62 miles cycling, 1080′ of climbing (3337.6 total) – to read from the beginning, click here.
I woke up early, hoping that we would get on the road and make it to Sarah’s by early afternoon. Wasn’t to be. A quick check of the radar showed thunderstorms both heading our way and all along the path we were on to Goshen. So we hunkered down, had some coffee and breakfast of oatmeal, yogurt, and granola and decided it was best to wait out the storm where we were rather than head the 3 miles to a truck stop convenience store that was only somewhat on our way.
The deluge hit and that’s when Cindy came over and offered us respite in her house until the storm stopped. We stayed there and talked with her for the next couple of hours. She made us fresh coffee and offered us more breakfast which we declined since we’d already eaten. The coffee did hit the spot though, as did the warm house since we had just started to wrap ourselves in our sleeping bags to stay warm against the wind and blowing rain. Another Angel and we had a pleasant morning with her. About 11:30, it looked to be clearing and the forecast said the rain was over and the sun might even come out. So, we said thanks and good-bye again, and hit the road.
We weren’t a couple miles away from Hanna when our first trial came up. A road our GPS told us was paved, wasn’t, and not only not paved but crumbly blacktop and rough gravel. I quickly found an alternate and we headed out again. In a few minutes, another shower started and we scrambled for shelter under some trees. Fortunately, it was a passing shower and we got a bit wet, but not soaked.
Later in the day we hit another patch of “paved” roads that were even worse than the first, but Dana was ahead and already 3/4 of a mile ahead of me, so I followed her. She turns her phone off while riding — a good thing as she tends to answer every call and text and that really slows her down, but that also means I can’t call or text her. So, bumps and ruts and stones it was for the next 5 miles. We really need an intercom or walkie-talkie system before the next trip!
Anyway, we made it. Dana first, of course, for her reunion with her friend from her time in DC, Sarah, and her husband Curtis and son Elam. A warm welcome awaited me and we both got showers and sat in the kitchen to catch up. Sarah made tilapia and roasted veggies and we feasted on them and memories, and headed off for a much needed rest. We’re planning at least one more rest day here — probably two as our bodies (and butts) are feeling the effects of the push to get here — all worth it, though, and we’d do it all over again.
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