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 Day 2
Another great weather day!

ROUTE: Auburn to Augusta ME DISTANCE: 38 Miles WINDS: Headwinds 5-10
WEATHER: Sunny and cool TERRAIN: hilly to rolling TOTAL CLIMBING: 2000 or so

DAILY DOINGS: Well, we're at it again...weather was supposed to be about 20 degrees cooler than yesterday, but it was comfortable most of the day.  By the time we left at 9:00, it was in the 50s and sunny.  Just an all around nice day to ride.  Aside from the weather, the foliage is super.  It's hard to photograph the brilliance of the colors with the sun bleaching out most of the color, but you can get an idea from the photos of today to see that we had some great viewing.

They all made it up the first challenge today just fine, a hill of about 12% right out of the chute, but in rap last night I probably didn't stress how hilly the rest of the day was.  The terrain was a bit challenging all day, but the scenery was beautiful and the roads were 90% rural today.  The only town we went through was Lewiston about 6 miles into the ride.  Lewiston was a pretty happening college town and the traffic was a bit heavy in one area but we were only in it for about a quarter mile before moving onto some side streets through Bates College.  Once we got on the outskirts of town, we were rural again all the way to the motel.  The only place to stop for snacks was the SAG stop at a small store on a corner about half way into the day. 

The picture at right is Karen riding out of town along one of the colorful roads.  The trees are just starting to get peak, but as good as it was today, I think we have a day or two left before they get brilliant.  Karen said that road rated a 10 in her book for beauty and ease of travel (but she likes hills). 

We're staying on the outskirts of town so we'll have to shuttle to dinner.  We've found a nice local BBQ place that should be nice.  I'll check to see if they really have good ribs...remember I'm from the south where BBQ is one of the major food groups.  I think the riders are chomping at the bit for some lobster...maybe they do lobster ribs?  I told them to wait until tomorrow night and we'll all go for a lobster dinner...wonder if THEY do lobster ribs? 

Tomorrow we head toward the coast...Rockland.  It promises to be a mild, cloudy day with a chance of showers late in the day ...better get my rain gear ready.  We're not through with the hills yet either...seems we have a pretty steep one to get out of town early again...just a knee warmer upper to get us ready for the lobster feast and to wear off all the BBQ from tonight.  See you tomorrow in Rockland.

 
DID I SAY THAT?: 

"SAG at 22?  I don't think we can ride that far without a SAG."

"OK, let's load a little early in the morning...how 'bout 8:00?"
"That's OK, but now I have to change our wake up call."

"Let's get a sandwich for a picnic later."
"What's wrong with having a picnic here?"
"We're full now."

"My shoes seem to be bigger than they used to be."
"Did you keep your feet in the shower too long?"

"You guys want to go up the hill behind the SAG?"
"NO!"
"OK."

 DAILY DUH:  Goes to a local lady who saw me taking photos along the roadway today.  We had a short conversation and she said, "You aren't from around here are you?" 
"No, I'm from Alabama," I said.
"I knew you were from south of Portland," she responded.
Well, she really went out on a limb on that one.

DAILY DIGITAL DELIGHTS

Never...NEVER, leave your food unguarded on a bike ride.

Our new, friendly SAG stop mascot.

It just takes a bike ride to pull them all together.

I can't think of a better place for a picnic.  At least there were no ants.

Aside from the fall color, the stone fences are another attraction for this area.  Some have been here since the Declaration of Independence.

There's color everywhere.

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