Back to East         Meet The Riders        Bamacyclist Home Page

DAY 1
Yep...we're on our way!

DAY'S OVERVIEW: Whew!  I sit here after a long hot day chasing riders through rolling terrain and 35 MPH zones.  I think it took me as long to drive through the area as it did the riders...but enough of that...here's the news of the day.  It's going to be hard to get back into the habit of doing a web page every day since Susan so expertly took over my site while we were on the North Ride...but hey, what else do I have to do in the evenings after a day on the road?

We got up to an early start in Portsmouth and it would have been an understatement to say everyone was chomping at the bit to get going with the mileage that was facing them.  The skies were overcast and it was a bit muggy at departure and some got sprinkled until about the first SAG at 30 miles, but the afternoon turned mostly sunny...the humidity didn't let up though and the temps stayed just on the uncomfortable scale most of the day if you were from around here.  Where I live in Alabama, the plants would start to die if the humidity got this low, but that's another story.

I left the motel after everyone had already left and it didn't take long for the need for a mechanic arose...Chris L. had the first flat about 2 miles from the motel.  I understand several riders had multiple flats today, but we'll have to get back to you on that one.  After getting him back on the road, I spent the rest of the day driving through riders...when I could find them.  There were lots of opportunities for riders to stop and view the sights along the way so keeping up with them all day presented quite a challenge.  But I must report we had a "successful day" today.  Everyone got in safely albeit late for a couple of them due to all the navigation and warm temperatures.

This area is really different from most of the areas we start our rides.  Out west it's wide open and you can see forever...crop land or desert...I think the views are spectacular.  Around here, when we weren't riding in small towns, we were riding in tree lined roads decorated with well manicured yards and colorful flower arrangements adorning the landscape.  I also like the architecture.  The buildings are interesting...tall and square and occasionally painted with about every bright color.  The bright yellow or blue houses are a bit much for me, but they are pretty common around here.  I personally like the older more naturally looking buildings.  You'll also see signs of early America...small sheds and shops that look like they may have been something a blacksmith would have used around a farm stead.  And the grave yards!  Every so often we passed stately cemeteries with stones that dated back to the early 1700s...a symbol of New England as common as the lobster rolls.

Well, it's official...we've completed our first leg on our trek south with only minor hic-cups along to make it interesting.  It will take a day or two to get into our rhythm and the riders too.  Tomorrow we'll look forward to some cooler weather and clear skies...should be a good day.  See you then.

HEARD ON THE ROAD:  Bill H. lost his multi tool at the SAG today...figured he lost it in a certain area so he searched and searched.  He discovered it under a hedge bush just sitting there waiting to be found.  When he exclaimed to the group he had indeed found the missing device, Dave F. remarked, "Why did you put it there?"

"People around here have been dead a long time."

"Did you sign in?  Don't want to get yelled at on the first day."

"I didn't get lost today, I just found some alternate routes."

DUH! OF THE DAY:  We were hustling this morning with all the first day jitters to get the Box (luggage truck) to the first SAG location in front of the early riders.  I was close to the front when I found two detours the box could take to get ahead of the riders and have time to set up before they got there.  I alertly radioed box and informed Shane and Bob to take the alternate route and all would be well.  Unfortunately, they missed a turn and ended up in a different town.  I covered for them by driving to the SAG and stopping the early riders to inform them they were in the right place and that Box was on it's way.  So much for trying to be early.  I guess I could take the "DUH" for trying to take them off route, but I got the DUH yesterday...Sorry Shane and Bob.

Back to East         Meet The Riders        Bamacyclist Home Page

Copyright © 2005 by Bamacyclist  
All rights reserved.