Bicycling Across America with Sara

THE BEACH -- WE DID IT!!

2006-08-09T20:32:00.000-04:00

Dana and Jim are SO happy to have reached the beach!
I too was thrilled to finally touch the Atlantic Ocean. Willis Sands Beach, Rye, NH - next to Portsmouth, NH. It was a loooong ways to pedal from the Pacific Ocean back in Oregon!
At the beach many were greeted by friends and family. Here Sarah G (who lives in Salt Lake City, UT) was greeted by her best friend, her frisky, friendly doggie. She was so happy to see her pal once again.
Bill B is not wearing socks. Those are tan lines. After he went to the ocean he had taken off his sandy socks and put just his bike shoes back on.

Day 50 Going to Portsmouth, NH

2006-08-09T20:23:00.000-04:00

This was the plaque on the cafe we stopped at in Exeter. Many of us stopped for coffee and snack at "Me and Ollie's" Cafe.
Abe Lincoln visited here too -- years ago. It was a taven back then!
These four riders joined the ABB ride in Niagara Falls, NY just to ride the final week with us. John, Joe (our most senior rider at 75 years old), Bill, and Peg (who I ride with back here in Ohio with one of the bike clubs I belong to).
One last group photo moments before we lined up behind a police escort that led us the last three miles to Rye Beach at the Altantic Ocean in Portsmouth, NH. Here we are looking fit and tan from 50 days of riding! (Click on photo to enlarge).

Day 50 Manchester, NH to Portsmouth, NH

2006-08-09T20:07:00.000-04:00

Here is Chuck D. and I bright and early on the last morning, last ride. Our "gift" last night from the ABB staff was a box of Quick Oats. We were always one of the first to come down to the hotel lobby each morning and one of the first to load our luggage and most often the first ones out on the route. When this was presented to us last night Staff Tom told the group he thought we were quick because we had been eating those "Quick Oats" every day.
These four became the best of buddies over the weeks. They would start out early and yet would ALWAYS be the FINAL FOUR to get in every day. They would enjoy their day riding at a leisurely pace and stop many many times along the route every day. They were such a delight to all of us and had some of the funniest stories to tell at route rap and dinner every day. Here they are loading their luggage for the last time on to "Box", our luggage truck. L-R: Stu, Annie, Lois, Abe.
We were all dressed in our official America By Bicycle shirts this last morning -- ready to come to the ocean looking like a sea of red, white and blue. This is at the breakfast room at the hotel in Manchester, NH.
On the ride to Portsmouth we came through the old town of Exeter, NH. Many took a coffe and snack break at "Ollie and Me" cafe. The building (now a coffee and bakery cafe) was once a taven in the 1700's, and Abraham Lincoln visited it in November of 1779.

Day 49 and 50 Manchester, NH and Portsmouth, NH

2006-08-09T19:54:00.000-04:00

This USA map was put up everyday on our bulletin board in the lobby of the motel. This black line shows how far we had biked up to Manchester, NH. The second to last day of cycling. It was so amazing to watch this line get longer as they days of riding advanced over these last 7 weeks. This map was signed by all of us, and then a drawing for it took place at our dinner there in Manchester, NH -- the night before our last ride in to the Atlantic at Portsmouth, NH.
The staff talking and joking with us at our evening of reflection in Manchester, NH. L-R: Michelle, Bill, Christine, Tom (at podium), Andy and Jim.
Everyone got a memento "prize" from the ABB staff. Our tandem riders, Daun and Bill got a chuckle when Daun was presented with a little fan to keep herself cool when riding as the Stoker behind Captain Bill on the tandem.
Nancy and Kirk had some problems with losing their sunglasses during these weeks on the road. They gave Kirk and Nancy some "cute" sunglasses as a gift from the ABB staff!

POST RIDE REPORT

2006-08-09T15:31:00.000-04:00

Hey everybody -- I"m home and I'll post a recap of the ride of the last day and also more photos. I'm so swamped having just arrived home and have only a few minutes to post this. Please check back later -- I'll post more!!

Day 50 PORTSMOUTH, NH I MADE IT!!

2006-08-09T06:40:00.000-04:00

After the ride celebration on Monday evening. Chuck, Peg and I went downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire and ate on the waterfront at the Stockpot restaurant. A wonderful relaxing place, and great food. The downtown shops and sidewalks were just filled with people in the evening. What a fun a old city. Postmouth was established in 1623. It was nice to have Peg with us for this last week of riding. I think Chuck and I were still in a bit of a daze not fully realizing what an accomplishment we had just finished -- 50 days going across America on a bicycle.
A view of the water from the Stockpot Restaurant, Portsmouth, NH
Here is Peg crossing over from New Hampshire to the state line of Maine. Kittery, Maine is the city that is across the water from Portsmouth, NH.
Peg and I pause to say hello to Maine. The post next to me is the MAINE STATE LINE sign, which did not get into this photo.

Day 49 journal Brattleboro, VT to Manchester, NH

2006-08-06T17:47:00.000-04:00

I biked 87.16 HILLY, HILLY, HILLY miles today. A glorious day to be out there on a bicycle. Weather was again the very best. Welcome to New Hampshire. One heck of a hilly terrain. If we weren’t going up we were going down. We biked just about 5,900 vertical feet, total climbing today. Joe English Rd is one of the thrills of the day. But two other longer climbs were just as steep – and longer. Going between 13% to 14% grade. At route rap last night Andy said today is known as the second hardest day of the trip (second to going over the Grand Teton Mountain Pass, in WY). And I remember in 2001 I thought I would about die before getting to this motel. But this time, it was fun, challenging and very do-able. What a difference four additional summers of bicycling had done for me. Along with a lighter bicycle, and good bike fit, I never hurt all day. I just kept a steady pace and climbed away, and pretty soon Manchester, NH and the Comfort Inn were right before me! Right after leaving Brattleboro this morning we passed the state line into our last state, New Hampshire. It was a chilly morning, reminding us of the mornings around Mount Hood, Oregon. It was 55 degrees when we started out at 6:50 AM. It is hard to express the feelings I have knowing tomorrow will be our last day together. I am both sad to see it ending, and thrilled at the thought of what lies ahead: Seeing the Atlantic Ocean. Oh what a dream come true. I’ll keep you posted. I’m going to get Peg to give me her camera disk and get some of today’s photos and post them here later.

Day 48 Troy, NY to Brattleboror, VT

2006-08-06T17:31:00.000-04:00

At the top of Hogback Mountain. TEAM OHIO! Sara, Chuck, and Peg. Looking fresh and happy after all that climbing -- amazing.
Peg at one of the decorated mouse in the city of Bennington, VT. There were many of these mouse that were painted and decorated.
Chuck pauses to say goodbye to New York and welcome to Vermont.
This wood craved horse was on the grass at our first SAG stop (you can see the table in the background and some bikes). There was a sign on this horse that said, "Must sell: $10,000, or best offer" Nobody in our group seemed too excited or interested!

Day 48 journal Troy, NY to Brattleboro, VT

2006-08-06T17:23:00.000-04:00

I biked 77.5 miles today. At route rap last night staff Jim (our mechanic) gave a nice overview of today’s ride. He lives in this area and Vermont is his home state. He had us all looking forward to this ride. And it was wonderful!! What fun it was to be back on the ups and downs. Our legs hadn’t had a work out like this since back in the Rapid City, South Dakota area. We left New York and entered Vermont. Amazing that we could cross a state in just a few hours. Helps that we are traveling across the narrowest part. The weather was absolutely PERFECT today. What a welcome relief from the heat, wind and humidity. The sun was shining and our spirits really were lifted all day. It was a day to savor. After the first SAG stop Chuck and I started out just ahead of Peg. After a little while I couldn’t see her behind us, and figured she had stopped to take a photo. Chuck and I stopped at the Vermont state line and took photos and waited a while for Peg, but figured she was taking some time to look at scenery. We started out slow and in a while were in the town of Bennington, VT. It was such a perfect day to linger and there and just feel and see the flavor of this town that has so much personality. We found a coffee shop and sat outside and watched the people walk by and our fellow cyclists stopping and cycling slowly through the narrow streets. It wasn’t long until Peg showed up and here she was way behind because she had a flat tire. Eberhardt stopped to help her change it. Later she found out it wasn’t because she ran over anything but that the valve stem on the tube was faulty and sprang a leak. Continuing we came to another wonderful little Vermont town (these places are all so old, from the early 1700’s!) called Wilmington. I remember eating the best piece of pie there. And sure enough I found the same cute café with outdoor seating. Recumbent Jim was already there and had tasted the raspberry pie. I took agreed it was darn tasty. Crust was too thick though, and so Jim begged to finish that off!

We had 10 miles of climbing today that was up to hogback mountain pass. What a great view of the distant hills we had when reaching the summit. Then it was a fantastic down hill ride all the way into Brattleboro, VT. We stopped in a bicycle shop to “check it out” and then on to the hotel. After I check in I saw Peg and asked her if she wanted to go back to get a little bite to eat – and so we ended up at a Friendly’s.

The excitement is building!! Only two days left to go. God is Good, and I have been greatly blessed. All thanks are to God for our safe and happy journey.

Day 47 journal Little Falls, NY to Troy, NY

2006-08-06T17:02:00.000-04:00

I biked 83.12 miles today. It was another wonderful day out there on my bicycle. First though, I’ll update on the rider who fell yesterday. Kent ended up going to Utica hospital, and sure enough he has a broken shoulder bone. The same one as he broke a year ago. He came back to our motel and had made arrangements for a taxi to take him to the airport this morning. He had his arm in a sling and when he gets home will check in with his doctor and see what the next step is, could be surgery. He, as are all of us very saddened by this happening and we will miss him very much. He was a steady, and fast rider. He would pass me several times a day (he stopped a lot, then catch back up. He ate several meals along the way – bottomless appetite that guy had!). When he glided on by me he would always say, “Sara, there’s pie and ice cream up there, keep going!” I saw him about 5:30 this morning in the hotel lobby and he was waiting for the taxi driver. I wished him well and had a chance to say goodbye to him. He slept last night sitting up, and he said he slept good because the high-powered drug he was sent with from the hospital. It helped with the pain.

So this morning when I woke up and was hauling my bike and bags out to the front door at 5:30 AM it was RAINING! A pretty heavy downpour. But other were saying the weather channel showed it would be passing and we would have clearing and sunny skies in the direction we were headed. Breakfast was served in the banquet room at the hotel and luggage loaded at 7:15. Sure glad that rain did stop, just in time. But the roads were still pretty wet and the big trucks splattered us some, and of course the bicycles were getting very dirty. I must get out there in a few minutes and hose down the bike and polish it all up. It was cloudy for a few hours, but the scenery was so beautiful. Mountains off in the distance on either side of us and there was deep green foliage every where. Certainly not dry looking here in New York. We had a few climbs, but nothing much. Just waiting until the next three days!!! There will be a lot of climbing! At about mile 52 we entered on to a bike path that was paved and stayed on that for nearly thirty miles. It was paved the entire way, but some places had some back bumps and cracks in the blacktop pavement. I felt a little cheated out of seeing more of the state of New York by having to stay for way too many miles on a tree lined narrow bike path. I remember in 2001 we only had to be on the bike path for a few miles and we saw a lot more of the nice terrain and beauty of New York.

Note: It is Sunday, August 6 now. I did not finish this above posting 3 days ago when I should have. So now I can’t remember much more about that day. Stayed in Troy, New York. On to the next day’s report. . . . .

2006-08-06T15:11:00.000-04:00

2006-08-05T15:44:00.000-04:00

Day 46 Journal Liverpool, NY to Little Falls, NY

2006-08-03T15:59:00.000-04:00

Today I biked 80 miles. I decided to get up early and head on over across the street to the Denny’s restaurant where the ABB ‘supplement’ breakfast was scheduled. I could have had the conti at the hotel, but wanted just a little more with pancakes and eggs. I was there at 5:30 AM, and about 12 other bikers were showing up at that time too. I was finished eating then by the time Box opened up to put luggage on at 6:15. It was muggy again this morning, and cloudy. I prepared pretty much resigned myself to getting rained on at some point today. I liked the motel we stayed at rather than the one in 2001. It was located on out past the most heavy morning traffic. Kent, Keith, Chuck, Peg, Ilka, Sarah G. and I pulled out at the same time. We were biking pretty close for several miles. There were some hills right away and then it leveled out so we took advantage of the great tailwinds we had. We had a pace line going for nearly 10 miles and holding speeds about 20-21 mph. We were all clipping along so fast that we arrived at the point (25.4 mile mark) where the first SAG was to be set up. But the van hadn’t passed us so no SAG to get some water and food. I called on the cell phone to say seven of us were moving on and not waiting around. Just then the van came in sight. Got some water and a banana and moved on. We passed a little sight that Peg stopped and took a photo of. It was this very tiny church sitting out in a pond of water. The sign said, “The world’s smallest church.” The clouds were getting darker off in the distance but I thought we would be moving away from the rain. Nope, we got a sprinkling at about the 52 mile mark. Just happened to come into a small town and took shelter under a canopy for about 10 minutes. When Chuck, Peg and I arrived at the second SAG there was a phone call from Kent. He said he had fallen (at mile 58) and was calling an ambulance. He was trying to change the cue sheet/map and didn’t have both hands on the handlebars and hit a bump in the road and went down. He thinks he broke his collarbone. This is so sad! He he was, almost all the way across and to have this accident. It is especially sad for him because last year he started out on this cross-country route and fell as he was trying to clip into his bike pedals just a few miles into the route. He broke his collarbone and was all healed and was on this trip so happy he was going for these final days and with all good hopes he would finish. These accidents happen in a flash. We haven’t heard anything yet, but he was taken to the hospital. Hearing that we started out from the SAG with thoughts and very concerned about Kent. This also caused us to be extra cautious because the roads were still wet from the rain that had passed through. The rest of our route went well and the terrain was changing a lot today. The hills were longer climbs, and off in the distance we can see bigger hills and mountainous all around. Tomorrow we are sure to be climbing a lot more. I had a great ride today. Jon G. tracked me down and said there was a masseuse very close to this motel and she had two openings. I’m going to keep on top of feeling good and get this massage at 6:15 today. I’ll miss route rap but Peg will pick up an extra cue sheet for me. Dinner is right here at the motel so I’ll just eat when I get back.

Day 45 traveling to Liverpool, NY

2006-08-03T15:52:00.000-04:00

It was SO HOT today. After 89 miles we stopped at The Retreat Restaurant. I was BEAT! I was dripping with moisture everywhere. But the eatery was air conditioned and that was wonderful to cool down before heading out for the final 2 miles to the motel.
Restaurant sign in Liverpool, NY
A cute pink house in downtown Liverpool, NY

Day 45 Photos

2006-08-03T15:48:00.000-04:00

Now if you are really into motorcycles I guess this is the mailbox you would like!
Christine and Christopher display some new shirts at the SAG stop. It says on the front: "Need water?" "We Got Some"
Their names on the back: Christ tine and Christ topher.
An old blockhouse used in 1722.

Day 45 Journal Henrietta, NY to Liverpool, NY

2006-08-03T15:45:00.000-04:00

I biked 92.14 miles today. What a fantastic day I had. Felt super the whole day – should have gone on and done a Century (100 miles)! Lots of energy, and even with the scorching heat index of 100 degrees I thought today felt cooler than yesterday. The humidity was a wee bit lower and the winds seemed to cool me better today. Others may not agree with this, but I did not mind the heat today. I really love New York roads. They are nice to ride a bicycle on out here. The shoulders are nice and wide and paved. Even though we are now into the eastern states where the traffic has increased a whole lot, with the wide (clean) berms it really makes riding smooth. The three of us, Chuck, Peg and I ate the continental breakfast at the motel this morning and then got in line for the 6:15 AM luggage loading. We were on the bikes and down the road at 6:17 AM. We were told about a road construction detour at route rap last night. That sure makes it go easier when they have found out ahead of time about road closures/detours and can tell us how to proceed. So many times we have had an added adventure in our day trying to walk or ride precariously through beyond these ‘road closed’ signs – and with no warning that we would be encountering any construction. So today at mile 5 we had to follow the detour signs and that added an extra mile on to the route today. The terrain was rolling off and on today, which made the riding fun and interesting. We could see more lakes and wildlife preserves today. We came within 10 miles (north) of Seneca Falls, NY. We are very close, but north, of the Finger Lakes region of the state. We didn’t stay long at the two SAG stops, as we were aware of trying to beat the heat – and there was a thunderstorm warning out for the afternoon. One of the riders with us until Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Dave, came to say hello at our second SAG stop. His wife was there too, and she had made enough little individual cherry topped cheesecakes for all of us. Nice treat! When we got into Liverpool and were at the 89-mile mark we saw an inviting restaurant in the downtown we were passing through. It was called The Retreat. Seemed to be a very popular and busy place. But the service was “slower than molasses in January”! But that was OK I guess, because our rooms at the motel would not have been ready anyway, so might as well hang out and drink water and re-hydrated and fuel up sitting at a restaurant. Recumbent Jim had caught up to us (or was it that we caught up to him?) and he stopped to eat with us. Of course he and I had to have a piece of pie – still on our quest to find the BEST pie in the USA on this northern route. He had the raspberry pie and I had the coconut cream. Mine was definitely made there – and was soooo good! Chuck and I split a Rueben sandwich and we were then ready to do the final 3 miles to the motel. We had gotten in at about 12:30 PM to this restaurant and it was going on 1:45 before we got back outside. Quite a few other cyclists had by this time stopped at this place to eat. When we went outside we heard thunder! The sky was really getting black. We could not see that when we were in the restaurant. It was a mad dash to ride those last 3 miles trying to beat the rain. Luck! We made it in and just as I got up to my room and opened the curtains the sky let loose. A torrent of rain and high winds. I sure did feel bad that so many bikers were still out there and were getting very soaked. Hopefully they found shelter along the way. It continued to rain for about 45 minutes. Peg took her camera along today – so I loaded photos from her disk over to my computer and will have something to post this time. Every morning I debate whether to take the camera, and I put it back because it is a weight issue. The less I carry on the bike the less I have to lug up a hill! My body itself is weight enough that has to fight gravity on every hill. Route rap is at 6:00. Dinner is across the street at some -- you guess it – BUFFET! Yippie. Hey, we got FREE bottles of ice cold Gatorade and water from the hotel manager as we came in. Also they offered us a big bowl of free bananas. I grabbed a couple of those to eat as soon as I get up in the morning. I have eaten so many bananas I know I’m turning into a monkey. Another 85+ miles tomorrow to a town near Utica, NY.

Day 44 Niagara Falls, NY to Henrietta, NY

2006-08-01T16:29:00.000-04:00

Sunday I biked 21.00 miles, today I biked 83 miles. Here it is Tuesday, August 1^st. Summer is going fast! I was not a happy camper on Sunday when I woke up that morning. I was really looking forward to riding into Niagara Falls, Canada and over the bridge to Niagara Falls, New York. But my back was still very touch and go. I tried to ignore the pain and just try to make it in doing the 72 miles. I took some of the meds I had gotten there in Canada and started out about 6:30 AM. The day started out fairly cool and the roads and countryside was lovely during that early Sunday morning. My back was really hurting but I was glad the terrain was mostly gently rolling so I didn’t have to use the glute muscles very much, as you do when climbing big hills. I tried to stay in one position leaning forward. All I could think of was “Just get there and you can REST and get on the phone and call for a masseuse or Chiropractor.” When I had to stop for a little break and got of my bike (mile 20.5) I REALLY couldn’t move in any direction. It was even painful to take a deep breath. Luckily I could see one of the ABB van’s pulled off to the side a ½ mile ahead watching riders as they came up to one of the turns in the road. I knew I could not make it any further. I joined Daun in the van. She was sick too and needed a lift in that day also. I was very disappointed in having to take another day off from riding, but I just had to listen to my body at that point. It took a couple of hours to get into the hotel since the vans stay out and make sure the riders are safe and offering water as needed along the road. It was nice to see the beautiful Falls once again. I’ve been there several times, but each time it is a little thrill to see such a wonder of the world, all that water falling over the cliff. There were a zillion people on the Canadian side milling the streets and parks by the Falls. It took about 40 minutes to inch our way forward over the Rainbow Bridge and through customs checkpoint. One very nice change that ABB made since the 2001 ride was we stayed within a stone’s through of the Rainbow Bridge and all the activities that people wanted to enjoy there at Niagara Falls on the rest day. My Paul arrived within a half hour after I got in. It was so nice to see him. I wasn’t in any condition to do much walking around with my very sore back – so we took it easy and had a good time relaxing and visiting. I got on the computer and through the yellow pages and my map software I looked up places to get a massage and a Chiropractor. Since it was Sunday it was useless to call, but had all the number ready for Monday morning. And with Paul there through most of Monday he could drive me anywhere I needed. Paul brought Peg, from Massillon along. She is riding this last week with the ABB group. It was good to see her. “Team Ohio” made connection and so Chuck, Peg, Paul, and I walked over (on recommendation from the hotel as a place to eat) to the Seneca Casino. It was about 4 blocks away. Quite a glitzy place that casino. There are several places to eat inside the casino and we chose The Three Sisters. Good food. During Route Rap at 5:00 PM that afternoon Peg was introduced and welcomed. A representative of a bus tour company did a short presentation on their offering of a tour (on Monday our rest day) to see all the major sights on the Canadian and American side of the Falls. About 20 people signed up for the 4.5-hour tour that left in the morning at 8:30 AM. I was up early and came down to the lobby and looking at the ABB bulletin board I noticed a sign-up sheet if you wanted to have a massage. Someone had contacted a masseuse and she was willing to come to the hotel from noon to 6:00 PM. I was thrilled to see that, and I didn’t have to go anywhere for that. A whole hour was just $35, a real bargain. But I was really concerned about what all was happening with this back issue and I called a Chiropractor. The receptionist asked it I could come over in half an hour (9:00 AM). Yes! It was less than a mile away. I am so glad I went. He said my pain was largely due to things getting way out of alignment. My pelvis/spine was all out of whack, and caused my left leg to be ¼” shorter than my right. He quickly did some adjustments. He said I would still feel sore most of the day, but feel a lot better by today – with instructions to ICE for 20-minute sessions for the rest of the day and evening and drink tons of water. Later in the afternoon I had a very relaxing massage and stayed close to the ice packs. Lo and behold, it was like a miracle this morning! I could ride and Peg, Chuck and I left early and got in the 83 miles by 12:15 PM. I had a lot of energy, and was SO thankful for the blessing of having my back feeling 100% better. The roads were great today, and just a little rolling in spots. It is 100 degrees here today. After leaving Niagara Falls this morning and about 10 miles into the route I saw a time and temperature sign at a bank. At 7:45 AM it was already 84 degrees! The humidity is unreal. But one thing, when you are on a bike and rolling along the breeze created from moving through the air does help. But Whoh! When you stop the sweat just pours off the skin. I drank 4-25 ounce bottles of water while biking and a bottle of juice at a gas station stop along the way. We are in the area of Henrietta, NY – a town next to Rochester, NY. We are kind of out in the middle of nowhere, not much to see or go to around here. People like to be near a Wal-Mart, Dairy Queen, or big drug store. But not out here. We will be shuttled to the Old Country Buffet for dinner. Our favorite! When rolled in the luggage truck had just arrived and our rooms were not ready, so we pedaled back down the road a little and went to Tim Horton’s for our lunch.

Life is good again – and I thank God for my renewed energy and for a body that is working in harmony once again!
Tomorrow is is on to Liverpool, NY. A bike route of 85 miles.

Day 41 journal London, ON to Brantford, ON Canada

2006-07-29T15:33:00.000-04:00

I'm posting these notes on Saturday, 7/29/06. I rode into London from Port Huron yesterday, Friday, 89 miles. Our first day into Canada. It was much the same scenery as we have had for many days. Farm land and fields of corn and beans and grain. The farm properties are very neat and clean and all the yards are very well kept. Many more flowers in the yards in Canada. I was really hurting a lot on this ride. While I was in Port Huron I injured my back lifting my luggage. I thought once I got on the bike it would work itself out, but it just got so tight and painful I couldn't even lug my luggage to my room in London. Last night I was up a lot trying ice and heat. But this morning I decided I just could not do the 67 mile ride today, that I better rest this back for one day. I rode in the luggage truck with Tom. This morning just before leaving, the new staff member, Bill, who also happens to be a pharmacist here in Canada told me I could get a muscle relaxant with codeine (Robaxisal) over the counter from any pharmacy here in this country (not available without prescription in US). When I got here to Brantford I picked up some and have taken a couple of doses. Feeling better, and will bike tomorrow into Niagara Falls, NY. I can hardly wait to hand over to Paul a whole lot of stuff from my luggage that he can take back home for me. I must lighten this luggage!! With only a week to go I will travel as light as possible! It will be great to see Paul, it is a 4.5 hour drive up to Niagara Falls from home. He is also bringing Peg S. with him who will be joining our ABB gang for this last week. There will be 4 new riders coming on. A few will be leaving. Paul will stay through Monday, our rest day, and we can sight see Niagara Falls. Such a tourist trap, but it is a lively place to be with all the people milling around the streets in the city. I've been there several times and have seen all the attractions, so mainly I look forward to finding a nice place to do dinner tomorrow evening. I'll have to take the camera tomorrow. Should really stop and take more photos. But I find when I'm biking I get peddling along in a steady beat/pace and when I stop to take photos it is takes time to get up to speed again. It breaks that nice cadence that I enjoy on the bike. So here's hoping I sleep well tonight and my back problem is short lived! I just hated not being out there on the bike today --- and it was a beautiful day with sun shine and no rain. Terrain was a little more rolling today.

Day 39 Port Huron, MI photos

2006-07-29T15:12:00.000-04:00

Here we are at breakfast in the Holiday Inn at Port Huron, MI. We ate at the hotel today (Friday, July 28) and then assembled to cross the bridge into Canada at Sarnia, Ontario. We were all wearing our official issued ABB jersey today. It looks pretty impressive to see all 55 of us wearing the jersey, we really stand out. Going across the bridge was quite a production. The authorities stopped all traffic and led us as a single group across the high level bridge. When we got to the Canadian border the non-US citizens were called forward to present their passports to be stamped. The rest of us did not have to show ID. ABB staff had given the list of all our names and pertinent information several days in advance so they could get each name checked out. One guy did get a call from the Canadian authorities as a "wanted" on their list had the same exact name and the same birth date as our rider. But on questioning him on the phone this hair color and eye colors and places he had lived didn't match with the guy they were looking for. We held up traffic for about 45 minutes. I can imagine all those semi-trucks waiting behind us to cross the bridge were not really happy. Then another hold up happened. The authority looked at our route sheet and saw that we would be running into several miles of construction. So we continued to wait and they stopped all the traffic on the other side of the road (traffic that was leaving Canada). Then we were led in front of this stopped traffic and out on to a road that took us around the construction. It did add a mile to the route, but it was a good road, and we were glad for not having to go through the tie-up of construction. The roads in Canada are pretty good, but all the roads have NO shoulders, so we are hanging on to the white line (when there is one) the whole time we are on the roads. It was another day of rain threatening, but we escaped the rains again!
Kent models this t-shirt that sums up our days: Eat, Sleep, Pedal . . . Repeat.
The "Final Four" as we call them who stop for anything and everything all along the route found a sign that said "Pick Your Own Raspberries". Of course they stopped and picked! Here at route rap Lois passed around the beautiful and delicious berries. The next day there was a sign that said "pick your own blueberries". Guess what, we had blueberries at route rap! Such fun.

Day 39 journal Birch Run, MI to Port Huron, MI

2006-07-27T16:03:00.000-04:00

I rode 87. 67 miles today. It was a WONDERFUL day! I just love to be on my bicycle. The roads today were overall much improved over yesterday's. We only had one section of about 3-4 miles of choppy roads. The riders seem to be riding closer to each other now. There aren't the big 'gaps' between the small groups of riders. Everyone is getting so strong we are closing in on each other. Still the "Final Four" are out there coming in last everyday. They have a blast though, stopping lots of times to take pictures, go on little side excursions, talk longer to the 'locals', stop to eat more and chat with each other along the route. Then there is the 'Wolfpack' who think everyday is a time trial! But they have a grand time too. Sometimes they are speeding along so fast that they tend to miss the turns. There wasn't much to look at today, just farmland all along the route. It was great to come into Port Huron and ride along Lake Huron shoreline. There are some mighty fine lakefront properties. Today Chuck and I stuck together and a couple of times we latched onto the wheels of two different groups and got "pulled" for many miles. Once it was Bob and Tom, and another draft was behind Leslie, her brother Gary, and Michael was in the line for a while too. I arrive into the city limits about 12:20 PM. We had another 5 miles to go along the shoreline before reaching the hotel. The traffic in that area was pretty heavy, but we held our line good and the drivers were considerate. If we ride and act like a vehicle (as the law says we must) and make sufficient communication with the drivers it helps a lot. I turn my head back and it notifies the vehicle behind me that I'm aware of them back there and I wave my arms in big circles when I see a car pulling up to a stop sign on my right. They sometimes only look one way and start to pull out -- and by waving and pointing my hand/finger straight ahead it lets them know our direction. We stopped at Tim Horton's cafe across from the hotel for some lunch and finished our route and into the hotel by 1:00 PM.
Tomorrow morning we will wear our America By Bicycle official jersey and cross over the big bridge into Canada all as a group. We have to leave very early so that the morning traffic going over the bridge won't be held up too much.
It is the Country Buffet for dinner tonight. I'm going to have a rude awakening when I get home -- this buffet grazing will have to come to an abrupt end!!! Right now we are burning those big meals off everyday. Quite a few people are reporting they have have lost weight. I haven't found a scale to step on. Guess the exercise rooms of some of the hotels have had scales. I'll wait until I get home to find out the plus or minus of this trip!
God is great and has blessed us all.

Day 38 journal Mt. Pleasant, MI to Birch Run, MI

2006-07-26T18:58:00.000-04:00

I biked 75 miles today. We sure got lucky today and did NOT get wet. Looking at the weather radar it looked green everywhere all around us, but lo and behold we must have gotten into some sort of pocket and escaped the wet. It had rained in the wee hours of dawn but was not raining when taking off at 7:30 this morning. I gave praises for the Michigan roads yesterday, but today’s route had absolutely crappy roads!!! Makes you want to write the governor of the state and find out why these roads around here are never repaired. I ate one of those motel waffles this morning. Big mistake. You know, those popular make your own in the waffle maker waffles that the motels are offering these days. I should know better because every time I’ve had one and gotten out on the bike afterwards it sits in the gut like a lump and makes me feel so sluggish. It was 40 miles into the route before I felt better. Stopped at the SAG (only had one snack SAG stop on this short day) that was at mile 40 and had Fig Newton’s and banana and soon felt much better and picked up speed for the last 35 miles. If it hadn’t been for the terrible roads I would have made even better time. A few times we had to turn south and boy did we have a headwind going that way. The longest stretch going that direction was 6 miles, but it was a ‘get-down-in-the-drops’ on the handlebars when fighting the wind. Coming into Birch Run we had to go right past the huge Birch Run Prime Outlet Mall complex of stores. It was noon when I rolled in so lots of us went by there and found many restaurants to choose from for a lunch before getting into the Comfort Inn Motel right at the interchange at I-75. I have enjoyed relaxing all afternoon, reading, napping, washing some clothes and resting up for the 90 miles to Port Huron tomorrow. I wonder if we will get rained on tomorrow? Good chance we will as it looks like a rain front is coming over all of Lower Michigan from the west. Route Rap is in a few minutes and then we are to walk to Tony’s Restaurant for the evening meal. It will be about a ½ mile walk. Hope it is Italian food! Those pasta dinners are good carbo loading meals. Makes a huge difference in our energy when we eat the right stuff! Last night about 15 of us went next door to the Lone Star Steakhouse for dinner instead of ABB’s free dinner at Shoney’s. Just couldn’t hack the thought of another buffet, and especially Shoney’s! Looking forward to seeing Lake Huron tomorrow. Time to go to route rap. Thank you all for your e-mail’s!! It means so much to hear from so many.

Day 37 journal Ludington, MI to Mt Pleasant, MI

2006-07-25T20:19:00.000-04:00

I rode 115.67 miles total today. WOW! I can’t believe we are finished with our ‘century’ rides. (rides 100 miles or more). Today was a wonderful ride. It went so fast and smooth. I had breakfast at the hotel at 6:30 AM and then left hoping the 115 miles would go along quickly. And it did! It started to rain about a mile into the ride, and did not stop raining for the first 75 miles. It wasn’t bad though, I only put on my jacket for about 4 miles, and then took it off as I felt too hot and the humidity was so high I rode well without anything on the arms. I was plenty wet, but I didn’t feel cold. The route was completely changed from when I came through here in 2001. I loved this route. The roads were clean, smooth, and very little traffic the entire time. The terrain was rolling up and down the whole day. Right after the 66 mile SAG stop I was riding along thinking to myself about the fact that I have not had a single flat tire in the 2,712 miles (at that moment) that I had ridden on these roads. Not a minute passed and pssssssst! I had my first flat tire. The best part was that it had just stopped raining so I didn’t have to change it out there in a downpour! I was at mile 74 in the 115 route. Keith came along and pulled Chuck and I for about 15 miles, that was a big boost and we really made good time. I was at the edge of town by 2:38 PM. Stopped at a deli for a bite to eat and got to the hotel a little after 3:00 PM. We are all so strong and fast now – we don’t think much of doing 100 miles any more. But nobody is complaining that all our rides from here on out are less than 90 miles!! The excitement is building, and we are getting closer to New Hampshire day by day! Oh what fun this has been. How I love to ride my bicycle!

Day 36 Manitowoc, WI to Ludington, MI photos

2006-07-25T19:47:00.000-04:00

Julie and Jeff relax on the shoreline waiting until we were called to load our bikes and selves on to the SS Badger boat to cross Lake Michigan.
More of the riders relaxing near the ferry/car dock waiting for the loading of the boat.
Here's Nancy on a Harley. She decided to ditch her bicycle for this shiney Harely! Just kidding. There was quite a line up of motorcyclists waiting in line to drive then on to the boat.
After a 4+ hour ride on the boat we got our bicycles in to Michigan for the first time. How exciting it is to be crossing into our 7th state!! It was just a 3.3 mile bike ride to our motel from here. The boat ride I found long and rather tiring. Really couldn't rest well on the boat and except for being on the outside upper deck outdoors it was very hot on the boat. I had a queezy stomach most of the ride so I tried to stay put in one place to keep my dizziness under control. I found the last hour being outside along the upper deck was the most comfortable, and I sat on the shady side of the deck.

Day 35 Manitowoc, MI Photos Rest Day

2006-07-25T17:54:00.000-04:00

Downtown Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Coming into the historic section at the intersection of 8th Street the Budweiser Beer brewry can be seen. It is a very large opertation. Directly behind that is Lake Michigan and the area where we all congregated to board the SS Badger boat. Standing on the corner is Nancy A.
Back at the hotel we had to load our luggage on to 'Box' at 9:00 AM and that left plenty of time for us to cycle the 3 miles to the ferry boat. Most everyone explored the downtown and found coffee shops or places to pick up some sandwiches to take along to eat later on the boat.
Jim L. more than enjoyed his hot chocolate with whip cream on top. It was a "Got Milk?" moment. Quite a few stopped in at Lewy's cafe to drink and eat.
A popular spot was Lewy's Cafe, as you can see by the line up of bicycles.
The ferry boat SS Badger is arriving. After it docked passengers that had come from Ludington, MI got off and the cars came off as well. Then a crew loaded an 18 wheeler open top truck with coal, three times, and back it on to the steam boat and dumped the coal fuel on to the ships lower belly. We walked our bicycles on to the ship about 12:30 PM and then went up to one of the three upper deck areas to relax and enjoy (?) the four hour 60 miles across Lake Michigan from Manitowoc, WI to Ludington, MI. We lost an hour in time as we enter the eastern time zone. The boat arrived and docked at 6:15 PM. It was threatening rain, so we hurried to the motel. Most stopped along the way though to get some dinner. Since this was considered a "rest day", ABB does not provide a meal and we were on our own. I was anxious to just get in to the motel and prepare things for the 115 mile ride the next morning so I had something to eat at Wendy's. The baked potato, chili soup, and yogart, and milk was fuel enough for me.

Day 35 journal Fond du Lac, WI to Manitowoc, WI

2006-07-23T15:52:00.000-04:00

I rode 58 miles today. Another beautiful day for a bike ride. I felt rested and refreshed after taking it easy yesterday when I arrived at our destination. We ate at the hotel last night which was great – saves time not having to get out and go somewhere for the dinner. The hotel served a good pasta and chicken dinner and plenty of it. A couple of the riders reported missing a turn yesterday and ended up with 108 miles instead of the 83 on the route sheet. Today was so comfortable, just the perfect temperature for riding (about 75 degrees), the skies were clear and the breeze was not too strong so we clipped along at a good pace the whole way. The terrain was almost constant gentle rolling. It is amazing how strong everyone has become over these weeks of riding. I left a little past 7:00 AM and arrived here at 11:00 AM. Chuck kept us at a steady pace, and I drafted most all the way as he is strong going into a headwind. Upon arriving in Manitowoc went to Applebee’s for a lunch and then over to Wal-Mart for a look around. Our rooms are not ready until 3:00 PM. People have been sitting around in the lovely lounge of this Holiday Inn. Quite a few are on their computers and we are looking for the OLN station on TV to run a re-cap of Landis coming in for the win at the Tour de France. Hooray for the American! Some have gone for a ride to the downtown area of Manitowoc and checked out where we will gather at Lake Michigan for the boat ride across the lake tomorrow. We have to be there at the docking area by 12:00 noon and be ready to board the ship USS Badger that will leave at 1:00 PM. Tomorrow we lose another hour and enter Eastern Time Zone. The boat trip will be 4 hours, and then a 7 mile ride to the motel. We’ll be resting as much as possible because we have 115 miles to ride the next day. I didn’t take my camera again today – but will have to get some photos tomorrow during our cruise on the ship. God is great, and he has blessed all of us with a wonderful day.