- Day 1 -1 Week
- Day 1 -12 Hours
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
- Day 6
- Day 7
- Day 8
- Day 9
- Day 10
- Day 11
- Day 12
- Day 13
- Day 14
- Day 15
- Day 16
- Day 17
- Day 18
- Day 19
- Day 20
- Day 21
- Day 22
- Day 23
- Day 24
- Day 25
- Day 26
- Day 27
- Day 28
- Day 29
- Day 30
- Day 31
- Day 32
- Day 33
- Day 34
- Day 35
- Day 36
- Day 37
- Day 38
- Day 39
- Day 40
- Day 41
- Day 42
- Day 43
- Day 44
- Day 45
- Day 46
- Day 47
- Day 48
- Day 49
- Day 50
- Day 51
- Day 52
- Day 53
- Day 54
- Day 55
- The End
- Retrospective
We woke up in not the greatest shape or mood. The shared bed was not big enough for two start men. The AC was blowing on us, or not making us cool. We stayed up too late watching Green Lantern. I know it wasn’t a huge success, and now with Dead Pool it’s even less respected. However Green Lantern is kinda the best movie for a bike trip. Fear will stop you, will can carry you through. It’s not about the most strength, not the best gear, it’s all about your willingness to keep going.
We had a nice breakfast but then getting ready was not quick. Nancy and really everyone at the hotel was super nice and helpful. We ate our breakfast and had some nice chit chat. Route 6 is apparently a very popular bike route, so we heard of other bike trips and all the people that come through staying at this hotel. They had the pamphlet for the Coudersport Ice Mine in the pamphlet case in the hotel lobby. We finally leave at around eleven.
We rode a few miles before we found the hotel I had hoped we would stay in. It was full still with all the revelers for the July Fourth weekend. There was an entire field with lawn chairs and blankets holding peoples spots for the fire works. It was nice and odd to see this field full of empty chairs, waiting for the event, or like the bomb went off and no one told us. Along the road leading to the field were signs posting temporality no parking. Which I had to instantly question, is this street where people would regularly park?
We continued down Route 6 looking for Route 449 North. One right, a few miles and we’ll be in New York. As we approached 449 we started to see detour signs. I hate detours. I had the a hotel, with an Italian within walking distance all picked out. What will this detour do to our timing? Our road is closed. We pull into the parking lot of the store right at the corner of Route 6 and 449. One of the employees tells me the bridge is out and we MUST take the detour. I ask him about alternative routes, he suggests we go all the way to Coudersport, make a right and work our way back to 449.
This is a stunning example of Jerry and my riding style. We rode up the to top of Denton Hill and looked at the map. I see a small road that cuts across to a second small road that went back to 449. We decided to try it. When we made our right into Irish Farm Road. A grave road. We went a few hundred feet to see if it was paved later on in the road. A group of ATV’s approached. We asked them about the road. They told us the road was gravel the entire way but only about two miles. So we went for it. It was slightly slow but two slow miles is better then fifteen quick miles. We make our way to Brookline Road. It was one of the the most beautiful roads we’ve taken yet. Slow rolling hills, farms and sun and trees.
About half way from Irish Farm Road and reconnecting with 449 I saw something. We were moving along at a good clip and it didn’t seam like something I should slam on the breaks to take a picture. However I would spend the rest of the day thinking about how I wish I did. There was a small white church slowly being taken by over growth and time. The truly distinguishing feature was the door had a broom stuck through the doorhandles keeping the door from opening out. Scrawled on the door was the words “Keep Closed”. This could have been a Zombie movie fan, a prankster, or the sign of something actually bad. Even if I stopped for a photo I wouldn’t have opened the door… at least not at this age, on a bike ride. So I guess I wouldn’t have truly know what, if anything anyway, but I do regret not getting something.
Again my sense of what “should be” creeps in and I get all excitable about what we’re doing, or rather how fast we’re doing it. Jerry is a machine. Steady and consistent. I am getting crazy that our time is this or we haven’t gotten to there yet. Just because you’re inside voice doesn’t use breath doesn’t mean I should let it yammer on and on. Especially since what am I running to? What do I care if we go to this hotel or that? I’m filling myself with anxiety to… Exactly, calm down.
We stopped for a water at the last place in Pennsylvania. Two couples of bikers met us in the parking lot. We chatted for a few. They were mostly surprised that we would be doing this. They congratulated Jerry on looking so good in retirement. It was a nice little chat… I don’t know why I am surprised by this. I’ve know and met many bikers in my time. A nice chat really isn’t that ground breaking, so I guess this is more of a showing of my preconceived notions.
Back on the road, in New York within minutes. Nice wide shoulder, smaller hills… The first few miles in New York was so luxurious. We went six day to go from Manhattan to New York State. Maybe a bit backwards but if you’re going to play mental games with yourself to keep it going, why not?
We got to a hotel that had an even nicer Italian restaurant within walking distance. Calm Down Mike. Showered, washed our bike clothes and got ready for dinner. We walked up to, and past our restaurant. Two blocks latter we realized what we had done and turned back. We ended up having the best meal of the this trip. They had very reasonably priced wine, good food, and a table they let us sit at an entire hour past close.
With all of my anxiety, the day ended nicer then any other so far. So what if we didn’t get every single mile out of the day. We had a great day.
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