We’ve spent the last couple of days in Cambridge, MA visiting with some friends of ours, relaxing, and eating some really great food. We plan on leaving Tuesday morning and heading southwest towards Philadelphia. We have to be there by the 17th, so we are planning on taking our time and going at a slower pace than we have so far.
Our pace so far is definitely part of the reason why this respite with friends has been so perfect. We have been averaging at least 50 miles a day, and at times have been biking 60 or more miles in order to ensure that we arrived at our intended destination. We’ve been doing a little too much. We arrived on Friday in Cambridge after going 60+ miles and the day before had travelled about 50-55 miles in very hot weather (for the northeast).
Thursday… was difficult. We got off to a late start from Portsmouth and found ourselves biking in the heat of the midday immediately. Not surprisingly, hours of biking in hot weather quickly drains you. By the time we made it about 40 miles, we came to a road that had heavy traffic and very little shoulder. This road drained the rest of the energy which the heat had not. I (Anthony) was frustrated and trying to figure out options for cutting our day short, while Alexa was expressing her hatred for bicycling, cars, and hot weather. We took a short break to rest, but on our way to get back on the road, Alexa’s bike fell over.. with her on top. Well, after several minutes of gathering ourselves, we decided to just keep going and keep our eyes open for options.
As it often happens, we ran into the longest hill of the day very shortly after this, and then I began to ask people where the nearest campground may be. At the beginning of the day, we (mainly me, Anthony) had hoped to get to a campground that was about 15 miles further on the map. That was now impossible, so I thought the locals may be able to help us. On my second try, we pulled over to a nursery (landscaping, not children) and asked if they knew of any campgrounds in the area. Before we knew it, they were asking the owner if we would be able to camp on the property. And, he said, “Of course.” Then he let us take a shower in their spare bathroom, and just by chance, he also operated an ice cream stand adjoining the nursery. We then had ice cream for dinner. We were exhausted.
Thursday forced us to develop a different strategy, which we tried on Friday. We woke up a little before sunrise, packed, ate a small breakfast, and then we were on the road by 6:00. We rode for about 20 miles before stopping for a second breakfast at about 8:00. We then rode another 25 miles or so to get to Walden Pond where we ate an early lunch and went for a swim in Thoreau’s old pondering grounds.
Walden Pond
Anthony David Thoreau in his cabin writing
Henry David Alexa pondering the simplicity of life
The man himself in cast iron in front of the replica of his house
This nice break made the last 18 miles to Cambridge fairly easy. It was obvious we were back in the Boston area when we came to a five-way stop intersection. We took it easy getting into Cambridge, and we were on a bike path for the last several miles. Friday was the first day where the task of bicycling was secondary to the experience of travelling down new roads. Our new strategy was helpful, but another large part was having a known destination. Having a comfortable bed, friends or family, and good food awaiting your arrival always makes a day go smoother. We will have to develop some strategies for the uncertainty that will usually arrive at the end of our days.
Phillipe and Bonnie and their bikes in front of their new Cambridge house before taking a bike ride through the city to go to Cambridge Insight Meditation Center for some moments of much needed meditation
Bonnie and Anthony and Phillipe riding through the city, Alexa taking pictures while riding…
Cambridge Insight Meditation Center
Buddha
Thank you so much to Bonnie and Phillipe and Melanie and Eric and John and Selena for such good company, conversation and friendship!
You are very ambitious with your schedule. Very strong in spirit and body, too.
The worst thing about cycling is equipment failure, followed by traffic, obnoxious drivers, steep hills, heavy winds, errant dogs (used to be worse back in the day), lack of food and water, potholes, tired legs, sun in your eyes (and the driver behind). Come to think of it what’s so great about cycling. I’m gonna hang mine up. Some day.
You go guys!