Day 5: Portsmouth

Day 5: Portsmouth, NH

June 17, 2016

Miles: 48

Average Speed 10.3 mph
 
Manchester to Portsmouth


We arose at 7:30am and went to the hotel lobby to enjoy the complimentary breakfast. I've found that as a rule, complimentary breakfast is never as good as a purchased breakfast.  The selection of the complimentary breakfast is limited and and the quality is inferior to its purchased counterpart, but it does have the advantage of being complimentary. For me, the complimentary aspect is enough to tip the scales in favor of the free breakfast.  The fact that Di pays for the hotels and I for the food plays no part in my decision to favor the complimentary over the purchased breakfast.  Okay, perhaps a small part.

Di enjoying her delectable complimentary breakfast

We were on the road at 9:20.  It takes longer to get on the road after a rest day because we have more time to ensure our stuff is strewn all over the room and then it takes time to collect it all and remember which bags it all goes in.   If it wasn't for this fact, I'm sure we would have been on the road by 9:15.

Rolling out of Manchester

There was a good sized hill out of Manchester (or as they say out west, a 'little pull out of town').  In fact the first half of our ride today was hilly.  It was actually a fun type of hilly, the kind you enjoy biking over.  Not too steep, not too long, and corresponding downhills (without the dreaded stop sign on the downside of the hill).  

Di after her little pull out of town

We were on all 'green' roads today (green roads are biker friendly, or at least not biker hostile).

Di on a green road

Di on a green and blue road

Me on a green and brown farm road

Di on a really green road

We stopped at Lexie's Test Kitchen restaurant in Exeter.  I was disappointed in Exeter because it appeared to consist of a dozen or so buildings and only two restaurants. I had assumed it was bigger, but at least we had a place to eat.   Di and I ordered root beers, french fries, and veggie burgers.  It hit the spot.

Just me and my root beer (and stranger)

 We resumed riding at 2pm with only 15 miles to go to Portsmouth.  Its always good to take lunch with more than half the miles behind you. After riding about a quarter of a mile we came to the real town of Exeter, which is rather large.  It looked really interesting but we were so annoyed that we had stopped at the faux Exeter that we rode right straight through while trying to project an air of indifference.  We pulled it off, but no one was interested in our indifference.  We resumed riding.

Me, resuming.

 The last five miles into Portsmouth were on a great bike path - well paved, wide, and smooth.

Di goes over the interstate and another good sign

And then, at long last, the Hampton Inn entered our lives again.  I don't know if I should be worried about Di's love affair with Hampton, but there is no denying the happiness Hampton brings her.

Di looks happy with Hampton.  Too happy.

I must admit, I find a lot to enjoy in Hampton's presence.

Mmm, cookies.

We strolled around Portsmouth for awhile and marvelled at the number of shops. Who is buying all this stuff? Well, people like us, I suppose, because Di couldn't resist buying a few things before we settled on a place to eat.

Yes, that's Di making a purchase

Scene from a Portsmouth street

Another scene from a Portsmouth street

Another scene from a Portsmouth street

Another scene from a Portsmouth street

Another scene from a Portsmouth street

Why? I don't know.

We ate at The District, a restaurant serving local beer and food from local farms. Di and I both had a beer and the slider platter.  My sliders were lobster, barbecued chicken and tuna.  They were excellent.  I don't know what Di's were, but I do remember she got hers on gluten free tacos. But, you probably could have guessed that from the picture.

Tomorrow we are off to Portland!  The ride there will be over 60 miles, so no doubt we will get an early start.  I'm sure we will be on the road no later than 9:10.