Day 64:Northampton, MA

Day 64: Northampton, MA

August 15, 2016

Miles: 45

Average Speed: 9.8 mph


North Adams to Northampton, MA



I woke up at 8am and Di was already up and ready to go for breakfast.  We went to the restaurant in the hotel because we were too lazy to look for anything better.  In retrospect, I realize that we never explored North Adams at all: we had dinner in our room last night and breakfast in the hotel.  We'll have to ask Bethany and Chris is we missed anything (I'm guessing no, but there could be a gem hidden somewhere in that city).

I ordered french toast and Di the oatmeal and a fried egg.  I forgot to take a picture of our breakfast, which is why I had to describe it.  We both were feeling rather sluggish this morning and that feeling pervaded to our mental as well as our physical abilities.  On our way back to our room, Di said we had a big climb almost immediately after we started our ride.  She said it was too bad we didn't have time to warm up before the climb, so I said she should go to the hotel gym and ride the stationary bike for a while.  Di didn't think that was a funny as I did, but it sure cracked me up.  We packed up and were ready to roll at 11am.  It had taken us three hours to eat and pack.  That's pretty bad, even for us.  I told you we were moving sluggishly.

The return of the lonely diner

Heading out of town we could see what was in store

We had ridden for seven miles and the big climb had not yet materialized, so that worked out well for Di.  I saw a sign that warned a museum was just ahead and I wondered what could be so frightening about a museum?

So you don't accidentally stop at it?

It turned out the museum was the birthplace of Susan B. Anthony, so that explains the sign.  Feminists can be frightening to some, I suppose.

Susan B. Anthony's childhood home in Adams, MA

I told Di we had to stop.  The reason we needed to stop is because I have a little obsession with the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin and I needed to see where it all started.  Just so you don't think this is a weird obsession, I will say that I have a lot of obsessions so in the scheme of obsession things, this is a rather small deal.

Di writes a postcard in the dining room

The Anthony's also sold goods from their house

Di was inspired reading of Susan B.

By the way, the 96th anniversary of the 19th amendment is August 18.  Go Susan B.!  We finally had to leave the eventual home of the first small dollar coin.  And it was now the climbing started.  We climbed pretty steadily until we were over 1900 feet in elevation.  It took a few miles to reach this height, so it really wasn't that steep.  We descended, a bit, then climbed, then repeated that pattern for the next nine miles.

The first climb of the day

Our first descent (much more fun)

Another climb

The crest is always a welcome view

Taking a break from climbing (with a drunk bear?)

Back to climbing

And more climbing (not as easy as those earlier climbs)

At the 36 mile mark, we stopped at a tavern in Williamsburg to grab a late lunch (it was already 4:30pm).  I ordered the shepherd's pie and Di a salad and something that I can't remember but do recall she enjoyed.  I would know what Di ate if I had remembered to take a picture or if Di were awake right now to tell me, but neither of those things are available.  But, I did take a picture after we had finished, so you can see the satisfied expression on Di's face.

Di relishing her gastronomical delight (whatever it was)

We had 9 miles to go to get to Northampton and we rode those miles with glee.  Why?  Because starting at the 30 mile mark, the ride was pretty much all downhill.  We hardly ever pedaled.  A long, gradual downhill like that doesn't happen often and we really enjoyed it.  We rode it in silence and when it was done all we could say was, "Nice!"

We are going to sleep as late as possible tomorrow and loll about the town before we head out to visit with Bethany and Chris.  We are a little tired and Beth and Chris are only 15 miles away, so if we ride easily then tomorrow will be a quasi-rest day (good call in your comment from last night, Beth!).  So, thanks for your recommendations Beth, we'll take advantage of them tomorrow before heading your way.