The Longest Day: A Nicer Day (Two Posts)

April 7, 2018

My daddy said there would be days like this and here was one. Most bicyclists don’t like three things; traffic, head winds, busy roads without shoulders. Tack on a 90 mile ride with a drizzly, cold day and few riders would be inspired. The morning started with thunder showers before dawn followed by temperatures dropping into the low 40’s. The gloom and drizzle continued to be followed by a steady 20 mph head wind with gusts up to 40 mph.

The first third of ride was to be over country roads on a lazy Saturday morning. Unfortunately for us this Saturday was the last Saturday of a mammoth, multi-town antique-a-thon with hundreds of vendors and thousands of potential antique freaks. The traffic started as a trickle, built to a steady stream and finally boiled over into a overflowing kettle of cars, trucks and trailers all destined for antique Nirvana. For at least five miles there was an unbroken line of tents, makeshift structures, store fronts and open sky vendors on both sides of the highway. Every so often there was a break in this wall and a laneway leading back into a tent city. These tent cities, sometimes four or five rows deep, were filled with actual antiques, colourful crafts, items both new and old as well as what might be most charitably be call junk. Vehicles were steadily pulling in and out of theses laneways as well into every open space that they could find.

As we left this gauntlet, the traffic lessened but the wind increased while the thermometer slowly found its way to the low point of the day. Our bodies chilled despite our steady pace into the wind until everyone longed for something warm and inviting. Well away from the antiquing hoards set the tiny village of Burton and therein a warm oasis, The Short Stop. Three of us arrived just in time for the lunch special: Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans and corn-on-the-cob. All this for just $8.95 and our hostess threw in a free cupcake while we waited to go along with the unlimited, free coffee. We stayed an hour while our bones thawed.

The rest of the day was more of the same as we ground our way through the gloom. By the time we reached the last 20 miles every hill seemed a mountain as the skies grew darker. I was the last to arrive, wet, tired, shivering and ready for the hot meal the was waiting for me. I was greeted by a cheering welcoming committee, smiles and helping hands. It was good to see the end of this day and be among friends.

April 8, 2018

A Much Nicer Day

I am adding this post to the previous day’s It will be short as was our ride today. After a restful, warm night at Ernie and Doris’ Checkpoint Harley, we were off on an easy 50 mile ride over relatively easy terrain with light Sunday morning traffic. The day was still cold and cloudy but there was no rain and the day warmed as it went by. Best of all, there was little to no wind. All we needed to do was spin away the miles and enjoy the countryside. No Bull.