Day 4: Manchester, NH - Rest Day

Day 4: Manchester, NH - Rest Day
 

June 16, 2016
Miles:  7 
Manchester


Continential breakfast was served between 6 and 9am.  Since we woke at about 9:30a this morning we missed breakfast. Luckily we could still get coffee.  Steve went searching for it; he returned to the room with two cups!  

We did what we normally do on our rest days - laundry, visit the local bike shop, explore the town and of course eat lots of food and rest too. We even took time to successfully book rooms for the next three nights. 

First, we went to the bike shop to get new brake pads for my bike. Brett, who runs the shop, talked me out of getting new brake pads; said I didn't need them.  I really hope I don't regret this decision :).  Jake's Bike Shop, a neighborhood shop with a lot of appeal.  Steve especially liked the outside bike stand.  Below is Brett and Steve.

1st Bike Shop Encounter

Manchester is the largest city north of Boston with over 110,000 in population.  What used to be an industrialized city, the old mill town has charm and lots of great restaurants.  We had lunch at the Republic Cafe.  Republic, the restaurant's brand, represents 'a place for citizens to join together to debate and converse, but not critisize or judge'.  It was a great little place located on Elm Street. 

Another sunny day!

Since we skipped breakfast this morning, we needed to make up for it. Steve had a veggie burger w/spicy mustard and hand cut fries, and I had an endive salad, beet and quinoa salad, pickled veggies and white bean dip - so good!

And lemonade too!

We went back to our room after lunch to take care of a few things, like doing the Garmin route to Portsmouth for tomorrow and check on laundry.  Steve took a nap and I relaxed a bit. We wanted to rest up for tonight because my friends Colleen and Tracy invited us over their place for dinner.  They live in Goffstown about 7 miles from Manchester.  They live in the woods, says Colleen, in their log cabin. A perfect place for the perfect people. This is Colleen and me on the front porch.

In the woods

Tracy made us a wonderful meal. Dinner featured barbecue sirlion tips - yummy, white rice, broccoli and a great tasting salad and chocolate ice cream for dessert!  Steve especially like the chocolate ice cream! 

Marinated grilled steak tips

Here we are eating dinner.

Ready to feast

The three of us and Leo their puppy below.

Leo admiring the scene

I met Colleen in middel school and Tracy in my twenties.  Although we haven't seen one another is a while, when we started reminiscing about the past it felt like it was just yesterday. Colleen and Tracy showed us a great time and provided us with a wonderful meal before we set off on the road again! 

Colleen and Tracy in their cabin

Before we left Colleen gave us gluten free Kind Bars to replenish the stash that we carry on our bikes. Tracy offered us bananas, water bottles and so much more. They both wanted us to leave with everything in their refrigerator, but we insisted it would be too heavy to carry on our bikes :).  Thank you Colleen and Tracy for visiting with us and making our time in Manchester so special!


Tomorrow we are off to Portsmouth about 47 miles and I am happy to inform you that we are booked at the Hampton Inn tomorrow night!