Cross Country: The Finale!
09-27-16, 06:05 AM
#27
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I don't recall reading about or seeing any rain days. A dry cross country ride is fantastic. The day from Cleveland (Mentor) to Erie was the wettest. Lightning chased me off the road for 15-20 mins. I was lucky as I hopped on a large wrap around porch on an older home in a small town. It turned out the house was a historical site, unoccupied and closed for the day!
All in all extremely lucky on the weather (Nebraska winds being the exception). There was a good bit of rain that I was able to ride just ahead of. Very remarkable.
As a side, I brought a lot of my cold weather riding gear but never used it. Finishing up a couple weeks early really helped with that.
09-27-16, 06:19 AM
#28
Let's do a Century
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Will do once I get back home. It feels like I'm heavier. Looking at pictures while I'm on the bike my stomach is hanging over my bike shorts. I'm betting I put on 3-4 pounds thanks to the much heavier foods and quantities.......not to mention the porters, wine and margaritas!!
09-27-16, 06:28 AM
#29
Let's do a Century
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Conga-Rats! You Made It!!!! You da Man!!!!
So..... What is next???
BTW, No F'n Way could I hope to ride 41 out of 43 days!! Well, maybe a couple of miles, but not coast-to-coast!
Now you have to break it all down for us. Total miles, Miles/day, miles/flat, etc. And I suspect you have more pics than just the ones you have posted. I know you need/deserve some time off, but when can we expect a comprehensive ride report???
Again, congrats on a Job Well Done!!!
So..... What is next???
BTW, No F'n Way could I hope to ride 41 out of 43 days!! Well, maybe a couple of miles, but not coast-to-coast!
Now you have to break it all down for us. Total miles, Miles/day, miles/flat, etc. And I suspect you have more pics than just the ones you have posted. I know you need/deserve some time off, but when can we expect a comprehensive ride report???
Again, congrats on a Job Well Done!!!
Thanks!!
The engineer in me is asking similar questions. I'll download my Garmin data and put something together. I'm really curious to see what my overall cadence was. It has to be much higher than normal as I needed to spin faster with easier gears with just not having the muscle strength over time. My wife made some good notes to help with different things as well. That allowed me to be more focused on just riding.
09-27-16, 06:51 AM
#30
Full Member
Congratulations
Well done to you & your wife. I am going to miss your daily updates. It was my "must read" every day. What beautiful memories that you and your wife will have! Have a safe trip home and enjoy your grandchild. I am looking forward to next summer when you can post a picture of grandpa giving his grandchild a ride on the back of your bike!
09-29-16, 03:42 PM
#32
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CODA
It was one of my most pleasant cycling days in 40 years of cycling, to ride with jppe, and to direct his wife in the van to various locations and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean. We met at about 9:30 AM at the Wayland Depot, about 20 miles from the Atlantic Coast and we hit it off immediately. jp called us the “3 J’s,” Joe, Jeri and Jim (and Sushi, the 13 year old family dog). I got to look inside the well-packed van with the camping and bicycling gear, including an extra bike, with room to spare for his traveling bike.
We mapped out a route to include a few historic sites that Jeri could meet us at by car. We stopped at the Walter Gropius home, a national historic architectural landmark; rode by Walden Pond; and lingered at the old North Bridge in Concord, site of the Battle of Concord on the first day of the Revolutionary War. The day was as perfect as the pictures portray. I hope I didn’t embarrass jp to all the people I told of his exploit including those who took our pictures, but he graciously chatted with all of them. I mentioned to him that on a Fifth Annual 50+ Ride, we visited the bridge, and I was delighted to hear that he had participated in the very first Annual 50+ Ride in Colorado (I had ridden on five, beginning with #2).
In my Road Cycling Guide to Metro Boston, I have descrbed this area as:
We next rode to Bedford, and took the 11 mile Minuteman Bikepath to Arlington. We could ride two abreast, and I had a chance to hear all the details of his ride. As did many respondents to his threads, I already knew of the virtually day-by-day details, and I asked pretty specific questions about the activities. I was impressed by his engineer’s approach to planning the trip. We took a side jaunt to the Lexington Green, site of the skirmish that preceded the Battle of Concord, and then then rode through Arlington into Cambridge and meandered around Harvard Square.
His description of the ride was spot on, though in referring to the Charles River as “Dirty River,” the actual term is “Dirty Water” as in the 1960’s song by the Standells, “Love That Dirty Water.” It’s a virtual Bostonian anthem, played at all the Red Sox home games:
The picture of the END ROUTE 20 sign was taken about two blocks from our condo in Kenmore Square. Again jp was so gracious to visit my shop and tell his story, one block further down, and closer to the ocean. We then headed straight though downtown for Castle Island on Boston Harbor.
We waited for Jeri to arrive with Sushi, and jp told me the heartwarming story of how they acquired him (I think). So Jeri arrived with the handsome dog, and right away a group of three young ladies gathered around admiring, ignoring the guy in the superhero costume. I had to tell them that the dog had just come across the country from Oregon, and oh yeah...with the guy in the red suit on a bicycle.
I told jp, “Well this far, and no farther.”(a favorite line from an episode of Columbo), and we took the end-of-ride pictures. We then had a celebratory dinner at a fine Boston seafood restaurant (Legal Seafood Harborside). We re-hashed our respective cross-country trips, including the current one with Jeri’s point of view. While jp was away from the table, I asked her how she liked the trip…”I had a blast.”
The day was long, and they then left for Vermont about 5 PM, because they wanted to see the Green Mountains, then get back to North Carolina to see the new grandchild.
I’d like to think he wanted to savor those last few miles. I was leading him most of the route, but on our way to Bedford, I asked him to lead at his usual pace. I drafted for about two miles and then said, “Better let me lead, so I don’t burn out.”
jp and Jeri on a few occasions thanked me for the tour, but I told them it was for my benefit, so to repeat for them why, besides the honor and delight of the ride: For the last few weeks for certain reasons, I have been riding about a lackluster 15 miles per week. I‘m ready to resume a more robust ~ 100, and I was uncertain if I would be able to show jp around at a decent pace. I even considered taking the train out to meet him. Well, inspired by his journey, I did a round trip of about 60 miles Sunday, something I probably wouldn’t set out to do on my own, and now I’m back in the saddle again.
…My particular interest is spurred because my wife and I did across-country ride back in 1977, and,
If I were to do a route that finished near Boston could you provide local knowledge on cycling around that area? I've visited and driven in the area a few timesand I'd definitely need help on roads less traveled!!
A perfect end to an incredible adventure!!
Kudos to Jim from Boston for escorting me from the Wayland Depot all the way through the heart of Boston to the Atlantic Ocean. He took me by many historic sites and shared the history of the area along the way. While I've toured Boston on foot I could see the value of having someone show you the city from an insider's perspective. We enjoyed roads with few cars, a bike path and of course urban riding amongst lots of vehicles, although lighter than it could be since it was Sunday. They even had a street blocked off just for non vehicle use along the "Dirty River". I'm thinking that Jim has some inside connections and arranged that street closure just for us???
Kudos to Jim from Boston for escorting me from the Wayland Depot all the way through the heart of Boston to the Atlantic Ocean. He took me by many historic sites and shared the history of the area along the way. While I've toured Boston on foot I could see the value of having someone show you the city from an insider's perspective. We enjoyed roads with few cars, a bike path and of course urban riding amongst lots of vehicles, although lighter than it could be since it was Sunday. They even had a street blocked off just for non vehicle use along the "Dirty River". I'm thinking that Jim has some inside connections and arranged that street closure just for us???
We mapped out a route to include a few historic sites that Jeri could meet us at by car. We stopped at the Walter Gropius home, a national historic architectural landmark; rode by Walden Pond; and lingered at the old North Bridge in Concord, site of the Battle of Concord on the first day of the Revolutionary War. The day was as perfect as the pictures portray. I hope I didn’t embarrass jp to all the people I told of his exploit including those who took our pictures, but he graciously chatted with all of them. I mentioned to him that on a Fifth Annual 50+ Ride, we visited the bridge, and I was delighted to hear that he had participated in the very first Annual 50+ Ride in Colorado (I had ridden on five, beginning with #2).
In my Road Cycling Guide to Metro Boston, I have descrbed this area as:
We next rode to Bedford, and took the 11 mile Minuteman Bikepath to Arlington. We could ride two abreast, and I had a chance to hear all the details of his ride. As did many respondents to his threads, I already knew of the virtually day-by-day details, and I asked pretty specific questions about the activities. I was impressed by his engineer’s approach to planning the trip. We took a side jaunt to the Lexington Green, site of the skirmish that preceded the Battle of Concord, and then then rode through Arlington into Cambridge and meandered around Harvard Square.
His description of the ride was spot on, though in referring to the Charles River as “Dirty River,” the actual term is “Dirty Water” as in the 1960’s song by the Standells, “Love That Dirty Water.” It’s a virtual Bostonian anthem, played at all the Red Sox home games:
Originally Posted by Standells
Yeah,down by the river
Down by the banks of the river Charles
(Aw, that's what's happenin' baby)
That's where you'll find me
Along with lovers, muggers, and thieves
(Aw, but they're cool people)
Well I love that dirty water
Oh, Boston, you're my home
(Oh, you're the number one place)…
Down by the banks of the river Charles
(Aw, that's what's happenin' baby)
That's where you'll find me
Along with lovers, muggers, and thieves
(Aw, but they're cool people)
Well I love that dirty water
Oh, Boston, you're my home
(Oh, you're the number one place)…
We waited for Jeri to arrive with Sushi, and jp told me the heartwarming story of how they acquired him (I think). So Jeri arrived with the handsome dog, and right away a group of three young ladies gathered around admiring, ignoring the guy in the superhero costume. I had to tell them that the dog had just come across the country from Oregon, and oh yeah...with the guy in the red suit on a bicycle.
I told jp, “Well this far, and no farther.”(a favorite line from an episode of Columbo), and we took the end-of-ride pictures. We then had a celebratory dinner at a fine Boston seafood restaurant (Legal Seafood Harborside). We re-hashed our respective cross-country trips, including the current one with Jeri’s point of view. While jp was away from the table, I asked her how she liked the trip…”I had a blast.”
The day was long, and they then left for Vermont about 5 PM, because they wanted to see the Green Mountains, then get back to North Carolina to see the new grandchild.
I’d like to think he wanted to savor those last few miles. I was leading him most of the route, but on our way to Bedford, I asked him to lead at his usual pace. I drafted for about two miles and then said, “Better let me lead, so I don’t burn out.”
jp and Jeri on a few occasions thanked me for the tour, but I told them it was for my benefit, so to repeat for them why, besides the honor and delight of the ride: For the last few weeks for certain reasons, I have been riding about a lackluster 15 miles per week. I‘m ready to resume a more robust ~ 100, and I was uncertain if I would be able to show jp around at a decent pace. I even considered taking the train out to meet him. Well, inspired by his journey, I did a round trip of about 60 miles Sunday, something I probably wouldn’t set out to do on my own, and now I’m back in the saddle again.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 09-29-16 at 05:43 PM.
09-29-16, 04:37 PM
#33
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Joe, and Jim.
A remarkable and inspiring set of reports. @ Jim, a thanks for the other side of the story and the photo's.
To both, this is some of the best stuff I've read on the internet about cycling and the people who share my addiction. As old as we are (not that old really) but old enough to remember no internet, this is why I inflict abuse at a cycling buddy who doesn't partake in following this and other forums. He's missing so much, such as this whole journey of JP's. Priceless stuff.
A remarkable and inspiring set of reports. @ Jim, a thanks for the other side of the story and the photo's.
To both, this is some of the best stuff I've read on the internet about cycling and the people who share my addiction. As old as we are (not that old really) but old enough to remember no internet, this is why I inflict abuse at a cycling buddy who doesn't partake in following this and other forums. He's missing so much, such as this whole journey of JP's. Priceless stuff.
09-29-16, 05:32 PM
#34
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Joe, and Jim.
A remarkable and inspiring set of reports. @ Jim, a thanks for the other side of the story and the photo's.
To both, this is some of the best stuff I've read on the internet about cycling and the people who share my addiction. As old as we are (not that old really) but old enough to remember no internet, this is why I inflict abuse at a cycling buddy who doesn't partake in following this and other forums. He's missing so much, such as this whole journey of JP's. Priceless stuff.
A remarkable and inspiring set of reports. @ Jim, a thanks for the other side of the story and the photo's.
To both, this is some of the best stuff I've read on the internet about cycling and the people who share my addiction. As old as we are (not that old really) but old enough to remember no internet, this is why I inflict abuse at a cycling buddy who doesn't partake in following this and other forums. He's missing so much, such as this whole journey of JP's. Priceless stuff.
…Posting has become an avocation for me…
…I have been an avid cyclist, as a lifestyle since about 1970…I happened serendipitously on Bike Forums in 2008, and it was frankly incredible to find a community that shared so many concerns I had kept to myself as a lone cyclist.
What I have gotten directly from BF [include]…the opportunity to post and literally"journal" my thoughts and activities about cycling and lifestyle (even if nobody else reads them), but which I wouldn't write down otherwise.
…Last year I came upon a post that to me embodied the communication style that I like about BF. In response to a long quote, turbo1889 wrote [not to me]:
First of all you have no need to apologize for a lengthy post, least of all to me of all people. Part of the reason I like forums as opposed to other forms of written communal internet forms is because I consider it the "long deep conversation format" rather than the quick short snappy sound bite-like format like twitter and such.
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
On occasion while out cycling I encounter a “serious” cyclist and as we chat I mention Bike Forums. I sometimes get a snooty reply, like,”Well, I’d rather be out riding than posting.,” but I have not replied (out loud), “Well, I post when I’m working, and can’t be out riding.” Posting is a gratifying, though inadequate substitute….
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 09-29-16 at 05:39 PM.
09-29-16, 05:52 PM
#35
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The stated goal of our "geezer group" is to: "Share the victories, challenges, successes and special concerns of bicyclists 50 and older."
You have certainly set the bar pretty high. Great trip, and I am glad you chose one of my favorite towns as your destination.
You have certainly set the bar pretty high. Great trip, and I am glad you chose one of my favorite towns as your destination.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
10-01-16, 04:13 PM
#36
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A perfect end to an incredible adventure!!
Kudos to Jim from Boston for escorting me from the Wayland Depot all the way through the heart of Boston to the Atlantic Ocean. He took me by many historic sites and shared the history of the area along the way. While I've toured Boston on foot I could see the value of having someone show you the city from an insider's perspective. We enjoyed roads with few cars, a bike path and of course urban riding amongst lots of vehicles, although lighter than it could be since it was Sunday. They even had a street blocked off just for non vehicle use along the "Dirty River". I'm thinking that Jim has some inside connections and arranged that street closure just for us???
There were LOTS of cyclists out all over the area but particularly around Concord. At first I thought they were part of our welcoming committee but they were simply cyclists out enjoying a beautiful early Fall day.
It hasn't sunk in that this ride is over, that I don't need to wash clothes tonight, look at tomorrow's route, check the weather forecast, plan for the next few nights stops, etc. After 41 days of riding out of 43 days, those things just become a normal activity. It's really not a bad gig at all.
I hope you've enjoyed following along each day. Hopefully this will give some of you the catalyst you need to experience something similar. If you're even thinking about it, you really should go ahead and start making finite plans to do it. Nothing beats seeing the US from the seat of a bicycle!!!
Kudos to Jim from Boston for escorting me from the Wayland Depot all the way through the heart of Boston to the Atlantic Ocean. He took me by many historic sites and shared the history of the area along the way. While I've toured Boston on foot I could see the value of having someone show you the city from an insider's perspective. We enjoyed roads with few cars, a bike path and of course urban riding amongst lots of vehicles, although lighter than it could be since it was Sunday. They even had a street blocked off just for non vehicle use along the "Dirty River". I'm thinking that Jim has some inside connections and arranged that street closure just for us???
There were LOTS of cyclists out all over the area but particularly around Concord. At first I thought they were part of our welcoming committee but they were simply cyclists out enjoying a beautiful early Fall day.
It hasn't sunk in that this ride is over, that I don't need to wash clothes tonight, look at tomorrow's route, check the weather forecast, plan for the next few nights stops, etc. After 41 days of riding out of 43 days, those things just become a normal activity. It's really not a bad gig at all.
I hope you've enjoyed following along each day. Hopefully this will give some of you the catalyst you need to experience something similar. If you're even thinking about it, you really should go ahead and start making finite plans to do it. Nothing beats seeing the US from the seat of a bicycle!!!
10-04-16, 11:09 AM
#37
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Catching up on this wonderful coast to coast ride.
-mr. bill
10-04-16, 11:56 AM
#38
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...We then headed straight though downtown for Castle Island on Boston Harbor...
We waited for Jeri to arrive with Sushi, and jp told me the heartwarming story of how they acquired him (I think). So Jeri arrived with the handsome dog, and right away a group of three young ladies gathered around admiring, ignoring the guy in the superhero costume. I had to tell them that the dog had just come across the country from Oregon, and oh yeah...with the guy in the red suit on a bicycle.
I told jp, “Well this far, and no farther.”(a favorite line from an episode of Columbo), and we took the end-of-ride pictures. We then had a celebratory dinner at a fine Boston seafood restaurant(Legal Seafood Harborside)…
We waited for Jeri to arrive with Sushi, and jp told me the heartwarming story of how they acquired him (I think). So Jeri arrived with the handsome dog, and right away a group of three young ladies gathered around admiring, ignoring the guy in the superhero costume. I had to tell them that the dog had just come across the country from Oregon, and oh yeah...with the guy in the red suit on a bicycle.
I told jp, “Well this far, and no farther.”(a favorite line from an episode of Columbo), and we took the end-of-ride pictures. We then had a celebratory dinner at a fine Boston seafood restaurant(Legal Seafood Harborside)…
...We really enjoyed trying local restaurants and craft beer joints. I tried Porters wherever I could find them. Looking back most of those were out west. ...
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 10-05-16 at 03:32 AM.
10-04-16, 01:26 PM
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Well done Jim, i would have liked to have hooked up with them myself, but man do they move. LOL. I guess you found that out.
10-04-16, 06:41 PM
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Of particular concern,
…For the last few weeks for certain reasons, I have been riding about a lackluster 15 miles per week. I‘m ready to resume a more robust ~ 100, and I was uncertain if I would be able to show jp around at a decent pace. I even considered taking the train out to meet him. Well, inspired by his journey, I did a roundtrip of about 60 miles Sunday, something I probably wouldn’t set out to do onmy own, and now I’m back in the saddle again.
I’d like to think he wanted to savor those last few miles. I was leading him most of the route, but on our way to Bedford, I asked him to lead at his usual pace. I drafted for about two miles and then said, “Better let me lead, so I don’t burn out.”
I’d like to think he wanted to savor those last few miles. I was leading him most of the route, but on our way to Bedford, I asked him to lead at his usual pace. I drafted for about two miles and then said, “Better let me lead, so I don’t burn out.”
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 10-04-16 at 08:25 PM.
12-08-16, 12:30 PM
#41
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Commemoration. But since this is a cooperative commemoration, shouldn't it be...
...Cocommemoration!
-mr. bill
...Cocommemoration!
-mr. bill
Last edited by mr_bill; 12-08-16 at 03:51 PM.
12-08-16, 07:12 PM
#42
Let's do a Century
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Jim-this has been installed in Kenmore Square. You might check it out.
__________________
Ride your Ride!!
Ride your Ride!!
