Last night’s thunderstorm left the roads wet and the air thick with humidity with no sign of breaking through the low ceiling.A couple miles through the village and what remained from yesterday’s construction and then out into the wilderness, no one around for twenty miles. The clouds still hung low on the mountains, thankfully obscuring most of the mountain tops (it’s there above the tree line).so we couldn’t see it before we had to climb it.  The first half of the ride is what we put off yesterday, so we could tackle with fresh legs.  It paid off, though it was tough, the scenery definitely kept our minds occupied. This sign got to be comical,like really, super tough climbs, but great long mile plus fly downs…..great reward.  At one point this morning, we reached the ridge top only to see our next climb; it was so long and straight up it was almost as if they have paved over the treetops.  Then one by one, homes and farms started to appear.  There was a lot of beautiful scenery, but we were either struggling to climb or flying down, we missed many a photo op.  With no wind, the lakes were like glass and the reflection of trees into the water was incredible.  Such a beautiful day, even the mile long stretch on a dirt road was enjoyable.  On a long climb we chatted with Dave, the conversation helping us up.  Then a fabulous three mile drop (this is the tail end of the drop). We were stooked and ready for more, but didn’t want to kill Travis, so called it a day after 47 miles.

The fog was as thick as pea soup this morning as we coasted the three mile downhill to the ferry.  All we saw of Fort Ticonderoga through the thick fog, was this sign on the way.Amazing how peaceful the morning is in the deep fog, as we waited for our ferry. Eerie feeling silently creeping across the Lake Champlain in thick fog. We rode ashore into Vermont past peach and apple orchards and beautiful churches. The fog hung low for about an hour,but the thick humidity stayed all day. This is the second day in the Champlain Valley and it is anything but flat as a valley should be, but it is beautiful. We rolled up and down the hills enjoying what we could see of the mountains in the distance. Halfway through our ride we peddaled through the charming college town of Middleburg. Against our better judgement but knowing we needed fuel, we stopped for lunch at a wonderful Inn, before we climbed the mountain ahead of us.  Right from the parking lot, we started our 11 mile climb into the Green Mountains. A symphony of water rushing down the mountain serenaded us as we climbed,each small bridge lined with flowers. As we inched up, the river got smaller and the rushing of water was replaced by the pitter/patter of rain drops. We were glad to have the cooling sprinkle as we were drenched with humidity, and this was much more refreshing.  We had a few patches of 12 to 14% grades, but mostly just climbing with a few very short down hills to break it up. It took us just over an hour and a half to complete the 1500 foot climb before our bumpy, rough road, almost sunny but definitely beautiful ten mile downhill; a great way to finish the ride.  There was a huge welcoming committee in the park across from our bed & breakfast, where we enjoyed food and music until turning inat nightfall.

No fog, but the clouds were still snuggling with the mountain when we pushed off just after 8:30 this morning. Not sure how we were going to climb any mountain after being wonderfully stuffed with a huge bowl of fresh fruit, french toast, bacon and sausage, etc, etc., but had to go. Though today was the same 60° as yesterday, it felt much cooler; the fog replaced with overcast skies.  Our first 30 miles were a stupendous up and down roll of incredibly picturesque countryside along the White River. We are sure there is much we missed without the sun’s illumination, but the mid-sixties temperature was perfect for bikingand we saw plenty, centuries old graveyardseven a brick church. There is just something about the churches in Vermont, that we couldn’t get enough of ……. much like the barns in some state long ago.  Once again, just before lunch we reached the foot of our serious climbing.  We opted for a quick stop at a country store where we had a light lunch with the ants and this creature. There really is no good recipe for climbing mountains, especially when they start with a (thankfully, short) 14% climb.  Once again the river was beside us, this time carrying us all the way to the top.  Apparently, it can get quite large and powerful as we went through a very rough patch where the road had been washed out. This 1000 foot climb was only the beginning of  more sharp rises and falls for the rest of the afternoon. As exhausting as the climbing was, it was so gorgeous, and the drops from these climbs are very rewarding.  We called it a day at 54 miles.

It took us less than two miles and one more Vermont church to cross the river into New Hampshire, without having bought a Subaru!  Though just the Connecticut River divides the two states, the homes and churches seemed different.  The morning started off overcast, but that did not stop these flowers from glowing. For our first 18 miles, we rolled up and down the ridge above the Connecticut River, occasionally catching a glimpse. We enjoyed the beautiful river valley below and the small towns,farms and the historic Haverhill Corner along our route.Our turn, marked by this Veterans Memorial, was the start of our serious climbs.The Moosilauke Mountain stands just short of 5000 feet, but we only had to climb about 1500 feet and that was broken up by a short downhill.  The sun started to burn through the clouds about the time we headed into the woods and it’s protective shadeand beautiful fields with more stone wallsand again a river.We didn’t last long in the shade, so crept slowly up the mountain in the hot sun.Fortunately our rest stops were picturesquewith our mountain looming beside us. Our pass through the mountain was topped with the beautiful Beaver Brook Lake. We stopped for a break and a chat with a local fisherman, very proud of his lake trout.A stellar fly down from the mountain and into town, where they are preparing for a Ducky Regatta.As much as we would like to participate, we will hopefully be in Bath, Maine by then.  A short 40 mile day, once again due to motel availability on this busy weekend. Which did not stop us from a wonderful pasta dinner and a double dip of homemade ice cream  Properly stuffed and hydrated, we will rest for the long climb we have first thing in the morning.

It rained just before we headed out this morning leaving heavy clouds behind.Sixty two degrees, 99% humidity and a good chance of rain; any way you measure it, we are going to be dripping by the end of this ride.

We had a mile ride out of town, through the next one and then began our climb. This area is apparently a tourist hotbed, filled with lots of recreation,high end lodges and resorts. Our climb was slow, steady and beautiful; steam from the rain/humidity/sun trifecta was still thick an hour and a half into our ride.  Early in the morning, however, we were able to take advantage of the shade from the low sun and tall mountains.  Stopped at the overlooks, showcasing the 4000 to 5000 foot mountains that surrounded us. Once again, we enjoyed the streams rushing down the mountain.

With our slow and steady pace, it was a pretty easy ride up the 2000 feet;two and a half hours to ride the fourteen and a half miles.  We were stoked, but with this kind of vista, how can you not be! The 2855 foot pass was certainly not our highest or toughest, but it was still fun.  And that’s not counting the glorious fly down; we covered five miles in 10 minutes; then pedaled hard the next 18, completing it in an hour, twenty; just plain exhilarating.  We arrived at the bottom about the time everyone else in New Hampshire, but with a wide shoulder, we quickly moved past the long line of cars and into a cafe for lunch.

We got 50 miles out of our 43 mile ride….miscalculated the closest available grocery store, so a bit of backtracking.  Is it a coincidence that the only hotel within 100 miles was a short ride on the opening day of football season?  Or a coincidence that the TV in the motel was a 43 inch flat screen?  Or that there was no restaurant close enough to bike, so we had to sit it front of the T.V. with a bowl full of homemade pasta…..I think not!  But, it was a good afternoon, to watch football and rest for tomorrow’s ride.

For days we have talked about making a hotel reservation for Sunday night, but never actually got around to doing so.  We knew, that when the time came, we would want to ride the 90 miles to the finish.  Wanting to and doing so are two entirely different things.

We started off in a foggy, thick humidity morning, quickly crossing the border to Maineand more beautiful New England homesand scenery;everyone decorated for the Labor Day holiday.The fog obscured the mountains, but that did not erase the hills in front of us. We pumped hard up and down the continuous hills singing and laughing along the way, thoroughly enjoying the ride,small towns and scenery. It was a great morning with lots to see along the way.

At mile 30 our enthusiasm was replaced with survival.  The sun had burned off the fog and had really heated the morning, plus the hills had gotten a bit taller, a few with some 14%+ grades.  Our legs were screaming, we were out of liquid, energy and a lot of our spirit.  Our course director had found a shortcut, but off the course, we didn’t know where we could stop for replenishments, thankfully a little deli appeared at the crossroads.  Food and drink are just what we needed.  But the day was hot and our legs tired, we began to doubt our end game…..that was until we got back on our bikes and started pedaling again. The hills continued,road conditions going from perfect to abhor-able and back again;enjoying shade when it offered itself,then clouds offered shade.  Thirty miles left to go and enthusiasm started to creep back in; we figured if it took all day, so be it…….we rode on enjoying our last miles.Our pace quickened when we say this sign then some crazy long haired man stopped us to make sure we were still alive.  Dave grabbed our heavy bags, defined our directions for the last 10 miles and off we went.

It was a great finish, an incredible Champagne welcome and a wonderful, albeit exhausting 81 mile ride.  Topped off by a wonderful bite to eatand seconds.Tired and stuffed, we will attempt a conclusion post in the next day or two.

Boonville, New York to Bath, Maine409 Miles