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Barbara Wood |
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Barbara Wood |
May 23, 2008: Alburquerque to Santa Fe
May 28, 2008: Along the Santa Fe Trail The trek from Santa Fe to Las Vegas, NM, was delightful. There was
snow on the mountain tops and plenty of mesas off in the distance. Lots
of not-so-gently rolling hills. 76 miles, 4000' of climbing but no
major climb. Just rollers. The weather was nice plus we had a
tailwind. Many signs along the way to remind us that we were riding the
Santa Fe Trail. May 30, 2008: Along the yellow brick road A short day and a stiff tailwind sent me flying into Kansas. 40
miles in 2 hours, 15 min including stops. Liberal, Kansas is the home
of Dorothy. We even took a tour of her house. June 4, 2008: Continuing on the yellow brick road Kansas continues to be good roads but miserable headwinds. We had a
rest day in Abiline, went to the Eisenhower Museum, and ate at three
very good resturants. Today we left Kansas. The winds were favorable, for a change. I
guess Kansas didn't want us to have totally bad feelings about the
winds. We crossed at Atchison on a two way bridge, one very rough and
narrow lane each way. No place to take a picture of the bridge or the
river! Anyway, it was fast flowing, muddy and the water was high. We
are now in Missouri. The first few miles were rough but then as we
headed north, the roads improved. They have done a lot of roadwork
since this same tour went through last year. The route into St Joseph
was hilly but nice. June 7, 2008: Oh, those Missouri Knobs 150 of them, more or less...they are like riding over ribbon candy.
Not quite enough down to make it all the way up! Luckily it was
overcast and we had a bit of a tail wind. The humidity is something
else. Almost 6,000 feet of climbing today and you could see the top of
every hill. I arrived exhausted, needless to say. Tomorrow we cross
the Mississippi into Illinois. By the way, Efferdent makes a great
water bottle cleaner. Just follow the directions on the box.
And...we have had tornado warnings in the night. I slept thru it. June 17, 2008: Across Indiana We spent three days crossing the state of Indiana. Day one was
lovely. Coolish, bit of a tailwind, good roads. Day 2 had a
thunderstorm alert. It was an 80+ mile day, overcast and pleasant. I
was about 10 miles from the hotel when I heard thunder. Not too
close...keep pedaling. then it got nearer and nearer. The rain got
heavier and the wind was picking up. I pulled into a church which had a
nice overhang to wait until the weather cell had passed. They invited
me inside and then looked on the computer for the weather. It was a
huge cell. then, an alarm went off. What was that for, I asked. The
response, SEVERE WEATHER ALERT!. I decided it would be smart to stay
put and called to be picked up. I hated to do that but the lightning
was coming down hot and heavy. Of course, the rain soon let up - I
could have ridden in - kicked myself -I just had too much information. June 20, 2008: Crossing Pennsylvania We left Ohio and entered the state of Pennsylvania in the rain. Just
a corner of Pennsylvania...with a rest day in Erie. We stayed at the
Avalon Hotel, an old hotel downtown. My roommate's daughter and
grandson came to visit - he is 8 months old. We spent the day at the
beach (still cold and rainy) so it was a very quick trip. Then back for
a massage! June 30, 2008: The Great State of NY June 30, 2008: The final 3 days
Two years ago, I rode the first third of my Cross Country Adventure.
After dipping my rear wheel in the Pacific, I headed East. Most of the
group was heading for Boston. My destination was Albuquerque. Last
year, I started but health issues got in the way and I had to come home.
This year I am hoping to finish the trip, all the way to
Boston. Yesterday, was day one. Albuquerque to Santa Fe. 67 miles,
5000' of climbing. Mostly rollers with two longer climbs - none too
bad. Except...it was 40 degrees and raining. No beautiful
views, no stopping to look at anything. Just keep pedaling to keep from
getting cold. The good part was the nice consistent tail wind that
pushed us along. It seemed like a very long day, but I finished in good
time.
Today is a rest day and the opportunity to explore "Old Santa Fe" at
7000 feet. I kind of like this...one day ride, one day rest. However,
it will be 8 days before the next rest stop in Abiline, KS.
The ride from Las Vegas to Tucumcari was interesting. 109 miles, 3500 '
climbing, with one gorgeous downhill. It was brutally hot and head
winds were beating everyone up. I sagged in at mile 80. We had a 97
miler coming up tomorrow.
Tucumcari to Dalhart, Tx. Not too hot, but the brutal headwinds
continued. On the bad side, many were sick. It was diagnosed (at the
local hospital) as a minor case of food poisoning. The lucky ones were
diagnosed early and were admitted to the hospital in Tucumcari. Others
found themselves sick along the road. It was a masterful case of
management to transport everyone to the hotel and then go back for those
left at the start. Several were hospitalized overnight in Dalhart. I
was one of the fortunate ones who avoided getting sick. By the way,
Dalhart is the stockyard capital of the world. Cattle in pens as far as
the eye can see and the nose can smell.
Dalhart to Guyman, Ok. Needless to say, many didn't ride today. Their
stay was extended in Dalhart until late afternoon to allow staff to
support us out on the road. 72 miles, negligible elevation gain. The
morning looked ominous. Tornado warnings, heavy rain,,,,, I opted to
ride anyway. You can certainly see forever! One mind game is to guess
how far it is to the next grain silo. I have to love Oklahoma! As soon
as we crossed the border, the sun came out and the wind changed
directions - to help us! Also, a couple that had done the ride in 2004
hosted a special rest stop - complete with home made cookies and a
variety of beverages. They enjoyed trading stories and sharing their
memories.
Tomorrow is a short day. 40 miles with little climbing. Then it's back
to "normal". We will follow the yellow brick road thru Kansas.
Today to winds weren't so kind. 83 miles with NE wind. The problem was
we were heading NE. Anyway, here we are in Dodge City. Home of Miss
Kitty, Matt, and Chester! Wheat fields and Corn fields forever!!!
Today was a 109 mile day, hot but the wind had a cool nip that made it
do-able. Tomorrow we cross the Missouri river into Missouri. Another
day, another state!
Buffalo, elk, cows, horses, corn, wheat, alfalfa....
June 7, 20008: Across the wide Missouri
On Sunday we were in Amish country. All the folks were out in their
buggies going to church. there were also several bicyclists - one on a
penny farthing. Hope someone got a picture.
Our last night was in Richmond, In. . Since we had three days of over
90 miles, some of the slower riders are encouraged to leave early.
(yes, that includes me)
Welcome to OHIO! the western part is beautiful farmland with gently
rolling hills. the central part is hilly. Big hills, too much flat
between the downhill and the next uphill. Very steep!
I am fueling on red meat, eggs, chocolate milk, and Gatorade. I am
tiring of Gatorade, particularly the blue - whatever it is.
Today was special. I had a chance to stop and visit one of Austin's
crew mates - B-17. this man is one of two still alive. He was the tail
gunner. It was a delightful visit. He lives about 1/2 mile from the
route we are following.
Tomorrow we head for Erie, Pa and then a rest day. They post a map of
the US in the lobby every afternoon. Each day the line gets closer and
closer to Boston. Eight more riding days left!
Today we entered the great state of New York. A beautiful day along the
lake. Good roads but many flats. I had three. One of them I was by
myself and had the tube changed and was pumping up the tire. A car
stopped and asked me if I needed anything. I said yes, a floor pump!
Before I had finished putting everything away, the driver arrived from
his home with - a floor pump! People have been nice to us.
Tomorrow we leave for Canandaigua - Finger Lakes Region. 98 miles,
5100' of climbing. May the wind be at our back! Rain has been
predicted as minimal.
Hamburg to Canandaigua: I was determined to do EVERY MILE if NYS.
Today would be the most difficult. The weather was beautiful but
thunderstorms were on the horizon. We followed main routes most of
the day. Good shoulders. After the last sag stop, mile 68 of 94,
the clouds started forming. I could hear the thunder but it wasn't
nearby. Keep riding. It started to rain so I pulled out my
emergency raincoat (plastic garbage bag) and it helped. The sag
came along and suggested I get in. NO! The driver gave me a rain
jacket and reminded me that it was my last chance to SAG. The
next 23 miles were rainy but not cold, the thunder was still off in
the distance. At least for a while...
Then, the rain started pouring, the storm closed in. I saw a garage
with the door open and a light on. The place looked a bit like
"Sanford and Son" but it was shelter. I got back far enough to be
out of the rain and wind. This storm was mean but wouldn't last too
long. Pretty soon a man appeared in the doorway of the house. I
waved to him and shrugged my shoulders. He came out to the garage,
appraised my predicament and "was glad he'd left the garage door
open". All was well. I stayed till the storm passed and then
finished the last 3 miles. My hot shower awaited me!
Canandaguia to Syracuse: Finger Lake region. Another beautiful day
with a bit of a tailwind. More thunderstorms predicted. A great
route took us by the end of Seneca Lake, past the Women Suffrage
Museum, to the Erie Canal Park with a replica of an early canal
store (where my great grandparents shopped). My mother was born
about 5 miles from there but the farm is now covered with houses. I
stopped to see a cousin who lived about 1/4 mile off the course. He
wasn't home so I took a picture of my bike, his house to send to
him. 70 miles, 300' climb.
Syracuse to Little Falls 80 miles, 3000' climbing. Another
beautiful day, same tailwind, same threat of late afternoon
thunderstorms. We rode along the Erie Canal in Canastoga and then
along the Mohawk River. Mostly along Route 5. This area needs a
facelift.
Little Falls to Albany: the last of our so called "easy days".
Most of the trip continued along Route 5 and the Mohawk River. Wide
shoulders. Beautiful views of the surrounding hillsides. Downtown
Schanectady was a challenge - good practice for a bike messenger
career. We were now in the "Capital District". Although the roads
were good, the traffic increased. In Albany we hit "rush hour".
Aggggh! The highlight? My sister and her husband from Kingston, NY
and 4 cousins from the Glen Falls area met me for dinner.
Albany to the Vermont state line: 31 miles of mostly continuous
climbing. Not too hard, just continuous. I completed (EFI) New
York State!
Continuing from the NYS line, we crossed into Vermont. Vermont
was beautiful. Mostly long climbs and long downhill's. My
"Diablo training" paid off. A perfect day for riding - clear,
cool, and a bit of a tailwind. The views were spectacular. The
roads were ok. Narrow in spots and rough from time to time. We
spent the night in Brattleboro, about 3 miles from our next
state line crossing.
Brattleboro to Boston: our final day of riding before the
"parade" to the beach. Our route through New Hampshire
consisted of many short steep climbs. My legs were "mush" and I
was getting further and further behind. Soooo I broke down and
took a lift to the first rest stop. (10 miles) The rest of
the ride was hilly but not as steep. The roads were not good.
Narrow, bumpy, watch for cracks....
Massachusetts wasn't a whole lot better. Traffic picked up as
we neared Boston. Oh yes, it rained almost the whole day.
Cold! But we arrived at our hotel feeling a sense of
accomplishment. One more day - 18 miles to the beach at Revere,
MA.
To the Beach: We left early to avoid some of the Fri AM
traffic. Many turns, many street signs missing. An adventure
in itself. Needed to rely on the cyclometer and local folks to
guide us. We regrouped 5 miles before the beach and lined up in
twos. Police escort and all. I got up near the front and
stayed there. Then the beach...we took off our shoes and
carried our bikes across the sand. Dipped the front wheel in
the Atlantic...we made it!!!