cyclonauts.com

by Ken Paquette

Don Sullivan, Irv Freidman, Ray Siwinski and myself have been planning this tour since April. About two weeks before the tour we received the terrible news that Don Sullivan received a serious injury while at work and would be unable to ride.

When Irv phoned me, that we would have to cancel the tour, I was stunned because of Don’s injury and that our plans were not to be. Our first thought was to check the cancellation policies. After checking the reservations we noted that there were two B&Bs, if they were not notified within two days we would loose the total cost of those accommodations.

I sat down with a pad and pen and wrote down our options. 1 Cancel.  2 I cold not come up with a 4th person on such short notice. 3 Drive the van every third day. or 4 Ask my wife Marianne if she would be willing to drive the van and meet us at that evening’s lodging. She jumped at the opportunity to use this time to take pictures, paint and draw the awesome scenery that would present itself.

Later that day I presented the 4th option for Irv to ponder. He phoned back about 20 minutes later and said that “if Marianne was willing to drive, we would be crazy not to accept and be able to ride every day”. He phoned Ray for his thoughts, he agreed and the trip was on.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

Day 1: Saturday Aug. 2, 2008

Day one got off to a nice start with with a group photo.

We stopped for breakfast in Huntington, then continued up route 20 to route 8 to  a great route on County Rd. We encountered precipitation for the final ten miles however, it was warm and never dampened our spirits. Our route was about 5 miles shorter than Google calculated.

This evening we dined at Michaels in Stockbridge.

Marianne to had a good day taking pictures and exploring the backroads on her way to meeting us here at the motel. She determined that having a GPS in the van is a great way to explore back roads without getting lost.

Day 2: Sunday August 3, Lee, MA to Bennington, VT

A beautiful day to ride a bicycle,cool and slightly overcast. We headed to Williamstown taking in every bit of the scenery

Of course all this riding and climbing required us to replenish our energy. In Williamstown we came across this outdoor restaurant that consisted of six outdoor tables.  

After this great lunch we located the Williams College Museum of Art to absorb a bit of culture.

Time wise this worked out well as it began to rain just as we arrived and finished before leaving.

We found out that even though Google said we could, that “you can’t get there from here”. The paved road ended at the Entering Vermont sign and riding a bit the next turn on our cue sheet was never to be. We stopped a young man riding a dirt bike who said that the road did not go through and what was ahead, was nothing more than a jeep trail. Since we’re on vacation nothing bothers us and we just retraced back to route 7 and continued on to the Motel. The clouds rolled in

and we got rained on for the second day in a row. Fortunately the shower was very brief.

When we arrived at the motel, Marianne had the luggage in our room, beer on ice, grapes, crackers and cheese for a pre dinning snack. I think we’re getting spoiled. We completed the day with a wonderful meal at a hometown style restaurant.

Day 3: Tues. Aug. 5, Bennington, VT to Lake George, NY

Another fantastic day of riding. We left the motel and shortly crossed into NY state.    We stopped at the Bennington Battlefield that is in NY. We were early and thought that we would wait until opened. Since it did not open on time we continued on our way. Irv and I had a bit of nostalgia in Cambridge, NY. We stayed at this hotel 17 years ago on our Bonjour Tour with Paul Guertin, Ann Morin, Paul Griffin, Lorraine Toothill, Joanne with Ellen driving the van.

We picked up the 9 mile bike trail in Glenn Falls that took us to Lake George and our motel. Again, Marianne came through with beer and snacks waiting us. Dinner was at Marios since we felt the need or pasta.

Day 4: Wed. Aug., 5 Lake George, NY to Vergennes, VT

What can I say? Another wonderful day of riding and observed scenery that a camera cannot capture. We left Lake George and after about 16 miles, we had what I consider a major climb. When got to the scenic outlook a couple that we me at the previous night’s motel who were on a motorcycle, stopped and made he comment “we really felt for you guys when we saw you climbing”. 

We stopped in Hague and bought a grinder at a country store and ate it on a park bench by a brook. Life is good.

Town park and beach in Hague

The nice scenery just continues to roll by

We stopped to observe a nest of osprey with adults and young.

When riding the scenery just seems to improve. After 68 miles we arrived at our nights stay at the Strong House Inn. The inn quite large and tastefully decorated with bicycle carriage shed for our bikes.

Our evening dinner was at the Black Sheep Restaurant. The service and meal were the best so far and a place that we would highly recommend if you are in Vergennes, VT.

Day 5: Aug. 6, Vergennes, VT to Stowe, VT

We woke to heavy rain this morning. After checking the weather forecast and rain and thunderstorms were predicted for the day, we decided that it would be best to revise our route and eliminate the gap. We did luck out with only a few showers. The route wasn’t nearly pretty as the previous days however, after talking with Marianne who drove the original route, I know that we made the right decision. She mentioned the road was narrow, steep and negotiating the switchbacks would have been even more dangerous with the washed down gravel that was on the road. She even refuses to drive it in a car again.

We arrive at the golden Eagle Inn about 20 minutes ahead of a thunder storm.

I Didn’t take any photos today due to the inclement weather.

Day 6: Aug. 7, Stowe, VT to Newport, VT

Doppler radar looks good and we’re confident of getting in another great day of riding. Last evening Irv and I spoke with an avid cyclist from Montreal who rode the Notch. We are definitely not in his class. He told us about an alternate route that proved to be much more scenic with less traffic than our original planned route.

After yesterday’s transition day that had limit ed scenery, abundant scenic views reappeared. The highlight of the day was a beautiful water fall that Ray spotted.

Just as we were getting ready to leave the area the sky opened up. Luckily we were able to get shelter in one of those big white tents that they use for receptions. The rain stopped and we were on our way dodging the bullet. However, after about ten more miles the sky darkened again and heavy rain began to fall. Luck smiled on us again as there was a truck garage (of sorts) that kept us dry.

Marianne chose tonight’s restaurant, the Cow Palace that is an actual elk farm.

Marianne, Irv and Ray had elk burgers. I was conservative and had scrod.

I was told that it has rained 32 days in a row. We have stayed relatively dry. Let’s hope that our fortune of staying dry continues.

Day 7: Aug. 8, Newport/Derby Line, VT to St. Johnsbury, VT

Riding in the hot sun has not been much of a problem on this tour. Six of the seven days, we have been rained on. However, our spirits were never dampened. This morning we drove to the Louis Garneau factory outlet to check out what they had to offer. Irv bought a rack pack. By the end of the day it did not look new after riding in the rain. The rain let up and we left the motel for Derby line and the library/opera house that is in both the US and Canada. Marianne met us there.

The ornate trim under the balcony

A spectacular chandelier hung from a very high ceiling.

After a tour of the opera house we decided that we should have lunch, after all we rode about 8.5 miles Some people recommended Millie’s, just over the border in Stnastead, Canada.

What a pleasant surprise. No menu the waiter told us what was being served that day and we made our choices. First off we were brought this delicious bread with a dish of oil and another with mixed herbs and spices. After a couple of refills of bread, he brougt out a very nice salad that was followed by a very large portion of our entree. After eating all of this and feeling stuffed out came the desert. A delicate cake served with ice cream. Even though we were very full and relaxed we decided we should start our 50 mile trek to St. Johnsbury.

We were not on the road very long and the rain started. I think it must have rained about 35 of the 59 miles however, the last 15 miles were dry. The motel was a welcome site. Because of the rain we didn’t take many pictures.

Day 8: Aug. 9, St. Johnsbury, VT to Lincoln, NH

Today we actually saw some sun. Before leaving the grit and dried mud was removed from the bike and lube the chain.

More photos to make all of you envious of our journey in spite of the rain that we had here and there.

We got on our way and before long we were on the Kangamangus Highway

All the rain provided some spectacular water photos.

We arrived at our motel, had an early dinner and headed off to meet our Moose Tour.

Day 9: Aug. 10, Lincoln, NH Rest Day

This morning we had a leisurely breakfast and did laundry. Later in the morning Ray headed off to do some shopping in Lincoln and got great bargains on wind pants and a thermal shirt. Marianne did some painting and Irv and I headed to the Flume at Franconia State Park.

Tonight, we celebrated Marianne’s birthday a very nice restaurant called Gordi’s. Back on the road tomorrow hoping for good weather.

Day 11: Naples, ME to Kennebunk, ME

Guess what we woke to this morning, you got it RAIN. We were confident that it would clear by noon.

Ray checking to make certain that nothing was forgotten.

On the road again

After about 28 miles the rain cleared out, we removed our rain gear and had an enjoyable ride for about 44 miles.

Some of the sights along the way

Day 12: Aug. 13, Kennebunk, ME to Hampton Falls, NH

We woke this morning to a strange sight, blue skies and sun.

Note the shadows

On today’s ride we followed the coast much of the time.

Anyone that has done the Tri State century will recognize these pictures.

Stopped at the Fort Constitution in Portmouth.

Marianne visited this museum and came across this antique plow made in Chicopee.

This evening we ate at the Old Salt. The end to a great tour.

Day 13: Aug 14, Our Drive Home and Ray’s ride to Belchertown & Suffield

Irv, Marianne and I drove home today. Ray left before we woke this morning and bicycled to Belchertown. He had a safe and uneventful ride arriving around 4:30 PM. Tomorrow, he will continue on to Suffield, CT, completing the the entire route by bike.

Although, we had rain at one time or other eight of the eleven days, the trip was totally enjoyable. We did have some climbs but much less than I anticipated. Having Marianne drive the van was a big plus.  we were able to travel relatively light and the beer and snacks were waiting for us at the end of each day.

Bike touring even in the middle of summer requires taking a variety of clothing. Rain gear (jacket and pants), hollow core (Thermax) undershirt, extra pair of cycling shoes. I was happy that I had a pair of “wind stopper” long finger  gloves since my hands get numb when wet. Extra tubes and even a tire. Again, unless you have a touring bike with panniers, you do need a vehicle to carry the clothing that you need to be comfortable even when using motels.

My advice, get some riders talking, pick out a trip, plan the route thoroughly, prepare yourself and just do it.