23.6.08

Announcements June 24th

First of all, happy Birthday bro, hope its a good one. its 5.50am with you so if Danny's up early you might be reading this soon enough. I've got the loan of a laptop so I'm doing as much as I can on the blog. Hope the lads and Val are keeping well. Also a belated Happy Birthday to Damian G , I've missed it by a couple of weeks but Happy Birthday all the same.
Congrats to Ronan Clancy who got married recently, and also to James Moore of Lots who got married at the weekend, I think. Anybody from Lots reading this post a comment below and let us know how that session went.

Day 28: To the Indiana Border (Sun Jun 22nd)




I left the motel at 8am. The ride across Springfield was bland enough, perhaps it was just the route I was taking. On the edge of town 2 dogs made a run at me. I was off the bike in a flash, a triple pike and I nailed the landing!! Then I noticed the dogs were behind a mesh wire fence so I goaded them like Clint eastwood, Thats right, punk. then I mounted up like John Wayne and rode West.
It was a nice morning, no breeze, easy cycling. Outside Donnellsville the road was closed but I pushed on and got the bike around a trench that had been dug across the road. Further on I passed through a town with the curious name of Phoneton.

at Vandelia I passed by Dayton international airport where the Wright brothers made their first flight. I had lunch under a tree at Englewood in 30c & watched the local fire crew work on their ire engine. After Englewood I found the going tough. The headwinds blew up again and my energy levels sank. Just outside Lewisburg I stopped for a cold drink & a bar. I actually staggered into the shop. I chatted with the owner while I drank. He was from Bombay & ran two businesses in the area. He was happy to chat about India but hadn't been home for a few years.


I found out Richmond was 14 miles down the road which, to be honest, felt like a long way away. I struggled for a few more miles & then noticed dark clouds, low on the horizon coming out of Indiana. 30 mins later the clouds were building up and, again, I forgot how tired I was as I upped the effort in a race to Richmond. To be honest I felt I would be beaten this time. I passed by an old guy out mowing his lawn who pointed at the clouds. I nodded. He pointed again. This time I shrugged and kept moving. What the feck was I supposed to do? go home?

I really started to push as It was completely open where I was. Then, in the distance, I saw traffic lights so I hoped there might be a petrol station or shop where I could get shelter. Pushing hard down the road a motel suddenly appeared on the left and with a good rate I was happy to stay. It turned out I was only 1.5 miles from Richmond. (actually the storm wasn't big at all, but they got it big furter down the road.)

Day 27: Columbus to Springfield (Sat June 21st)




Mid-summers Day. A quick look at a computer at reception before getting out. Checked out Cov's fixture list for the new season. Norwich at home on the opening day & a tough looking last 3 games: Forest (a), Ipswich (h), and Watford (a). For non sky-blue fans we usually check the end of season games first. If you don't know why? then you don't know you're football!! Old habits die hard.
I got out and n the road fast. I had to cross Columbus and on the way into the centre I couldn't help feeling a rough edge to the place. In the centre I missed route 40 & got slightly lost but didn't take too long to get back on track. Actually, Columbus had a nice centre. There was a big masonic parade taking place which almost felt like an Orange parade on the 12th so I didn't hang around too long.
The suburbs on the West side again had that rough feel. I stopped to take photo of a bail bonds office. As I went back to the bike two druggies came around the corner towards me. I thought to myself 'Aw Jaysus here we go, Laurel & Hardy'. One was a tall black guy with wild eyes, the other a short squat Hispanic. They both watched me as I took hold of the bike & I looked straight back at them. The black lad mumbled something to me which I couldn't make out. He repeated it saying 'Would ya do a fava for a brutha'. I just smiled and said 'Ara yer grand!' Thankfully they didn't follow me.

That was my cue to get out of Columbus. Soon enough the shopping plazas and fast food outlets of the western suburbs passed by and shortly after that the traffic lights ended. What really signalled the end of the city limits though was the first mangled, unidentifiable rotting corpse of some animal that stank its way into my nostrils & an old farmer with a big smile, a wave and a shouted good morning. These were sure signs that I was back in the country. 9 miles down the road I stopped at West Jefferson & had my best meal so far. Pasta & a grilled chiken sandwich ad a Sam Adams.

40 mins later I was back on the road which ran arrow straight and was totally level. For the first time it disappeared in the distance into a watery mirage. After 1pm I began to encounter the first real headwinds of the trip & had to drop gears. As the afternoon wore on I began to tire. At a place called Harmony, about 8 miles from Springfield I stopped for a drink. Coming back out of the shop I felt like the heat & humidity had suddenly jumped a few notches. back on the road dark clouds suddenly appeared dead ahead, coming from the West. Its funny how you stop feeling tired when a big storm is approaching. I started pushing it as I didn't want to be caught out in the open. As I approached a petrol station I knew I was close to Springfield but a sharp gust of wind and a rattle of thunder made me scuttle for cover. 5 mins later the storm still hadn't broke so I made a run for it & about 4 mins after that I was on the edge of town. I saw a cheap Motel checked in. As I opened the door in to my room the heavens opened.

Day 26: Cambridge to Columbus (Fri June 20th)




Hit the road at 9.30am. Was awake at 6am but too tired to move. The road really began to level out today. This morning on two more occasions dogs ran out at me but I was better prepared this time & saw them coming. No worries. I passed through Zanesville of which I have no recollection. I just cannot remember anything about that town, fatigue must be giving me blanks. I do remember that after Zanesville the road ran absolutely straight for mile after mile. It undulated, slightly, up and down but didn't turn left or right. Large firlds full of crops passed by on either side.

To be honest I can't remember much, or anything of the small towns I passed through on that road. What stands out is the view of the road stretching away in the distance to a crest of a small ridge a couple of miles away. Each ridge was used as a target and if the road slope downwards you just pushed to keep the speed up.

At some point in the afternoon I knew I had to stop so I decided on Hebron a few mles down the road. The afternoon heat was building up and around 3.30pm I stopped at a bar on the edge of town. As well as a few cars parked outside there were 7-8 Harleys & I thought 'I'm gonna be a right sight in this place. Inside there wer tv's on. One was showing Croatia v Turkey. On a jukebox it was good old C & W. I ordered some food & ended up staying an hour & saw most of the 2nd half. I was wrecked & happy to sit down & watch the match.
An old guy came into the bar & pumped money into the juke box. Tom Jones, Tammy Wynette, Randy Travis and he told the whole bar little bits of trivia about each song. He was the Honky Tonk man.

Just before full tie in the match I left. I still had 20 miles to Columbus & I just wanted to get it done. Just beyond Kirksville, major roadworks reduced the road to a single lane but it was great for me because I could cycle on newly tarmacced road still closed to traffic this little piece of Ohion heaven brought me to the edge of Columbus & down to the motel I'd picked out.
To be honest I didn't like the place. The motel felt rough, it was in a dodgy area, there were dodgy characters hanging about. That night there were drunken arguments outside. I wasn't going hang about in this place

Day 25: I fought the law..... (Thurs June 19th)


Slept in & left at 10am on a gorgeous morning, bright but cool. It was downhill for miles through a narrow valley most of the way to Wheeling. Stopped 2 miles from town & treated myself to a lovely breakfast in a bakery/restaurant before making a sharp climb that took me into Wheeling.

Wheeling had loomed large in my mind for at least a week now. The gateway to the West, the jump off point for so many heading towards Californ-i-a. For me, over the last three days, it represented salvation from the torments of Pennsylvania. Now that I arrived, I couldn't be @rsed, I went through that town quicker than a blue-arsed fly. In the blink of an eye I was over the bridge into bridgeport, its sister town on the far bank of the Ohio river & in Ohio state. I was told it would be hilly to St Clairsville but that the land would level out after that & so it was.

After St. Clairsville the road did level out & the cycling became relatively easy. The countryside had flattened out with fields & pastureland on either side. Then all of a sudden a couple of miles outside a small town called Morristown route 40 came to an abrupt end. I was left with 2 choices. Double back up the road & take wide detour to Old Washington where route 40 recommenced, or, head on to the interstate (illegal) & go like the clappers for 10-15 miles to Old Washington. I took the interstate and flew, gloriously for 2 miles before a police siren ended my gallop. The cop got out of his car & said I couldn't be on this road. I told him I'd been following Route 40 but that it had come to a dead end. He agreed that it was weird but I had to leave the interstate & showed me the route to follow. I asked him if there was any chance of a lift down to Old Washington. He just laughed.

And so it was that the rebel without a cause turned meekly on his tail and, slowly with head bowed took the back roads for Old washington. From here the going got a lot Slower. With the law on my tail I couldn't take any chances now!! At Fairview a town with no shops & only one public building..... a penny opera, I asked an old lady for directions. She was straight out "The Golden Girls" with her blue rinse, cigarette and gravelly voice. She was sound though. She told me a shortcut down to Old Washington.

2 miles down the road I hit a gravel track which was the 'shortcut' This track passed through some real 'Deliverance country' really quiet & remote. The gravel track slowed me to a crawl. After what seemed an age, & a downpour, I came to a church & miraculously the road transformed back into tarmac!! As the land dried out after the rain I remember going downhill & getting the sweetest aroma from a flower I'd ever smelled, I don't know what plant it was but it was gorgeous in that fresness just after the rainfall.

At old Washington I rejoined route 40 and pushed the last 13 miles in to Cambridge. A couple of miles outside the town a large dog charged out at me. I jumped off the bike (which you have to do otherwise they'll knock you off) but I lost my grip of the bike and it clattered in to the road. Cars coming up behind me had to stop as I quickly pulled the bike up to keep it between me & the dog. thankfully the dog left me alone but it was a fright.

In Cambridge I went into a fast food place to get directions from a group of girls behind the counter. 15 mins later I had my room. It was about 8.30pm. A quick trip to a neary supermarket & I was sorted.
.

Day 24: Country Roads, take me home...(June 18th)

Left at 9am straight into the climb up Summit hill. At the top a great view of a large plain stretching away beyond Uniontown to the horizon. A three mile downhill blew the cobwebs away. As the road stretched away from Uniontown I found out that what appeared to be a flat plain from te top of Summit Hill wasn't flat at all. One ridge followed the next, up & down & up again. The downhills weren't very long so I felt I was climbing all the time. My legs have a tendency to stiffen on the downhills so it made for some painful ascents as the day wore on.

This was cow country & smelled like it. I stopped for some food at Brier Hill a small crossroads Hamlet at 11am & ended up buying a dinner. Further on I passed through Brownsville, where I crossed the Monongahela river, Richeyville & Bealsville. When I got to Scenery Hill (Hillsborough) I stopped in a diner for 40mins to rest & had a sweet apple dumpling & ice cream sundae, mmmmmmm. After this I pushed on for Washington PA, named after the bold Georgie Himself, but was feeling very tired at this point. A big storm passed close by but thankfully didn't affect the area. From here it was 20 miles to the border with West Virginia but I was determined to make it before nightfall.

I struggled on through hills that weren't very big but fatigue made them feel big & by 6.30pm I came into a small town near the border called West Alexander. I stopped here for food, had a ribeye Hoagie......???????? I found out there was a cheap motel about 3 miles down the road at Valley grove, 2 miles inside the West Virginian border. Perfect!!! Even better it was all downhill. 20 mins later I was in my room. Take it away............. whoever it was that sang 'Country Roads'......... my minds gone blank!!!!!!!!!! Good night.

Day 23: Back in to Pennsylvania (Tues June 17th)

Cumberland was formerly a fortress town & trading post during the 18th Century & later marked the start of the 1st National highway which ran, initially to Wheeling in West Virginia, and later on to Indianapolis & beyond as the West began to open up with new settlers pushing onto the open Plains. The road commenced in 1811 and followed an old route known as Braddock's road after a British general who was mortally wounded in an ambush by French & Indian allies up near Uniontown in as he marched with a force from Cumberland to relieve a British force under siege at Fort Duqesme (I don't know where) in 1755. The Road at one time had 18 stage coaches running the route daily, with inns at every mile & toll houses at intervals.
With this back drop to the road I was following I certainly felt a certain sense of following history as I set out this morning. also I was resolved to push on through for the next six days before my next stop, to get out of Pennsylvania & possibly (if the road levelled out) well into Ohio.
Last night a big thunder storm hit with lightning every 5-10 seconds so I didn't really sleep. I was on the road for 8am in a thick mist & a lovely cool air. Leaving Cumberland the road passed through a gorge & on to La Vale before rising into the hills. Passing through Frostburg which, itself lay on a steep slope, the road led continuously to a summit at Savage Mountain. This brought to an end a climb of nearly 10 miles to a height of approx 1,000m. I stopped for lunch at Grantsville, another town situated on a slope.

Six more miles down the road, after some more climbs lay Keysers Ridge from where Route 40 veered North, and for me, back into Pennsylvania. I met a canadian cyclist heading for Washington who had been out West but had to turn back in Nebraska with all the sever weather. I crossed the Mason-Dixon line close to Addison. By 5pm I was 20 miles from Uniontown where I'd hoped to stay the night. I stopped to buy drinks at a petrol station at the start of a big climb. Inside a lorry driver came over and said he'd seen me on the road earlier in the day. He told me I had a few big climbs yet but that it would improve after Uniontown.

Some miles up the road I flipped into history mode again and took a look at Fort necessity, built by George Washington to secure the route against the French. However he sited the fort poorly and when it was attacked by 700 French & Indians in 1754 his force of 400 took 50% casualties and forced his surrender & loss of the fort. By now I knew I wouldn't make Uniontown so, when I saw a motel about a mile up the road at a hamlet called Chalk Hill. I decided to stop there & tackle the large Summit mt fresh in the morning. I spoke with an ex-army guy who was familiar with the last two climbs I'd done & were known in the army as Agony & Misery!! F***in Right about that!!!

The Amish


After passing through Amish Country I've become fascinated by the Amish. Who are they? What is their religion? Why do they look so old fashioned? On the Saturday morning that I saw aload of them they were all dressed similarly with shirts, mostly in one of two shades of blue, with brown waistcoats & matching trousers. All wore wide-brimmed hats of straw & all had beards, mostly long. Travelling by pony & trap they looked straight out of the 19th century, or, dare I say it.... Hobbit land!!
They really are curious looking. In the long hours of cycling I can't help but wonder what kind of lives they have. If they don't drive cars & farm their land manually, without machinery then what kind of houses do they live in? Do they have electricity. If so do they watch TV or listen to the Radio. Is MC Hammer in their top 40, or is their musical taste a touch more 'rustic'? I reckon they listen to ZZ Top on the quiet!!

Day 21: Liatroim Abu (Sun June 15th)...


Was on the road by 8.30am & straight into climbing. When I reached the top of the firts climb I had a view across a valley & the sight of a ridge about 500m high. Interstate 68 which ran parallel to this 'scenic route' ran straight through the ridge where a huge gash had been blown to allow the road through. And so this day was all about long climbs over ridges followed by steep descents which cramped my legs.


At 9.10am I realised, with a jolt, that Leitrim had just kicked off against Galway in Pearse Stadium. I couldn't believe I'd almost forgotton the match. For the next 2hrs most of my thoughts were on Leitrim's prospects. How would the game pan out, who would play? I went through all the likely starters & wondered how'd they'd fare. The big 'X' factor in the team this year was Emlyn Mulligan, our new free-taker. If he kept his composure we could do damage to Galway this year & possibly be in the hunt in the last 10mins. If the other forwards could chip in with scores a shock would be on. Big question marks hung over Donal Brennan & Ciaran Duignan. Could they redeem themselves after last year. Both looked unfit & disinterested in the league earlier in the year so it was, I felt, make or break for them as they were likely starters.

By 11am, just as the game was ending at home I was on a quiet stretch of road. Approaching a few houses gunshots sarted to ring out. As I passed a house they got really loud. Through tree I glimpsed a guy in a backgarden shooting a handgun down into a hidden hollow. As I saw him he shot again and the noise made me jump & unnerved me. I started to move quicker, I just wanted to get the feck out of there.

400m up the road I saw a petrol station/Diner. At this point the road was rising steeply to another high ridge. It was hot & sticky & with gunshots ringing out behind me I was happy to head for the diner. Inside it was busy with families out for Sunday lunch. I got a gatorade & ordered a roll. The place was busy but there was a nice friendly atmosphere in there. After a few minutes & in between serving people the lady who ran the place came over & said hello. It turned out her mother was from Belfast & was proud of her Irish roots. She had a very relaxed friendly manner about her & it was easy to see why the Diner was popular. She asked for the blog details. So if you're reading this 'Howaya Missus, hi to all in that lovely Diner near Piney Groves. I really enjoyd that Bacon egg & cheese sandwich.

Back on the road it was straight into a tough climb which brought me to the best views on the trip so far. Mind you I was becoming so annoyed with the people who told me Maryland would be flat that I nearly ignored the view. It was really hot & the sweat was pumping from every pore. I was soaked. The nxt hour brought more climbs & descents & in the heat my energy began to flag. I stopped to Drink & n

16.6.08

Day 20: Maryland (14th June)



Was up at 5.30, warm & sticky with flies buzzing around me as I took down the tent. Was on the road for 6.30 and immediately started climing up towards a high pass tht would take me out of the valley. The road followed forestry all the way up the pass & every so often a small deer would saunter across the road before disappearing in to the trees. A log downhill from the top of the pass brought me in to another valley that was shrouded in mist, down to a small hamlet called Doylesburg. Went into a very old country store/ petrol station to get drinks & chatted for a few minutes to the to auld lads who were propping up the counter.
After Doylesburg the road was mostly flat so I made good time into Fort Loudon. Just as I left Doylesburg I started to meet lots of Amish travelling in their standard pony & trap. Where they were going I don't know but, judging by the way the were dressed, probably to mass. After a while I stopped meeting the Amish which was a pity because they were a great distraction on the road. I always made a point of giving them a wave & they always waved back, some smiling, others looked quizically at me & others nodding sagely at me with a "wise old man of the earth" look about them.

Once past the Amish it was a case of counting down the miles to Fort Loudon. I became very tired & then frustrated as I slowed down but reached a welcoming Diner at the town & was resting with a pancake breakfast by 11am. I stayed there for three hrs resting & rehydrating. The girls there were very good to let me stay & brought me large glasses of iced water. It was a busy wee diner so there was plenty of distractions as people came & went but at some point I nodded off to sleep.

I hit the road again and 3 miles down the road I passed through Cove Gap, home of James Buchanan, President of America around 1857-61.
Another 3 miles at Mercersberg dark clouds appeared ad thunder started rattling. I wasn't sure whether to continue but I got on the waterproof runners, & got the jacket ready and pushed on. I made a dash for the next village hoping to get shelter there but thankfully the storm passed away altogether without any rain. I pushed South as hard as I could & got into Maryland (or Maralind as the locals pronounce it.... I said Mary-land to one person & he hadn't a clue what I was saying!!). It was immediately a noticeably different landscape at that point. Aflat plain stretched of Southwards with open farmland filling the views to the horizon. Tall grain silos marked out individual farms. 20 mins later I reached the junction with Route 40 & I turned West again to follow this road for the next 3-400 miles.
Dark clouds were again building up & this time they didn't pass over lightly. 3 mins after leaving a shop with a drink I was running for cover as the heavens opened up. I stood under a tree to put on my jacket & stood for a few minutes wondering what to do. I decided to head back to the shop for shelter. Just as i turned back the road a lad in a pick up truck stopped, leaned out the window & said 'Hey Bud, you wanna lift?. I said no thanks but that if he'd been going the other way to Hancock I'd gladly have taken the lift. He replied 'Oh but I am going that way. I saw you on the roadside & felt sorry for you & decided to come back & see if you wanted a lift.' I couldn't believe it. This lad was going out of his way to be generous. I was a bit wary but deep down he felt genuine & as it turned out he was... A total gent. Another pleasant surprise with the friendliness of people over here. As we got closer to Hancock the flatlands led into some big hills & when I said to the lad I was surprised it wasn't flat he replied. 'No Siree, you're headin for mountain country. I couldn't believe it. All the advice it gotten had told my to go South in to Maryland where it was flat. Anyway we got into Hancock ok, which was a bland, run of the mill town. I settled down for the night, happy after my lucky break.

Day 19: Millersburg - New Germantown (13th June)



Put a bandage on the burned leg to keep the sun off it & headed for the ferry which would take me over th Susquehana river. it didn't leave until 11am which annoyed me as I wanted to start making up ground. The ferry was an old steam paddler (Tom Sawyer type), a replica of one which ran in the 1860's. The 4 crew were curious about where I was going & the only other passenger advised me to head up to a town called liverpool to take the route I wanted as this would be the best for cycling. On the far bank of the river I wished the lads best of luck and flew up to Liverpool to get route 17, the road for Fort Loudon my next town.
It was ver warm & humid and on the first climb I was pumping sweat. The road followed another flat-bottomed valley, similar to Wednesday, with mixed farming taking place across the valley. I reached a small town called Ickesburg & had to ask for a shop as I couldn't see any & got some cold drinks at a petrol station nearby. Went on to Blain where I stopped to eat as I was starving. A soon as I sat down I felt wrecked & asked about accomodation in the town. Was told there was none but there were campgrounds 3 miles up at New Germantown on my route. After the food I headed up the three miles & chatted for a few minutes to an old lady sitting out on her veranda. she told me of a campground just up the road. Turned out it was an RV ground & they wouldn't let me pitch a tent. But he did fill up my 2 waterbottles & told me I could camp in the state forest a few miles up.
I kept going & then got directions from a forest ranger where I could find a campground in the forest. This took me a couple of miles into the woods along a rough road but I couldn't find it. I just got browned off & decided to pitch the tent in an old disused quarry in a clearing & hidden from view by some small trees.
The night was so warm & humid I had to sleep on the sleeping bag & leave the tent open save for the mozzie net. Couldn't really sleep as a combination of forest sounds, the heat & my own imagination kept me awake. At one point fireflies made me think I could see people with torches in the trees. At another time, asleep, I woke up with a start thinking I could here voices. I wasn't afraid but I couldn't relax either. & thats how my night in the woods passed by.

Day 18: Millersburg (12th June)

Woke up & I couldn't straighten my left leg. Decided to stay indoors, do nothing & keep putting cream on the leg to try & take the burn out of the leg. Saw Croatia v Germany.

Day 17: Pottsville - Millersburg (11th June)



The alarm went off at 5.30 but I slept in until 9.30 - too tired. Was up & on the road for 11am. Started straight in to climbing right out of Pottsville and for the next 2.5 hours it was a series of long climbs with short downhills as I headed for the hills around Pottsville. Just outside town a guy on a motorbike pulled alongside pushed up his helmet visor & asked where I was headed. I replied "San Francisco if I can make it ". He said "You will, You will. Ya just need determination and.... steroids. Best o' luck Buddy" And with that he flipped down the visor, gunned the engine & roared off, leaving me laughing to myself.
For the next two hours it was tough but after one long downhill the the road opened up into a broad flat-bottomed valley flanked by two wood covered ridges which ran Southwet for 30 Miles to Millersburg where I'd stay for the night. The road was decent & I passed through a few small villages of no particular interest until I came to Gratz where I stopped for drinks. By now it was very hot & I noticed that my upper left leg was feeling sore from the sun. I put suncream on both legs but, by now it was a bit too late as I had got a pretty bad sunburn on the left leg.
During the afternoon I started to pass through more Amish country & watching the famileis working in the fields it looked a bit like a throwback to Little house on the prarie.
Got to Millersburg & found a cheap motel 1 mile outside town. Couldn't sleep much that night as my leg was too uncomfortable.
'

10.6.08

Days 15 & 16: Pottsfield (June 9th & 10th)



Two lazy days in the Simmering heat of Pottsfield which is a really nice town set in a dramatic location ringed by steep, wooded hills. I'm doing as little as possible during the day to conserve energy for tomorrow when the heatwave will have broken. I'm posting stuff onto California which will lighten the bike & make things a bit easier. Managed to blag my way in to the public library internet for a 2nd day (the librarians weren't a bit impressed but let me on all the same. They have the stereotypical ones here). I found out the oldest brewery in the States is in Pottsfield. Also the famous Molly Maguires came to prominence here when 9 of them were hanged by the local authories. Richard Harris & Sean Connery featured in a film about the whole episode so no doubt, Dad, you've seen that film!! Thunderstorms are forecast for later this evening so All should be clear for the morning.

9.6.08

Time Out: A couple of Observations

After 2 weeks in the U.S. I seem to be surviving. Hopefully another 2 weeks down the road the legs will be a lot better. The people so far have generally been lovely. Nobody has been aggressive so far & that goes for drivers as well, fingers crossed that continues. American cars are huge. 3 & 4 litre engines the norm.... why?? Jaysus a 1.3 corolla can go fine at home & has had no problem hitting 120mph on the Mullingar bypass (and that was not me but Mum, when she was late for a Leitrim match v Longford!!! I'm not sure if we drew that match..... actually, no, we were hammered). Talk about gas guzzlers.
America does seem to be very militaristic as well. its all 'Lets support the boys in Iraq' etc. Military memorials are very frequent. And the flags....!!! the amount of flags flying from everywhere is unreal, I mean unbeliveble. If patriotism & love of country is measured by flag flying then in Ireland we're not patriotic at all. To be honest its reassuring we don't have to display our Patriotism like that.
The roads are mixed some great some really difficult with hard shoulders that are really cut up. The worst, so far, has got to be Springfield MA, even the footpaths were dangerous. The best roads are in the countryside & the one with smooth wide shoulders are great.
All in all I'm surviving, the sef doubt is getting less but I need to make a big push over the next 10 days to really feel I'm on track.

Day 14: A Scorcher!! (June 8th)




Was on the road by 7.45 & it was warm & humid. Was in to the 80's by 9am & into the 90's by 11.30. Don't what 95 is in celsius but it's hot, damn hot. The humidity was also mid 80's so I was pumping sweat with every bit of little debris sticking to my arms & legs. I stopped for a break for 90 mins at 12.30pm & slept for 40 mins. Found it tough going in the afternoon in to a stiff headwind. Stopped for a 40 mins break at a place called South Tamaqua. Downed 2 bottles of gatorade straight away & got 2 more for the road along with my own 2 bottles. Passed through a really nice town of Tamaqua shortly after, really quaint. Seems to have grown up around a railway & done well for itself. The last 16 miles to Pottsfield were relatively straight forward, just kept going. But then somehow went wrong after the last village before Pottsfield, ended up in a wee town called St Clair 2-3 miles North of Potts... Couldn't believe it....again. Thats the 3rd or 4th time I've gone wrong, always at the end of the day, so it must be fatigue that does it & you then lose concentration (I'll have to watch that). Any way, got directions and hit Pottsfield quickly & went straight for a cheap motel, was too hot and knackered to contemplate camping.
Turns out we almost had record temperatures for the area today, no wonder I found it tough. There was a bike race through Philadelphia and of the 180 entries, only 90 or so finished. To be honest I thought I was being soft & not used to the weather, don't feel so bad now. Forecast for hotter weather on Monday so staying put until it gets cooler as the week goes on. Might head on on Tuesday. We'll see... Watched Boston go 2 games up on the LA lakers in the NBA finals.

Day 13: Stroudsberg (June 7t)

Got up & headed to the library for 9.30am to see about getting online. The ladies there were great, really helpful & kept renewing my time slot when the session timed out. Ended up spending 4hrs in the library, 3hrs on the blog & 1hr checking maps & redoing the route to make it easier. After telling Padraig on the phone where I was going for the next three days I've completely changed the route, going nowhere near those places!! Good man Fran. Will be looking for Public libraries from now on!!
Went back to the room & lay down for afternoon watching TV & Day 1 of the Eur... uhh Europe Championship. Saw team Portugal make the critical plays against Turkey & making a goal play in overtime to secure Game 1. I heard that earlier the team Swiss had most of the play but couldn't make any field goals but got caught on a sucker punch from a hail mary punt by the Czechs. Looks like team Portugal & Czech now have a great opportunity to progress from Group Play!!
Went out for food in the early evening & had a look through Stroudsberg. There was random street sessions on, don't know why, but it passed a while. One of the groups was a local Irish dancing school. Got food, went back to the room & got ready to head off early on Sunday.

7.6.08

Day 12 Dingmans Camp - Stroudsberg (June 6th)


We were up & out at 10am. It was 27 miles to Stroudsberg which we did in roughly 2hrs. But my spirits were low. I resented every last meter of that road because in my mind I should have been resting today. It was tough in that state of mind (one which I will have to really avoid in similar situations in future - (accept it & get on with it has got to be the motto). Found the Motel by 1.30pm and was able to switch off. Ray came in for a while but had to hit the road as he had another 25 miles to go. So we parted. It was tough in a way eventhough it was so short. He was a great fella and I'll keep an eye to his website. Best of Luck Ray.
For the rest of the day I went looking for an internet cafe & food. Turned out it was WiFi only but went up to the local library only to find it was closed, but opened 9am Saturday. Got Food, went back to the room Ate & slept. Decided to stay another Day in Stroudsberg to rest, a half day wasn't enough & get the Blog updated. Was asleep by 11pm.

Day 11: You Gotta get outta New Jersey!! (June 5th)

We were up & on the road by 8.30am into some undulating country & then into one fairly big climb. Ray waited for me at the top & I though I could see California in the distance but it must have been a mirage. But a road sign told us there was a 4 mile downhill all the way to Port Jarvis... pure heaven!!! Cycled through Port J, crossed the Delaware River and entered Pennsylvania. Cycled on to Milford which was gorgoeus & reminded me of Glenbeigh. After some food there we headed South towards Stroudsburg. The going was great. The plan was to recross the Delaware into New Jersey & head 15 miles South parallel to the Delaware and stop at a campsite 3-4 miles outside Stroudsberg. Once we crossed the river we hit much more difficult country with a lot of climbing in heavily forested land. The day was cool which was a bonus. 1 hr later we came to a steep climb & I had to stop for some food. It was like my legs had given up. We thought we'd be finished by 2pm after easy roads. It was like I'd switched off mentally & wasn't expcting the more difficult wee climbs that appeared in front of us. Even after the food I still had to walk up the climb. Thankfully we went intop som nice downhills after that for a bit. Six miles down the road, according to both our maps we were to take a right at Milbrook which would take us towards Stroudsburg. Finally we reached a cross at a sign for Milbrook & took the right. It felt like we were on the home run now. However we just seemed to keep going & going with one big climb, I was just hanging on. Then Ray shouted to me at a Diner & said we'd all ready passed. I almost laughed & thought no f***in way, but then the area suddenly seemed very familiar. A cold shiver went down my back as we both realised we'd done a complete circle!! two hours later we had gone backwards on the road. The shock of that moment will stay with me a long time. Neither of us could belive it & we both said nothing for a few minutes and just stared at the ground. I'll tell ya the morale at that point was very low, I just couldn't comprehend how we had gone wrong!! It took a few minutes to get the resolve to get going again. The Diner was closed but people were working inside so we went in to ask what was in the area. After a few minutes of confused directions & a 2nd visit in to ask for water one of the Workers knew of a campsite on the Pennsyl... side of the river. It meant completely backtracking but it was the easiest option & we happily took it. 1hr later we were at the campsite. We checked & after an abortive attempt at a campfire put up the tents ate and soon slept.
The Diner was closed but we just then heard

Day 10: A meeting on the Hudson (June 4th)

Got up 9am for breakfast with heavy rain. Went up to a supermarket to stock up for the road & left at 11am with heavy drizzle. It turned out I stayed across the road from Franklin D Roosevelts home so got a shot of that before I left. Cycled down route 9 to the FDR bridge & across the Hudson river, the second major river crossing. As i Crossed the bridge I could see cyclists at the other end, one of whom had panniers. When I reached them we all said hello & it turned out that Ray Boutin, the guy with panniers was heading for California via New Orleans. Ray was doing a sponsored ride to help rebuild New Orleans. (i'll post up more details later, time is tight right now) So Myself & Ray would cycle together for nearly three days.
The route today would bring us towards Port Jarvis & Milford in PA where I'd hoped to stop. We seemed to fly along the roads which were good a level, averaging 13 mph. To be honest I can't remember much of the day just now but it was a good one (must be more tired than I thought!!). I remember stopping for food around Modena at 1-1.30pm. MOst of the tim I was following Ray. simply because he was so much quicker. A great climber on a great bike that flew downhill. By 5.30 we were still 15 mile from Port Jarvis so we camped out the back of a country store where the owner offered to let us stay. After pizza it was in to the tent for a 1st night under canvas and a sleep that was ok considering.

Day 9: Goodbye Massechusetts (June 3rd)

Got up early & was on the road by 7am today. It was a beautiful cool morning. I took the road South to Canaan & Connecticut. 90mins later I reached Canaan which was the fastest stretch so far so I was in good spirits. 2hrs & 2 towns later I was leaving Connecticut for New York State so I really felt I was motoring!!. At 11am I phoned home outside a Macdonalds ( I didn't go in!!) but no reply. I was disappointed as access to the internet has been so limited so far, plenty of WiFi but no consoles. So I wanted to let Mum & Dad know I was ok. I left a message & kept going.
Today the countryside began to open up for the first time. Some fields appeared, ploughed fields & pastureland made a change from trees. But also the headwinds were more noticeable without the shelter of forest. I targeted a town called Amenia for a lunch break. I passed a diner & outside it were two bikes with panniers. I decided not to stop & kept going a few more miles. I stopped about 2 miles before Amenia at a country market & took 50mins break. While I was eating the two cyclists passed by.
After lunch my legs felt stiff & heavy. After Amenia I hit a big climb & had to walk, but got best views of the trip so far with wooded valleys stretching off in to the distance. At the top got back on the bike but struggled for energy. Hit a hamlet called mabbetsville & got a Gatorade drink & was told it was 15 mile to Poughkeepsie, my target. It felt a long way, away. 25 mins later I was parched & stopped at a petrol station in Marybrook for another Gatorade & an energy bar. The guy there said it was only 8 miles to Poughkeepsie. I was delighted, the morale went up, I got a good rhythm on the bike & suddenly I felt I had energy & felt I flew those last miles to Poughkkepsie. I got held up a bit around Poughkeepsie getting directions but found cheap accomodation around 5-6 miles North of the town. Was really happy though felt I passed into a new phase today. 3 States and a strong finish was good. The forecast was bad for tomorrow so decided to celebrate with a lie in to let the rain pass.

Day 8: Westfield to Great Barrington (June 2nd)

Monday. Woke up 5am but was too tired to leave. Hit the road about 8am. About 6miles down the road took a left off Route 20 & immediately entered hill country. Welcome to the Berkshires (a mountain range in Western Masechusetts). I was in for a tough day of climbs & in between grumbling to myself as to why I was such a feckin eejit to be on this bike at all, everyso often I would crack up laughing at just how much weight of ffod I had on my back.
About 45mins into the mountains I came across three young fellahs on bikes. It turned out they were heading for Oregon. They reckoned it would take them 4 months. You should have seen their bikes, one was a tiny BMX that a 10yr old would ride. I felt sorry for them. I wished them best of luck & got out of there. 30 mins later I got a great downhill through the lovely leafy forest which was giving great shade on a hot day. Very quickly it was back to climbing & soon I was reduced to walking uphills. I thought why expend so much energy climbing when I'd be nearly as quick walking anyway.
About 1pm I was passing through a lovely picturesque town ringed by the surrounding hills called Otis. I was turning right at lights about to leave when I guy in a pick up truck pulled up and asked if I'd had lunch, I said no, He said he buy me lunch!!! that he owned a diner just down the road & gave me directions. I was wary at first but he turned out totally genuine & described it as a random act of kindness. I was very grateful. After 45 min & fuelled up a hit the road again.
Straight away I hit a steep climb and was walking again. My thighs were burning and resentment of the weight I had built up again. But I got through the Hills & down into Great Barrington where again, I didn't look for camoing but just went to a Motel with a discount voucher. I now have a book of vouchers for a number of states which is a help.
Did the, by now routine of shower & supemarket although today it was only for drinks & milk. I ate well & then watched a showing of Ireland V Columbia on a Spanish channel..... Go on the Trap!!!

Day 7: Sturbridge - Westfield (June 1st)

Woke up 3.30am and the back of my hand was starting to swell from the insect bite. Put off leaving early & went to reception at 7.30am to see if I could get it treated. Was a bit concerned in case it balooned up on the road. Found out I could get an antihistamine at the local supermarket up the road which was already open since 7am (On a Sunday!!! God Bless America). Went up and tablets but the ladies at the checkout got me cream instead as they didn't want me getting drowsy on the bike (God Bless American Momas!!). SO Idowsed my hand in cream & took off about 10am in the end.
Again the road was undulating & seemingly unending forest all around. Passed through Monson, a place I'd original planned to camp. It had a topless bar & across the road from it a house of Redemption which I thought was funny. Stopped around 1pm for food a to put cream on the swelling which was getting bigger.
On the outskirts of Springfield I passed a bike Shop which was open & went in to buy a multitool to replace the one I'd left behind in Boston. Couldn't wait to get to Springfield to get a shot of a welcom Sign but there was none. In fact it was an anticlimax & the road through it was terrible, potholes a cut up. The footpaths little better, It really slowed me down. At a red light on the outskirts to lads in a car jokingly asked me if I was going to California. You should have seen there faces when I said yes! Fair play to them, when the light went green they gave me the thumbs up & wished me best of Luck.... Buddy!!
On the far side of Springfield I crossed my first major river (the name escapes me now... I'm so tired I keep forgetting so much) from there it was 7 miles to Westfield. I decided straight away to go for a Motel & bargained the owner down from $60 to $45. Got there about 5pm. After a shower I went to a supermarket & splurged on food, ridiculously. I would pay for this on the road the next day. (To be honest by now its all about calories. How much does a breadroll have, a chocolate bar, a banana, a drink... Everything is checked for maximum calorie intake. Pasta, lentils, peanut butter, bagels, Humous. What drinks are best for rehydration.... After only a few days these are the major concerns.... along with the weight of my panniers which is far too much & will have to be adressed soon.)
Had a great evening feed & went to sleep happy enough.

Day 6: Sturbridge (May 31st)


Woke up early but decided against being on the road if the forecasted heavy thunderstorms hit. Anyway my thighs were so sore it was so easy to take the easy option of a financial splurge on a 2nd night in Sturbridge. Went down to take a look at Old sturbridge, an open air museum/folk Park like in Omagh. On the way down I got bitten by an insect. It has original buildings from around New England rebuilt in the Park & people in costume working there ie Blacksmiths, tinsmiths farmers etc. A massive shower hit while I was down there around 1.30-2pm. After I headed back to the room about 3.30pm I slept for a couple of hours. Was about to go out around 7pm but the thunderstorm hit bigtime & I didn't move for the night.

Day 5: Sutton - Sturbridge (May 30th)


Was so Tired when I woke up. Went down for breakfast & slowly eat as much as I could. Saw on TV that a crane had collapsed in NY killing people. Also saw severe weather warning for Saturday. Decided to reduce the mileage for the day & head for Sturbridge.
Hit the road about 11am. It was hot but I was cycling through forest which gave shade & just a light breeze. Couldn't get over how much forest there was. Outside a nice wee town called Oxford I stopped for a bite to eat & was joined by two cyclists, Mike & Elizabeth & they told me I was on the right road for where I wanted to go. Took off again and about 5miles down the road after a great downhill stretch I joined Route 20 W, a fairly busy road which would take me the 15 miles to Sturbridge. The road was undulating with ok climbs & long sweeping downhills. The bike still felt so heavy. Got to Sturbridge around 4pm after taking a 4 mile detour which according to my map would take to the village ended up back on route 20 & went into a tourist office. The two ladies there was great. Found out about a cheap campsite which was 5 miles back the road I'd come but I just didn't have the energy to back track. I went back in & asked about the cheapest motel option around & she gave me a discount voucher for one nearby. $42 which was ok considering. Turned out it was gorgeous old inn from 18th century so I was delighted. Got in, Got food in a supermarket nearby, went back to the room & watched Boston Celtics qualify for NBA finals. Slept with an eye on the weather.

Day 4: On the Road Jack (May 29th)

Was up at 5am in order to avoid rush hour but after a pistacchio muffin didn't hit the road until 6.15am. Fully loaded I felt like a baby donkey trying to walk for the first time!! It took an age to get through Boston & when rush hour began around 7am I crawled. Didn't get to Wellsley, my jump off point for route 131 West until around 10.30am. Couldn't belive it took so long. Wellsely was a gorgeous suburb & my last sight of Boston. Rte 131 would take me west most of the way to Sutton where I'd stay that night. Everything was ok until about Upton but then my map wasn't detailed enough for all the minor roads & I started to go wrong. Felt like I was in 'Deliverance' country Forested with marsh here & there. If I'd seen a kid with a banjo I was running home!! Finally I was put right but by 3pm I was still a good distance from Sutton & energy ws running low. Asked a guy how far & he sai about 8 miles. The campsite a further 5 miles so that was out but he said there was B7B's in Sutton. When I got to Sutton I cycled straight through it, it was so small, had to be put right by a lady who saw my puzlled looks. Back in Sutton a local lady told there werew no B&B's & my heart sank as I was exhausted. Found out in a local store there was a nearby motel & went there for the night. I was wrecked & felt there was no way I'd make it to California. I did 12hrs for 60 miles & a total gain of only 45 miles. My legs were like jelly.

Day 3: Downtown Boston (May 28th)



Got up early & headed in for a look around town. Got train into the Haymarket area which brought me straight into the middle of the commercial district. the high rise centre was impressive maybe because I wasn't expecting it. Went over to the waterfront for a last look at the Atlantic for a while. Saw some solo cross atlantic yachts & chatted with an auld fella for a few minutes about the journey. he told me to watch out for wild fires in mid-west & gave me an internet site to monitor. He also told me I'd be heading into head winds all the way across & wished me best of luck.
Strolled through town & across Boston common, a nice public park (where a lad got shot by police 2 days later!!) and over to Boylston Ave where I bought my stove. After a bite to eat and a another look through the centre inthe Haymarket area, headed back out to the hostel to assemble the bike & get ready for the morning. I got a massive plate of pasta for dinner in a local bar watched a bit of LA Lakers, headed back to bed & asleep by 10pm.