On Day 3 (Saturday), we had our longest day yet at 76 miles (unless you got lost, so give or take 10 miles). It was a pretty hot day, too. We started out early from Newcastle where we stayed in a church. The first of three stops was in a cute town called Bath. There was a local farmers market where we taste tested some great local goat cheeses, and had coffee and danishes. Everyone asked if there was a bike race, so we had plenty of opportunities to talk about Bike the US for MS and even collected some great donations!
It's been pretty rough riding so far through Maine. Most of the main Maine roads are pocked and cracked, probably from the harsh winters. Many of the side roads are nice and quiet, and some even freshly paved, which is always a treat! There wasn't much shade and the day was full of rolling hills. Our 2nd stop was at the top of a hill after following a river for a few miles that I just wanted to swim in. The last destination was a town called Naples, which had a town a few miles before our camp site. Stefanie (whom I rode with last year on the TransAm) and I stopped to have a burger at a local place. By the time we finished, it was getting to be dark. My rear tail light had bounced off and got crushed by a truck on the first day of riding when we crossed over a bridge on a steep down hill that had a big bump. Stefanie lent my one of her lights, but then we spent 30 minutes searching Rite Aid and the small local grocery story for cable ties to attach it to my bike, but nobody had any! Usually I bring them, but I had forgotten them this trip. Finally, she was able to tear it off and reuse the one she already had on her bike and we headed down the road. It ended up being nearly 5 miles, which took about 30 min riding in the dark. We got into the campground well after dark and set up our tents, then showered and headed to bed. It took me forever to fall asleep because I was so wound up from riding up until bedtime.
Day 4: It was a humid night with a little rain in the morning. I was so efficient getting ready that I was ready to leave camp nearly 30 minutes early, until I discovered a flat on my rear tire, which is always way more of a pain to change. Then it started to rain... a cold rain. Another rider named Ryan and the mechanic Lucas helped me get my chain and rear derailleur set correctly. Stefanie and I finally left, this time way later than we had hoped. By now, we were hungry for 2nd breakfast, so we swung into a Subway in the next town of Bridgton. By now, it was a steady, cold rain. I had my rain jacket on, but just my shorts and compression calf sleeves. We rode to the first rest stop in a full on cold downpour. Notice all the emphasis on cold! The temperature had dropped significantly since yesterday, and we were headed upwards in elevation into the White Mountain Forest. I put on my rain pants and better gloves, but the chill had already set in. I powered it through the next 20 miles to the next rest stop in Conway, New Hampshire. I wanted to stop and take a picture at the state line, but I honestly just didn't want to stop at all. I got to Conway by 1pm and the route leaders advised everyone to stay in town for a bit to get warm and wait for a break in the rain. By this time, the cold was making my knee ache really badly, so I ended up riding in the van to the campsite. I feel like a total loser for not riding the last 10 miles of the day and also missing the first few miles up Mt. Kancamagus, but I want to be able to ride the next 2 days and just felt like my knee needed a break.
At the remote campsite in the White Mountain National Forest, we worked together to put up tents in the rain, then cooked under a pop up tent we had. It's fun to see everyone's different cooking gear. We had a team meeting (in the cold rain because there's no where you can fit 25 people together here) and then most folks went to bed before dark.
Tomorrow will be both a long day (80 miles) with 2 climbs and more cold rain (45F). This is so far, far out of my comfort zone, but I love everyone on this trip and they're awesome attitudes make it still such a great time.
Time for bed!
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