A Few Things About Bike Touring

 

 

We are currently cycling our way through the Adirondacks in New York.

We have set up camp in the top floor of a large barn in Boonville, NY.  Just perfect given the forecast of thunder storms through this evening and tomorrow.  A perfect time for a day off. 

We crossed from Vermont to New York on Friday June 11 and celebrated Koen's 10th Birthday with dinner out at the Crab Shack and cake in a small covered out-building at the Maple Ridge Campground in Crown Point, NY.  Koen is riding on a tandem bicycle with me and was totally excited to get a new cycle computer to attach to his bars and a rear view mirror for his helmet.  Now, when riding, between announcing his frequent bathroom break needs, he checks to verify his computer stats are in sync with mine, typically while pushing up a hill.

 

Even though relatively early on in the trip, I wanted to note a few things about bike touring.....

We are putting out a lot of energy on a daily basis.  There is never enough rest.  I have found it so easy to fall asleep almost anywhere, and so have the boys.

 

Caffeine please! It is the first thing I am thinking about as I wake up to my alarm at 4:45.

Massive calories burned, and food consumption...

 

New discoveries every day.  While riding in Vermont, we decided to stop and walk through a graveyard to determine how old some of the gravestones were.  Walking by the stones of those who served in the Revolutionary War, and the Civil War, was humbling.  At the end of the day I asked the boys what feelings the had when walking through the graveyard.  Asher indicated he has a feeling of honor.  I agree!

 

How else would you see a Snapping Turtle crossing the road?

 

Or ride across a historic wooden bridge...

Realizing you can accomplish way more than you ever thought possible.  These five boys have continued to impress with their ability to tackle challenges on a daily basis.  Many steep climbs through the mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont have been ascended with lots of sweat and struggle, but no complaint.  The photo below shows Asher after a hefty climb with 12% grade for 2 miles.

 

Expect the unexpected.  I did not anticipate Laurie would get injured early on in our tour with a bike crash on a rough roadside.  Fortunately, the wounds were only surface in nature, but required some healing time.  We rented a U-haul and Laurie took a break from riding to heal up, while driving our new support vehicle for a little over a week. So blessed that she is okay, and she started riding again two days ago.  Such a bummer we will be carrying our gear again....

 

More to add, but I am ready for bed.

Mike

Comments

  1. ElizabethJune 15, 2021 at 12:01 PM

    I'll never forget riding along the Erie Canal camping next to the same boaters for a couple nights in a row. They would sit on the deck of the boat for evening cocktails and watch us. One evening, from their cocktail stations with their feet up, they gestured toward us and observed that what we were doing did not look like "vacation".

    Uh. Yeah. Good point. It's HARD WORK!

    ReplyDelete
  2. RobinJune 26, 2021 at 11:09 PM

    So sorry to hear of the accident Laurie, but unbelievably proud of your boys!

    ReplyDelete

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