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Miles 3697 to 3781, 84 miles, 6000 feet of climb, max speed 47 mph, avg speed 13 mph, many 8%-9% climbs of 1-2 miles each. Distance was actually 80 miles, climb was reduced to 4583 feet due to route change.
As soon as we crossed the Connecticut River into New Hampshire the fog became so thick we couldn’t see how high or steep the mountains really were. Worse, the fog made it really tough to see and be seen. I did not realize how important such trivia was in setting my short range goals, something that really helps me up the grades. As I was complaining to myself I rode past a cemetery covered up with fog – such a picture. I stopped my whining. My average speed was diminished today for two reasons: the state roads in western NH were the worst of any state, and then the real reason, I was dog tired from yesterday. That is why they call it a challenge. I was in dead last again today, but sure had fun doing it.
The gems of the day were a pair of high school girls that were sitting at the feet of the town meeting hall in Greenfield, NH. I was very tired and I approached them and asked if I could join them for lunch. As we were sitting on the village green (their lunch was each a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and a Monster drink) we had a casual conversation that quickly excluded me. They had too many things to brag about to themselves about themselves. It was a very interesting dialog that took on the characteristics of a Facebook chat session rather than a conversation. Once the ice cream was gone they went on their way. Why were they gems? Because just like so many other days on this adventure my boundaries of understanding people and their passions was pushed out again.
As soon as we crossed the Connecticut River into New Hampshire the fog became so thick we couldn’t see how high or steep the mountains really were. Worse, the fog made it really tough to see and be seen. I did not realize how important such trivia was in setting my short range goals, something that really helps me up the grades. As I was complaining to myself I rode past a cemetery covered up with fog – such a picture. I stopped my whining. My average speed was diminished today for two reasons: the state roads in western NH were the worst of any state, and then the real reason, I was dog tired from yesterday. That is why they call it a challenge. I was in dead last again today, but sure had fun doing it.  |
| Fog added to the mystery of the hallowed ground |
Coming into the town of Antrim, NH, I was honked at by a car closing quickly behind me on roads that I thought to be unsafe at any speed for car, bike, or walking. Little did I know that I would catch up to a daughter and her widowed mother shortly thereafter parked in front of their home. Their names were Delores and daughter Dana, and they each had fascinating stories. In the conversation I discovered Delores was generally disappointed at the condition of the road and the speeds people drove down it, citing that she had recently lost three cats to speeders. Delores’ late husband was a poet and artist, and she shared with me her dream that the building she owned in that town (named after a county in Ireland) had the potential to become a studio and gallery for her late husband’s work. What a neat idea. Dana was going to help her mother in the pursuit of that dream. Awesome. What really nice folks.
Tonight’s farewell banquette was very moving. Many people recalled and shared their most memorable experiences with the group. Paul got the award for the rider that best epitomized the spirit of the ride. That was the easiest decision of the whole trip. There were a lot of laughs, some moist eyes, and many kind words. This was also a time where many thanked the staff for their hard work. For my part I gave a humorous list of things I have learned on the trip. I promised I would post it as a later blog entry.
The gems of the day were a pair of high school girls that were sitting at the feet of the town meeting hall in Greenfield, NH. I was very tired and I approached them and asked if I could join them for lunch. As we were sitting on the village green (their lunch was each a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and a Monster drink) we had a casual conversation that quickly excluded me. They had too many things to brag about to themselves about themselves. It was a very interesting dialog that took on the characteristics of a Facebook chat session rather than a conversation. Once the ice cream was gone they went on their way. Why were they gems? Because just like so many other days on this adventure my boundaries of understanding people and their passions was pushed out again.
Bottom Line: Tough day, and not just physically. Great banquette tonight. Wow.
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