Tomorrow Is a Long Time...Day 32...Amsterdam to Keene, NH...Weds 25/05/11

Today's (well, yesterday's by the time you get this) run was billed as a tough day at 120 miles and over 7000' of climbing, and they weren't wrong either, hah-hah!

It was weirdly enjoyable though, possibly because of the beautiful views we got as we travelled through the three states of New Yok, Vermont and New Hampshire.

Is Al Wright moonlighting over here? Bless you!

No, no time to investigate...

Another state, another daft pose...

Keeping it old school...and abandoned.

Well, we did earn the descents: at last I managed to get just over 50 mph on the contraption. Must be all that pasta...

We passed through a few picturesque small towns all gearing-up for Memorial Day, which is next Monday...

Supercharged? Super tired, maybe...

I took a wrong turn and ended-up on the Interstate for a few miles but it was no biggy...was pleased to get away from it, mind...

Great to see a Shakey fan in the house...

Sounds more like the motto of a Hells Angels chapter...

 I know...carry on...

Does look fine round here...

Mark and myself struggled in together for the last few miles: our final hill before arriving in Keene. Excellent!

Post-ride, Ohio Bob was given a spoof present of a knackered saddle to reflect the antique nature of his bike. He still goes faster than most. As he would say, "Go figure."

With the legend and also mechanic Jim for a pre-meal schooner...rehydration!

Wow! Is this really almost done? Yeah, I bet you're more relieved than me, hah-hah!
Time to go and finish it shortly...cheers!


Get them while you can...Last but one..

Proud Mary...Day 31...Liverpool to Amsterdam...Tues 24/05/11

Well, before I start all the usual nonsense I should give you an update on Little Chris's condition: it turns out that we weren't given the full story last night. The medics say that he has fractured his C5 vertebrae and will be in a neck-brace for a month, however he should recover fully. All our very best wishes follow him home.

Meanwhile we keep on rolling East. I thought you should see a typical route-sheet that we need to find our way from one five star accomodation to the next...

The above route sheet goes on overleaf too...best not to lose it, eat it or get it wet...mind you, we still manage to add on bonus miles for ourselves even with it.

Today we were blessed with a lovely Westerly wind which meant everyone had to work less...something that appeals to us all at this stage.
The first curio was spotted early on...

The Terre Haute Terror himself, the ever affable Mr. Tom Newlin followed by The Big Man and U.K. Bob. Larry, Curly and Moe?

Not sure how much longer that tower will remain in the upright...

Sunoco for them: bananas, beer and burgers for us. Not at the same time. That would just be silly...

Is that really an Edsel?

'Build it and they will stay away in droves'. Cue end credits...

Just before lunch at 78 miles in Little Falls...

One of many locks on the Mohawk River...

We were lucky with the weather for sure...much appreciated.

Nah, not until much later: Mark was very generous in paying for myself and Sir Clive's dinner and beer tab this evening. Dunno why I'm laughing- it's my turn tomorrow...d'oh!

Do not pass? I view that as a challenge, Sir...(you're not going at more than 8 mph are you?)                                                     

To be strictly accurate, it's a once-mighty trading town that has seen it's best years unfortunately...

So that just leaves two more days, both of which are real challenges at 120 miles and 7500' of climbing in warm weather. Actually, with my tender backside I'm quite happy to be standing-up and climbing...now that is a first!

Your daily numbers...be honest- you're gonna miss this!

Crossfire...Day 30...Batavia to Liverpool...Mon 23/05/11

This was a bit of a drudge today, with annoying crosswinds to contend with although it was warming nicely, temperature-wise. So far, so meh...until about 20 miles in when I see up ahead what looks like one of our riders (Ed, from Nevada) scurrying around in the middle of the road picking stuff up. Bit odd.

As I get nearer one of our vans appears and then I see Little Chris (San Diego via Mississippi) sitting on the opposite side of the road in a ditch, and bleeding from the head and face. Also around were the occupants of a SUV that had just pulled-out from a side road and broadsided the Wee Man. The driver said that she just never saw him. I suppose that's how easy it is and it really could have been any one of us.

Ed had already rung the emergency services and it turns out that Chris had a really lucky escape: nothing broken, except his bike helmet and bike and he was kept in hospital prior to completing MRI and CAT scans. We don't know if he'll be joining us tomorrow but when he was at the hospital he had already ordered himself a new bike with the intention of collecting it at Syracuse this evening! Determined, or what?

So back to the nonsense: we are slowly working our way up to this size of helping...

We steamed through bad, bad Leroy Brown regardless...

War Of the Worlds? No, a water tower actually...

Almost J. Geils's finest...

Reminded me of the opening titles: "Flay Otters"...or how about "Flowery Twats"?

Another fine looking motor for sale...

Not exactly how I remember it...

Following little and large: Manny and Daryl. So alike in so many, manny ways...

Fantastic: one mile from the lunch stop in Seneca Falls (great name) I get a flat rear tyre. Sod it, I'll just ride it which you shouldn't do of course. A great example of our "no-one wins unless we all win" spirit is displayed when Sir Clive takes it upon himself to change the tube for me so that I can get on with lunch. Much appreciated!

Move along, there's nothing to see here...

Considering a rear tyre upgrade...nothing is gonna puncture this!

About 30 miles after lunch I happen across Team Française des Jeux, namely Sir Clive and Lee who were wearing identical team jerseys and busy changing yet another inner tube. Saddos, hah-hah!

Your actual Erie Canal:

I've got a mule and her name is Sal
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal
She's a good old worker and a good old pal
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal

We haul'd some barges in our day
Filled with lumber, coal, and hay
We know every inch of the way
From Albany to Buffalo

Low bridge, everybody down
Low bridge, yeah we're coming to a town
And you'll always know your neighbor
And you'll always know your pal
If ya ever navigated on the Erie Canal

If I see a bloke on a tractor ,wearing a hat and threatening the speed limit then I'll know I'm back in Lancashire...

Hello er, Syracuse...rock and roll!

What kind of dope lives here? Say it ain't so, L.A....

On the run-in to Liverpool...

(Courtesy Mike Munk.)

A welcome sight after 120 miles, give-or-take. Just keep your windows wound-up. Actually quite a nice spot, to be fair...

Well, it looks better than Kwik-Fit, doesn't it?

Wasn't aware that the Hewitt dynasty had spread into Liverpool, NY but I can thoroughly recommend their chocolate milkshakes...

What's left of Little Chris's bike. He was lucky, as were we all.

Hoping for no drama tomorrow, thanks all the same. Another 120 miles...

Workmanlike stats...here...here...here!