Day 6...Rain, Hills, Wind...The Trifecta?

Riding through Manheim

The day was overcast but mild. We started off around 8:30am and did a nice 10 mile easy spin through rolling hills. But then it all changed.

Around mile 15 the first of the Trifecta was upon us: RAIN. It was a slight drizzle at first but it quickly changed to pelting rain. Since we had been through worse on Friday, really, it was no big deal. Plus the rain kept us cool. But then came the second of the Trifecta: HILLS. I'm not talking a short quick climb like Great Hill Road in Southampton...these were some serious climbs, most of them >1/2 mile in length, some >1 mile...all in the small ring averaging about 6 mph. Brutal. The descents, which are normally the reward for working so hard, were nearly impossible to gain speed on and enjoy. The rain made it dangerous to do the normal: get low and dive bomb.  The roads were slippery and there were a lot of big trucks barreling along. I gripped HARD on both breaks for most of the descents to a point where my forearms ached.  Having said that, I did manage to get up to 35mph down a few, crouched low + watching the odometer turn over with ease ;-).  

Crossing the boarder from PA to MD

Normally we stop for lunch around mile 40. But today we found out there was NO place to stop. This we did not anticipate. By mile 50 we had depleted our liquid stores and, despite taking in a good amount of nutrition, had both bonked right before the biggest of the biggest, the steepest of the steepest, ascents. I dug deep and just kept reminding myself why I'm riding across America. Surely the pain I'm in now is nothing compared to the pain of those who have struggled with eating disorders and those who fought and died for our country. At mile 55 we heard the sweet sound of the RV honk behind us. The boys had come to save the day! We refueled and an hour later hit the pavement again. The final 15 miles saw the final element of today's Trifecta: WIND. Are you kidding me? Really? Now we had a 20mph head wind to deal with. At least the rain had stopped.  Finally we made it to the state line and shortly found a place to park the RV. 

72 miles in the bag and I'm wiped out! The energy output was enough that I could have put in over 100 on Long Island. But we made it to Maryland! One more state behind us.....

Day 5....Wait, are my brake pads rubbing?

Valley Forge National Historical Park

We had a great 73 mile ride today through incredible Pennsylvania country-side. There were lots of tough climbs though and my quads are starting to feel it. About 40 miles into the ride Kevin pulled over to see if his brake pads were rubbing...he couldn't figure out how he could be going so slow up the hills! HA HA HA!!! There is an easy explanation, actually. You see, we are both from the eastern end of Long Island where it is FLAT. There are only about 6 fairly decent hills and none compare to the ones we grunted up today. At least the down hills were fast and fun! "Woo hoo" worthy as my mountain biking friends Sinead, Vanessa, Sue, Jane + Jeanine would say.

Bridge over Schuylkill River

Our ride today took us through Conshohocken, along Schuylkill River (via a quiet bike path), through Valley Forge National Historical Park, past Maple Grove Speedway and finally to Reamstown, PA where we are camping tonight. The climbing is something to get used to and I'm hoping it will happen before the Appalachians!

I had an AMAZING and GRACIOUS donation of $1,000 today from a woman named Katie Jesionowski. I received the email when I was at mile 65. I was speechless and elated! Needless-to-say, I felt no soreness or pain in my legs for the last 8 miles of the ride. Every person who has been so kind to donate is very special to me and to have such a large contribution as I did today was mind-blowing. Thank you Katie!

Day 4..Neshanic Station is WHICH way??

We started the day off at a great tempo riding over some fun rolling hills.... but then we made a wrong turn. This was not our fault though. Our adventure cycling map told us to go right at a junction ... and, well, 5 miles later, we realized we should have gone LEFT.  After confirming the error with a local cyclist, discouraged, we turned around and headed back. 10 miles total out of our way at the beginning of what ended up being a 62-mile day. A slight blip in our journey across America but better to learn early how important it is to double check all the maps the night before any ride. Hope this doesn't happen again though.

There were a LOT of elevation gains made today. Hey, no one ever told me New Jersey had such big hills! But, then again, no one told me New Jersey had such nice country roads filled with horse farms, streams and quiet (but hilly!) tree-lined roads.

We made it to Lambertville for lunch and, afterwards, walked our bikes west on Bridge Street and over the bridge that connects New Jersey to Pennsylvania. Good bye NJ and hello Phillies, Eagles, Flyers and cheese steaks!

Day 3...Keep Calm + Carry On

W39th Street Ferry Dock- This way to NJ!

Did I complain about biking through Nassau County? Well, Nassau ain't got nothin' on Hoboken + Jersey City. To say the roads aren't built for cyclists is an understatement. No wonder the Adventure Cycling trail maps start in Summit, NJ...even THEY couldn't figure out a safe and bike-friendly way to get out of NYC and through eastern NJ. Having said that, the ferry trip from W39th street early on a Sunday morning (no rain!) was lovely. And last night was a fun and relaxing one. We watched The Big Lebowski and laughed our tails off. What a classic! Hilarious! Remind me the next time that I'm stressed out to react like "The Dude" does. Totally relaxed + unencumbered.

After finally reaching Summit, NJ and having a nice lunch (with yummy chocolate chip cookies for dessert) we hit the actual Adventure Cycling bike trail....and it was AWESOME. Within the first 5 miles we hit 37mph....up and down, up and down. I have a feeling it's going to become a theme "hill repeats"... Within about 30 minutes I looked up to see 2 men standing on a hill taking pictures of us...Chip and Jim had arrived to meet us with the RV! Hooray! I felt so relieved. We finally had our support staff with us.

Only 51 miles in the bag today, taking us 4 + hours of biking and 3+ hours of stopping/getting lost.... but they were the necessary and EVIL miles we had to grind through to get to open roads! Bring it on!

Day 2...Short but sweet!

Riding over 59th St. Bridge

After a fairly decent night's rest and a nice breakfast at the hotel, we headed off for a short 20 mile ride into NYC.  No rain, hooray!! The route was simple.... Merrick Ave to Hillside Ave to Queens Boulevard. Luckily there wasn't much traffic and who knew Queens Boulevard had some nice "rolling hills"?? Still, I would not make a habit of riding that route. Ever.

It was a great feeling riding over the 59th street bridge into NYC. Getting off Long Island was no small task and I felt like now the real journey could begin!

We arrived in NYC around 10am and met up with Kevin's daughter, Danielle, and her boyfriend, Sonny.  I needed a new sports bra and recommended we all to go to my favorite athletic store, Lululemon.  So off we went. 

Lululemon E66th St. NYC

While in the changing room, the woman helping me asked what I needed the sports bra for. I laughed and said, "You wont believe this but I'm biking across the country right now". She quickly turned to another woman to tell her and, like wild fire, within in minutes, everyone in the store was talking about our trip!

Next thing I know the (wonderful) store manager, Becky, graciously offered to outfit both Kevin and I with Lululemon gear!!!!! Who on God's green earth could object to that? We now each have an amazing outfit to "test ride" across America!

We took a group photo and hugged goodbye to our new friends at Lululemon NYC E66th store! Thanks again. You all are wonderful! Really, could the day get any better? 

Pictures

Day 1....Slippery When Wet

Foggy Morning
Montauk Point, Long Island, NY

I awoke at 3:45am to a humid and foggy morning. I couldn't sleep- too much excitement and nerves before the start of this big journey! After downing a few cups of coffee and a few bowls of cereal we packed our bikes in the RV and left Southampton. We arrived at Montauk Point at 6:30 and were greeted by a small group of wonderful friends and family for the send off. My father was there waiting on his bike ready to ride with us for the first 20 or so miles. My friends Ali and Cheryl came as well, smiling and energetic as ever (thank you ladies!). Kevin's daughter, Shannon, came as did his wonderful work mates Rachel and Scotty. And, of course, our two RV drivers/crew mates, Chip & Jim were there.

A dense fog hovered over us and made the lighthouse nearly invisible. After trekking down a sandy trail leading to the waters edge, chatting with local surf casters along the way, we dipped our back wheels into the Atlantic ocean. We posed for a few pictures then each said a silent prayer, including one for our recently deceased friend, Andrew Walsh. RIP Andrew.

Me + Dad

Around 7:15 we set off, my dad leading the way for the first 21 miles West keeping an incredibly fast pace considering he just turned 75 and is currently recovering from an ankle injury. Amazing!! We rolled through Southampton around 9:30am and received a nice welcome from many people in town. After a quick stop in the RV (the last time we would see the RV until it met up with us again in NJ Sunday night) to pick up some chain lube + extra chamois butter, we said goodbye to the east end.

The rain was relentless, pouring down on us so hard it stung. But we laughed at what mother nature had give us and pressed on. We stopped a few times for some coffee/coke and snacked continuously the entire ride. Finally we made it to our pit stop for the night, a Holiday Inn in Lynbrook. A short ride to NYC tomorrow AM then relaxing until Sunday. A wet but great day! One thing is for sure, Long Island is a very LONG island!