Basic blog

Saturday morning came early - I was out of the house and on the road to Portsmouth, NH by 6 AM. Rain was predicted during the night, so I didn't already have the bike loaded in the truck though I did have my bags and equipment packed and ready to go. On the drive down, I did run into some showers but it appeared to be clearing up as I got closer to my destination.

Once I arrived, I checked in and got my packet of information which included numbers for my bike and the back of my vest, a flip book with directions and mileage from point to point, and a T-shirt. I then got my bike out of the back of the truck and started setting it up with the ham radio antenna, cable, push-to-talk button, map pocket, and rear bag. I also touched base with the other ham radio operators and entrusted my bags with one of them for delivery to Ogunquit.

Here is my bike, parked behind my truck and ready to go:



Here's a closeup of the handlebars, with my trip computer showing all zeros, the push-to-talk button, my directions in a map pocket, and a picture of my Uncle George, whom I rode in memory of this year. We lost him almost a year ago now, but I did a lot of thinking about him while I was riding. This one was for you, George.



A couple of my fellow amateur radio operators.

Dave & Dave:

Bob, Peggy, & Hope:

Cliff:

Dave, Dick, Peggy, & Hope:


At about 8:15 I set off towards Ogunquit. Before I got very far, I managed to get turned around and ended up putting a few extra miles on the odometer before I got back on track. No problem, once I got the hang of reading the turn-by-turn directions and the painted arrows on the pavement it was pretty easy to find my way. While I rode, I was in contact with the other amateur operators and in case I ran across a rider that needed help I would be able to radio in some help, be it medical or mechanical in nature.

The first rest stop was at the 5 mile mark. I stopped to grab a drink and shed my water-resistant jacket. The rain had stopped and the sun was out, and I was getting pretty hot. I passed my jacket off to Mary, who transported it up to Ogunquit for me. I was also fortified by a homemade cookie from Cliff. The promise of another one of the delicious cookies at the next rest stop was a nice incentive to ride on as well as the source of a few laughs. Thanks, Cliff!

I snapped this on the way out of rest stop #1:



This part of the course was out of sight of the coast but was bringing us ever closer. There were quite a few sights to see along the way. Here's the Rye, NH Congregational Church:



The second rest stop was at the Wallis Sands State beach parking lot, at the 13.2 mile mark. Plenty of room - not very many beachgoers that day. I was rewarded with another chocolate chunk cookie and put down some more water. Before long, I was off again for the next rest stop. Here's a shot of rest stop #2:



A new feature on the course this year was a traffic rotary. Immediately after the rotary was this British car shop. I saw quite a few MGs, Triumphs, and even a Land Rover or two:



A little further up the road, and we came across a bridge with a metal decking that leads to the town of New Castle, NH. It's mandatory to get off and walk across the bridge on the provided sidewalk. Bike tires and metal grating don't play well together! Here are a couple of shots from the bridge:





New Castle will not allow the organization to paint any route markings on the road, so we were riding blind for a few miles. Luckily it was a straight shot through the town with no confusing turns. After leaving the village, the road turned into a causeway with a bridge. Looking to the right, there was a good view of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.







I also saw these lobster boats:



The course then led into the town of Portsmouth, NH and over the Memorial Bridge, which could be seen in the distance as I rode out of New Castle. It's a drawbridge with metal decking, so once again
it was time to hit the sidewalk and hoof it over the bridge.





Crossing the bridge brought me into the State of Maine:



There were some boats moored just beside the bridge:



From the bridge, it was only a couple miles more of relatively narrow road with plenty of ups and downs to the 23.6 mile mark and the next rest stop, at Fort McClary:





Here's a shot that I took of the fort itself on one of the previous year's bike treks:



As soon as I pulled into the rest stop I received a big hug from Dee, who used to organize the event. I tanked up on fluids and had a cup of trail mix then departed for the final rest area before the finish line.

I hadn't ridden very far before the skies started to look pretty ominous:



This section of the course brought me right along the Maine coast on Route 1A through York. It seemed to be one long uphill section and the headwind I was riding into didn't help matters any. There were a small number of people out enjoying Long Sands beach but it certainly wasn't very crowded. I could see Nubble Lighthouse from the beach and it was pretty obvious that a rain shower had just passed over the point and was going out to sea. I was crossing my fingers that I was going to be able to avoid it.
There was a very steep hill where the course split off from Route 1A onto Nubble Road, enough to drive me down into the lowest of the gears I had available on the bike. I was certainly glad to see this sign at the entrance to the lighthouse, at the 34.2 mile mark:



A view of the ocean from the rest stop:



The trolly bus makes a stop at Nubble Light:



The lighthouse itself:



The volunteers who man the rest stop each year:



I hung out at the rest stop for a little while because I could see a squall coming towards us from inland and passing out to sea. I also got a weather report from one of the hams that had driven the course up to the finish line, and he had reported showers. It worked out well, because it gave my legs some time to rest and I did miss almost all of the rain. What I did run into was not enough to get me wet.

Leaving Nubble, we turned North and took several twists and turns to hug the coast, coming out at Short Sands beach and passing The Goldenrod, home of famous salt water taffy "kisses". From there, the course was up and down, left and right and before too long the sight I was looking for at the 41.7 mile mark came into view - the finish line!





There were people cheering the riders on and recording our numbers. There was also lunch set up plus a live band for entertainment.

"Smile, Kelly!"



A volunteer took my bike for me and brought it to where they are stored in the basement of the hotel overnight. I then picked up the key to the room where I was staying with another ham radio volunteer. It took a while for my bags to get relayed up to the finish line, so while I was waiting I grabbed a bite to eat and sat down to relax.

The numbers from my bike computer for the day:
44.31 miles, 3 hours 13 minutes ride time, 29.6 mph max, 13.8 mph avg. It's better than I did last year even though I rode the short 25 mile course then. Progress is good...

After my bags arrived, I hit the shower and changed, which felt very good. We had some time to relax then everyone went across the street to Jonathan's restaurant for supper and announcements. They served chicken parmesan, spaghetti, rolls, and salad, with a big brownie for dessert. Here are a couple of shots of the radio crew:





After that, a group of us gathered and shared some conversation but before long it was time to turn in, because morning was going to come early.

I was up at about 5:45, had a shower and got dressed. We met for breakfast across the street at 6:30 - coffee, home fries, scrambled eggs, and yogurt for me. The volunteers had to leave by 7:30 to get out onto the course and after some group photos, the riders were allowed to leave no sooner than 8:00.

The 35 mile route on Sunday took me North on Route 1 for a little less than a mile, right through Ogunquit. There is a sharp left at a bank onto Berwick Road - we have had problems with riders missing the turn in years past so we usually station one or two hams at the corner to help ensure that everybody makes the turn. Here are Mary and Cliff at the corner:



From here, Berwick Road is pretty much all uphill for a long 5 plus miles with very few flat or downhill sections. After making the turn onto Emery's Bridge Road, the route gets into a series of rolling hills so there is at least a chance to catch your breath. Near the beginning, I paired up with a couple of riders that were close to my level of performance and I ended up riding with them all the way to the end. The first day, I spent most of my time riding all by myself which was nice in a way, but it was even better to have someone to ride with. Because of this, I didn't stop to take pictures like I did on the first day, so as not to slow them down or fall behind.

The first rest stop was at the South Berwick central school, at the 14.2 mile mark. It was a welcome rest after the hills we had tackled, and it gave one of my companions a chance to catch up with the bike mechanic. Her bike had fallen over on the right side in the morning and it had knocked her shifting out of whack slightly.

I just missed getting one of the home made cookies at the rest stop, so it was relayed ahead by another ham. He passed me and pulled over to the side, offering the cookie in a ziplock bag out the side window. I was able to grab it from his outstretched hand on the fly, whereupon I made a report on the radio that the transfer was a success.

The course continued on with more of the same, plenty of rolling hills and straightaways. I was able to keep up with my companions but not with any reserve of energy, that's for sure. The next and last rest stop was at the Eliot, ME fire station, at the 26.5 mile mark. We stopped to refuel, rehydrate, and rest the legs and posterior.

Leaving the fire department, the course brought us back toward the coast. It rejoined part of the prior day's route, bringing us over the Memorial Bridge again and back to Portsmouth, NH. From the bridge, it was another 4 miles to the finish line. Even though the route was shorter, I was more tired on Sunday than I was on Saturday. I'm not sure if it was the hills or the fact that I was challenging myself more to keep up the pace.

Here are my two companions at the finish line:



And here's a self-portrait:



Yeah, I was pretty beat. I got some sunburn on my arms and neck, too.

The numbers from my bike computer for the day:
35.44 miles, 2 hours, 36 minutes ride time, 31.6 mph max, 13.6 mph average.

I took care of my bike and got it loaded on the truck and ready to go before walking over and grabbing a bite to eat. They were putting on a cookout-style meal, with burgers, dogs, salad, chips, and watermelon. I hit the watermelon pretty hard - it was great!

There was a patio with tables and chairs where you could eat outside. There was a nice man-made stream and waterfall next to the tables:



After we were sure that all of the riders were off the course, the hams split up and headed for home. I shot this picture of a horse-drawn wagon atop a hill on the way home:




I'd like to give a huge thanks to each and every person who contributed to my fundraising effort. I think that as of this writing, I am up to $740. I definitely plan on doing it again next year and will probably step it up to do the 56 mile route on Saturday and either the 35 on Sunday or maybe even the 53 mile route on Sunday.

Thanks for coming along for the ride with me!