Day 5: Sleeping with the Dead

Starting Point: Newburgh, New York

Ending Point: Goshen, New York

Distance Traveled: 30 miles

A Super 8 motel has never felt so luxurious. After a half a day’s sleep, Chet and I woke up at the crack of 10 to begin the day; but not the bike ride.

The night before, Chet and I discussed our willingness to take out time with the rest of our journey. Days before, we caught ourselves stressing about the miles traveled, and reaching Keuka Lake on June 3^rd. But we went back to the roots of our bike trip; to be on our own, to live life stress-free, and to appreciate the little things. If we can’t make it to Keuka on the third by bike, we can by other modes of transportation.

Today we found ourselves in a true state of stress, and mental toughness. The late start to our day’s bike ride was delayed further when I heard a leak in my tire tube. A quick tube change and we were on the road for about an hour before Chet felt a stutter in his pedal. When he checked his bike he found that his chain was on the verge of broken.

Our day’s ride was in danger of being extinct, until three men, across the street from where Chet’s bike broke down, offered a ride to the nearest bike shop – a five mile back-track from where we were.

The man who drove us had a deep, New York accent, and was big and bald. At first glance, he was a bit intimidating. But as we hopped in his pick-up truck, he greeted us with a firm handshake and a light-hearted joke. The man decorated his dashboard with a statue of Mother Mary, which put me in a comfortable state of safety. Questions were exchanged, and so were many answers that truly defined who this man was. He had retired a few years back, and was living on the last bit of his retirement fund. He continued to do “small projects” with lawn and construction businesses since retiring to survive. His open personality furthered the conversation to his divorce. “I’m sorry to hear that,” I replied, in an attempt to disrupt a long silence. “Haha, nahh, I’m happy,” he quickly responded. Now I can get all the toys that I want.” By “toys” he meant a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Lesson Learned: Life has some difficult moments. To survive, I can’t drown in my own tears. There is something great that can come from every bad experience.

So, the man gave us a lift to the bike shop. We unloaded the bikes from the truck that followed the one we rode in, and escorted the bikes to inside the shop. My chain was on its last miles, so Chet and I both bought new chains. The two men who worked the shop were very helpful. They charged us for the chain, but dropped the maintenance fees.

With new chains, Chet and I were finally underway at 2:30. In just over three hours, we biked over 20 miles to Goshen. It was there were we made the strategic plan to catch an early bus to Binghamton in the morning.

I think this was the smart, realistic decision that will give us a chance to make it to Keuka Lake by the third. Keuka is roughly 250 miles from Goshen – 150 miles of which are hills. For the sake of time and money, we will take a bus to Binghamton.

The post-bike ride on day five couldn’t have been more perfect. I had looked at a map at the motel on day four and realized the short distance from Goshen to Chestnut Ridge, New York, where Adrienne lives. There is nothing that makes me happier than when I see Adrienne. Adrienne is one of those people who I feel completely comfortable being my crazy self around. We make each other happy.

Adrienne made the trip to Goshen and joined us for beers at a local Goshen bar, and was convinced to stay the night with us; in our tent, under the stars and on top of Belderly. Belderly is the name of a man who died in the early 20^th century. We set up tent on the top of his dead body at Slate Hill Cemetery. Throughout the windy night, I anticipated Belderly’s fleshless hand breaking through soil and reaching at the three of our feet. Thankfully, Belderly didn’t mind. I think he enjoyed our company as Chet and I enjoyed Adrienne’s company on day five.

Day 4: Goodbye See-Tee, Hello En-Why

Starting Point: New Milford, Connecticut

Ending Point: Newburgh, New York

Distance Traveled: 65 miles

The Great state of New York welcomed two cowboys with flat roads and blue skies – just what the doctor ordered for day four.

Chet and I were very unoptimistic before the ride this morning. Both of us made the assumption that the roads ahead were uphill. But the two of us were wrong, again. About 10 miles of empty, Connecticut roads took us to a downhill. At the bottom was a sign that read “Welcome to the Empire State.”

Passing state lines is such an accomplished feeling. Each of the fifty-nifty, beautiful united States are so large and unique – even Connecticut. Entering into New York meant that Chet and I could throw out one dirty, damp map and take out a fresh one. New York is the last state we travel before our first destination – the beautiful Keuka Lake.

After New York greeted us, we biked 10 miles before our first uphill of the day. The slant was long and gradual, but we conquered, thanks to a filling breakfast at American Pie, a restaurant recommended by a local. Also, Chet and I enjoyed a good eight-hour, good night sleep, lakeside on Candlewood Shores.

Chet and I enjoyed a New York-style lunch at a pizzeria, which energized us for the ride on route 55, through the valley of New York state mountains. At the pizzeria, I discussed the comparison of New York state pizza to Chicago, and authentic Italian pizza with the restaurant manager. He argued that New York-style pizza is the best pizza in the world – better than Italy’s. I disagree.

Everything seemed to go right on day four. We ran into zero bike problems, and biked many site-seeing miles. Our goal was to pass the Hudson River, in Beacon, New York, which we did in the early evening. Crossing the Newburgh Beacon Bridge over the Hudson, to route 17, the route that will take us to Keuka, rewarded us with our most accomplished feeling yet. Plus, the view from the bridge was breathe-taking. We saw steeple tops that outgrew the mountain’s trees, hundreds of houses on hills that all shared similar spectacular views of the river below us. Sailboats and big boats, speed boats and small boats crowded the distant water.

Lesson Learned: Take time to appreciate every beautiful image that surrounds us. We aren’t trying to beat any times; we are on the pursuit to pause time.

With the day’s hard work, Chet and I treated ourselves to a Denny’s dinner and a night stay at a Super 8 motel in Newburgh, New York. The thought behind our decision to stay at a motel was to reward ourselves, and to also protect ourselves. People don’t scare me as much as the powers of Mother Nature or the hunger of a wild beast, but the city of Newburgh is the city with the highest crime rate in the state. Chet and I wanted to play it safe.

The night’s stay at the motel provided us with a nice, warm shower and two large, soft beds. I’ve never appreciated either so much.

Day 3: I Can't Get Up

Starting Point: Middletown, Connecticut

Starting Biking Point: Southbury, Connecticut

Ending Point: New Milford, Connecticut

Distance Traveled: 25 miles

This morning I woke up to Chet’s alarm clock and the pounding hangover headache.

Lesson Learned: Don’t heavily drink the night before a ride.

Thankfully, Stephanie was generous enough to cook us some eggo waffles, which along with ice-cold bottle water, momentarily stopped the pounding in my head.

Chet too was hung over, so, we were happy when Stephanie offered us a ride to Southburg, Connecticut. After Stephanie dropped us off, Chet and I regrouped for an hour with some Dunkin Donuts egg wraps and orange juice in an attempt to cure the hangover. The hangover weakened our legs and slowed our minds. Ten miles into our ride and we missed a turn for 167 North. Chet and I looked at the map and decided against backtracking, and instead, taking a back road that was not highlighted on the map. We thought that this back road would be a “shortcut” that would take us back to 167 North in a half an hour.

Two hours, 20 steep hills and a gallon of sweat later, us cowboys finally reached 167, feeling stupid, and worn down. Our legs were unwilling to move and our minds were unable to motivate the body.

Lesson Learned: Don’t take roads that aren’t highlighted on our maps. The highlighted routes are recommended for bikers. The routes that aren’t highlighted can be in unforgivably hilly or dangerously busy.

The “shortcut” wasn’t all bad news. When I wasn’t huffin’ and puffin’ I was admiring the beautiful views of endless fields and infinite farms that homed horses, cows, lamas and chickens. The farm land hugged the open road.

Another positive of the seemingly endless “shortcut” was the steep downhill that followed the 20 up-hills. It was on this hill that Chet and I reached our top speed of 38 miles per hour. Biking at 38 miles per hour is an exhilarating feeling. I kept my eyes finely focused on the road ahead of me as my peripherals caught the trees whizzing by. I knew that with one bump or swerve I could be horribly injured, or possibly dead. But we survived. Chet and I took a long nap under a beautiful tree after a lunch at a market. With long arms, the tree took the shape of an umbrella, which was useful to the two of us when rain fell from the sky.

Chet and I woke up from the two-hour nap at 3:30, and went on to bike 15 more miles to an elementary school in New Milford, Connecticut close to the tip of Candlewood Shores. As we searched for soft ground to sleep on in the backyard of the school, a kind man suggested we sleep in the park by the beach of the lake. Chet and I found his suggestion very useful. We took a refreshing dip in the lake and then set up the tent lake-side.

Chet and I were a bit bummed about the lack of miles traveled on day three, but we went to sleep optimistic about day four.

Day 2: Maturity in the Mountains

Starting Point: Greenville, Connecticut

Ending Point: Middletown, Connecticut

Distance Traveled: 55 miles

Day two was a day in which this young biker matured. After a long and problematic day one, which ended in a short night sleep, Chet and I woke up at 6:00 a.m. to get an early start on day two.

The day before, some locals told us of a bike shop in Norwich, so Chet and I hunted down the shop only to find that it was closed. Stupid us!

Lesson Learned: Most bike shops are closed on Sundays. When we need supplies, we should plan ahead to find a bike shop on Friday or Saturday.

As much as I hate shopping at Walmart, Chet and I resorted to the superstore in hope to find spare tubes for Chet’s tires, and a pump. We went into Walmart with our fingers crossed, and left with a Schwinn Pump and two spare tubes.

Chet and I getting lucky at Walmart set the trend for the day. After day one, Chet and I thought we’d be sore and restless. Instead, we were energized, sore-less and most importantly, prepared. Being prepared saved time, and being both mentally and physically energized was what got us up a dozen hills on a 50-mile day.

One hill always followed the next, but Chet and I kept peddling. As I pushed up the hills my body flooded sweat into my clothes, but I kept a strong mentality. When we saw a distant hill on day one, we would yell profanity at the hill like it was our most hated enemy. On day two, we greeted each hill with the mindset of conquering it.

What also helped on day two was that we were biking to a destination. An old friend from Naperville, Illinois, Stephanie, invited us to stay at her and her boyfriend’s apartment in Middletown, Connecticut. After a long two days of biking, it felt great to be indoors, take a shower, and get resituated. It was also great to see Stephanie and meet Phil.

The best part about this trip is being able to see people I wouldn’t have otherwise seen. Meeting so many unique, kind and happy people is what really makes this adventure so great. Six years have gone by since I last saw Stephanie, and without this trip, it could have been a lifetime. It’s crazy how this world works. Stephanie was surfing Facebook, and saw my name under “reconnect with old friends.” At my page, Stephanie found that I was going to pass through Connecticut on a biking adventure. Stephanie and Phil invited us to stay with them for a night.

We arrived at their apartment, where we took a much-needed shower to wash away our sweaty stench. Stephanie then took us out to dinner at Eli Cannons, a dark bar/restaurant with a menu full of finger food and beer. I nearly swallowed a burger full. After Eli Cannons, Stephanie brought us to a five-star bed and breakfast where Phil works. The bed and breakfast has a restaurant and bar where Stephanie guaranteed us free drinks for the night. Chet and I felt like kings, ordering 12 dollar beers and top-shelf liquor. Phil also surprised us with chocolate-covered strawberries, and Jameson whiskey, then gave us a tour of the kitchen. Great people, delicious food and tasty drinks made for a hell of a night that was capped at 1:00 a.m., when Stephanie, Phil, Chet and I took a dip in their apartment pool.

Stephanie and Phil were so nice to have had us over and spoil us with drinks, food, and a place to sleep. Keeping in touch with Stephanie and Phil will give me a chance to repay them for their hospitality.

Lesson Learned: Make an effort to keep in touch with friends, and meet new ones. There are so many benefits that come from having good friends. A friend that I reconnect with can be one that I keep in touch with forever.

Day 1: A Hard Fought Fight

Starting Point: Point Judith, Rhode Island

Ending Point: Greenville, Connecticut

Total Miles Traveled: 45

My 6:00 a.m. alarm sounded and a sudden burst of energy streamed my veins. Chet’s alarm echoed mine, and as we greeted each other in the hallway, the smile muscles in my face took over from excitement. Finally, after a year of preparing, saving, and dreaming, our biking adventure began.

Chet’s mom graciously drove us to Point Judith, Rhode Island from Chet’s house in Providence. On the way we passed Women and Infants Hospital, coincidentally, the birthplace of both Chet and I.

We reached Point Judith at 8:00, and after a couple of technical difficulties pertaining to my Panniers and the rear rack, we departed at 9:00. Since my Raliegh bike is a road, racing bike, it isn’t built for luggage, and the rear rack is tilted backwards. This is a problem because my Panniers tilted the same way, and would curve inward towards the wheel, and would bump the spokes. This problem was momentarily solved with bungee chords and duct tape, but I see this being a problem that I will be dealing with for the duration of the trip.

My problems with the back half of my bike continued in the first hour of our trip. I wanted to pump up my tire to the recommended air pressure, but couldn’t. I made a terrible purchase the day before on a hand pump, which couldn’t fill a dodge ball with air, let alone a bike tire.

Lesson Learned: I should have tested out the hand pump before I bought it. I spent 30 damn dollars on this piece of trash. To save money on this trip, Chet and I need to test out the gear before a purchase.

Despite the high-level frustrations towards the many technical difficulties of the bike, I was happy with the way Chet and I problem-solved to fix the problems. We also relied on a bit of luck. A generous guy driving a Volkswagon stopped his car to help pump up my tire.

As one problem was fixed, another problem always seemed to surface on day one. After escaping Point Judith, Chet and I missed a turn that would keep us on route 138, into Connecticut. The road we stayed on took us five miles out of the way.

Lesson Learned: We should expect errors, and we should think positively when we submit to mistakes. Five miles out of the way is only a half an inch on a map. We shouldn’t panic.

Chet and I found a designated route that led us back to route 138. On the way, we grew nervous of potential problems; Chet with his lack of spare tubes for his tires, and me with not having enough air in my tires, and not having a proper pump for putting air in my tubes. Thankfully, we got lucky… again.

We were riding on a back road that took us back to route 138. The stresses distracted us of the beautiful view of the trees that tunneled the road. But we sparingly stopped to appreciate our surroundings. I also stopped to get some much-needed assistance. As we passed a house on a hill, I spotted a group of young guys playing driveway basketball. So, I yelled: “Yall know who’s winning the World Cup game?” At the time, U.S. was playing Ghana, and as we learned, the U.S. lost 2-1. Usually, I would soak in my own sorrow if I heard such news, but I had greater problems to attend to. It turned out that the guys were celebrating a graduation. A group of family and friends were grilling in the backyard, and eating in the garage. As I approached the guys, the house owner, the dad of the high school graduate, greeted us with a question: “Do you need some help?” The man was beyond helpful, and surprisingly nice. He provided as with ice-cold bottled water, air in our tires, and directions back to 138.

With their help, Chet and I got back to 138. We fought many more hills, but appreciated many more scenic views of farm land and forestry. To reward ourselves, we bought some of the most delicious ice cream that either of us of tasted from Buttonwoods Dairy Farm.

Two scoops of cookie dough ice cream fulfilled my appetite and gave me a boost up a few more hills, to a Baptist Church, where Chet and I set up our tent for the first time. Originally, we wanted to carry a store-bought tent with pulls and stakes, but Chet had the idea to ditch the tent for two tarps for the purpose of getting rid of weight to ride hills easier. At first, I disagreed with Chet’s decisions, but after climbing the many hills today, and then seeing how well we set up the two tarps, I was more than content with the two tarps. It’s amazing what two tarps, a ten-foot string and four bungee chords can do. With our self-made tent, Chet and I were sheltered from the rain, and were able to cook a filling chilly dinner. Mmmmm.

A short swig of whiskey warmed our bodies, and helped us fall asleep to the neglect of our 1,000 new critter friends who joined us for our first night’s sleep.