This past weekend I did a bike ride in Lancaster, New Hampshire organized by the Granite State Wheelmen. The Granite State Wheelmen is New England's most active adult recreational bicycling club. My brothers and sister in law tackled a route along the Vermont border of the Connecticut River. Jerry completed his "Century", about 116 miles up and back. He reached the Canadian border. Tom and Cheryl rode 80 miles. Amazingly, all three finished together, arriving back at the lodge at exactly 3:00 PM. My niece and I tackled a more gentile route, which was described on the route sheet as: "Mostly downhill (?), delightful day ride of leisure and charm". We had been warned by the event organizers that the route had some "hills" on the way back. In the spirit of "leisure and charm" we had a gentile breakfast: I took advantage of the buffet (note to Power Bar -"how about corned beef has flavored Gel?)". Carbo loaded we set out on our ride.
The ride to the covered bridge was spectacular - farmhouses, wildfowers, the mountains and the river all competed for our attention. We encountered some hills - Helen let out a scream as she disappeared from my view, cresting our first " big one". My knees buckled too when I hit the descent! We met an individual at the bridge who was kayaking from the Canadian border to the NY sound. He works with youths; one 4 year old is an expert and CPR certified. I wish I had been alert enough to get his name. There's a story there, with the byline -Hero, role model or good people still exist.
After we passed the town of Whitefield the serious hill climbing began. Lactic acid buildup (pain) competed with the scenery for our attention. However, in hindsight, we able to add "pride of accomplishment" to the string of adjectives expressing our appreciation of a "classic" bicycle ride in the New Hampshire woods.
Today I read about Maine Woods Forever, a heritage conservation organization dedicated to finding ways to perpetuate the Maine Woods that have been home, workplace, and inspiration to generations of people who love Maine and the Maine Woods. MWF is working on a heritage preservation project involving Henry David Thoreau and the route he followed through Wabanaki lands in 1846, 1853 and 1857. By mapping out the route Thoreau traveled under the guidance of Penobscot Indian Joe Polis, it hopes not only to celebrate his travels and the literature born from them, but also to bring attention to the history of the land and the native people who inhabited it.
Heart rate during ride was 154. We gained over 2,000 feet during ride! Current weight 213 pounds!
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