Paul Kramer's blog

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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.

Continue reading “Day 1 – Portsmouth, NH to Worcester, MA”

I arrived in Boston yesterday on a red-eye about 6:30 am. After picking up my rental car, I worked my way over to the Seven Cycles shop in Waterford, to see where my bike frame was made back in 2003. They say they are the largest purely custom frame maker in the world. On to REI for a few supplies and then to Portsmouth through heavy mid-day traffic.

Continue reading “Prelude, Saturday, September 11”

Welcome to my journal of my cycling trip from Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Jacksonville, Florida.  The wheels start turning on  Sunday,  August 12.  Check back then.

America by Bicycle is my tour provider. They are a known quantity to me, having ridden with them from Astoria, OR to Portsmouth, NH in 2004, and New Orleans to Minneapolis, MN in 2008.