DownEast Metric N Change--Mileage total 1475

I started this ride in the late morning after working around the cottage for a few hours. The plan was to head out of Prospect Harbor and head north east toward Milbridge and work my way back home. Here is the MapmyRide data if you are ever in the area.

DownEast landscaping....Only in Maine......

I saw the above a few miles out of Prospect Harbor. Something tells me it won't make the next issue of Better Homes n Gardens!!

Shouldn't it say Blueberryfield?

After rolling through Milbridge this sign had me shaking my head but something tells me back in 1816 there were not many blueberries to be found.

Inland and about 20 miles from the coast

So when Christmas rolls around you have a factoid to share......

Heading towards Franklin

mid-ride energy boost--the Whoopie Pie

I rode hard the 20 miles from Hancock to get home in time to go to dinner at a neighbor's and I was ready for the adult beverage. The legs felt pretty good all day!

JOCMO: Heck, the whoopie pie. If I were at home I would have had to settle for a banana or sports bar

Acadia Loop--Mileage Total 1405

I rolled out of my mom's cottage just before 8am to ride to Winter Harbor to catch the ferry to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. While waiting for the ferry I was fortunate enough to see one of the local harbor residents having his pick of Mackerel for breakfast.

Bald Eagle waiting for a fish snack

 The Ferry pulled out on time and we had a wonderful DownEast morning to ride across the bay to Bar Harbor. The route took us past local fisherman, porpoises, and about 5000 lobster trap buoys.

Local fisherman making the rounds

 We also cruised by Spectacle Island where one can stay for a cost effective $9500 a week and for $2500 more you get a chef! Needless to say the ferry did not stop.............Why does this place not pop up on Hotels.com?

Spectacle Island--where do I sign up?

The Ferry (the small one hidden behind the gangway)

 After arrival I unloaded my bike and was off to ride the Acadia Loop, climb Cadillac Mountain, have lunch in Bar Harbor and work my way home.

Cadillac Mountain at 1500' Above Sea Level (Sea Level in the background)

The Acadia Loop

Maine Coast from the Loop

As a kid I had done the loop and Cadillac many times via car but to ride it by bike gave me a whole new appreciation for the wonders of the Park. Definitely a must do for other cyclists. The roads are in amazing condition too!


After the ferry ride home where I dozed for a few minutes I rode the Schoodic loop before returning home

JOCMO: Descending Cadillac...............wheeee

Rig Update--Mileage Total 1350

The crew from Kent Ericksen sent me some pics of my new MTB as it is going through the build process. The frame is looking good and will be delivered in 2-3 weeks so now is the slow process of hunting for components to build it out and not have to get a second mortgage on the house!!

Welds Looking Good

Bo admiring his handiwork

 JOCMO: The anticipation of a new frame!

Blast from the Past--mileage total 1350

Last year I attended my 30th High School reunion but was unable to reconnect with boyhood pal Scott Stuart of Veazie, Maine. When we lived there it was just plain Veazie or per my other High School pals not from there it was "Sleazy Veazie" whereas over the last three decades it has come up in the world and is now the "affluent suburb of Bangor".

Needless to say Scott and I have kept in touch over the last year and he has morphed in to an avid cyclist and owner of multiple Bianchis.

The Maine Coast on our ride

 The plan was for me to drive to Bath, Maine to visit with Scott and his wife Lisa (also a classmate) for some catch-up and then a ride around the local area. Scott took me out on one of his routes through town and along the coast for almost two hours on another hot Summer day as part of the heatwave hitting the east coast.

The ride was certainly conversational and we spent catch-up talking about childhood, our boyhood pals, and who is doing what these days. One of the things we remarked over was the incredible freedom we had to roam around Veazie and the surrounding farms whether it be on a banana seat bike or hiking around in the winter. Heck in those days there was no such thing as a bike helmet and parents did not know any better. The parents did take looking out for all the neighborhood kids seriously though as many a time someone's mom would call mine to let her know where I was.

Vintage Banana Bike

Scott Riding Strong

 After the ride we watched the TDF Time Trial and talked cycling, Maine, other classmates, and had a great lunch! Thanks Lisa!

OHS Class of 80' mini-reunion

JOCMO: Reconnecting after three decades with a bicycle being a key ingredient.

Reconnecting with Bill--mileage total 1265

Background: Bill is a college classmate with whom I lost touch over the last 10 years and during the sabbatical we were communicating via e-mail and he has been following the blog. During our brazen youth when we had some quickness and before we had the $$$ to buy fancy bikes we were fixtures on the fieldhouse hoop courts. In addition to his deft touch with a jumper Bill is also one of the funniest people I know with some facial expressions that one needs to see to believe.

The road to Bill's house

During my sabbatical I have become accustomed to using the GPS even though it stifles continuing development of my hippocampus. In the case of finding Bill's house it did get me in to the vicinity but while working my way to the house I followed a dirt road deeper and deeper in to the forest. The only thing missing was a boy playing a banjo.

Needless to say the GPS told me I had arrived and the only thing I could see was forest so I backtracked a bit, found a cell signal, texted Bill, and he told me to keep driving down the dirt road.

Bill and Julie's house up on the hill

 After arriving Bill gave me the nickel tour of his house, barn, acres of forest, and of course what he uses to manage the forest.....an excavator. To my disappointment he would not let me drive it.

Ingrid, Bill, and Avery

 After the tour it was happy hour so we broke out some beverages and chatted for a while to catch up after the decade gap. Bill, like me, has given up hoops in favor of cycling in addition to his passion for skiing and windsurfing. We talked riding, family, old college pals, and his success in the pulp and paper industry. For any of my readers following the blog Bill has had a hand in the development of U.S. currency for the last 23 years. Interestingly, Bill is the only guy I know that knew he wanted to be in the paper industry when in high school and he is one of 4 paper engineers in his family.

Bill and Avery prepping Pizza

Ingrid and Avery winding Down for the night

In a previous post I mentioned the shock to my body from the humidity when I left the Rockies and no exception here so Bill offered me the basement to sleep and I jumped at the chance. Well.............this opened the door for daughters Avery and Ingrid to sleep in the basement as well so I ended up with roommates for the night. The Rule was NO SNORING!!

Bill climbing like Lance in '99--sans helmet

Bill scoped out an 85 mile route with two long climbs through the Berkshires, in to Vermont, and back home. We knew the heat would be brutal so we decided to stop a lot to stay hydrated.

We were on the bikes before 8am but it was already 80 and change and we were sweating profusely. The ride to the top of Mt. Greylock of about 10 miles was a steep as my climbs in Colorado but the lower altitude gave me a reprieve. At the summit there was no humidity and with the breeze we were almost cold!

Mt. Greylock Summit

Not Mount Evans but a tough climb anyway

The view from Mount Graylock

Our ride took us through Williamstown (home of Williams College), then to Bennington, VT (home of Bennington College),  where we had lunch, more fluids, and up the last long climb of the day of 8 miles and less grade than Greylock. For the first time since the wreck I was actually riding well. My body is beginning to recover and even though my hand hurt on bumpy roads and my back was a little stiff it was nice to be able to pedal efficiently.

When was the last time you saw one of these?

Feeling the heat after the second climb--about 95+ degrees

JOCMO: 85 miles in godawful heat with the legendary Bill Westervelt banter and commentary on people, objects, cars, and almost everything else along the way. Priceless!

A visit with TGO--mileage total 1179

After the Poconos I continued East to visit my long time best friend in Middle Haddam, CT. The Great One, AKA Gary, has been a close friend for about 35 years or so and we have shared many moments together. A lot of them included a beer, golf club, or fishing pole in our hands but the memories we share and the closeness between our respective families is very special.

TGO is not a cyclist but he is a rider with a love for two wheels with a bit more power than I can generate. Check out his current rig below.

TGO's Triumph Bonneville

Bevri Moment

JOBMO: To steal a quote from TGO we had several Joy of Beverage Moments

Some Fat Tire in the Poconos--mileage total 1179

On the road east I was curious to do a bit of riding in the Poconos so after some internet searching heading to Jim Thorpe was my choice. This cool town is about 45 min southeast of Bloomsburg, PA and nestled in the mountains.

I arrived in the late afternoon and stayed in the Inn at Jim Thorpe--what a great place http://www.innjt.com/

Digs for the night

 Prior to my 2 hour fat tire ride I stopped for a bit of culture at the Jim Thorpe memorial

Arguably the best athlete in U.S. History

Thorpe Stats

I called Blue Mountain Sports http://www.bikejimthorpe.com/ and they suggested I ride Broad Mountain a few miles out of town as some of the other good trails were closed. I did not want to ride anything too technical as my body and hand were still a bit sore and beaten-up.

Came across this memorial in the woods

The trails were not the most demanding with a lot of double track with some single track branches heading off to the woods. Unfortunately I had to ride with caution as my hand was not strong enough to effectively control the bike.

While riding I came across the Fred Knauf memorial site from a WWII crash of a training flight. Sometimes you just have to be on a bike to find these things...................

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMZXT_FRED_J_KNAUF

JOCMO: The excitement I felt prior to getting on the MTB after not riding it for almost 2 weeks.

Heading East and Random Family Moments--mileage 1163

Update: After the wreck during the Triple Bypass I was physically beaten up and for three days I was exhausted with body aches and pains in my torso with headaches. The hand hurt a lot as well! A few trips to the chiropractor helped a bit but riding or exercising was not on my list of things to do. 

I rolled out of the Springs last Thursday but before I departed I was up at 5am with Kathy to go for a 90 minute ride at the Air Force Academy. Soooooo nice to be  back on the bike but I felt weak and out of synch..............

As I head east and my riding legs come back I thought I would share some random shots from the last week or so of me and my family at various Other Moments.

Niece Kate reading something other than Facebook

Me, Pop, Kathy, and Kate volunteered at the U.S. Women's Open at the Broadmoor for four days. This was a lot of fun to see the best lady golfer's in the world up close and be part of a great tournament

Volunteering at the U.S. Women's Open

LPGA Superstar Natalie Gulbis

Nephew Will working on his scat skills

Henry kitting out for lacrosse. Check out the old school do'

Henry young buck ready to go

Eating diet pizza my last night in town

Just before roll out with land yacht in the background

Brooke showing great form

 After my wonderful 6+ weeks in the Rockies I worked my way east and stopped in Chicago to stay with an old friend Brooke and his family, enjoy some 312s in downtown, and then wake early for a 6:18 tee time the next day. Unfortunately the golf was a challenge because my body was still tight and not ready to swing but it was fun to get out on the course.

Dear Old Dad on the follow thru

After Chi town I arrived to stay with my Father for a few days..............more golf but only 9 holes as the heat wave was oppressive. Heck, after my time on Colorado with no humidity the heat and moisture was brutal in Ohio.

Triple Bypass West to East and First Wreck--Mileage total 1084

This ride has been on my calendar since the early days of planning for the sabbatical. It is also the first year that a West to East version was offered in addition to the East (Evergreen, CO) to West (Avon, CO) that has been around for 23 years. http://teamevergreen.org/triple

Needless to say the ride is 124 miles in length with three major passes and 10,000 feet of elevation gain over the course of the day. The scenery is amazing but it is not for the meek! http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/36869666

My riding partner for this event was Charlie G. whom I met while doing RtR. Charlie is a strong rider that also lives in the Springs so we decided to head to Avon and spend the night to get an early start on Sunday morning 10 July. 

Now, After my mini stage race last week I was absolutely exhausted! I had not ridden since the Firecracker 50 so I guess the hard efforts from racing and the constant elevation changes had taken thier toll. I was taking naps and going to sleep at night and could barely keep my eyes opened. I thought my legs would be fresh for the Bypass but that was not the case at all...............

We rolled out from Avon just after 6:30 and were about 30 minutes later than expected. The rain had just stopped and although cloudy at least we were dry. I could tell right away that I was not sharp and my legs just felt average.

Charlie pulling up to Vail Pass

The climb to Vail Pass was a rhythmic 25 miles of 4% or so grade. It was cold and clammy out but going up allowed us to keep warm. Breakfast in the morning was hotel coffee and two bars so I was a bit in the hole calorie wise so making it to the first aid station was key because I needed the fuel.

Vail Pass at about 10,900'

Charlie refueling at Vail Pass

After some much needed bagels with peanut butter and a bananas we started the long descent in to Frisco and Dillon. The weather was traditional Rockies as the sun came and went and the threat of rain constantly looming. Needless to say we dressed appropriately but heading down was cold and my fingers were numb and the bake path that snaked along I70 was not very wide so we had to manage our speed for safety

Heading up again towards Loveland Pass

We rode efficiently and at times fast through Frisco and Dillon and then we started the 8 mile climb to the top of Loveland Pass. At this point we were welcomed with more Rockies weather and the sun was out and no breeze. We were both roasting and sweating profusely.

Still going up--no more sun!

About two miles from the top at the Arapahoe Basin ski area we stopped for water and here is where the clouds came in and it started to cool off. One minute I am roasting and a minute later I start to chill. For these last two miles to the summit I kept my shirt and vest unzipped and this was a mistake as the winds picked-up and the temps dropped.

Another Divide Crossing for the Sabbatical

At the top we zipped up, put on the armwarmers, and prepped for the descent and I was cooling off fast!

The road ahead and going down!

Charlie and I rode fast to get off the mountain and it was only about 5 miles to the next aid station at the base of the Loveland Ski Area. This station was huge with a lot of food choices and although hungry I was also cold and just not feeling right. Both of us ate and I was in a rush to get back on the bike to keep going down to warmer temps.

A train off to the south heading to Idaho Springs

We rode hard to get to Idaho Springs, about 30 miles down, and of course it is much warmer. When we were about 3 miles from town we could see a thunderstorm coming our way and a bit of lightening. Just as we pulled in to town the skies opened up so we pulled of the road and under an overhang at a bank. Just in time and so far we had dodged the rain all day! Like most of these storms they blow over quick and in 10 minutes it had passed over us and we were ready to get back moving--after a quick caffeine hit at a local convenience store!!

4 Miles to the Summit at Juniper Pass

Leaving Idaho Springs we started to head up again for the last pass of the Day--Juniper and Squaw Pass. The first 14 miles up is the same road I was on for Mt. Evans during the mini-stage race but it was much warmer. Again, Charlie and I were roasting and sweating profusely. I just did not have the legs today and I was climbing quite slow................no JOCMO here.

Charlie climbing and about 100' from the summit

Juniper Pass at about 11,200'

After a long and torturous climb of about 18 miles to the summit we were ready for a brisk descent in to the finish at Evergreen. The road was in pretty good condition with a few bumps here and there but we were moving along pretty well and descending like the pros---or so I thought!

When we were about 3 miles from the finish I was about 75' behind Charlie and going about 25-30 mph and I was watching his line and not the road. Needless to say a 90 degree turn was coming up and I had not slowed enough to make it. Unlike MTB crashes that often happen in a split second and before you know it you are down with road crashes there is usually enough time--say 1 to 1.5 seconds--that seems like an eternity and you can process how much it is going to hurt. :(  

In this case I had the requisite 1.5 seconds to choose the worst of two evils. 1) I could opt to try to make the turn and slide out, land hard on my hip, leg, and elbow and have road rash that would take weeks to heal or 2) go straight  and try to clear the ditch and crash in some soft dirt. I chose the latter because it gave me more margin for error and there were no rocks for 20' beyond the side of the road. It is amazing how the mind can process information sometimes :)

So.................I tapped the brakes a bit, hopped the bike over the ditch that was barely a foot deep and hit some soft dirt that caught my wheel, twisted my bars, and I went flying forward in an Endo. My knee hit my stem very hard, my head hit the dirt with the helmet taking most of the impact, and my right hand trying to ease my fall.

After laying in the dirt for about 15 seconds another rider came up and asked how I was doing. My response "I am not sure" as I sat up and tried to get my wits about me and regroup. Another rider stopped and checked me out to see if I needed a sag car or ambulance. 

Several minutes passed and I stood up and moved my arms and knew nothing was broken. The other rider helped me check out my bike and it was rideable even though my helmet was fractured in a few places. After another minute or two I put myself together and rode cautiously to the finish.

The Catlike did its job

Swollen hand

A little Black and Blue

 In any sport when you lose your focus bad things can happen and that is what was my downfall on this ride. For more than 8 hours in the saddle I was just not riding well nor mentally dialed-in and it caught up with me with only a few miles to go. In the end my helmet protected me from serious injury and my knee smacking the stem caused my fork to crack so I need to drop some $$$ to get back on the road but besides some bruises and a headache I will survive.

JOCMO: None. Anytime you wreck it takes the fun out of the sport