Atlantic Coast Bicycle Trip
June, ‘77
After an hour of rest, water, and a peanut butter sandwich, I was
back on the highway, pedaling up the west side of the Hudson River. I
could barely believe that I had survived. The farther north I went,
the better it got. Unfortunately, while biking up the beautiful Hudson
River Valley, I had a flat tire. I fixed it only to have a blow out a
short time later. I had to hitchhike twenty miles into Nyack, N.Y.
where I bought a new tire and tube. After fixing the tire and getting
back on the highway I came upon a lake complete with swans, ducks, and
geese. It was a “no camping lake,” but I was getting pretty good at
watching out for the people who watched out for me, so under the cover
of darkness I set up my tent, and collapsed on my sleeping bag. I was
a very, very, tired body.
In the morning, I went back to pedaling up the Hudson, and after
crossing over Bear Mountain Bridge, I found myself in the woodsy
rolling hills of Connecticut. There were no long highways to get me
across the state. I had to piece together my route using a patchwork
of about twenty roads. Actually, it turned out to be a nice way to go.
There were a lot of hills, and the ride was peaceful, quiet, and
beautiful, even though I was traveling along country roads that were
not your typical country roads; $100,000 homes were everywhere. I
guess it was the kind of country where “Mom’s apple pie” was the
absolute best.
I met Frank yesterday. We were both being ferried across a river, and
we were both on bicycles. He was into speed biking. He would take
frequent twenty-mile bicycle trips and try to go faster each time. We
traveled the next thirty miles together. In fact, I camped that night
in the backyard of one of those $100,000 houses—his parent’s place.
That’s where I met his brother, Jeff. He worked at a bike shop, and he
gave me a biking cap and a biking t-shirt. He also lubricated my chain
and running gear. The whole family was really nice. I had two hot
meals and a shower–meeting people like that made all the “bad stuff”
worthwhile!
I am glad the river was good to you. (except for the tire) Very tranquil shots.
Meeting people like that makes all the “bad stuff” easy to cope with.
In my case (kind of a loner), meeting people like that also gives me something to write about. Thanks!
I thought I’d left a comment on this post already, no? Just joking. Glad you survive that crazy bike ride on the sawmill or jersey