant that anytime we headed south, we had headwinds, but any time we turned east, they were tailwind/crosswinds. Here in Michigan, they are on the grid system, so the roads are either north/south or east/west. I made good time on the headwind sections, and really good time when we headed east. There was only one town to go through, and although I wanted to look for a good bakery, it was too early in the morning to eat again. (I know some of you may be surprised, but I don’t like to ride with too much under my belt)<br /><br />I stopped off at the post office in that town, Alma, and mailed a birthday package for Eric. It has been really difficult to mail packages because I don’t have access to my luggage throughout the day, and can’t carry too much on my bike, especially in the rain. I had decided to chance it today, and it paid off.<br /><br />I got back on route, and was first to the SAG stop. I helped the staff set up the tent thingy they use to cover the snack table at the SAG, and helped myself to some bananas and granola bars.<br /><br />I headed out again, anxious to finish in case the weather turned bad, and made quick work of the remaining 35 miles. I went to A&W for lunch with John, Daun and Bill. It was very nostalgic to get my root beer in the big glass mug, just like back in State College PA when I was a kid.<br /><br />We had a relativelly late start. Here are some riders waiting to load and hit the road.<br /><br /><p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/waiting.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/waiting.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is Sara, whose blog many of you are following at http://sarabikes.blogspot.com/<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/sara.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/sara.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The route was extremely flat, and this was the scenery throughout<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/michigan.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/michigan.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here, Kent goes for his favorite snack at the SAG stop.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/Kent.0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/Kent.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Late Addition:</strong></p><p>Dinner was at Tony's Rerstaurant. Here is Kent with his dessert </p><p><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/Kentdessert.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/Kentdessert.jpg" border="0" /></a><em>photo credit Bob Roberson</em><br /><br /><iframe title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1106350&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=20&view=portlet" frameborder="0" width="530" scrolling="no" height="300"> </iframe><a href="http://sarabikes.blogspot.com/"></a></p><em></em><em></em>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1153875352792398272006-07-25T17:55:00.000-07:002006-07-26T15:39:58.990-07:00Last of the Century Days<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Happy Birthday Eric!!!</span></strong><br /><br />Whoopie! Today was the last of our rides of 100 miles or more. I put in a good 115 miles, and would have had a great time of it had it not been for the rain. When I went down to load at 5:45, Nancy came up the stairs and said that it was pouring rain. I took her warning to heart and unpacked my duffle bag to get out my rear fender. I was upset when I found out that it had just sprinkled lightly, but went ahead and installed the fender. This turned out to be fortunate thing. It ended up raining most of the morning, and the fender added significant spray reduction.<br /><br />Rainy start at the motel. Several riders had relatives joining us today, and this was probably not what they wanted to see.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/motel.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/motel.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A wet ride. On a better day, we would have been able to enjoy bluff-top views of Lake Michigan, which we steamed across yesterday.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/wetride.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/wetride.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/lake.1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/lake.1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />SAG 1, where some of these riders helped me sing Happy Birthday to my son Eric, who was getting ready to go to Kings Dominion theme park for his birthday.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/SAG.2.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/SAG.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The sun finally came out at about noon. I was mostly dry by the time I pulled into the Baymont Motel in Mount Pleasant at about 2:30. I even got a little sunburned.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/sun.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/sun.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As we wend our way through Michigan, into Ontario, and then the final 3 states of our ride, our longest day will be 87 miles. We are all getting a little worn around the edges, and will appreciate the shorter mileage. I really don't like the early starts. It is much nicer loading at 6:30 or so.<br /><iframe title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1101210&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=20&view=portlet" frameborder="0" width="530" scrolling="no" height="300"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1153875319034222742006-07-25T17:54:00.000-07:002006-07-26T16:17:37.580-07:00Across Lake MichiganToday was a very different kind of traveling day. First of all, we got to sleep in late. We still had to load our stuff in the truck. Then, we had to find something to do to pass the time until we were to gather at the ferry dock. Our riding route was about 4 miles to the dock, but most of us rode around the beautiful waterfront area near the Maritime Museum. I rode out to the marina, then found a group of our riders at a little cafe having "second breakfast".<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/marina.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/marina.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/diner.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/diner.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />At the requested time we found our way to the ferry dock. I stopped off at Subway to get a nice sub sandwich to take along for the four hour ferry ride to Michigan. I still got to the dock plenty early, and it was a "hurry up and wait" situation. Here are some of the "waitee's"<br /><br />Stu, looking fashionable as usual.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/Stu.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/Stu.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Kent and Ilkka, wishing they were as dashing as Stu.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/KentIlkka.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/KentIlkka.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Fianlly it was time to board the SS Badger. This is the ony steamship operating on the Great Lakes today. While we were waiting, they had loaded four large truckloads of coal, which soon turned into large clouds of black smoke after heating the boilers.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/Ferry1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/Ferry1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />They let us load our own bikes against one of the walls, correctly called a "bulkhead" on board the vessel.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/bikes.0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/bikes.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The voyage was mostly pleasant, although the quartering seas made me mildly seasick for awhile. I did find relief when I lay on one of the deck lounge chairs and took a nap. Here is Kent on deck.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/ferrykent.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/ferrykent.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He took a picture of me, with the approaching bluffs of Michigan visible behind me.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/ferryjim.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/ferryjim.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />As we docked, several swans sailed by, oblivious to the ferryboat.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/swans.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/swans.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After disembarking, we rode the four miles from the harbor to the motel, and grabbed a late dinner. I later walked up to Wal-mart and exchanged my defective camera (the one I had bought in Idaho Falls as a snapshot camera). I now have a Fuji camera for that purpose. It at least has a viewfinder, so that I don't have to use the stupid little LCD screen while wearing dark sunglasses, hoping I am pointing at the intended subject. I got to bed late.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1153683613932240192006-07-23T12:39:00.000-07:002006-07-23T18:35:15.133-07:00Down to the LakeLake Michigan marks our entry into the eastern time zone, (at least after we cross it) one of the last milestones that measure our progress. Our mileage is now up to over 2600 miles (actual, not from the route sheet)out of 3600, so we are also down to our last thousand miles. I am both excited about getting closer to home, and sad to think that our journey will soon be ending. I guess one thing that I have noticed more often lately is that the morning is fun, and the afternoon seems like work. I still enjoy seeing the tidy farms of this area, but one corn field looks an awful lot like the 5000 before it. It seems so long ago that I was overjoyed to see ANYTHING green and alive springing out of the desert.<br /><br />Today our route was short and sweet. We headed up out of Fond du Lac, by the shore of Lake Winnebago. <br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/lake1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/lake1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Then we steered basically east to hit the shore of Lake Michigan. Our route took us through Amish country, with lots of unique farms. None of my horse and buggy pictures were clear enough to look put here. <br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/barn.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/barn.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />and of course cute animals like this little pony.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/pony.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/pony.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />We then went north a ways and found ourselves in the port town of Manitowoc. We arrived way before our motel rooms were ready, so a number of us including Ilkka and Kent ate lunch and then went down to the port, where there is a really nice maritime museum. We saw the displays of merchant marine vessels, and also toured a submarine that is moored alongside the museum, much like the Torsk in Baltimore Harbor. <br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/cobia1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/cobia1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Here is Kent trying to take the sub out onto the Lake.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/kent.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/kent.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />We headed to Ponderosa for dinner, but stopped off at a laundromat to start a load of clothes since we wouldn't have a chance to do it tomorrow due to the ferry boat ride over to Michigan. After dinner we walked back to the laundromat and tossed the stuff in the dryer, finished it up, and came back to the motel. We can sleep in late tomorrow morning, then head down to the Ferry at 11 a.m. for our four hour ride.<br /><iframe src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1091694&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=20&view=portlet" width="530px" height="300px" title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1153619552488833952006-07-22T18:51:00.000-07:002006-07-23T04:16:11.360-07:00Easy Ride to the Bottom of the LakeNote: keep checking old posts for follow-ups. Our internet access has been horrendous, and I can only add when it cooperates.<br /><br />Today was an easy 84 mile ride to Fond du Lac, which I have been told means “bottom of the Lake” I am sure that my Francophonic relatives will supply any necessary corrections. Tomorrow we head for our last destination in Wisconsin, which has been a quite pleasant state to ride through. We are looking forward to catching the ferry to Michigan on Monday. We will finally be in Eastern Time zone at that point!<br /><br />The big news today was that Ilkka’s daughter had her baby today, making Ilkka a 2nd time grandfather. I wrote congratulatory messages on the road with chalk for him to see as he rode along.<br /><br />Many riders had trouble staying on the route today, making wrong turns that had them riding in some cases over 100 miles instead of 84. I found my GPS to be quite handy at keeping me on course, finding detours around construction, and also discovered hat it can help guide us to Dairy Queens. Too bad it can’t help find pie. I have pretty much given up on my quest. I haven’t been able to find a piece of decent pie since South Dakota. Minnesota basically was a bust. The roads absolutely suck, there are no small restaurants along the roads, and the drivers were quite rude. Wisconsin was much nicer, although there are a lot of un-leashed dogs..<br /><br />Riding Scenes:<br />Road construction<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/gravel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/gravel.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Today's terrain<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/scene1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/scene1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Riding through a typical small town<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/town.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/town.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Recumbent Larry had experienced a broken seat mount, and the bike company sent him a new frame to get his titanium recumbent bike back on the road. Here he is heading out.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/larry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/larry.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I am having a terrible time getting online at the motels. Most of them have wireless networks, but don’t know how to make them work. This is the third try at tonight’s posting. It has eaten the other two, and I am getting tired.<br /><iframe src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1086333&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=20&view=portlet" width="530px" height="300px" title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1153518631711096122006-07-21T14:50:00.000-07:002006-07-22T19:25:34.426-07:00A Tale of Three Tunnels; or The Quest for PieThe ride today was different than most days in that a large section was done on a bike trail, the Elroy-sparta trail. This was not paved, but crushed gravel or dirt. My bike did fine, but many needed a good cleaning when we were done. the route led out from La Crosse on regular streets, then we found ourselves at the trailhead. You need to buy a permit to use the trail.<br /><br />I enjoyed the shady, tree-lined trail, but it was not hot and sunny like yesterday, but rather cloudy and cool (no complaint here) <br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/trail2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/trail2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Here are Lois and Annie riding along the trail.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/trail1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/trail1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I got this picture of Ilkka coming across a bridge.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/ilkka%20trail.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/ilkka%20trail.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/town.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/town.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The tunnels were very cool (either meaning). They still bore the coating of soot from when trains, rather than bicycles passed through them. The longest was about 2/3 of a mile, meaning you couldn't initially see the other end. We used flashlights to see, and walked our bikes through. (at least most of us)<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/tunnel2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/tunnel2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/tunnel1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/tunnel1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Our route sheets had indicated multiple possibilities for pie procurement and eatage at the little towns along the trail. At Kendall, it was indicated that we should be able to find "Amish food". We did a complete crcuit of the town, and found only two taverns, both so smoke-filled that I never would have eaten any thing found within anyway. At a stop sign, we asked a local driver where we could find good home cookin'. He said "nowhere around here!' He sent us on to the next town. On our arrival, I checked in to the SAG, and asked if anyone had found good food yet. I was given incorrect (or unclear) directions that had me on the wrong road, I think. Anyway, we settled for a little cafe that had great cheseburgers, but no real pie. I had a slice of something they called apple pie, but it was more like a cardboard display of pie. The waitress was also in the wrong line of work. She was offended when I tried to order more food. "Can't you see I have all these customers!?"<br /><br />When I checked in at the motelin Wisconsin Dells, Ilkka and Kent told me of he wonderful pie shop that I had either just missed, or been on the wrong road to find. It was what I had been looking for. I was tempted to ride the 40 miles back to have my real dessert. Oh Well!<br /><iframe src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1081504&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=20&view=portlet" width="530px" height="300px" title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1153449693511054132006-07-20T19:38:00.000-07:002006-07-23T19:01:56.736-07:00Across Old Man RiverToday was another fairly long ride, but included a real milestone, crossing the Mississippi River. We left the Rochester area, from where you can see this water tower shaped like a giant ear of corn.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/corn.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/corn.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The early part of the ride was rather misty, due to the copius amounts of rainfall that still puddled in most places. The ominous skies of yesterday were soon forgotton (not really, but is sounds better) in the beauty of the new day. Here are scenes from along the ride.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/mist.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/mist.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/house.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/house.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />At one point, we were able to take a very nice bike trail that avoided some of the traffic, and kept us in the cool glades along a river. THis was another rails to trails project. The storms had inflicted a lot of damage to trees along the trail, but kudos to the crews who were clearing the fallen trees evevn as we rode by.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/path.5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/path.5.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/tree.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/tree.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />This part of the country has a wealth of older churches, with distinctive architecture.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/church.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/church.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I had a snack in the town of Rushford, where I was told that there would be great pies at local diners. Again, a bum steer. No pie exists in Rushford. Rushfordites, however, extolled the pies of the town we had just come from, Peterson. I would have ridden back to Peterson, except there was the matter of having coasted downhill 2 miles into Rushford, and I didn't relish the thought of climbing back out.<br /><br />Rushford was not a total waste. I found a hardware store where I was able to bodge together some parts to make a camera mount to replace some pieces that had come off during the terrible storms of the day before. Once installed, I had a perfectly good mount, and my replacement camera went back on the bike, and has been working well since. I wish I could say the same for the camera I had bought back in Twin Falls. It has been my snapshot workhorse, but didn't survive the storms. When I went to turn it on to record yesterday's sunset, the lens just opened, shut, and did this two more times. It never went into picture taking mode. I will try to dry it out some more.<br />After the bike trail, we headed up the big climb for the day.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/hill.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/hill.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Our reward for the hill-climb was coasting down for 3 miles, crossing the Mississippi, and entering Wisconsin.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/wiscon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/wiscon.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The motel in La Crosse is one of the best on the tour, and our room is big enough for all three bikes and probably one of the SAG vans. The atrium of the motel has an indoor water park. It will probably be noisy tonight. I think there is also a wedding party or something going on.<br /><iframe src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1078148&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=27&view=portlet" width="530px" height="300px" title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1153350619626967822006-07-19T16:09:00.000-07:002006-07-19T19:48:57.486-07:00Where Were You When It Hit?I'm not talking about the meltdown of Floyd Landis in the Tour de France. I'm talking about the first huge thunderstorm of the day. They had predicted a 70% chance of rain, with scattered severe storms. The reality was worse than most of us expected.<br /><br />The day started off with a steep climb out of Mankato. I took this picture of a farm implement dealership at sunrise.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/sunrise.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/sunrise.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Next came a rather unnecessary detour onto a gravel road that was very unpleasant for me, having no weight on my front wheel to give traction. It lasted about 3 miles, and pretty much messed up my whole camera mount. I had mounted my "new" camera (courtesy of my mother)and was once again taking sequential road pictures. Once back on pavement, I stopped and fixed everything. I was now at the back of the pack. I began catching up to those ahead of me, and ended up riding for awhile with Sarah. We pulled into the first SAG by a lake. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/lake.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/lake.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />As you can see, the picture is rather gloomy. This is no illusion. The first signs of the impending storm were approaching. I headed out of the SAG with Larry (recumbent) hoping to get to the next town ahead of the storm (Ha!) We had just completed a Mach 1 recumbent fly-by of Dan and Bill when the dark band of clouds that had been on the horizon came over us so rapidly we barely had time to find shelter. Ahead of us, Don, Ted, and his son Steven had found the same farm we were headed for, and had asked the farmer if we could take shelter in his barn. He said no, he was afraid we might smoke. His wife eventually talked him into allowing us to go into his smaller barn. We did not smoke.<br /><br />The storm hit with full force just as we rushed for cover. These pictures are accurate as to the color and darkness of what was about to hit us.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/storm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/storm.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/rainsky.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/rainsky.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />We had a good time once we were safe under cover. Also there were Sara and Chuck, who had been ahead of us and turned back. Barn census: Jim, Larry, Don, Steven, Ted, Chuck, and Sara. Soon, we had two more, as Dan and Bill found their way to the barn as well.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/Dan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/Dan.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Here is our cozy group waiting out Round 1<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/barn1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/barn1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />We waited about an hour for the storm to subside enough to let us continue. Finally, we thought it was OK, so we headed out. We had only gone about a half mile when we saw what I can only describe as "The Doomsday Bolt". I saw branches out to each side within the cloud, and 3 separate bolts straight down to the ground in the direction we were headed. I pulled a very fast U-turn and headed back with the others to another farm we had spotted. I knocked on the door of the house, startling the housewife inside. Her husband then came to the other door, and we expleined our plight. The husband, Lonnie, invited us into his house, but we suggested that the garage would be more appropriate. He cheerfully opened the garage door, lit up a cigarette, and began to show us why he was such a good host. First he brought some bottled water for us, then he went back and brought in a baby chinchilla. He and his wife raise them to sell as pets. Here is a picture of an adult chinchilla he brought next.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/fluffy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/fluffy.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Then came the puppies (pictures came out blurred) Here is our group in the garage, and folding chairs that Lonnie brought out for us.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/barn2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/barn2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/campfire.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/campfire.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>, fashioned a garbage bag poncho.<br />Chuck, missing his rain jacket<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/Chuck.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/Chuck.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The rest of the day was a seemingly endless progression of ride..rain..lightning..shelter..rain..ride..lightning..shelter, etc. I made it in at about 4:15, my longest day of the tour time-wise. Everyone had their own stories to tell at dinner/route rap. See other blogs for other accounts.<br /><br />They say tomorrow should be sunny and pleasant, with favorable winds. We shall see. <br /><iframe src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1074268&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=20&view=portlet" width="530px" height="300px" title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1153258972485324522006-07-18T14:41:00.000-07:002006-07-18T18:04:12.686-07:00A Good Day in Minnesota, You Betcha!5:15 The alarm goes off, but we are already awake thanks to Ilkka's internal alarm that flawlessly wakes him 5 minutes before the motel clock.<br /><br />5:20 I am packing all my electronic gear and waiting for my turn in the bathroom<br /><br />5:30 Take care of various things in the bathroom. Some would be too graphic for this blog. I also fill my water bottles from the faucet. We don't use the coolers from the SAG vehicles for water until the first SAG stop.<br /><br />5:35 I have packed my bags and taken them out to the truck for loading. It is not yet ready for loading.<br /><br />5:40 Get my bike from Larry's room. He is my new recumbent brother. He let me store the bike there since our room was too small.<br /><br />5:45 Get in line to load my bags onto the truck. Load bags, initial the checkout sheet, add Gatorade to one water bottle. Pump air into rear tire. Only needs 5 pounds more.<br /><br />5:50 Head down the road to breakfast at Country Kitchen. Arrive to see lots of bikes decorating the exterior. It looks good.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/bikes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/bikes.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />5:55 Wait in line while cooks finish setting up the breakfast buffet.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/breakfast.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/breakfast.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />6:40 Head out and begin the ride.<br /><br />6:40 to 8:20 Ride, take pictures of the scenery.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/fields718.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/fields718.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/lake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/lake.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />7:11 Spot a cropduster plane spraying a field. Take pictures.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/dust1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/dust1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />8:20 Arrive at SAG #1 Sign in, wash hands, eat snacks, take a picture. This was the largest group I have seen at a SAG at one time.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/SAG.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/SAG.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />8:25. Head out from SAG. I don't like to hang around too long or my muscles stiffen. I ride for awhile alone, then spot the wolfpack rapidly getting larger in my mirror. I see that they are being led by the tandem of Daun and Bill. They must be moving at about 22 mph. They pass me, and I hook onto their draft. We ride quickly for quite a few miles.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/pack.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/pack.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />9:25 Most of the wolfpack wants to keep going north where we are supposed to turn east. I make the turn, and honk to let them know to turn. I increase speed, and they fall behind. <br /><br />10:14 Arrive in town of St. James. I find a stretch of road covered by loose gravel. I find out how loose by doing a 2 wheel slide at 20 mph. I stay upright fortunately. I call the road conditions in to staffer Michelle. The next SAG is just around the corner, so I head there after slowing down the arriving tandem of Lil and Ray, and the rest of the pack.<br /><br />10:20 Short break at the SAG. Head out with pack. Find a rider looking a lot like Kent, who should have just been pulling into SAG. It is Kent, who missed the SAG.<br /><br />11:30 Run into paving operations. Call Michelle to report alternate route, and tell them that we know where Kent is. Resume ride, now with Kent. The pack is long gone.<br /><br />12:15 Stop in town of Lake Crystal. Objective: DQ for lunch. The pack is eating here also.<br /><br />12:45 Have resumed ride. Pass scenic lake. One house has this float plane in the yard.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/float.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/float.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />1:45 Arrive at Holiday Inn in Mankato<br /><br />2:00 Head for jacuzzi and pool for relaxation<br /><br />2:30 Call home, let them know I got in fine, and that my replacement camera has arrived. . . finally. I ordered it Friday a week ago, and have missed photographing two states because of the delay.<br /><br />3:00 Head for the post office to mail a package home with extra stuff I don't want to carry anymore.<br /><br />5:30 Route rap. Discuss the route for the next day. Is there really a cliff at mile 85?<br /><br />5:45 Load van for trip to Old Country Buffet for dinner.<br /><br />6:00 Eat, and eat some more<br /><br />7:00 head back to hotel so I can finish this blog.<br /><br /><br /><iframe src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1069909&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=27&view=portlet" width="530px" height="300px" title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1153165924790806442006-07-17T12:33:00.000-07:002006-07-17T17:58:16.196-07:00A Middle Chainring DayNote: There seems to be a problem uploading pictures today. I will try again later.<br /><br />My bike has 27 speeds. There are three chainrings at the crank, and 9 cogs on the freewheel cassette. By choosing various combinations of front and back gears, you can find a gear ratio for just about any situation. In the mountains, I spend a lot of time on my small chainring, giving me a selection of my lowest ratios. On the flat stretches and downhills, I usually keep it on the big chainring, for the highest gear ratios. Today should have been one of those days, but a strong crosswind turned into a headwind for a good part of the ride, and my middle chainring got a real workout for once. It was also like that going into Sioux Falls. Fortunately, the wind was out of the Northeast instead of Southeast today, making it about 15 degrees cooler than the last few riding days.<br /><br />We departed Sioux Falls by way of their very nice bike trail, running along the Big Sioux River, each turn bringing us into a cool glen still wet with rain from an eary morning thunderstorm. Eventually we made it to Sioux Falls Park, where we had to leave it for regular roads. It was nice while it lasted. The regular roads did have one benefit, they led us to a new state, our fifth state.<br /><br />I noticed several things today. It was the first day since eastern Idaho where there was not a place where I could not see a house. If you have trouble with all the "nots", it means that we are back in "civilization". There are frequent towns, and farms between the towns. I even noticed "outskirts" to Worthington. Also, everything looks green here. Being surrounded by green vegetation has a profound effect on how I feel while riding. I noticed the other day that when I looked at a brown wheat field to my right, I felt hot and thirsty. If I looked at the lush corn field to my left, I immediately felt cooler. I don't care if it is all in my mind, because my mind runs my body. Finally, there were a lot of large windmills visible from miles away at several locations. These appeared to be about 200 feet high, and were silently turning the abundant wind energy into electricity. I thought they looked very nice among the fields, kind of like (extra)large flowers. A lot nicer than a smoke-belching coal-fired plant.<br /><br />Today the winds were our main foe. When we were headed at all northward, we fought the winds gusting to over 20 mph. I had more problems with being blown around by crosswinds. At one point I was blown clear off the road by a gust. The gravel shoulder was not firmly packed, and my tire dug in. When this happens, you lose steering. I managed to get my foot down before falling over, as I would have acquired a gravel-rash badge of courage like a few of our other riders. To clarify some other blog accounts, there was no other traffic involved.<br /><br />After the SAG stop, I caught up with Larry, the new recumbent rider. As it turns out, his bike had a broken support to the seat, which explained the rattling noise he had been wondering about for several miles. We combined Larry's allen wrench with my Duck brand duct tape, and fashioned a great splint. It held over the next 30 miles and we pulled into the motel in time for Larry to call in an order for a new seat to be shipped tomorrow. In the meantime, mechanic Tom modified the broken strut to make it useable again, so Larry can ride tomorrow instead of SAGging or riding a spare bike.<br /><br />It never got hot today. I had fogotten what "cool" felt like. Also, my replacement camera, ordered over a week ago, has arrived at our next destination. Thanks Mom!<br /><br /><br /><iframe title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1065128&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=20&view=portlet" frameborder="0" width="530" scrolling="no" height="300"> </iframe><strong></strong><strong></strong>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30360341.post-1152999537349627952006-07-15T14:37:00.000-07:002006-07-15T18:57:54.376-07:00Hard-Fought Rest Day in Sioux FallsOn paper, it looked like it could be a repeat of yesterday's easy ride to Mitchell. The weather forecast had other ideas, however, and the threat of 110 degree heat and 30 mph winds caused us to get an earlier start than originally planned. <br /><br />I ate a quick breakfast at Bonanza, which had opened especially for us. They do not usually do breakfast, but had fixed a nice spread for us. We hit the road soon after sunrise, and immediately felt the wind working against is, either as a crosswind or headwind as we maneuvered east and south toward our rest-day destination of Sioux Falls.<br />Scenes from the road:<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/scene1.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/scene1.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/P7150005.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/P7150005.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Here is one of Kent zinging along nicely.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/kent.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/kent.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Again, here is the problem for cyclists hoping for some sign of towns. This sign says that in 4 miles, I should be in Sioux Falls. Only problem, all you can see are farms. I actually made it 3 more miles before I started seeing signs that I was approaching a large town.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/1600/sign.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1204/3255/320/sign.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The heat never reached the dire predictions, but still exceeded 100. The motels have been really great with providing us with cold treats upon our arrival, and the Super 8 had cold drinks and what we used to call Dreamsicles, the orange sherbet, vanilla ice cream bars. A perfect welcome. Off to a nearby sports bar for lunch and big screens showing the Tour de France, then back to the hotel to try to write this blog. I fell asleep. When I woke up, I walked over to the near by mall and got a haircut. My hair was just the right length to make quite a Mohawk when I removed my helmet. It is much better now, but I have the telltale tanless areas. At route rap we met one of our new riders, Larry Schwartz. As luck would have it, her rides a recumbent, so Mike's departure will not leave me the sole practitioner of recumbency after all. Dinner was at a buffet restaurant. I ate too much.<br /><iframe src="http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/invitation/accept.mb?senderPk.pkValue=19933&unitSystemPkValue=2&episodePk.pkValue=1054503&backgroundDatasourcePk.pkValue=27&view=portlet" width="530px" height="300px" title="MotionBased Activity Viewport" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"> </iframe>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05765498792633672814noreply@blogger.com0