I would like to start off by saying we have dedicated todays ride to our good friend Bryan Bagwell who has been battling cancer for a good long time now.  We learned today that he was placed in Hospice. Bryan is an avid cyclist and Bryan we are thinking of you.

Today was the shortest distance for our entire trip. We woke up to the sound of rain and figured it could slow us down so we packed up and headed out around 7 AM. No sooner did we get going and the rain stopped but we knew we would probably get it again later as the weather forecast predicted heavy rain in some areas along our route. Just outside of Boston it started so we had to deal with that and heavy traffic. On top of that we got a little bit lost, confused. Not a biggie because so far we have got a little bit lost each day. We figured out where we were, got back on track made our way to Newton. In Boston we climbed Bunker Hill and stopped at Cheers. About 4 miles from our destination we crossed a wet wooden bridge and my bike (Ron) decided to not stay upright (no injuries). The bridge was so slick it was like ice. However it was a pretty area so since I was already off my bike I decided this would be a good time for a photo shoot. Here is how I conveyed that to Tina. “Stay here and hold my bike. I’m gonna set the camera up on the wood rail of the bridge and set the timer for 10 seconds. When I click the shutter I will run back jump on my bike and we will ride toward the camera and it will take our picture”. Tina’s answer was something like this, “OK, but don’t slip and fall running back to the bike”. My response “No problem”. OK here we go……I made it to the bike, jumped on and as soon as we started out Tina’s bike went out from under her and she fell off the bridge. Not to worry, she only fell about 5 feet. Actually she was a bit injured but is taking it like a champ and she’s not going to divorce me unless she loses her big toenail which is a strong possibility. She has some bruises and bumps and I’m hoping she will be able to ride tomorrow. I had the camera set to take 3 consecutive photos so am posting all 3. One on the bike and two not on the bike. (In the photo you will not be able to see her but look closely in the bushes). Until tomorrow……

 

 

Got an early start around 6 AM because this would be our 2nd longest day of the trip and we wanted to get to Salem at a decent hour.  From Eliot we immediately crossed a bridge and were in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The ride skirted the coast line for quite a ways and after a couple of hours or so we arrived in Hampton, New Hampshire where we had breakfast at Jumpin Jacks down by the beach. From there we proceeded on and stayed pretty much on the coast for another hour or so before moving inland. We then had miles of residential type roads with very little traffic and the traffic we did encounter like yesterday were very courteous to us (definitely not like Arizona drivers). Since we are not camping anymore this trip Tina suggested we ship our tent, sleeping bags, air mattresses and camp pillows back home. In Salisbury, NH we happened to ride right past a post office so we stopped and packed up the gear for the trip home, cost $70 and well worth it as we lightened our load by 14 pounds. We could not find a place to have lunch but rode past a dairy farm where they had a farm stand selling milk, water, veggies and fruit. We loaded up on water and ate peaches and I had the best chocolate milk ever. We stopped so I could put on Butt Butter and I took off one of my riding gloves to do so. I left it on the back of my pannier not realizing it until a couple miles down the road. One riding glove lost but a bike shop in Danvers, MA were happy to sell me a new pair for $37.  Lesson learned? Nope , cause this was the 2nd time I have done that. Arrived in Salem hungry and drove by Treadwells Ice cream shop and the sign in the window read “Best Ice Cream in the World” so I could not pass it up, neither could Tina. I must say it was really, really good and cold! Arrived at our home for the night, another AIRBNB and was greeted by Denis and Helen Coleman. We felt right at home because of their true kindness. Shower, clean stink free clothes and we were off to Salem for dinner at Turners seafood recommended by Helen. It was a great seafood meal and it was great to relax. Tomorrow we have the shortest day of the trip but it is 8:20 as I write this and we are off to bed.

Got a bit of a late start since it was raining all night and we had to break down camp. Got on the road and we were both feeling better after a good nights sleep. The rain let up shortly after we started. Road about 8 miles and stopped for breakfast in Biddeford, Maine. Back on the road and had some beautiful trails and back country roads. As the day went on the weather started turning a lot warmer and we could definitely feel the humidity. Had some hills that hurt so we were pretty slow go at times. All in all a good day. Arrived in Eliot, Maine around 4:15 PM at a AIRBNB that is on the water and right on the state line between Maine and New Hampshire. After our much needed shower (with soap) our AIRBNB host gave us a ride over to downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire where we ate and drank. A LYFT ride home and we are off to bed. Tomorrow we are off to Salem, Massachusetts.

Maine drivers rated a 10. Very courteous and friendly!!

This post is a day late because we were just to tired and unable to post last night. A bit of a stressfull long day. Left Phoenix on a red eye at 1 AM and arrived in Portland, Maine at 2 PM because of a broken plane and a 2 hour flight delay. Took a LYFT from airport to bike shop and when we arrived the girl behind the counter said she knew nothing about our bikes having arrived at the shop. PANIC started to creep in! After checking with other employees they did have them stashed away in the basement and promptly brought them up for us. We put them together and off we went to find our campground. We arrived late and tired (about 40 hours of no sleep for Tina). We set up our camp and took a shower (No soap because we were to tired to look for it) and off to bed at about 9PM. It rained all night long but our tent did well and kept us dry.

Boxed up the bikes and most of our gear over the weekend for shipping to Portland, Maine. We have shipped today July 26th and they will arrive around August 3rd. We will not arrive in Portland until August 8th but sent the bikes early to make sure they were there waiting for us. They are headed to Gorham Bike shop in Portland. The gentlemen at the bike shop were kind enough to let us use them as our ship to/pickup point. Tina and I will be taking a red eye flight on August 8th to Portland (leaves Phoenix at 1:10 AM!) and arrive in Portland around Noon. A short Uber/Lyft ride from airport to bike shop and then we will put the bikes together and head out. We will only have about 14 miles to make our 1st nights stay so if all goes well we should be there before dark. This will be the only post before we leave, so until August 8th………..

 

 

Got a little bit later start today and when we left the motel the sun was already coming up. Temperature this morning was a lot cooler so we started off with jackets and pants. Good morning, was beautiful and we had the old Pacific Highway to ourselves. Our route took us through Camp Pendleton Marine Base but when we got there the base was closed due to a duathlon they were doing. The only other way from that point on to San Diego was to ride Interstate 5 San Diego Freeway. It was eight miles of noise and White Knuckles as cars and trucks whizzed by at high speed. This was not fun! We were able to exit at Oceanside where we had breakfast and the restaurant was advertising their famous bloody marys. I was tempted but I still had to drive back to Phoenix today so it was going to be a long day. From that point on we pretty much proceeded along the coastline going through Carlsbad, Encinitas and then our biggest hill of the trip in Torrey Pines, ugh! From there on we proceeded on an arrived at our car a little bit before 3 PM. It was a good 4 days with good weather and we covered 248 miles. Where to next?

Cool weather calls for warmer clothes

Old Pacific Highway all to ourselves

Nuclear Plant

Tunnel under freeway

WTF?

Interstate 5, Fun, fun, fun…Not

Beautiful views

Welcome to Carlsbad

Biker dog

Welcome to Encinitas

Enjoying the ride

We made it. Now for the long drive home

Left Redondo Beach about 6 a.m. and Road Inland for a ways. Stopped in Torrance at a little donut shop and had a breakfast bagel sandwich. Had to travel Inland a bit to get around and back down to the beach area. Went through some pretty bad areas, lots of homeless encampments and such. Finally made our way back down to the beach area at Long beach and proceeded along the coast. Nice ride until we got to Newport Beach and had to turn Inland due to bike lane closures along the Pacific Coast Highway. We had to go about 11 or 12 miles out of our way with hills, traffic and stop lights. Felt like it took us forever to get back down to the beach area which we finally did around Dana point. Once we made it there the rest of the ride was better and we made it to our hotel around 5:30 p.m., it was a long day!! Our mileage ended up being 75 not 62 like we thought. Our friend Dr. Shannon Alexander who lives in Dana Point picked us up and took us out for a pizza dinner. Great ending to a very long day. Thank you Shannon. Tomorrow we finish our ride by making our way down to San Diego, 58 miles 

Homeless encampments in Torrance

Queen Mary

Huntington Beach

Newport

On the road…a long day

Was on the road before the sun came up because we knew we had a long day. A lot of the first half for the ride was Inland as we had to go around the Naval Air Base. Then we got on the Pacific Coast Highway and had a long haul through the Malibu area. The traffic through there was awful and not much room on the side of the road for bicycles. What made it worse was trash day so everyone had their trash containers out on the street which gave us even less room to maneuver. Cars flying by at high speed with only a foot or two between you and the car was not fun. Tina called it a white-knuckle day. We Stopped for breakfast and ate outside as the weather was beautiful and cool in the 60’s. Table next to us was 2 girls with a little dog and as we were chatting with them we realized it was Kelly Osbourne…how cool. After leaving there we battled traffic and hills for quite some before finally getting back on the bike path along the beaches. From there on the stress levels decreased. Had lunch in Venice along with alcohol to calm the nerves. Made it to our accomadations in Redondo Beach and walked to dinner…Thai food. Then walked to ice cream store for dessert and back to our room. Planning on early start again tommorow as we need to get to San Clemente, approximately 62 miles

Ventura…I think?

Point Mugu

More….

Entering white knuckle zone

A ways to go

Breakfast in Malibu

Liquid lunch

Getting my feet wet

The pacific

Our room for the night

Drove over to San Diego Tuesday night and got a room near the train station. Train was to leave San Diego at 5:55 a.m. so we arrived at the train station around 5:15 not knowing how difficult it was going to be to board our bikes and ourselves. The Amtrak Personnel were very helpful and made it easy. We boarded and 6 hours later we arrived in Goleta California at approximately 12:15 p.m. We changed into our bike clothes and headed out and within about a half a mile we were lost in typical fashion. After getting our bearings and back on track we were on our way. 10 miles from Goleta to Santa Barbara and then the scenery started getting pretty as we were skirting the coastline. Bike paths were good and kept us away from traffic. Arrived in Ventura early evening, checked into our hotel, showered and called up a Lyft driver who took us to a Mexican restaurant for dinner and margaritas. Back to the motel an early to bed as we have 75 Miles tomorrow.

At San Diego train station

Faster than a speeding bullet

Bikes on board

Train arrival in Goleta

Fueling up at lunch time in Coast Village, California

 

Bike path along freeway

Truckin along

Our Lyft driver… we were her first passengers!

Calling it a night……good night

Today’s ride was short but very enjoyable. We had some hills but were treated to one Long downhill into the town of Lansing, Iowa. Once we got there we headed straight for the Mississippi River and dipped our front tires, a tradition for Ragbrai’ers. Once done with that we started looking for the tractor-trailer that would ship our bikes back to Arizona. Found them pretty quickly and got our bike cases and proceeded to pack up our bikes. Once done with that we went and found a local bar to have a celebratory cocktail. It was still early in the day but we needed to be in Desoto Wisconsin before 2 and it was about 6 miles from where we were at. We had to hoof it on foot so we headed out walking. Halfway across the bridge to Wisconsin I was stopped by a police officer and he was not happy! Apparently you are not to walk across the bridge. He gave me a ride to the other side and picked Tina up who was a couple 100 yards in front of me. He dropped us off on the other side. We started walking and decided to hitchhike and after about a mile or two we we’re picked up by a young lady from Minnesota and she gave us a ride all the way to our destination, the Bright Spot Bar & Grill. WE WERE DONE, WE MADE IT, IT WAS A BLAST! Now for the 140 MI shuttle van ride to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, ugh!!

View from the bike

Riding into the morning fog

Dipping our tires in the Mississippi

Selfies on the bridge

The Bright Spot Bar and Grill in DeSoto, Wisconsin

Celebrating with one of our team mates