Biking

Of all my sabbatical goals, the one that is so far least successful is the bicycling.

It all started with access - or lack thereof.

In the 3 days in Rhode Island, I borrowed a bike for one ride - and that was probably less than 10 miles.

The 10 days or so in Portland, OR - purchased a bike and then returned it because brakes and gears did not work correctly. Rode only two days - again not more than 10 miles each.

Dubuque? For that 2 weeks, I rented a bike for 10 of those days. (That picture is from a park in the middle of the Mississippi River, with Wisconsin across the way.) That bike was a mountain bike with fat tires, so although we covered territory together, the average was probably around 8 to 10 miles an hour. Now, we did cover some territory - but who knew that Iowa had hills? Dubuque is built on the bluffs of the Mississippi - and those bluffs are steep!

I set out one Saturday to ride to a bike trail built on an old railway bed. It was a 12 mile ride to get there - and a 1 and a half mile down hill coast at the end. I knew I did not want to ride back UP that hill. So, I got on the trail, rode 8 miles or so on that - and came out on a 2 lane road. My map said it would connect back to the main road - and bypass that long slow hill.

So I set off. That road held FIVE huge steep hills. By this time I was so tired, I had forgotten to eat - and the country road was lined with poisen ivy so I was not about to stop anywhere along it. Finally, about halfway up the 4th hill, I spot a maple tree (shade!) on a lawn. I headed for it, dropped my bike and my body and pulled out my lunch.

The landowner was out on his riding lawn mower - and as soon as I sat down, he headed right for me. Inwardly I cringed, knowing that when he asked me to move off his land, I would simply burst into tears.

He pulls up, turns off the mower, looks at me and says "Would you like a bottle of ice water?" Another God-sent angel!

With lunch, water and the information that there was just one more hill, I set off refreshed and strengthened. Another dozen miles, and I was back in my dorm room!

Back in Vermont, it was so good to get back on my own bicyle! Had a great ride using the Burlington Bike path - a quick 26 miles. I also packed up the bike, along with my camping gear, and headed for the Maine coast. A couple of good rides, including one that incorporated a ferry ride to Peaks Island, lunch and a quick ride around the island.

The longest I've ridden so far is 38 miles. It was a delight with no sore muscles at the end. Yet the hardest rides I've had have been a 10 mile and a 15 mile. Go figure!

I have endurance - put me on a bike and I can pedal almost forever. What I lack is the strength to power my way up the hills. I'm looking for a route that is downhill all the way in both directions!