Half Century

Half Century Day

Saturday, 09 June 2012

Mileage – 53.76 miles

TOB (Time On Bike) – 3:43:33

Nola said it would have been cool to have it 3:33:33 as she likes “3’s.”

Max speed – 42.0 mph (on a downhill and I will swear the speed limit was 45)

Average Speed – 14.4 mph

We have titled this post as “Half Century” but it could very well be a full century as we both did 50+ miles on the same bike so that means we did over 100 miles when added together.  Is anyone buying this?  No? Okay, on to other things.

After over a week of rain, drizzle, clouds, more drizzle and more rain, we earned a good weekend, and this is it.  What a beautiful day for a bike ride.  As training goes, we knew we had to get at least one 50 mile day in, so today was it.  Now, we have to admit that this ride was done without the trailer, hence the decent average speed.  But in our defense, the route we took included a number of hills, with one the size of Everest.  Well, maybe not that tall, but at the time it sure seemed it.

Our excursion started with a trip around the Back Cove and up Route 1 to Route 88 through Falmouth, Falmouth Foreside, Cumberland Foreside and into Yarmouth.  With such a great day blossoming, we were far from the only bicycle on the roads.  However, we were the only tandem we saw, but a great number of folks were out taking advantage of warm temps and a cool NW breeze.  As anyone who has been on Rt. 88 knows it’s a fabulous road with some extraordinary houses to look ogle over, and as you pass along Cumberland Foreside the views of fields filled with tall, emerald colored grass swaying lazily, entice you down the slope to the cool ocean water.  All too quickly we are back under the canopy of trees, riding through the mosaic of golden sunlight and dark shadows they have laid across the road.

As we ride north on Rt. 1, our first goal is the Bike and Ski shop just south of Freeport village.  It is there that we find a replacement tire pump of the kind that Rick has been looking for since he blew up the other one.  All he will say is that it was an unfortunate set of circumstances that led to the destruction of the pump.  Nola simply asked, “Were you using a big hammer?”  Everyone is still waiting for an answer. 

The second goal of the trip was also accomplished, and that was to return the two sleeping pads that were purchased, tried out, and deemed unacceptable.  The folks at Bean’s were very courteous and took them back without flinching.  We ended up buying some new socks, lightweight, very breathable ones to help keep our feet dry and cool.  Our feet still sink, but the new socks don’t seem to mind.

After a hearty lunch, we rode off on “Twoddles” to finish our 30+ mile route home to Portland.  Our route took us out Bow Street to Flying Point Road, around to Pleasant Hill Road, Upper Mast Landing to South Freeport Road into Yarmouth.  We took Middle Road into Falmouth at Route 9 then back into Portland.  Quite a ride, but fun.  

This coming week, as we make final preparations for the trip, the plan is to do some daily mileage with the fully packed trailer and panniers, so we can get used to the extra weight.  We will keep you posted on how that turns out.