Phoenixville to New Hope, PA: May 27

May 27, 2015 by Dolly

Not directly related to my Atlantic Coast bike tour, today is a day of celebration:

First, it is my 43rd wedding anniversary. On May 27, 1972, in New York City (it was a Memorial Day weekend), Don and I were married. There have been a few low moments, and lots of high moments, and we have produced two wonderful children, now young adults. I love you, Don – Happy Anniversary.

Togetherness on the tandem – France, Sept. 2014

And one of our children, Sarah, has helped bring us another celebration for today. For 8 years, Sarah has worked with the Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, to abolish the death penalty in that state. Today, the Nebraska legislature voted to override a veto by the governor to a bill that had previously passed to abolish the death penalty. It was hard, slow work, not unlike my bike ride. But just as I plan to complete all the miles to Bar Harbor, EJUSA continues to work at abolishing the death penalty in all U.S. states.

It’s official! Nebraska’s death penalty is history.

Moments ago, 30 Senators voted to override the Governor’s veto. Nebraska just became the first red state to end the death penalty in more than 40 years.

Congratulations and thank you!

You are a big part of this sea change. People like you recruited your friends, shared updates, gave financially, followed along, sent prayers, and stood with Nebraskans as EJUSA supported our amazing state partners, Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (NADP).

If you haven’t done so already, please consider donating to Equal Justice USA (EJUSA) to continue their work in many other states, including Indiana.

Now to my bike ride today:

Less than 2 miles from the hotel, we entered the Schuykill River Trail, headed toward Philadelphia. Much of the time we were paralleling commuter rail lines. We exited the Trail at Conshohocken and were encouraged to stop at the Riverbend Cafe and Cycle Shop where Mark greeted us warmly, prepared lots of coffee drinks and did some quick mechanical work on several bikes.

: Some of our group along the Schuykill River Trail.

: Trail-side memorial to a fallen policeman.

: Trail markings.

: Riverbend Cafe

: Leilani and Jan from CCST13 have joined us; Leilani posing in front of the bike shop.

: This poster reminded me of Team Dawdle – note the cycling turtle.

Our route now took us around Philadelphia to the north and east, with several steep uphills, through several township residential neighborhoods. Due to a mis-turn on our “clue” sheet/cue sheet, we missed the 20 mile sag stop around Ambler, but enjoyed the cold water and restrooms at Horsham Township Library (ever resourceful).

: Rode part of the day with Vickie, Nancy H, Nancy I, and Judi – we all enjoy the downhills.

: Passed this home in Warrington and noted the Memorial Day decorations.

: Closer to New Hope, the terrain was more rural and I liked this display.

The scheduled mileage today was 43.7, but we were told that New Jersey was only 2 miles past our hotel. Of course, several of us elected to ride on and enjoyed ice cream and lobster rolls (dessert first) in Lambertville, NJ.