One thousand hills ... or was it "just" 140?! (9 June)

140 hills were what Rick had counted on a former ride. These rollers were sometimes so steep on the descent that I really felt like riding a roller coaster in the car. Since I also wanted to experience this unique terrain by bicycle, I started out early again but this time drove nearly 50 miles to the SAG stop, so I would be way ahead of the riders. However, I never found the stop. My mileage told me I was in the right place but the name was wrong. After driving back and forth, searching, then encountering a pack of hunting dogs gamboling about in the road (one of which was subsequently hit by a speeding pick-up -the driver just blared his horn and didn't slow down one bit!), and then rain setting in ...well, I decided I was not meant to ride these hills.
So I drove on to One Thousand Hills State Park, which Pete had mentioned at breakfast. He said there was a cycling path and I was delighted to find a one way road with cycling lane. I got out my Sirrus and we rode the great big one mile loop down to the marina and back. This accomplished, I opted for hiking and really did enjoy three miles along the lake, relatively protected from the sun by the shady woods.

In the afternoon, Emil and I again went into town, this time to get the oil changed at a Walmart. These are unbelievable stores with the usual range of clothing, food and household supplies as well as pharmacy, tire and lube station, Subway for snacks, and walk-in hairdressers. This prompted us to get our hair cut. For me a shampoo and cut was just a fraction of what one pays in Switzerland and took about 20 minutes. Emil's haircut cost $12.50 and although his coiffeuse was very sweet, she just wasn't Monika!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
Talking about important people (11 June) It's time to talk about someone who is very important to the well-being of the Cross Roads riders: Tom. From dawn until after dusk he and the rest of the staff are busy stocking the SAG vehicles, setting up SAG stops, making sure all rooms are ready as soon as possible, transporting duffle bags to said rooms, organizing dinners and completing a myriad of other tasks, all pretty much out of sight of the riders. And he does all this without losing his sense of humor! Today the riders had a long stint of over 100 mi. to ride. Pleasant temperatures  and a moderate headwind made riding quite enjoyable. I did my stint in the fitness room and pool, and then headed toward Springfield, where I intended to meet another very important person: Abraham Lincoln. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum has the most elaborate dioramas and technically advanced shows I have ever seen. One such exhibition is a Holatheater, of which there are onl
Read more
Image
In the MOOd Singing in the Rain (28 June) The last 90 miles, only 90 miles of 3,404 miles,  just the last little teeny bit and through lovely countryside and three states...and it is pouring rain, relentlessly! Adi and Roz are observing their partners with some worry as we follow them along the narrow, winding roads to the SAGs. How are Navi and Adam (and Emil!) dealing with the weather and the oblivious and even aggressive Massachusetts drivers? We were relieved to see our guys and gal spiting the elements and finally arriving safely at the last of 46 different hotels. Unfortunately, our wonderful Ichi, who had doggedly completed every mile to within the last 10 before Burlington, fell and damaged his knee so badly that he could not  complete the ride. Ichi has become the darling of the group with his infectious smile and his ability to get lost at some point nearly every day, thus actually completing many more than the prescribed miles! Today's route passed by Grea
Read more
Image
Arrival at the Atlantic (29 June) The arrival is momentous, and emotions are high - for both the riders and the anxiously awaiting families and friends. It's a beautiful day at Revere Beach and the excited group of wives, husbands, girl- and boyfriends, relatives and charity supporters are wandering up and down the endless promenade asking each other and phoning the staff: WHERE will the riders actually be appearing? And then we are all ready and here they come! Hugs and kisses, tears and indescribable joy...and endless thanks for the safe conclusion to each rider's journey. Emil carried his bottle containing Pacific Ocean water into the Atlantic and emptied it there. In spite of his belief that this would significantly and maybe even dangerously raise the level of the Atlantic, there was no noticeable difference. Just to be sure, he filled the bottle with Atlantic water and will empty it into the Pacific at Paula's Hidden Beach when we reach the west coast in about
Read more