Today's Stats:
Point of Origin: Sturbridge, MA
Destination: Windsor Locks, CT
Trip Distance: 45.25
Time: 3 hours, 47 minutes
Average Speed: 12.5 mph (top speed: 38 mph [wow!])
Did I mention that I forgot to look at a topographical map when planning my route through western Mass and eastern Connecticut? Maybe I just should have used the context clues. If a street name in western Mass contains the word "hill" in it, chances are that it's going to be a hill. About three miles into my ride, just after passing Sturbridge Village, I began a nearly vertical assent into Connecticut, where I was averaging about 6 mph as I climbed hill after hill. I'm not sure if karma holds true for geography, but in most instances, you get lucky with an uphill being followed by a downhill [I personally like the uphills in karma]. I lost faith in this principle between Sturbridge and Stafford, CT. This region is so godforsaken (and by godforsaken, I really mean breathtakingly beautiful) that I had no idea that I had actually arrived in Connecticut; fortunately, my uncanny sense of direction saved me again.
Afterwards, it was smooooooth sailing, except when I was pulled over by a policeman [!!!!] while following a route that the state of Connecticut had sent to me. I was just minutes away from the fabled canal trail which would lead me directly into Windsor Locks on an automobile-free route, when I heard the unmistakable horn of a patrol car ring in my ears.
Like all good law-abiding citizens, I tried to pretend it wasn't me, but then I finally rolled down my imaginary window and asked the officer if I had been speeding. He pointed to a sign that said, "State Highway: Rollerblades, Scooters, Skateboards, and Especially Bicycles PROHIBITED." [He's being serious]. Fortunately, he pointed me to a route that led to Windsor Locks that was only an additional 3-4 miles.
But these were just logistical details. Really, biking into Connecticut featured some of the most scenic roads I have ever been on--almost no traffic to speak of on quiet, single-lane country roads where sunlight flickered through the autumn foliage. Have I used the simile "like hiking through the woods" yet?
I rode through many small towns in Connecticut that looked like they hadn't changed in 30 years; I didn't know that places like that existed any more. There are numerous congregationalist churches and also graveyards. In fact, I think Connecticut has some of the nicest graveyards I have ever seen. I used to be opposed to graveyards because of my belief that dead people should not be able to own property, but I think I am coming around--after all, they make better neighbors than your average city apartment dwellers [we are sooo not living next to a graveyard]. I think that when I die, I'd like to move to Connecticut [I'm making sure he's buried vertically to save some room for me].
After 2 hard days of work, my bike deserved a good cleaning. After all, a clean bike is a happy bike. Come to think of it, I could probably use a cleaning myself...
Today's Thanks:
I am particularly grateful for Majay (sp?) at the Day's Inn, Sturbridge. His hospitality and generosity were incredible. He provided me with many useful traveling tips, and his young son even sent me off with a juice pack for the road when he heard I was heading down to Philly [sooo cute!]. And I can't believe I forgot to thank John Ellis and the staff at Belmont Wheelworks! John spent over an hour with me making sure that my bike was perfectly set-up for the trip, and the mechanics made sure that everything was lubed and bolted down properly. They turned my my Big Wheel into a Cadillac [pink Cadillac, cruising down the street...].
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