Day 2: Concord

 

Day 2: Concord, MA

 June 14, 2016

Miles: 39
 
Mansfield to Concord

I woke early, but couldn't get up.  I heard voices - Ed, Mar, Ally and Steve.  I wanted to get up to join them, but I just rolled over and slept some more.  After about and hour or so, I heard noises that resembled food preparation. I woke again and got up. Morning breakfast was gluten free pancakes with fresh pear and cherries on the side.  So worth getting up for - yummy!

Healthy and Hearty

The forecast said bright sunny skies - about 80 degrees.  A perfect riding day, all but the heavy NW winds.  We wanted to get an early start; we left by 10:15a.  Ok, not so early.  We said goodbye to Dixon.

Dixon takes it easy

On our way out, we were met by gypsy moth caterpillars.  Lots of them.  Ed is doing his best to control them.  What you see below are deadpillars.

Ed said the black dots are caterpillar poop - thanks Ed!

More deadpillars that didn't survive.  They like to feast on the leaves of hardwood trees like maple, elm and especiallly oak.  Ed didn't like this and neither did Mar or Ally, so Ed took care of them.

More deadpillars

Finally we left, but not before collecting the $1 bill that Ed gave me last night.  He carefully selected it for me from Citizen's Bank where he works.  Said it was a winning card.  He was right. For those who know how to play liar's poker you will understand this.  A game the friends like to play.  No one more than Ed.  He is a great contender, but I am better. Sorry Ed, but you know it's true ;)

Five 0s

Beautiful and sunny!

Two bikes and Steve

Not too soon after, we stopped for an iced coffee.

We just couldn't resist

We stoppped by Walden Pond.  Apparently the same Walden Pond written about by Henry David Thoreau in his 1854 book - Life in the Woods.  I didn't know of Walden Pond or the book, but Steve did right away.

Steve dying to get in

Reflective Beauty

Steve enjoying the beach

We rode on a bike path for about 3 miles today.  Normally this would be a good thing, however it was the bumpiest bike path ever.  We couldn't wait to get off.  I am breaking in a new seat, or should I say it is breaking me in.

Ouch!

We made it into Concord about 4:30p.  We checked in to the Best Western, the only hotel with rooms available in the area.  We have realized that getting reservations in the Northeast cannot be last minute.  We had the same problem again tonight, however we did manage to reserve a room in Manchester for tomorrow night and the next night thereafter.  Unlike on last year's trip, this trip we will need to plan and book ahead of our arrival.

Luckily Paparazzi's was next door.   The same restaurant chain as the Paparazzi that was in Garden City.  Steve had veal parmigiana and I ordered one of my mom's favorite dishes - salmon over beets, yukon potatoes and arugula.  Now I know why my mom loves this dish!

Steve finished every bit

And so did I

So here is our trip in map form.  The big loop - 11 states and/or provinces, 2400 miles, 62 days.  Sixty more days to go!

RI, MA, NH, ME, NB, NS, PEI, QC, VT, NY, CN

Tomorrow we head to Manchester, NH about 45 miles north.  We will spend our first rest day in Manchester.   Lets hope for a tailwind tomorrow!

Thank you again Ed, Mar and Ally for putting up with us last night!