Prov2Prov: Beat the Ferry (6/30/18)

Riding the Canal Trail toward the Bourne Bridge

TOP TRIP
Event: Beat the Ferry: Providence to Provincetown
Distance: 145 miles
Moving Time: 9:19:05
Elapsed Time: 11:43:13

Providence to Provincetown map

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to take the first train from South Station at 0645 to Providence, RI - arriving at 0755.  Then cycle 234km (145 mi) in 12 hours or overall average of 19.5km/h (12 mph) and catch the last ferry back to Boston at 2030.

And thus the adventure begins #beattheferry #crwphotocontest #prov2prov

A post shared by Jesse Morrow (@jessetheseals) on Jun 30, 2018 at 3:25am PDT

Mile 0 Providence. #prov2prov #crwphotocontest #beattheferry

A post shared by Jesse Morrow (@jessetheseals) on Jun 30, 2018 at 4:57am PDT

I took the red line from Central to South Station and then met up with five others to get down to Providence.  Rami, Glen, Moshem, John and Ben (who was a member of the train gang from the CRW Century).

Mile 15 #prov2prov #crwphotocontest #beattheferry

A post shared by Jesse Morrow (@jessetheseals) on Jun 30, 2018 at 6:07am PDT

Heading out of Providence we caught the East Bay trail down the eastside of the Gansett.  This trail is the main part of the Providence Marathon so it was fun to do the miles on bike rather than foot.  The temps were still cool as we shifted from shaded wooded sections of the trail to cool seabreeze sections.

At the end of the trail we headed over the Mt. Hope suspension bridge in Bristol - which was nerve wracking to say the least.  The first 20 miles, my inflamed knee fired shooting pains up and down my leg.  I had a bailout plan to return to Providence or push onto Plymouth if I was forced to retire.

Soon we left the Ocean State for the Bay State.

Mile 42 #prov2prov #beattheferry

A post shared by Jesse Morrow (@jessetheseals) on Jun 30, 2018 at 8:02am PDT

After the urban jungle, surprise cobblestones and highway bridges of New Bedford, we caught the Phoenix Rail Trail in Fairhaven - another beautiful trail that mixes tidal marshes and woods.

Mile 73 Cape Cod Canal #prov2prov #beattheferry

A post shared by Jesse Morrow (@jessetheseals) on Jun 30, 2018 at 10:33am PDT

Once off the Phoenix trail, we rode through the towns of Wareham and Onset and onto the Cape Cod Canal trail.  The massive sugar intake from Gu and Cliff bars and Tailwind had started to hit my stomach.  And the views of the Bourne Bridge that we would have to cross merely exasperated the rumbly tumbly tummy.  I kept temporarily placating my stomach with some salty peanuts I'd bought at Cumby's in Wareham, but it would return with a vengeance a mile later.

Over the bridge we continued to the northern entrance of the canal.  And while I tried to stay with everyone I kept dropping off the back.  I was not feeling well, but I wasn't getting worse so I thought if I just got to the next rest stop...

Mile 98 #prov2prov #beattheferry

A post shared by Jesse Morrow (@jessetheseals) on Jun 30, 2018 at 12:51pm PDT

By the time we pulled into the Optimist Cafe in Yarmouthport, I was worried that I would have to bail because of my stomach.  Then the Optimist was closed.  So we crossed the street to the historic Hallet's restaurant (founded in 1889).  Their meatball sub was exactly what my turnover stomach had needed.  After that lunch break, I was fit and ready to finish.

Mile 112 Cape Rail Trail #prov2prov #beattheferry

A post shared by Jesse Morrow (@jessetheseals) on Jun 30, 2018 at 1:56pm PDT

Coming out of Yarmouth, we caught the Cape Cod Rail Trail through the center of the Cape from Brewster to Wellfleet. This gorgeous trail through sandy woods and state parks was not crowded.  We met up with Ben's aunt and uncle on the trail.

Mile 123, Wellfleet #prov2prov #beattheferry

A post shared by Jesse Morrow (@jessetheseals) on Jun 30, 2018 at 2:48pm PDT

The final rest stop was PB Boulangerie Bistro in South Wellfleet.  This bustling bakery and bistro had a rocking quiche Loraine that I ate in two bites.

On the road into Wellfleet Center, we caught back up to Glen who had been having some cramping issues and had had problems on the hills through the Cape.  Rami got him into Wellfleet where Glen could Uber into PTown and still catch the ferry.

Me, Moshe, Ben and Rami at the Post Office Cafe, P-Town

At 7:30 I came over a hill in Truro and saw the spire of the Pilgrim Monument in the hot hazy horizon.  We were going to make it!  I picked up he pace - never dropping much below 20 mph - until we hit the crowds and mayhem of Provincetown.

The four of us who rode the whole way, found John and Glen who'd each been forced to finish the trip by bus or Uber.  After a pint at Post Office Cafe we clambered aboard the Fast Ferry bound for home.

Mile 145 Provincetown - Ferry Beat! anchors away! #beattheferry #prov2prov

A post shared by Jesse Morrow (@jessetheseals) on Jun 30, 2018 at 5:29pm PDT

Mission, Successful. Ferry Beat.

Downeast Brew-Vay: Portland Express 200km (6/17/17)

Kennebunk Bicycle Company

TOP TRIP
Ride: Portland Express 200k

Location: Woburn, MA -> Portland, ME

Distance: 128 miles
Time: 10:36 (PR!!)
Pivo Index: 6

I awoke at 0 Dark 30 at the Woburn Holiday Inn Express.  I could already hear the hustle and bustle in the halls as riders prepped for the day ahead.  After Pop-Tarts and two k-cups of Green Mountain Coffee, I stumbled my way out the door and into the hotel parking lot.

The 42 people registered for the ride got our cue sheets and brevet cards. Right before 4:00 am, we got our safety briefing. 7 of us were doing the 200 km from Boston to Portland; the other 35 were riding Boston to Portland to Boston (400 km).  

We rolled out of the parking lot and toward the Pine Tree State a little after 4.  It's always darkest before the dawn (is it?), so I stayed back as the laterne rouge through out the first 2 hours, just getting my bearings.  

Not a Monet,
The morning light with condensation on my lens 

Clipped-In in the Clipper City

Last year I had attempted this ride.  But the night before I had bent my rear rim in the rain in Winchester riding to the hotel. I ended up abandoning my ride at the Newburyport train station - only 30 miles in.

Oddly, that wasn't the first time I had done something like this.  In 2013, Corey and I were riding the CRW Spring Century and I hit a Grand Canyon sized pothole at about 25mph - popping both tires and bending the front rim.  Corey and I bailed from the ride at the Newburyport train station.

This year, when we hit the Newburyport train station, it was a double milestone.

First, I made it a quarter of the way through the ride without a major problem; and,

Second, it was now my longest ride "clipped in."  For many years I have cycled with flat pedals. This year with a half ironman on the horizon, I finally followed the years of advice from almost every cyclist I've ever talked to and got clip-in pedals and shoes for my road bike.  I followed that up weeks later with one side clip in, one side flat for my touring/commuter.  The Portland 200km would be my first attempt at a long ride with clip in pedals.

Now as I made the left onto the Clipper City trail, I left both the possibility of a Commuter Rail ride and the without clips ride behind.

Newburyport

Clipper City Trail, Newburyport

 Coasting New Hampshire

The first contrôle was the Dunkin Donuts in Salisbury - the last town in Massachusetts.  I wheeled into there at 6:35.  With some coffee and a sausage sandwich, I was ready to ride.

New Hampshire has 19 miles of coastline and we rode pretty much all of it.  It was still cool and the only people out were surfers and those walking their dogs.  From Seabrook to Portsmouth we got some great ocean views on flat easy roads.  It was a great way to enjoy that period where the legs were finally waking to the level the head had been for a few hours.

As we went into Portmouth, I briefly thought about hitting up the Portsmouth Brewery - then I remembered it was 8:00 am.

Arr... the Sea looked angry, New Hampshire

Entering Portsmouth

Bridge to Maine

The Maine Drag

Across the bridge into Kittery (apparently the "Maine's Oldest Town"), it's mile 57.  We rode west of the coast and into a flat bit of woods.  The sun began to peak out from the clouds and the road started to dry out a bit.  I caught myself cranking out some speed.  (Slow down, buddy; there's a whole lotta hockey left).

The second contrôle was mile 69 and the Nubble Light in York, ME.  I cruised out of there and around the north side of Cape Neddick - where we stayed for last year's Tour de Cure.  The temperature had climbed to a point where it was uncomfortably cool.  I didn't want to take off my long sleeve but I wanted to take off my long sleeve.  I would roll up the sleeves only to immediately be freezing.

Into the Woods

Nubble Light, York, ME

After slow going through brunch traffic in Ogunquit, the route headed back inland.  As we rolled our way into Wells and Kennebunk, I started getting deja vous.  I realized: these are the roads we battled the Zephyr last year!  I was back on the Tour de Cure route.  The winds were much calmer, however. In Wells at Mile 88, I stopped at a gas station to refuel water and gatorade before heading out to Kennebunk.

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I stopped at the third contrôle at mile 97 - Kennebunk Bicycle Company - for merely a couple of minutes.  I knew I wanted to push onto Biddeford where I planned to stop at Banded Horn Brewery.

In the process, however, I teamed up with Luke.  He had to get something repaired at KBC and was now getting back on the road for the 400 km.  He and I had a good conversation discussing brevets through the next 10 miles.  I left him once we were in downtown Biddeford; as, I headed to Banded Horn for a mid ride flight:

Smokey and the Banded - Nice light IPA with a hint of smokiness;
Norweald Stout - big flavored chocolatey stout - highlight of the flight;
Veridian IPA - A good well-balanced IPA; and,
Greenwarden - Piney APA with spruce tips.

On my way out, one of the girls from Portland Pie Co awarded me a cookie for my Cookie Monster bike jersey.

Flight at Banded Horn

I might have spent 75 cents on Double Dragon...
Banded Horn

Ride Bike; Eat Cookie

From Biddeford I only had 20 miles left.  I realized I could probably PR the ride with some effort if I averaged 16 or 17 mph the rest of the way.  I figured even on tired legs, I could do that for 20 miles.

Right at Mile 117, however, I had to slow down.  The next 4 miles were the jewel of the ride. First was a mile down Rte, 9 and then 3 on the Eastern Trail within the Scarborough Marsh.  Between the salt water and the sea strand, the beauty of the marsh and the vibrant (not quite deep forest) greens were sights and smells that made the first 116 miles almost meaningless.

Scarborough Marsh

Scarborough Marsh

Once out of the Marsh, there was only 6 or so miles left to go.  At first, I was going to try to speed through the last section of suburban South Portland.  But, I realized I had done my maths wrong earlier and had plenty of time to get into Portland for a PR.  Additionally, 400 km riders were now coming toward me on their way back to Boston.  I gave them acknowledgement and, hopefully, encouragement.

Concern started to seep in after a few miles as I wasn't seeing Portland.  Then there was a left turn and WHAM! I'm on the Casco Bay Bridge.

After crossing the bridge and a quick climb out of the Fore River, I rode up to Ohno Cafe to complete the ride.  Boston to Portland!

Portland from the Casco Bay Bridge

Brevet Card

After signing and turning in my brevet card, I called Grant and headed over to Salvage BBQ for some brisket and a (maybe two) Mason's Liquid Rapture - a dangerously good and easy drinking Double IPA.

Mason's DIPA

Grant and I headed over to Thompson's Point.  To where they have moved the International Cryptozoology Museum and Bissell Brothers Brewing.

At Bissell Brothers I had the flagship The Substance, Lux Rye IPA and Nothing Gold (an incredibly delicious New England Double IPA)

Grant, messing with Sasquatch

Bissell Brothers

Kept forgetting to take pictures of full beers at Bissell

After Bissell, I headed over to the Amtrak to catch the Downeaster back to Boston.  (And 4 more miles of cycling from the North End to Central Square).

Moxie for the train.

Full Circle:
Downeaster in North Station

Marathon Ride: Florida Keys Bikeway (4/25/15)

Florida Keys Cycle route

TOP TRIP
Ride: Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, Islamorada - Marathon - Islamorada
Distance: 58 Miles
Sights: Iguanas, Ocean, Palm Trees, Channel #5 Bridge

Urvi and I drove down from the vacation rental to Backcountry Cowboy Outfitters where we rented two Giant road bikes. The plan was to make it from MM 83 down to Marathon Key and eat lunch at either the Island Fish Company at MM 53 or the Stuffed Pig at MM 48 and then return.

Coral Trail

Our initial plan was to ride along the road shoulder which would be faster and have less pedstrian traffic than the bike path/sidewalks that line US 1 from Key Largo down to Marathon.  As soon as we left the center of Islamorada, that plan was shot.  The asphault appears to have a good abount of coral in it and is really grainy on the tires.

Urvi on the Trail

Iguanas on the Trail

The route is almost completely flat, except for the Channell #5 Bridge which rises pretty high.  It is also a narrow shoulder, so while I was battling my irrational fear of bridges I was also battling the wind and my quite rational fear of getting hit by cars.

There were a couple of beautiful stretches, including the rails to trail into Marathon.  We stopped at the Island Fish Company - probably would have taken another hour to get to the Stuffed Pig... The conch chowder was awesome.

Scenes from the week:

Cheers to a weekend

Swimming out our back door

Islamorada Beer Company

Aye, Aye, Cap'n

Out to the sea

I'm sure nobody will get hurt here

Rolling and Paddling with Gators: The Everglades (4/21-4/22/15)

Day One (4/21/15): Shark Valley Bike Loop

TOP TRIP
Distance: 10 Miles
Location: Shark Valley Visitor Center
Difficulty: Easy - except sprinting past gators
Sights: Gators, Sawgrass fields

Urvi on the Trail

Baby Gator

Mamma Gator

Gator in the Path

Sawgrass fields

Me on my beach cruiser

Urvi

World's Smallest Post Office, Ochopee, FL 34141

Day Two (4/22/15): Yaking the Mangroves

TOP TRIP
Distance: 4.75 miles
Location: Gulf Coast Visitor Center
Sights: birds, Mangrove swamps, crabs

Sara Lee

Barnacled Boat

Ibis

Manatee Zone

Urvi and I enter the Mangrove Canopy

Urvi and I 

Sara Lee and Bud Light Lime

This heron was facinating 

Apres Kayak @Oyster House for Sandwiches, Gator bites and a Pitcher of Key West Pale Ale