Cross Country Bike Blog

Saturday July 31, 2010, 68 miles (109 km) – Total so far: 4,096 miles (6,592 km)

What a day!  Of course the main event was getting to Bar Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean but the day was chock full of other  great sights and wonderful memories.

The first WOW of the day was Fort Knox and the bridge over the Penobscot Narrows.  As we rode around a bend in the road there it was!   A stunning bridge with dramatic geometric designs.  As an added benefit was a freighter being towed upstream that we were able  to watch from the top of the bridge.

We got a birds eye view of Bar Harbor about 3 miles from town. It is a vast and dramatic harbor.  From that lookout we turned inland and entered Arcadia National Park.  We rode the last two miles of trip through the park.

Finally we arrived in Bar Harbor!  The most important task was to get to the beach and dip the front wheel of our bikes in the ocean thus ending our coast to coast odyssey.  We had to coordinate 27 people to get the pictures taken. We created quite a stir on the beach.  For about 30 minutes we were the main tourist attraction in town.  Everyone was cheering for us.    That evening the entire group went out for a lovely celebratory dinner complete with a champagne  toast.

Bridge over Penobscot Narrows

Freighter being tugged up the river

The Group Photo at the Atlantic

The perfect ending!

July 31 Belfast to Bar Harbor,ME  65 miles…..more later ,too busy celebrating

July 30 Wilton to Belfast,ME  (81 miles)  Day 56

Another day of gorgeous weather!  Aside from some drizzle in Quebec we have not had rain since Wisconsin.  Our route took us through small towns of central Maine.  Very hilly!  Up and down–up and down.  Should have kept track of how many times we switched gears.

At about mile 78 we rode around a bend and below us was Belfast Harbor!  Our first glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean.  It was breathtaking!  As we rode into town we could smell the fishing boats and the sea.  We still have 65 miles to ride before we are on the easternmost part of Maine so, the trip is not yet over.  That’s tomorrow.

Kayaks on the Kennebec River - Sylvie

Belfast Bike Bridge

Roger & Mary Beata on the bicycle bridge

Dinner at the Lobster Pound

July 29 Dixville Notch,NH to Wilton, ME  70 miles Day 56

Today we crossed into Maine.  First we had to climb the rest of the Dixville Notch.  Rough roads and long steep hills were the flavor of the day.  ”Watch for Moose” is a very popular sign along the highway.

Mid morning we intersected the Appalachian Trail.  We met six hikers who were hiking the entire trail south to north.  Wonderful stories were exchanged describing south to north versus west to east.  Wouldn’t  be surprised if an Appalachian hike is in our future.

Roger near the summit of Dixville Notch

Maine has several towns named after countries such as Mexico, China and Peru.  We came upon a sign welcoming us to Mexico!  We thought perhaps we’d made a wrong turn!

Welcone to Maine

Love seeing these "downhill" signs

July 27 Newport  to Dixville Notch,NH  65 miles – Day 54

Dixville Notch is traditionally  known for casting the first votes for any national election. It amounts to about 5 citizens casting their votes shortly after midnight and promptly submitting the results.  For us it was our destination.

We bagged another state today.  After mile 45 we were in New Hampshire “Live Free or Die”.  There was not a serious climb but the ride was a series of undulating hills.  The steepest grade was 12% going up.  The downhills were a treat.  Highest speed clocked was 42 mph.

Dixville Notch is on the top of a hill.  At the end of the day this hill was a big challenge.  The payoff was getting to The Balsams where we stayed for one night.  It is a huge old hotel on 600 acres of protected land.   It is 150 years old steeped in rich tradition.  One of the traditions is that men wear a sport coat and tie to dinner.  Women should dress in a similar formal fashion.  We were granted a special dispensation and allowed to dine in casual clothing however we were sequestered from the rest of the guests.

Morning sun on Lake Memphremagog in Newport

Entering New Hampshire by crossing the Connecticut River

Roger climbs into Dixville Notch - gasp gasp

Beata & Roger cycling together - a rare occurance

Vermont farm with mountains

Tuesday July 27, 2010, 64 miles (103 km) –  Day 53 Total so far: 3,799 miles (6,114 km)

Vertical feet: 3,600 – Total so far: 100,200

Our of two  full days in Vermont was spectacular.  It was hot and sunny – a rare day in VT.  The route was only 64 miles so we decided approach the day with a leisurely attitude.  We stopped for coffee and a glimpse at a newspaper.  Over the past 7 weeks we seldom have had a chance to pore over a paper.  Today we took the time.

Today’s highlight was climbing Jay Peak (3766 ft).  It dominates the landscape for miles so to get to  the other side is quite satisfying.  This peak along with other rolling hills made for  good day of riding.

When we rode into Newport we ca me upon a most beautiful Lake Memphremagog. It shares a border with Quebec.  As one enters the city the landscape is dominated by a church on as hill

Coffee and newspaper stop

Church in the Newport skyline

July 26 Montreal to St. Albans,VT (95 miles actual miles – route described 70) Day 52

When we were in Montana we could go days with barely seeing a town.  Today we had a significant milestone about every 15 miles.  We crossed from Canada to the USA via New York and crossed into Vermont.  Seemed we were forever taking pictures of us in front of border signs.

By leaving Montreal we left the St. Lawrence Seaway but it wasn’t long before we came upon Lake Champlain.  Another huge body of water.  A strong westerly wind made for big white caps.  As we rode east we could see the Adirondacks far off to our right; to the northeast we could see the Laurentian Mts.  All in all a magnificent day.

Heading south out of Montreal - early morning

Back in the US - we in in NY for 4 miles

Roger, Phyllis and Vicky entering VT

July 24 Cornwall – Montreal (73 miles… make that 85 miles) Day 50

On a 57 day journey one should expect to get lost occasionally.  We decided to consolidate all of our lost experiences into one day!  It was one screw up after another.  Details are beyond the scope of this blog.

Despite our not knowing where we were most of the day it was a most pleasant ride.  Must say, this trip has it all.  As we were leaving Cornwall we passed the ice arena.  The zamboni had just dumped a heap of snow into the parking lot.  What better opportunity to build a snowman!  Since we had no place to go in a hurry, we took the time.  (see below)

About 26 miles into our day’s journey we entered Quebec.  We immediately were treated to some of the best bicycle paths we’ve ridden on the trip.  Bicycling is a common lifestyle in Quebec.  Now, not only were all the signs in km but now they were all in French!  Way too much thinking required to navigate.

The river, as we neared Montreal, began to widen.  We saw bigger sail boats and some freighters.

Roger builds a snowman.. in July

Welcome to Quebec - Route Verte

Freighter in the distance in the morning fog

When all else fails - take the stairs. Don't know where this picture was taken because we didn't know where we were!

July 23 Gananoque – Cornwall (91 miles) Day 49.

As we near the end of our odyssey there are many “lasts”.  For instance, today was the last day we will have mileage greater than 90 miles.  Officially, there have been 12 out of 57 days (21%) in excess of 90 miles.  This trip ain’t for sissies!

It was a humid, drizzly, overcast day.  One of those days where if you put on a rain slicker you were wet with sweat if you didn’t,  you were wet from drizzle.  Aren’t vacations grand!

If one has to pedal 91 miles it helps being along the St. Lawrence River.  We could see the shore of New York the entire day.  The Thousand Islands were spectacular.  It was amazing to see the massive houses built on these tiny islands.  Helps that the level of the river is regulated.  There were two opportunities to cross back into the U.S. but we passed them by.  We will cross the border on Monday.

"Sweet Pad on the St. Lawrence" by Dirck

Passage to the U.S. - not today

Our route along the St. Lawrence; Mariatown - Dirck

Fun leisurely day.  First thing after leaving Picton was to take the Glenora ferry to to Greater Napanee.  Ferry hopping is a way of life in these parts.   We continued to follow the Waterfront Trail.  The views of the lake were spectacular.  Again we traveled through orchards and vineyards.

At Collins Bay we left Lake Ontario and began riding the shore of the St.Lawrence River (aka Seaway).  Our destination for the day was Gananoque which is right on the river.  We overlooked Thousand Islands.  Since we left the Pacific seven weeks ago we continue to marvel at the importance water has played in defining the country/continent.  The Pacific, Puget Sound, Pend O’Reille, Columbia, Yellowstone, Missouri, Mille Lacs, Mississippi, St. Croix, Michigan, Huron, Ontario and now the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Roger on the Glenora Ferry

Wind farm on eastern shore of Ontario

Roger and our new friend Larry

First day on the St. Lawrence River