Shifting Gears

Season 2 Episode 11 (9/20-9/21): On the Right Path!  Larchmont, NY to Princeton, NJ –  74 miles. 2,014’ climbing.  We planned to leave Larchmont at 7 a.m. but as I feared and suspected would happen, we struggled to leave the comfort of our own bed and home. It felt like a second start to the trip and we left after 8 a.m. in our new shirts.  Let’s go Team Reeve. After barely a minute of riding, and one left turn and one right turn, we were on Boston Post Rd. aka US Route 1. Incredible to think we could follow this single road all the way from our house to Florida. But after some time on it, and cycling with fear through the morning traffic in the Bronx, where there was no yielding to us, we knew better than to try that idea.  90 minutes later, we had crossed the East River. I was super impressed with Heather’s urban riding as she doesn’t enjoy weaving among cars as I do. I did hear her shouting WHOA! WHOA! to a few drivers. I was even more impressed with her photo taking skills from a m

Season 2 Episode 10 (9/19): What Bridge? Litchfield, CT to Larchmont, NY –  84 miles. 4,020’ climbing.  In some ways, this was another typical cycling day, lows and highs that blend into each other. In another way, it was unique, we were cycling to our own home for the night.  With a frightening forecast of late afternoon thunderstorms, it was a daylong race against the rain. And with 80+ hilly miles of climbing ahead, it meant another 6 a.m. wake up to get on the road around 7.  7:18. We departed layered up in the cool country air.  8:37. We encountered a major hill resulting in de-layering. 9:39. We were making great time, having already completed over 20 miles, when navigation by Google maps brought us to a completely gravel road that was not bike-able and in cycling shoes was barely walkable. Since we could see the paved road about 100 yards ahead on the other side of the gravel, we went ahead. It didn’t feel right, but as Heather and I often debate even when driving, you either tr

Season 2 Episode 9 (9/17-9/18): Darn Those Hills! Coventry, RI to Mansfield Center, CT to Litchfield, CT –  (9/17) Coventry, RI to Mansfield Center, CT: 47 miles. 2,319’ climbing.  Although we’ve been to Litchfield, CT before, we’d not heard of the “Litchfield Hills” (also known as the Northwest Highlands). But we won’t forget them now!   The ECG runs from Hartford down to New Haven and along the coast to NYC- and for good flat reason. We chose a more challenging route with more elevation across CT to visit friends.  Our taste of the challenges to come began with climbing from Rhode Island to Mansfield Center. The day started easy enough in RI with some time on the Washington Secondary Rail Trail. Soon it was clear we crossed the state line when we saw a big sign for “Connecticut Carries Guns And Ammo” just before the town of Sterling, CT. It struck me as odd as nearly every week we cycle into Greenwich, CT from the NY side and we’ve never seen anything like this. Clearly, we were not

 Season 2 Episode 8 (9/16): Ivy League Baklava. Needham, MA to Providence, RI –  65 miles. 2,003’ climbing. We knew it would be hard to get back on our bikes and leave, but the task was made so much easier by our nephew Bram honoring us with a guest ride appearance, and escorting us for the first hour. Guest rider nephew Bram - he’s the one in bright neon yellow. I find that riding with a new party is especially uplifting to Heather as she likes to talk while riding and let’s face it, she can get tired of my shtick. We initiated Bram to saying the Pledge of Allegiance with us and our morning blessings of tires, bikes and bodies. I realize now we didn’t bless his bike, so was relieved he made it home safely. It was so special to have him be part of our journey. Uncle and nephew bonding When we arrived at Marla’s two days ago, we hoped to find some of her family-favorite, homemade banana bread that is a staple of visits with one another. We had been disappointed there was none, until our

Season 2 Episode 7 (9/14 and 9/15): The Power of Love. Newburyport, MA to Needham, MA –  76 miles. 2,346’ climbing. If we took the most direct route to Needham, it would be 54 miles; but since the weather Gods provided optimal riding conditions, we chose a longer route adding some North Shore towns. We were amply rewarded with costal beauty. Gloucester was out of the way, but since finding out CODA (my recent film obsession) was shot here, I had to see it! Stage Fort Park at entrance to Gloucester Solomon Jacobs Park, Gloucester Reed Park lunch stop, Manchester-by-the-Sea After more beautiful cycling through Beverly, Salem (of witch trial fame) and Swampscott, we were treated to 11 miles of paved private bike trail from Lynn to Everett. And then the beauty faded as the grit, noise and fear of vehicles took over in entering Boston. For the most part, there were clear bike lanes on the roads. However when trucks parked in the bike lane to make a local delivery, it forced me to either go

Season 2 Episode 6 (9/13):  Sophie’s (bad) Choice!  Wells Beach, ME through NH to Newburyport, MA –  52 miles. 1,180’ climbing.  The forecast was for thunderstorms in the early afternoon, so we woke up at 6 a.m. to leave by 7, racing to arrive in Newburyport, MA by 1 p.m.   It was very foggy, with a misty light drizzle as we left Wells Beach. My glasses kept fogging up and getting wet. In order to see, I lowered them down my nose and peered out over them. I could really only see the road immediately in front of me and not read signs at a distance. I should have worn contact lenses but didn’t. I was not happy! I feared this could be a very long seven weeks in this type of weather. Drizzle and glasses lowered to see Given the poor visibility, we stayed on the more direct US Route 1, and missed out on the more scenic, oceanfront ride by Ogunquit, York and Kittery.  Thinking of Lenny and Ernie helped me get through this ride. (For any readers who landed here without receiving an initial em

Season 2 Episode 5 (9/12): Bath to Wells Beach –  80 miles. 2,708’ climbing.  Our Warm Showers hosts personified the trust of this caring network by leaving to work in the morning with us still in their home to let ourselves out.  We left around 8 a.m. and a nine mile comfortable ride brought us to Brunswick, home of Bowdoin College, and our breakfast stop highly recommended by loyal Shifting Gears reader Alex A. His endorsement of Wild Oats Bakery was spot on. The breakfast panini delivered in every respect. It was beautiful to look at with its etched in grill marks against a golden brown toast, and was a huge portion such that I moaned my way though 2/3 at breakfast and 1/3 at lunch. Extra points for the tomato basil bread. Best breakfast sandwich ever! Wild Oats Bakery Paninis - artful and tasteful earned our highest rating. The Bowdoin campus is lovely to ride through. Most memorable image is the theater that blends a gothic style older building with a modern glass extension.  Late

Season 2 Episode 4 (9/11): South Thomaston to Bath – 51 miles. 3,458’ climbing.  Ugh, the roosters crowed at 5:30 a.m. and kept at it for an hour. That’s something they don’t advertise at the Weskeag Inn, but otherwise last night’s stay was wonderful especially its peaceful location on the banks of the Weskeag River. Pretty interesting to see a tidal river.  Weskeag River Inn owner and hostess Ann fueled us with blueberry scones, quiche and her signature dish, French apple crepes from the recipe handed down to her from her French-Canadian grandma memere. And topped with home-made Maine maple syrup, that she helped boil the sap from the tree tapping. I didn’t even know Maine maple syrup was a thing. It was all so good, we ate as if we didn’t know where our next meal was coming from. Come to think of it, we didn’t know! We talked with Ann about the local economy and the nature of her seasonal business that pretty much shuts down to zero guests after leaf peeping season until Memorial Day