Day of Repairs

26 June 2012

Stats for today: Same as yesterday

As we mentioned in yesterday's blog, that was posted this morning because of a scarcity of WiFi, today has been an "off the bike" day.  We slept in, 8:30 a.m., and wandered up to Grandma's Kitchen for breakfast.  A lone gentleman sitting at a table, got up and joined another table so we could sit down.  A very nice gesture.  We had a wonderful breakfast and plan to go back tomorrow before we hit the road again.

During breakfast, we were treated to a very lively conversation of the local politics, people, and activities.  It was a wonderful start to the day!  Afterwards, we wandered over to the local market to get bagels for our travels, and finding none continued on to the Stewart's gas station and variety to make the purchase.  No problems there, plus we can stock up on the Gatorade there tomorrow morning as well.

New/Old/Jury-rigged hitch

Getting to the repairs of the day, we started with trying to find a hardware store.  In conversation with Bernie, the owner of Marina Campsite and Redneck Boat Yard, he told us there was no hardware store nearby, but he found us two very satisfactory hose clamps to assist us in attaching the trailer to the bike.  As you can see by the picture, it works very well.  Thanks Bernie. 

Just a note on Bernie, he is a proud, former member of the Army's 101st Airborne.  He gets quite a kick out of saying that he is getting used to "saving Marines" as his good friend staying at the campsite is a former Marine, and they banter back and forth all time.

New Sneakers for the Trailer

After making sure that the trailer would attach and stay on the bike, we changed out the tires on the trailer as the old ones were getting very thin.  Trying to get ahead of our challenges, we figured "do it now rather than later."  Our test ride showed no problems, so when we head out tomorrow we will hit a bike shop about twelve miles west and see if they can fix the bent spokes and true the wheel before heading on. 

Home Sweet Traveling Home

The rest of the day has been spent relaxing, reading, and Rick getting his butt kicked in Cribbage (what's new).  We went for short walk down to the point of land and the Canal, and sat just enjoying the quiet.  The campsite we were able to choose is very nice and open, and had power available so Nola can recharge the computer and phone.

After a leisurely supper, we plan to pack up what we can and prep for the next day.  The plan is to get to Verona Beach State Park, about 65 miles.  But our plan is not always what becomes of the day, so check back again and see how things go.  Remember, "What could possibly go wrong?"

It's All Part of the Journey

25 June 2012

Stats for the day:

Depart Clifton Park, NY 8:30 a.m., arrive St. Johnsville, NY 7:00 p.m.

Trip mileage – 367.1 miles

Today’s mileage – 70.71 miles

Time on bike –6:13:53

Average Speed – 11.3 mph

Max speed – 40.0 mph

Lock 10 on Erie Canal

It's amazing how things turn out different than what you expect to happen.  We started the day with exuberance and ready legs after a nice hot tub soak and good nights sleep thanks to Eileen, George, and family.  Our trek took us down a few city streets but then onto the Mohawk Hudson Bikeway, and eventually onto the Erie Canal Trail in Amsterdam, NY.  Shortly after getting on the Canal Trail we encountered a thunderstorm and managed to take shelter in a covered area just off the trail.  While waiting out the shower, another biker took shelter with us.  He was from North Carolina and riding the trail from Buffalo to Albany, meeting his wife at the end of each day in a different city.  He gave some great information about the trail farther west, and we might get one of the Canal Trail books like he had, which gives the layout of the trail, and the locations of bike shops, rest areas, and the like.

View from top of hill in Johnstown, NY

I emphasize the bike shop part because we keep seeming to need to find them.  After the rain stopped we were getting ready to go when Rick checked the wheels and found a broken spoke on the rear one.  A quick look on the phone for the nearest shop showed one back in Amsterdam, and one about four and half miles off the trail in Johnstown, NY.  Well, this is one time Rick's Marine Corps attitude of "no retreat" should have been overridden.  We made it to Johnstown without incident, but to get to the bike shop it was ALL UPHILL!.  Made for a rough bike/walk.

As difficult as it was to get up the hills, it was well worth the effort.  While waiting for Anthony, one of Bike Works great mechanics, to repair the wheel, we had the opportunity to talk with the shop owner's mother, who also happens to teach math at Johnstown High School.  Nola and Evette had a good conversation about school and math.  Anthony was able to get the broken spoke fixed without problem, as they cut their own to fit.  This is important as some bike shops have just specific length spokes and ours are a bit of a different length.  So we decided to purchase three spare spokes to take with us, so if something happens we will have them to us.  At the time, we didn't know how important this would be.

Geese along the trail - congestion!

With everything seeming to be fine, off we went back to the Canal Trail and our journey onto St. Johnsville, where we expected to spend the night at a campground about two miles off the trail.  As we scurried down the trail, which is a very nice, scenic, and relatively flat course, we were treated with a variety of wildlife, from geese, to woodchucks, and a whole lot of bunnies.  Riding the bike on the trail is fairly quiet, so we would get pretty close them before they would jump and scamper off into the underbrush.  It was a lot of fun to watch.

As we rode along the trail, we had the good fortune to meet up with another long range cyclist, Ian from Great Britain, riding from Seattle, WA to Plymouth, MA.  He said, "It just seemed appropriate to end in Plymouth, for a Brit."  He was a delight to talk with, and he gave us a great tip about a really nice campsite on the canal, right in St. Johnsville, and it was only $10 a night.  As you will read in a later post, what a Godsend that turned out to be. 

Cool firefighter display in Florida, NY

Well, it appears that Rick's idea of luck, that is "if I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all" came home to roost for us about ten miles from St. Johnsville.  The replacement spring that was placed on the trailer hitch broke, causing the loose end to jut into the rear wheel spokes and break a piece of the plastic hitch.  It didn't break any spokes, but two of them are bent.  Now we had to stop and put another spring on the bike, which we had, wire tie the hitch to the bike, and try to get to the marina campground all before 7:00 p.m.

We managed to get into St. Johnsville, set up the tent, grab showers, and make it up to the pizza shop before it closed.  Ina's Pizza is right across the street from the fire house on the main drag of town, and has an excellent chicken and Penne with rosemary and garlic sauce. What a treat.  After dinner it was back to the camp and good night's rest.  Tomorrow, 6-26-2012 will be down day as we make repairs to the bike and trailer.  Wish us luck and check back later for an update. 

The Long Haul

24 June 2012

Stats for the day:

Depart Proctor, VT 7:10 a.m., arrive Clifton Park, NY 5:40 p.m.

Trip mileage – 296.4 miles

Today’s mileage – 87.05 miles

Time on bike –6:54:37

Average Speed – 12.6 mph

Max speed – 38.0 mph

 

After our day off, we were raring to go this morning.  Hitting the road fairly early gave us the option to do our planned ride, or if we were feeling good to continue to Clifton Park.  As you can tell by our stats, we decided to make the run to CP.  

The day started cool as we set out, and watched as the fog raised and cloaked the hill tops in its milky gauze.  Fields of hay and new corn lay waiting for the sun to burn its way through and bathe them in golden rays.  Low rolling hills greeted us like ocean waves, a nice change from the steep hills of days earlier. 

We made great time all morning, with rested legs and bright dispositions leading the charge.  We stopped at the Castleton Corners Deli & Citgo to refill water, get Gatorade and something for lunch.  Lorraine greeted us with a warm smile and curiosity about the trip, so we chatted about where we had been and where we were going.  After getting some clarification about directions we were back on the road eating up the miles like Rick wolfing down Hershey's kisses.  

 

 

 

Our route took us down U.S. 4, following the Champlain Canal.  A lovely ride and some very interesting sites. The canal offers a waterway from Lake George down to the Erie Canal. 

 

We stopped somewhere south of Hudson Fall, NY to enjoy our fabulous sandwiches from Castleton.  The day has been going very well, so we decided to push on to Clifton Park and give ourselves an extra cushion day, just for safety's sake.

It has been fun to see the small dairy farms as they dot the rural country side, as well as the quaint villages with their stately old homes with rocking chairs on the porches and hanging flower pots.  You can almost see the ancestors sitting and rocking, watching the world go by.

 

 

 

 

 

There have been a couple of small art objects that we have passed in the last few days, but this one caught our attention because of the topic - Dragon!  For any of you who don't believe that dragons lived, and continue to live, just know that they hide in various ways, sometimes even out in the open.

Our last few miles were the toughest.  Why is it all of our friends and family live up a hill?!  We never went into the Granny gear on Rt 4 all day, but the minute we veered off Rt 4 onto the County Road that would take us to Eileen & George's, the hills got steep and the Granny gear got used.

We had a lovely, warm welcome when cycling into Eileen & George's street.  Four kids, ages 6 to 9, were cheering us on and taking photos.  We climbed up to the driveway, then pounded to get to the top of the driveway.  Rick was starting to get off and walk the bike when I yelled in his ear, "We can do this!" while also pounding hard from the rear.

Water was offered and accepted, showers were taken, supper was eaten, and then the hot tub!  That was so welcomed after our 87 mile trek today.  Now it's time for bed! 

Day Off in Proctor

23 June 2012

Stats for the day:  No changes from 22 June 2012

Last evening was spent in great company with our friends Dan and Andrea and their daughter Sarah.  We went into Rutland for dinner and the Friday Night Live street party.  We had great calzones at Ramunto's Sicilian Pizza, then wandered through the street fair.  As we were leaving, Nola got a shot of the moon rising over VT.

Today has been a laid back, take it easy kind of day.  With the bike cleaned up from all of the road and trail grit of days earlier, we took a wonderful "nickle tour" of Proctor, VT, the marble capital of the U.S.  Much of the marble used throughout the country for monuments and structures came from here.  As a result, you might expect many of the buildings in town to be of marble, and you would be correct.  Here we get to see our marvelous friends, Dan & Andrea, and some pretty decent stonework used to make the Union Church of Proctor where they worship. 

The afternoon was spent reviewing directions and maps for tomorrows adventure, and trying to decide which route to take which changes the place to stay.  You will have to check back in again to see what we decided.  Rick got his "cooking fix" in by making pizzas for everyone. 

A huge thank you to Dan, Andrea, and Sarah for their hospitality and friendship!  In the adapted words of General Douglas MacArthur, "We shall return."  We also hope to reciprocate and offer them our hospitality the next time they're in Maine.

The plan is to be off early tomorrow morning and make it into New York.  We will see how that goes. So until then, stay safe and enjoy your day!

The BIG Climb!

22 June 2012

Stats for the day:

Depart Quechee 8:00 a.m., arrive Proctor, VT 3:50 p.m.

Trip mileage – 209.3 miles

Today’s mileage – 45.96 miles

Time on bike – 4:12:22

Average Speed – 10.9 mph

Max speed – 43.0 mph

What a day today turned out to be.  We met some great folks, saw a bunch of interesting sights, busted our seats getting up hills, and are now ready for a day off.  We started our day with a great breakfast thanks to our friend Louise who supplied us with a piece of smoked wild Alaskan salmon.  You put the salmon on an everything bagel with some cheese and Wa-La, the breakfast of champions. 

So, we left the Quechee State Park Campground under clear skies and warming temperatures.  The campsite we had was fabulous as it was large, clean, and very near the new bathrooms, as well as just a short walk to the pizza place where we had dinner.  Now that’s living!

Our first stop was at Quechee Gorge, what a magnificent site.  Even Bottle was impressed.  As you can see we took the opportunity to get a photo op, so we “got gorgeous at the Gorge.”  

As we pedaled on we took in the varying spectacles that are Vermont.  Quiet fields and pastures sprawled across the base of tree covered hills, and mountains streams meandering across the landscape.  Vermont really is a beautiful state, one with a rich history, and part of that history is beer.  We went by the Long Trail Brewery and you can’t imagine how hard it was for Rick not to stop and offer his services as taster and quality control person!

What is distressing is to see the damage caused by Hurricane Irene and the flooding that ensued.  On our way up to Killington, we passed this now defunct gas station.  

Vermont is also known for its hills, some very major hills, like the one we climbed, Killington.  There were two, one mile long seven percent grades in order to get to the top.  That was a long hard haul.  But we made it and even got some pictures.  The best part of the ride was the run down to Rutland, which gave us six miles at five percent grade down hill to enjoy. 

Just on the Rutland side of Killington is the Long Trail, which runs the length of Vermont from the Canadian border to Massachusetts.  Here, it matches with the Appalachian Trail, so we stopped and stretched our legs just to say we walked on the trails. 

Our descent into Rutland was smooth and we managed to maneuver through town without incident, then continuing on through with a relatively flat trek to Proctor and our friends, Dan, Andrea, and their daughter Sarah, where we were greeted with cold root beer floats.  Nothing ever tasted so good!  

We look forward to a day off from riding while we take in the local sights and enjoy the company of friends.  Check in later to see how we spent the day, but don’t expect it to be on the bike! 

Long HOT day!

21 June 2012

Stats for the day:

Depart Tilton 7:30 a.m., arrive Quechee campground 7:15 p.m.

Trip mileage – 163.2 miles

Today’s mileage – 64.24

Time on bike – 6.30.25

Average speed – 9.8

Max speed – 39.5

The sun played peek-a-boo with the clouds even as we played hide-and-seek beneath the canopy of trees along the Northern Rail Trail.  Our journey today brings us from Tilton, NH to Quechee, VT.  It was a pretty good ride along the trail, off the road, quiet, sometimes seeming very rural, especially when you see a bear just off in the woods lumbering along.  We chose not to try for a picture opportunity for that, but the turtle on the trail posed nicely. 

We found that the surfacing of the trail was not always what we would have wanted.  Quite a bit had soft stone dust, making it difficult to ride in, as well as covering us in a layer of it.  By the end of the day, we were covered, head to toe, in the stuff.  Getting a shower never felt so good!

Along our travels we stopped at a hardware store and made some needed repairs to the trailer hitch.  The fix achieved the night before, with Kevin’s help, was reinforced with a spring, making it good as new.  Of course, just to be on the safe side, we purchased two extra springs; Indiana is a long ways away still.

It was a long hot ride, and Google seems to have a few flaws when it comes to their directions for biking.  The first came when we realized the road they wanted us to take was a dead end, making us retrace our steps back up the steep hill we had just come down.  Had to walk that one.  Then, instead of taking us along Route 4, it sent us up, and we mean UP, a side road requiring yet another walk.  At the top of that one, it was sending us up yet another side road, so we decided to just stay on Route 4 and get to the campground on our own.  Why does it always seem the worst hills are the ones towards the end of the day. 

So we are headed for Proctor, VT, to stay with friends and take a day off from biking. Both of us are looking forward to that, especially after going up over Killington.  Come on back to read about that one!

Day 2 - Hills & Repairs

20 June 2012

Stats for the day:

Depart Potter's Place Campground 7:40 a.m., arrive Tilton, NH 5:45 p.m.

Trip mileage – 98.9 miles

Today’s mileage – 49.59 miles

Time on bike – 5.05.28

Average speed – 9.7

Max speed –44.0

It was a LONG HOT day, very hilly (RT 140 in NH), and two breakdowns - rear wheel had a broken spoke (fixed very efficiently by Likin Bikin in Alton, NH), and Rick & Kevin are right now trying to rig up a repair to the trailer.  The spring connection to the trailer broke today.  It looks like their repair will at least get us to the next bike shop.

Despite all that, we are enjoying some lovely hospitality in Tilton, NH.  Kevin & his family have been AWESOME!  Great dinner at a local Italian Restaurant, thanks to Becca.  Nice visit with Becca and Kevin & family.  Refreshing A/C for the night.  Couldn't ask for more!

We are well and enjoying a roof over our heads and a bed under our bodies.  :)