Bicycling Coast to Coast

Stats:   Today's miles:  51  miles Today's feet of elevation gain:   1,751 feet Total miles traveled:   3,552.7  miles Total feet climbed:   95,301 feet Wow, what a mixed bag over the last 5 days!! Let’s start with the best…I completed the ride at 1:30 PM at East End Beach in Portland ME!!  Tim road with me the last two days (97mi). It was a great way to cap of a long trek, glad he was able to ride along. The ride was through typical New England countryside with plenty of hills and lots of beautiful woods and lakes. As we made our way to the beach, the section along the Portland waterfront/wharf was crowded with tourists checking out all the shops, restaurants and pubs. It was so interesting we went back for a celebratory lobster roll lunch and beers. The earlier portion of the week was a little more challenging. On Tues 9/27 I rode the last stretch (for me) of the Erie Canal into Schenectedy and then started the route to Portland. All went well u...

Stats:   Today's miles:  46  miles Today's feet of elevation gain:   2,214 feet Total miles traveled:   3,501.7.7  miles Total feet climbed:   93,550 feet York, ME Lighthouse

Stats:   Today's miles:  31  miles Today's feet of elevation gain:   2,722 feet Total miles traveled:   3,455.7  miles Total feet climbed:   91,336 feet Actual route consisted of  Bennington, VT to some gravel road in rural Shaftsbury, back to Bennington and up to Wilmington.

Stats:   Today's miles: 0  miles Today's feet of elevation gain:   0 feet Total miles traveled:   3,424.7  miles Total feet climbed:   88,614 feet Rest Day. Rain in the forecast all day. Taking today as a rest day.

  Stats:   Today's miles: 73.0  miles Today's feet of elevation gain:   2,621 feet Total miles traveled:   3,424.7  miles Total feet climbed:   88,614 feet Ok, at 6:30 PM I finished for the second time today. At 3:30 rain forced me to ride into Cambridge where I thought I would be spending the night. When I arrived none of the lodging options were operating or available (motel was closed and the two bed and breakfasts don't take same day visitors). I rode another hour and a half in a down poor (the kind of rain that stings your face) to get to Bennington VT. I checked into the Hampton to dry out and warm up before tomorrow's leg.  Since Bennington is off of my planned route, I am going to reroute tomorrow and shoot for Keene, VT (67 mi) A soggy view 15 mi from Cambridge NY

Stats:   Today's miles:  48.0  miles Today's feet of elevation gain:   1,890 feet Total miles traveled:   3,351.7  miles Total feet climbed:   85,993 feet When I went to bed last night, my assumption based on the forecast was that I would be spending another day in Herkimer. The morning forecast update indicated the possibility of a weather window between 8:00-1:00 before the thunderstorms moved in. I took the chance that I could make it at least the 50 miles to Amsterdam and possibly even all the way to Schenectady . I made it on the first challenge, but radar indicated Schenectady was too much of a stretch. Today’s route was a big change from the relatively flat route of the last days/weeks, but probably representative of the upcoming days. The plan for the next couple days…I have approx 175mi to cover over the next 3 days (Tues-Thur). The plan is for Clare and Tim to meet up with me on Thursday. The plan is for Tim and I to ride approx 50 mi each d...

Stats:   Today's miles:  17.0  miles Today's feet of elevation gain:   538 feet Total miles traveled:   3,303.7  miles Total feet climbed:   84,103 feet I only made it 17mi before the thunderstorms moved in. While the Red Roof Inn was decent I would rather have gotten to Schenectady (target location) but the on-off rain and 50+ temps made that a poor choice. The first wave of rain in Frankfort/Ilion/Herkimer