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.
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