No riding today. After doing my laundry, I visited my cousin, Barbara, her daughter Tara, and grandsons, in Bowie, MD. I hadn’t seen Barbara since the late 1970’s. Continue reading “Day 10 – Rest Day, Washington, DC”
Day 9 – Hunt Valley, MD to Washington, DC
81 miles, 4070 feet of climbing
Today’s weather was similar to yesterday’s. No rain, perhaps a little more sun to go with the overcast. Arm warmers and a jersey felt a little cooler at times but generally comfortable. Some sun, but more clouds.
The climbing was concentrated in the first two-thirds. The last third was the reward–the Rock Creek Park Trail. Not a rail trail so there were more turns and some very short climbs. Continue reading “Day 9 – Hunt Valley, MD to Washington, DC”
Day 8 – Lancaster, PA to Hunt Valley, MD
62 miles, 1695 feet of climbing
Yesterday evening, route RAP was late starting in order for staff to debate today’s choice of route. There were two alternatives–5200 feet of climbing on public roads or only 1600 feet of climbing and much of it on “rail trails,” generally old railroad right of ways converted to pedestrian/cycling paths. Here the path was place alongside railroad tracks which appear to be used at last for train excursions. Continue reading “Day 8 – Lancaster, PA to Hunt Valley, MD”
Day 7 – Pottstown, PA to Lancaster, PA
64 miles, 3640 feet of climbing
Today’s threatened rain hasn’t materialized as I write this at 9 pm. My legs were feeling better. Most of our time was spent out in the country, with one tobacco field, potatoes, and much corn. Continue reading “Day 7 – Pottstown, PA to Lancaster, PA”
Day 6 – Easton, PA to Pottstown, PA
72 miles, 3650 feet of climbing
After working pretty well yesterday, my legs were not in the mood. They dragged me to the end of the ride but didn’t want to work hard doing so. We all have those days, the difference being that we’re on a schedule. So you ride. Continue reading “Day 6 – Easton, PA to Pottstown, PA”
Day 5 – Matamoras, PA to Easton, PA
76 miles, 3930 feet of climbing
Today started out foggy, but warm enough for just a jersey. I followed staffers Mike and Karen out of the motel to our next state line crossing into New Jersey. Continue reading “Day 5 – Matamoras, PA to Easton, PA”
Day 4 – Poughkeepsie, NY to Matamoras, PA
70 miles, 2970 feet of climbing
Hooray, a sunny day, warm to start. My legs are starting to feel like they’ve checked in for the ride. We began by crossing the Hudson river on the Walkway Over the Hudson, a pedestrian/cycling bridge. Continue reading “Day 4 – Poughkeepsie, NY to Matamoras, PA”
Day 3 – Windsor Locks, CT to Poughkeepsie, NY
90 miles, 5200 feet of climbing
The riding began on wet roads but a combination of sun and clouds held for most, but not all, of the day. Yesterday’s climbing came as an accumulation of little climbs. Today’s seemed a bit steeper and longer. Continue reading “Day 3 – Windsor Locks, CT to Poughkeepsie, NY”
Day 2 – Worcester, MA to Windsor Locks, CT
64 Miles, 3700 feet climbed.
Though slightly less climbing than yesterday, today’s climbs were a little longer and in some cases steeper than yesterday’s. And my legs didn’t have the “pop” that they delivered yesterday. I was the last to leave the hotel and brought up the rear most of the day. Continue reading “Day 2 – Worcester, MA to Windsor Locks, CT”
Day 1 – Portsmouth, NH to Worcester, MA
95 miles, 3940 feet climbed
It wasn’t raining when we walked to breakfast this morning at 6 am, but that didn’t hold. By 7 am a pretty good rain was coming down. It let up eventually, but then came back with a vengeance.