Bon Ton Roulet: And so it came to pass

At 7:45 the rain started.

At 8:00 the Bon Ton Roulet (2008) started. 499 bicyclists hit the road from Auburn, NY to Courtland, NY. And what a group of bikes it was! In addition to hundreds of 'regular' bikes there were several recumbents, lots of tandems, I think I even saw a recumbent tandem! Brandwise there were Lemonds, Fujis, Scotts, Lightspeeds, Treks, Specialized, Cannondales and lots of others - hardly two of the same brand. Some as old as a week (that's me!) and some nice bikes with down tube shifters (could have been me).

The people also came in all shapes, sizes, speeds and characters. From 3 to 82 years old, from sprinters to "what the heck we have all day" types. People from the area, and riders from just about every state in the country.

I soon learned however, that riding with a large group means there are some things we all had to share - skill, teamwork and communication. "Car up", "Car back", "on your left", "You okay?" all day long. Lots of conversation too. Since every bike was required to display a 'license plate' stating our name and hometown there was also lots of talk about towns, especially Mystic. Everyone has been to Mystic.

The folks on the sides of the road were pretty nice also. Curious about us too. "Where are you from?", "How many of you are there?", "Where are you going?", "Where?!"

The highlight of today's ride, apart from the riding and the excellent company, was an unexpected stop at Frog Pond Farm http://www.ferroart.com/. A gallery featuring sculptures made from recycled steel.

After another downpour we arrived at the fields of SUNY Courtland. After riding through two good storms, and setting up the tent in a thunderstorm, stringing a clothes line from the bikes to the fence and hanging up the gloves to dry, it's now time to kick back, and listen to the Travis Rocco Band. Good night!

Bon Ton Roulet: Foreshadowing?

On the last night party of the Bon Ton Roulet they read off the entries for the 6 word stories. Try as I might during the tour and after I cannot fit the "Bon Ton experience" into 6 words. While entries such as "Crotch on fire, not heart's desire", and "Sleep, eat, pedal, shower, eat, repeat" do capture some of the essenence, I will try, and maybe not even succeed to do it in 6, or maybe 8 posts.

Sunday 7/26

While on the way to the Bon Ton Roulet, just east of Syracuse, NY we drove through a line of thunderstorms. Rain so hard you couldn't see the road. Of course we also had to stop for gas and in the run to the rest area got completely soaked. Later at the camp site however, the tent held up well against the next line of showers and we stayed dry. According to the weather report there is only a 20% chance of rain today. With tomorrow's forecast for a 60% chance of rain - looks like we're going to doing some wet camping and riding in the upcoming week.

Dinner was on our own at the Green Shutter diner. Definitely a local restaurant with a little vegetable/herb garden out back and curbside service (if you honk) out front.

Now, 499 other people and myself are settling down for the night in the field behind the Auburn High School. Can't say I've ever camped at a high school before but thats where this soon to be mobile camp is tenting tonight. Looking out over tent city there are distinct neighborhoods. Located closest to the bathrooms, staked, corner to corner is the high end neighborhood. For between $385.00 and $500, In Motion Events - Camptel services supply, set up and break down your tent every night. Mostly Eurekas. Radiating out from this upscale tent Levittown is an interesting mixture of tents randing from single person TNF bivy tents to 6 person L. L. Bean palaces. One guy, has a Kelty 4-person sun shade set up with numerous chairs. Lots of his friends, and people's he's ridden with on these types of rides before are stopping by to say hello. These supported rides seem to be the way a lot of people spend their vacations.

From this vantage point, inside a palatial L. L. Bean tent complete with blow up mattress, chairs, standing room etc. I'm guessing the upcoming week will be:

1. Wet
2. Full of lots of different people, tents and bikes.
3. Covering more than a few miles.

Adieu - for now

Well - today's the day I must say goodbye to the Tour as tomorrow I leave for the tour. It all begs the existential question - Is it better to live The Big One vicariously or do you own little tour realistically?

Obviously I vote on the side of real life. Tomorrow we leave for Auburn, NY and Sunday we Ride the Bon Ton Roulet. (Hey at least the name is still french).

Unlike most other trips there will be no blogging on this one. Hauling a laptop from campground to campground just seems a bit extreme. I'll post pictures on my return and hopefully even write up some of the day to day adventures. I am looking forward to spending time in the Finger Lakes, including a layover day in Watkins Glen, 28 years after living there. Only six hours, but another world away.

As for the Tour de France - I don't care who wins - just let it be a fair win, and a good ride. For instance check out this post of the Lanterne Rouge (French phrase meaning “red lantern” refers to the racer who is dead last when the race rolls into Paris.)

Today's Ride

This morning I clicked into the six13, and it felt like home. In only a few days I've adjusted to the gearing, the weight (or lack), the comfort of the ride, and the feel of the turns.

Oh, the turns! With this lovely, little, comfortable, quick bike, I swooped down Dean's Mill without braking once. Just sweeping along.

July 14th

Today is little Lys's 21st birthday. Technically not my adventure but certainly one I've been honored to be closely associated with.

Today is also Bastille Day, as well as Stage 10 of the Tour de France. It's been a nice race so far. It's funny I've realized that I'm not so much interested in who wins or looses, I just like the company of the commentary. Like to hear about new bike components, training things, cute towns along the route, the go-ings on in the peleton. (Did you hear that "The Cobra" is really called "Goat Boy"?)

Today is also the day I really, really, really indulged myself. Today I brough home an adorable little Carbon fibre Cannondale six13 5. Wonderful all by itself but Cannondale also upgraded the rims to the Mavic Aksium Race.

But specs are all well and good - How does it ride?

Oooh. Sooo smooth. The Carbon fibre is tight but so much smoother than the Panosonic. Don't get me wrong - she's probably going to be the quickest little bike I've ever ridden but the Cannondale is quick and smooth. She's a little lighter in the front so turning takes a great deal less effort. (I suspect looking in the direction will do it most times) And while I haven't got the lean down yet the few times I took a sharp corner she went without a wobble. Took a much nicer line.

The fit is amazing too. Over the 18 or so years I've ridden the Panosonic I have tried other bikes - (hmmm even owned a few) but this Cannondale is so close its almost perfect.

And now for the reveal. - cept the photo won't load. Maybe another time

Mt Hancock - North and South

So...July 5 I climbed another 4000fter. Still not going after all them but it is funny to realize there aren't too many left unclimbed. One thing I do keep forgetting however are batteries. It's a cute little camera but it eats batteries so really - this is the best photo from the weekend. Trust me however - the view to the South was very nice.

The Next Big Adventure

Aside from a backpacking trip to NH this weekend - this -

http://www.bontonroulet.com/

is the next adventure.

The National, Modest Mouse and R.E.M.

When I was a kid I actually wondered what kind of music the kids would be listening to when I was an adult. Would I hate and fear it the way my parent's generation hated our music? (Yup, I was seriously that strange.)

Last night the question was definitely answered. Not only do I love the "kids" music, but they have moved music into new and more expansive territory.

The headliner for the concert was R.E.M. Michael Stipe, 3 guitars and a drummer. Nice vocals, thoughtful lyrics, good beat...you've heard R.E.M. That's what it sounded like.

But it was the 2 opening bands that really made the show.

The National is a Brooklyn-based indie rock band formed in 1999, by friends from Cincinnati, Ohio. There are at least 9 people in the band playing everything from traditional guitar to violin, trumpet, trombone, and I believe a basson (certainly it was from the oboe family). The sound was rich, complex and powerful.

And speaking of powerful, with two drummers backing up some serious guitar, not to mention an electric banjo. Modest Mouse was a driving powerhouse. Seriously, and electric banjo.

If at first you don't suceed...

yea, yea, yea. Obviously who ever came up with that one hasn't tried to learn kayak rolling. I've tried a couple times now, I've even got the steps down. Funny thing - the minute, or rather second, I'm upside in the kayak I do the same, wrong thing! At least now I know what that is.

But lets go back to Friday night... I drove up to Whitinsville, Mass to the Community Center for a kayaking skills class in their pool. The class is run by Eastern Mountain Sports (a direct competitor to ACO!) The instructors, Mark and Steve were both funny and knowledgeable. There were 6 people in the class. Two guys who were very good at rolling, and 4 of "us", so after going over the basics they split the group up. The 4 of us, they took through all the steps from a wet exit to the roll. I did a very leisurely wet exit, and that alone was worth it. (These boats had tiny, tiny cockpits). Then we moved through the set up, the finish, and "all the stuff in between". I learned that a "hip snap" is more of a knee thrust and how to position the blade so it doesn't slice. Then it was time to do the full roll.

I rolled over and did exactly what I did last summer! Body memory is incredibly strong. The good news is Mark and Steve told me what I was doing...I am paddling. Yup, roll me over in a boat and I try (actually succeed) in paddling upside down in a kayak. And they say I'm not talented!

So...I will try again...and this time I'll try to bring the gosh darn paddle over the bow.

How its supposed to go:

Quonochontaug Pond

Sometimes the nicest adventures are just a state away. While many people have often mentioned how nice the salt water ponds of Rhode Island are it wasn't until today that I began exploring them.

According to the Salt Pond Coalition, "The salt ponds are a string of coastal lagoon estuaries formed after the recession of the glaciers 12,000 years ago. Piled sediment called glacial till formed the rocky ridge, or moraine, running along what is today Route 1. Irregularities along the coastline were formed by the deposit of the glaciers, which formed peninsular shaped outcroppings, which are now known as Point Judith, Matunuck, Green Hill, Charlestown Beach, Quonochontaug, Weekapaug, and Misquamicut. "

First up was Quonochontaug Pond, located in Charlestown. What a cool place! The wind was really blowing from the West so I headed in that direction battling the headwind while thinking of the great ride I'd have back. The water was very clear and much of the bottom was sand. There weren't many fish but lots of horsecrabs do some really wierd things. Then it dawned on me, were they mating? Sure enough this is what it looked like:


Anyway. There were also lots of great places to beach the kayak. Much of the shore is owned by the state, and lots of amazing houses to look at as well. Also fun was watching the powerboats trying to go out the breachway which opens to the Atlantic Ocean. The tide was pouring in and the power boats just couldn't make any headway. One even got caught in the current and pushing on to the sand.

There were a few other kayakers, one couple came from Massachusetts. They come back often and suggested I explore the Eastern end of the pond next...and I will. Ah, so many ponds, so little time.

onemillionbicycles.org

onemillionbicycles.org

Let the kayaking begin!

Funny how the right equipment makes all the difference. Last night I installed the Yakima rack, with the Yakima kayak saddles, hully rollers and extender bar. Then I loaded Eliza without a single scratch to Angela. The extender bar is a very cool. It's a bar the slides inside the rack bar, but then can slide out to create a surface onto which one rests the bow, then lefts the stern onto the rack, then moves the bow onto the rack. After that the bar slides back into the rack and away you go.


Today Gerald, Krystal and I paddled up the Thames River from the Poquetanuck Cove Boat Launch to just opposite the wedge that is the Mohegan Sun. Here Gerald and Krystal demonstrate that essential kayaking skill - the shot block pass. Shot blocks are definitely The right equipment and Gerald was a hero to bring them.

Summer in Mystic

Suddenly, summer is here. You can tell by the traffic which backed up to the house today. You can also tell, more importantly, from the weather. Yeah!!!!!

After a long bike ride and the beginning of what could become a bad habit (I rode down to the Noank Village Bakeshop and had a lovely, warm, gooey cinnamon bun), I weeded the garden, did some transplanting and general housecleaning.

Amy is well on the road to recovery. Guess I'm starting down that road too.

We're not in Iowa anymore

Indiana is really flat. Say what you will but Iowa has nice rolling hills, but Indiana, Indiana is flat. Makes for great driving, but not as scenic. We spent the night at the Holiday Inne Express in Howe. We were tempted to try a straight drive but Amy really needed the break. She's holding up well considering but I'll be glad to have her home, and to be home with her. Should be tonight.

PS We are stopping at Kings, for another visit with Frownie!

The Greatest Adventure

When it all comes down to it, I guess one of my greatest adventures has been in parenting. An adventure that is far from over but one that continues to grow, change, surprise and most of all, teach me a great deal about love. The Girls.

Sunday morning we went to breakfast at the A & M. While waiting for Peter and Amanda I took this great shot. Iconic even. Lyss doing her cool, shade thing, Amy standing ready...all in front of a cafe (diner actually).

...and now a digression, but not a complete digression on to a topic that is often discussed in this blog. Coffee, or rather regional coffee issues. Previous I mentioned Saints Rest. A great coffee shop here in Grinnell. Today we hope to pack Amy up and get a little ways down the road. How far depends on how she is feeling. Before we go however we will stop at Saints Rest for a final coffee before heading off. My love of good coffee has been passed on to The Girls. Hmmm come to think of it, how much of that really comes from them?

PS Do you believe that a year ago I was coming just returning from the most relaxing vacation I've ever had. Ah Sedona.

Graduation and then some

Amy graduated today. I was so proud. She's worked so long and hard for this. It was a beautiful ceremony after a very long 24 hours. You see, the night previous Amy had emergence surgery. I won't go into the details, lets just say we spent the night in the hospital and she was lucky to make the ceremony and really, it was only her persistence that got her there. In the long run however, she'll be just fine, very Amy.

Grinnell, Iowa

It's spring in Grinnell, and it is beautiful. You really have to love this place and these people. It you are ever looking for a nice town to settle if for a year, say to write that long overdue novel, this would be it. It's relaxed, friendly, beautiful, clean, cultured yet simple.

Yesterday we woke in Indiana. Lyss took the first shift at the wheel and drove through the Chicago outskirts which are remarkable for their billboards and electrical lines. After an hour we were rolling through the flat farmland of Indiana and within an few hours crossed The Mighty Mississippi into Iowa. The soft rolling hills of Iowa are just now covered in spring spring and everything is blooming. Lilacs are everywhere! I was afraid I'd miss their bloom back home but their bloom in Iowa is just a wonderful. I love their scent.

We met Amy, picked up coffee's at Saints Rest Coffee House, then chatted while at the park. Town is full of student parent groups in a reverse of four years ago when we dropped them off. Yup. Four years.

Then it was off to the President's reception, then dinner with Peter and Amanda, and then honestly...I went to sleep and slept for 9 long, lovely hours. Today's schedule is a bit more relaxed but it is time to get going.

A Brownie with Attitude

After a long day of driving that began at the usual I-hate-driving-through-New-York-traffic-so-leave-at-4am departure Lyss and I have arrived in Portage, IN. Five hours from Grinnell.

It was a good trip. We were pleasantly surprised at our first stop. A person in Pennsylvania talked to us. It always takes me by surprise the first time I'm out of CT and someone just starts a conversation, then I remember, 'oh yeah' people are generally pleasant, and they chat.

Our second stop in Pennsylvania was on the Ohio border when we went to Kings Restaurant for breakfast and were surprised by the Angry Brownie, Frownie. Funny to have angry food as your mascot, but actually very effective. It was hard to resist the angry stuffed toy, the angry t-shirt and the angry mob sundae may yet have my name on it. Here's a little story on the brownie situation:

Driving through Ohio I listened to "A Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" and then in Indiana we channel surfed spending a little time enjoying Christian Rock, Japanese Rock, Latin Salsa, and NPR.

Now I've got to go find a salad.

The Donut: A Canadian History

Yesterday, I broke down and bought The Book. And it's pretty interesting.

Last night I also found myself in the midst of a quintessential Canadian celebration. The Montreal Canadiennes won their first game of the playoff series. The celebration rivaled that of Denver winning the game that put them in the World Series.

Cities

Some people love them, want to live in them forever. Some people hate them, some like to stay a few days, or even just a few hours - say for the shopping, the museums, or the restaurants. For me, I'm starting to discover that the less a city is like a city, the more I like it.

Within the last few years I've spent a few days in Montreal, Portland (OR), Denver, Pittsburgh, Luxembourg, Ghent, and Amsterdam. Favorites? Portland and Denver followed by Amsterdam. What do those cities have in common? Bikes, an emphasis on outdoor recreation, and except Amsterdam, excellent bookstores.

Which brings us to Montreal. Hitting the road at 9 am it took until 2, for me to find 1 bookstore - and that was next to McGill University. Bikes? Yes, there are some but I didn't see a single bike shop which makes me wonder. There are several small parks (Place) scattered about in squares which are well kept but really no plein aire type features.

But while it is not my favorite city, don't get me wrong it is interesting. Old Montreal, or Vieux Montreal is old. 1700-1850's and well kept. One gets a deep seated feel of history walking the streets and there are plenty of museums to tell the back story. I went to Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, or the Sailor's Church, it being maritime and me being paid to be here and all. The original structure was built in 1675. That was followed by a few fires, and few renovations, and artistic additions. The resulting church is a tasteful blend of it all, the nave even has boat chandeliers.

And the food...you could spend a whole day just reading menus. Making the choice of where to eat lunch was trying but the idea of Lamb and Olive stew just pulled me to the last one. That and micro brews.

Right now I'm taking a little break before this evenings party at the McCord Museum of Canadian History.