Day one

07/10/09 - What a great first day we had. So much happened that I doubt I’ll be able to relay it all. Fun things started immediately. We had just barely gone 15 miles when we were flagged down by a guy in a pickup truck who identified himself as a reporter for the Rutland Herald newspaper. He said that we would make a good photo for the Outdoor page and asked permission to use our photos. After we explained our trip a little bit he decided that we would be a good story so he gave us his card and asked us to call him when we got to Michigan so he could interview us. Very nice gentleman, so apologetic about holding us up, although we did not mind in the least. It was funny because when he first pulled over and got out of his truck, he said “can I talk to you guys about something?” and I was thinking “oh boy, here comes our first confrontation. But it turned out to be the opposite.

Our next interesting encounter occurred while we were waiting for the ferry to cross Lake Champlain. I was reading a historical marker and Marc was talking to a woman. When I turned around I saw that she was on a loaded touring bike also. Turns out that Nancy was on her way home from riding across the country twice and up or down each of the coasts. About 9000 miles into it so far and headed to her home in Ohio to celebrate her 50th birthday on July 25th. After the ferry ride we ended up having lunch with her and swapping some stories and then we headed on. It was nice to talk to such an experienced touring cyclist. I will say, however, that she was definitely ready to be done with the trip, especially after riding in the weather we have had the last few weeks.

The riding was good today too, with little wind, warm temps and sunshine. We managed about 65 miles before stopping at a nice campground that even has warm showers (but no wifi.) The best part of the campground though is a really cool waterfall that we walked to and hung out at for a while. There were lots of smooth rocks to lay on and they were warm from the sun all day. I even found a really nice place to do some stretching. We took some photos of course.

And now, even though it’s only 8:30, I think we’re about to call it a night. The mosquitoes are starting to attack and we are pretty tired anyway. We couldn’t be happier with our first day of the trip. If every day was like this I don’t think I would stop at Michigan.

Really long bicycle ride part 2

I am easily sidetracked and I can't quite get the post written that I sat down to write. So here goes again. I am preparing for a fairly long bicycle ride. I know it says really long ride in the title, but it's all relative. Some people think riding down to The Beer King for a six pack is a really long ride. I think riding from Prudhoe Bay to Tierra del Fuego is a really long ride. Consequently, the ride I am preparing for is only sort of long, about 900 miles or so. I am riding from my home here in Rutland VT to my former home of Freeland MI. Unless things don't go according to plan, in which case I may only be riding to Oxford MI, because my ultimate reason for doing this is to attend a memorial celebration for my Grandfather, who passed away 30 years ago.

One of the main reasons I am attempting this ride, which I have contemplated for some time, is that I have the privelege of company this time. My Uncle Marc, who hates to be introduced as my Uncle Marc (one of my very best friends that I've known virtually since I was a fetus, Marc?) is going to accompany me and the two of us are very excited to have this opportunity to ride our bikes and spend some time together. When I found out that he was interested in doing this thing it really solidified my resolve to make it happen. And so it shall. Here are the details as I know them right now:
Marc is arriving in Burlington VT on July 8

He has already purchased a new bike, a Surly Long Haul Trucker just like mine, which I have in my possession and will attempt to have prepared for his arrival.

We will probably do a ride and get our gear together on July 9.

We will hit the road on July 10.

As I mentioned, we have an engagement on July 25 in Oxford MI, so with any luck we will get there under our own power.

I don't know the route exactly but I do know that we are heading for Ticonderoga NY and points west of there on day one. The first couple of days present some pretty significant vertical relief, and after that the climbing mellows out.

We are both very excited to get underway.

I will try to post any info and photos that I can along the way, and of course anything notable that happens in the period immediately prior to setting off. I may or may not bring a computer with me. Depending on how much all of my other crap weighs. Wish us Luck.