Season 2 Episode 10 (9/19): What Bridge? Litchfield, CT to Larchmont, NY

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 trust “Rabbi Google” or not.

As I made the turn onto the paved road, I could see several construction vehicles and workers. One asked if I was planning to use the bridge? I replied yes to which she advised me they just demolished it. Like the cliche, I could feel my heart sink in my chest. So much for trust in Google. She advised me that the detour to another bridge to cross the Housatonic River takes 15 minutes by car. That would be an hour by bike. Today was not the day for that! (What day is?) But what choices did we have? So I turned into work-mode Mark, loving a good crisis to get my adrenaline flowing and challenge me. That meant negotiating and pleading with her asking is there no other way?  We huddled over maps on our phones and found a small metal bridge that was not usable by construction vehicles but we could ride and that was not too far away. 

Consulting, negotiating, pleading for a better detour.

We ended up on River Road which turned out to be a beautiful stretch of riding alongside the Housatonic. It was the nicest part of the ride of the day. We crossed over the bridge and soon came to the town of Sandy Hook, sadly known for its school tragedy. While our delay of gravel walking and consulting was about 25 minutes, and increased our rain threat, we considered ourselves lucky. 

11:37. We made a new road friend Ian whose conversation pumped us up. 

Ian pacing us.

4:25. We at last made it to our town. For 80 miles, I’d mentally dangled a carrot for myself - a shake at truly world famous Walter’s Hot Dogs in our hometown. This roadside Pagoda is a landmark institution, in business for over 100 years. Its location on Palmer Avenue is literally right on the ECG. 

We were 1.7 miles, 9 minutes, from our house and the skies were threatening, and Heather pushed back on me on this stop. She asked if it’s just a bit for the blog. She just wanted to get home. I shared I’d been looking forward to this for 80 miles and since my alarm went off at 6 a.m.and we had nothing in our house to look forward to. This was the best possible recovery drink. And since she knew the way home, I said go ahead and I’ll meet you. So of course she then ordered a salted caramel shake, and I went for Oreo “cowboy style” meaning extra ice cream so thicker. I wondered how would this hometown favorite stack up against the national shake competition. Turns out this was no simple hometown nostalgia. Walter’s is a legit 5-straw shake! Thickness? Check. Flavor? Check. Straw quality? Check. Plus they know a shake needs a thicker straw than a soda. 

(Note for visitors to our area: in fairness the Village Luncheonette in Mamaroneck and Harbor House in Larchmont, formerly commonly owned by Jimmy, have legitimate world class vanilla shakes I’ve enjoyed for many years. They close mid-afternoon.)

Walter’s hit the spot! Nearly home sweet home 

5:00. Refreshed and sugar amped, we completed the few miles home and to the WORST warm showers host yet. To ourselves. Our fridge was empty and no warm greeting. It was a bit of a letdown and eerie to be in our house. And then thankfully we discovered a Dunkin Donuts box on our doorway courtesy of our loving kids. What a pick-me-up.  

Could not keep hands off until a photo.

 

5:30. The skies opened up storming! We were safely and dryly secured in our home. We got so lucky. We had about 13 hours before we’d leave in the morning. Heather was wiped and went to bed around 7:30. It was going to be hard to leave in the morning and we set our alarms for 5:50 a.m.

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