Back
to EastBack
to East
| ROUTE: Worcester MA to Windsor Locks CT | DISTANCE: 65 Miles | WINDS: In our face most of the day at about 5-10 |
| WEATHER: Warm and mostly sunny | TERRAIN: Rolling with a couple big climbs | TOTAL CLIMBING: Wish I knew...somewhere around 3500 or so |
DAY'S OVERVIEW: Good
morning...early alarm to get to a 6:15 load for a 6:30 breakfast at
Denny's...yawn. Pretty hectic yesterday for the first day of a new ride,
but today went a bit smoother from my standpoint, but we've still got a few
minor tweaks to do with our support schedule to cover the wide gap of riders we
have. Shouldn't take too much...just another challenge.
I pulled out with Jill, Judy (right), and Tom; old
pals from former rides who push the pace pretty well. We spent the early
morning miles winding our way out of town through urban traffic that really was
pretty easy to manage. We probably got out at a good time...I think we
beat the morning rush hour by a few minutes. It didn't take long for us to
be heading out into some great rural roads that were the best so far, maybe of
any ride we've done all year. But first, we had to climb "Dead Horse
Hill." I hate to think how that 'bump' got its name. It was about a
mile long with a couple steep pitches that ranged in the neighborhood of 16% at
least according to the plaque at the top. It didn't really seem to bad,
but it was 
early in the morning so
our legs were still fresh and fueled by Denny's pancakes and syrup. I rode
about 14 miles with J, J, and T before I stopped to start taking photos of
riders riding through some of the scenery along the way. I spent the rest
of the morning to the first SAG being the photo bug hiding in the bushes
snapping away as the riders struggled up the hills along beautiful stone fences
that were built in the late 1600s.
By the time I got to the first SAG, I had taken a group of shots that depicted the scenery we saw all day today, but I was in for a real treat when we got about half way to lunch on the narrow tree lined, rolling terrain before Connecticut. But before I left the SAG, Jim drove up with Tom and Margaret's tandem on the top of the van...what's up? They were coming down a steep hill called Snake Hill Road (left) that twisted around itself just like its name implied when they blew out their front tire. It blew the tire clear off the rim which didn't make stopping very easy nor good for the rim. Luckily, they kept it upright but their wheel was toast after grinding into the pavement without a tire. We put them on one of our spare wheels and they got back underway after making calls to their tandem dealer to send them a new wheel. We should get it at our motel the day after tomorrow...whew, another close call but we escaped without a fall. Great job handling that bike Tom...Margaret's happy you did a good job too.
When
I left the SAG, I rode with Shane until lunch. We pushed the pace most of
the time and made pretty good time to lunch if you didn't count the times I had
to stop to take photos. Since Karen isn't on this trip with us, Shane
found out why it takes me so long to get in during the day and why I have so
many photos of Karen riding back in forth across nice back drops...got to get
those photos and I need a cyclist for effect. You ride with the camera
guy, you get lots of photos taken of you. I did share the wealth several
times as every time we passed someone, I'd stop and snap a digital of
them...usually they were panting up a hill. Hey, that's the easiest way to
get a nice focused photo...and not a blur with them descending...sorry guys and
gals. Just pull your tongues in before I push the button.
After lunch, I rode in alone since I had to stay there for a bit to make sure everyone was OK mechanically when they showed up. I finally got in about 4:00...geeze, this was only a 65 mile day...but I got over 100 photos.
I'd better close up this day pretty quick, I've got to get to mechanics at 5:00 and rap at 5:30 and then get to din din. Hope you had as good a day as we had on the road. Hope they all are as good the rest of the way...everyone's safe in the motel and rare'n to go tomorrow. Tomorrow we have another longish day into Poughkeepsie...isn't that in NY? My, we've come through 3 states already and get another one tomorrow...and it's only day 3! See you then.
HEARD ON THE ROAD:
"I think I saw that dead horse at the top of the hill!"
"These hills weren't in the brochure." "No, but they are in Massachusetts!"
"Yeeee Hawwwwww!" Tom, just before blowing out his front tire on Snake Hill Road. "OH XXXX!" Tom, just after the explosion.
DUH! OF THE DAY: This one happened yesterday...yes, it's another staff one. Seems Silver manned by Lee and Barbara was stopped at an intersection behind a group of riders when one tapped on the window. Lee lowered her window and the rider asked for the can of spray paint to mark the intersection...Lee obliged. While the rider was gone, Lee asked Barbara, "Should I let just anyone have the paint? Who was that guy?" Barbara laughed and said, "That was Jim our mechanic...should I introduce you?" Yeah, it was a long day.
| PHOTOS OF THE DAY | |
|
Gary must have left his cycling gloves in his luggage this morning...undaunted, he found a pair of 'Brown Jerseys" and a knife...just a little modification and you have a pair of cycling gloves.
|
Jerri showed Gary another modification he could use...Dr Scholls foot pads inside the gloves. |
|
But Gary had something else in mind...not sure if this will catch on, but it should keep the phalanges warm on a crisp fall morning.
|
One of those colorful houses...must have been a sale on yellow paint at the local Wal Mart. |
|
This community isn't too keen on a new Wal Mart here...can't blame them, I'd hate to see the landscape turned into concrete.
|
|
Copyright © 2005 by Bamacyclist
All rights reserved.
