Dolly's Bike Blog

Breakfast was scheduled for 8 am today, but everyone seemed anxious to get on the road.  Emily fixed an amazing spread for our last “home cooked” WomanTours meal, and off we went.  I decided to “ride my own ride” today, and was not with any particular group.  This way I could stop for photos, struggle up hills, or whatever.  It rained overnight but the sky was clear, the air a bit crisp, no threat of further showers.

We had a 15 mile “detour” off of Route 1, through the town of Surry.  These roads were very quiet and the balsam smell was wonderful.  I love the intermittent views of the Maine inlets through the trees.

Our only sag stop was in Ellsworth; Nancy B. has been our Super Sag for over a month and this is her last effort at keeping us in line.  Shortly after Ellsworth, we crossed the Mt. Desert Narrows bridge to the island; it seemed so small after the bridge the day before to Bucksport.  Our route kept us off SR 3 for 5 miles before we entered Acadia National Park.

At Acadia I met up with Nancy H. and Nancy I., then joined by Vicki and Lesley to ride to the pier together.  We were the last group.  The 2 miles on the Park Loop were mostly uphill, before we “sailed” down West Street to the Pier.

Many of the other riders were still at the beach when we arrived, so there was a lot of cheering and picture-taking.  We all have a wonderful sense of accomplishment – and were thrilled that the weather was so nice for our arrival.

Lunch afterwards with our ride-in group, plus Emilie and Carol, then the short ride to the hotel.

Banquet photos later.

Today’s mileage: 46 miles; 2,952 ascent, 2,982 descent.

From Fort Lauderdale: 2720 miles

From Key West 2948 miles

On this tour, Nancy Howard and I have been occasional riding partners – and we rode together during our “training time” in Venice, FL, as well as on CCST13 (sadly she left in NM after a fall).  When the tour started, she had a splint on her wrist from a fall in Venice, but, through determination, she rode some or all of the miles daily for several weeks. Since then, she has had intermittent physical problems that have curtailed her riding miles, though her spirits have remained high.  She penned this wonderfully comical poem about her latest “problems.”

GREEN ROOM MUSINGS

When cycling through the countryside

And a bio break is needed

Be careful where you stop and go

This counsel should be heeded

The “Green Room” offers great relief

When nature’s call is pressing

But three leaf plants and creeping bugs

Can make the moment stressing

A hasty squat in verdant woods

Has left me red and swollen

Poison Ivy and mystery bites

Have led me to this poem.

I’m off the bike these many days

No spandex ’til this passes

Prescription drugs and lots of creams

No venturing near grasses

So in my car I drive the tour

Until I have a healing

With Maine’s steep hills and winding roads

A car ride is appealing

So when you feel the need to use

The Green Room’s easy access

Remember, stop and look around

Protect those precious assets.

Once again the internet connection is pretty weak, so I will write, but reserve the photographs for a stronger signal.

Because the distance was shorter (cue/clue sheet 40.7 miles), we weren’t scheduled to pedal away until 9 am.  Sue G. from CCST13 and I had decided to take an early “explore” to Beauchamp Point in Camden.  The views of the sailboats through the trees were spectacular, though not great in photographs.  The map we were using was not clear and we did ride for about 2 miles on hard-packed dirt.  Shortly after we rejoined the route, we passed Aldemere Farm, home of the belted Galloway cows.  We were told they had a herd of 130 cows and that the beef is particularly lean as the cows have a thick coat so don’t require as much fat to keep warm.  The views of West Penobscot Bay were beautiful, especially as the sun was shining and the sky was bright blue.

After passing Camden harbor, we headed inland on Route 52; for some distance we had a lake or pond on our left, which seemed strange when we knew the ocean/bay was to our right.  We passed several small islands with a single house – talk about isolation!  Didn’t actually see any that seemed occupied, though the season is just getting started.

After some road construction, luckily the new blacktop was for oncoming traffic, we came to Belfast.  I joined Kathy D., Patricia, and Judi for lunch at Bay Wrap, a nice stop but a less than delicious meal.  After lunch we cross the Passagassawakeag River (Belfast Bay) on a pedestrian bridge and joined Route 1 for the remainder of the ride.  Don’t know if it was the food and just fatigue, but I was quite lethargic for this part of the ride.

Stopped for ice cream outside Searsport which perked me up a bit, and decided to visit Fort Know before heading to the hotel.  That “side trip” brought me to life, not because of the Fort but because of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory (you will have to wait for photos to share the excitement).  I took an elevator up 420 ft. for spectacular views of the Penobscot Bay and beyond.  And I did mention that it was a beautiful sunny day!!

From there it was only 2 miles to the hotel, the Fort Knox Park Inn, with great views back to Fort Knox and the bridge from my room.  Can’t wait to see the night lights on the bridge.

Mileage:  45.47 miles; 3100 ft of ascent (on the bike).