The Code of the Road
As we departed the Chewonski campground it was only a mile or so before we turned off Highway 1 and stopped at the Shelter Institute. Shelter is a tool store, a space that offers woodworking classes, will build a home for you, or find land in Maine for you to build your own. They're all about timber frames. These are the kinds of homes and buildings that have beefy beams that make up the skeleton of the home. We received a warm welcome and a man named Al showed us around the store, classroom, and large warehouse where a recent class had just erected a new timber frame structure. Rach and I have talked about building our own home someday so Al was a wealth of knowledge as he shared his experiences building his house years before. Al's word of caution: If you're living in a trailer on the property as you build your house, and it's winter, they have poor insulation and your toilet might freeze. Whoops.
10 AM rolled around and it was time to put in some miles. We pedaled back to Brunswick and the Androskoggin River bike path. We had a little business to do and by the time our errands at the grocery store and post office were complete, and we had some lunch, it was the middle of the day and we had only ridden 20 miles or so. Hmm. It looked like we might have to rethink our day's destination. We pushed on all the same and had an exciting afternoon milestone as we rode the first new miles of this leg of our trip. Riding north on the 136 I heard a loud "Pssssss..." and all of the air screamed out of my tire in the span of five seconds. Rach and I walked up the shoulder to a crossroads for some space to work out the issue. Unfortunately, some razor sharp debri had slit my rear tire and left a sizable gash. And this was the replacement tire I just bought! Oh well.
I got out my emergency folding tire, started working on the repair, and we were mostly back together when a cyclist stopped and asked if we needed any help. When Laura asked us where we were staying we said we didn't really know, the day was taking much longer than first expected. "You should stay with me." I looked over at Rach. "Sounds good to us." Laura gave us the info on a nearby bike shop and her address, apologizing that it was on the top of a hill. We found the shop in Lewiston, got a replacement tire, and set off to find the home "just past Wallingford's Fruit House." Let me say that my gashed tire was a blessing in disguise.
After a forecast for more than an inch of rain today we gladly accepted the offer to take a rest here with Laura, her partner Dan, Laura's son Freeman, and Fred the fluffy dog. We've been treated like visiting dignitaries. We all shared two wonderful dinners, stories about our trip, beer and tea and donuts, a heavenly bed, a dip in the pool, a stint in the sauna, cleaned our bikes on the repair stand, ate blueberry pancakes, enjoyed hot showers, munched on pizza, read and rested, sat by the fire, and have generally boosted morale sky high. Thank you so much to Dan and Laura for their hospitality. Tomorrow we're headed toward a stretch of climbing and we begin renewed.
PS Sorry for no photos. Too busy getting flats and then living the high life. More photos soon.
10 AM rolled around and it was time to put in some miles. We pedaled back to Brunswick and the Androskoggin River bike path. We had a little business to do and by the time our errands at the grocery store and post office were complete, and we had some lunch, it was the middle of the day and we had only ridden 20 miles or so. Hmm. It looked like we might have to rethink our day's destination. We pushed on all the same and had an exciting afternoon milestone as we rode the first new miles of this leg of our trip. Riding north on the 136 I heard a loud "Pssssss..." and all of the air screamed out of my tire in the span of five seconds. Rach and I walked up the shoulder to a crossroads for some space to work out the issue. Unfortunately, some razor sharp debri had slit my rear tire and left a sizable gash. And this was the replacement tire I just bought! Oh well.
I got out my emergency folding tire, started working on the repair, and we were mostly back together when a cyclist stopped and asked if we needed any help. When Laura asked us where we were staying we said we didn't really know, the day was taking much longer than first expected. "You should stay with me." I looked over at Rach. "Sounds good to us." Laura gave us the info on a nearby bike shop and her address, apologizing that it was on the top of a hill. We found the shop in Lewiston, got a replacement tire, and set off to find the home "just past Wallingford's Fruit House." Let me say that my gashed tire was a blessing in disguise.
After a forecast for more than an inch of rain today we gladly accepted the offer to take a rest here with Laura, her partner Dan, Laura's son Freeman, and Fred the fluffy dog. We've been treated like visiting dignitaries. We all shared two wonderful dinners, stories about our trip, beer and tea and donuts, a heavenly bed, a dip in the pool, a stint in the sauna, cleaned our bikes on the repair stand, ate blueberry pancakes, enjoyed hot showers, munched on pizza, read and rested, sat by the fire, and have generally boosted morale sky high. Thank you so much to Dan and Laura for their hospitality. Tomorrow we're headed toward a stretch of climbing and we begin renewed.
PS Sorry for no photos. Too busy getting flats and then living the high life. More photos soon.
"Thank you!"s to Dan, Laura, Laura's son Freeman, and Fred the fluffy dog. Once again, a story of civility and compassion in what sometimes seems to be a cruel and unforgiving world. I hope that when you find such Saints that you at least offer to do the dishes or help them out. How are the bikes holding up in general? Good for another 5,000 miles?
ReplyDeleteGot to love a blessing in disguise, well done Laura & Dan. Glad it worked out and that Rach missed the debris!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the luxuries and hope more progress is made tomorrow.
Take care, xx
And another thank you to Laura and Dan for sheltering our family.
ReplyDeleteOn the California front, Aunt Kellie, your Dad and I spent the day on the continued clean out at Grandpa's. Grandma had saved a picture of Grandpa holding Mike as a baby - Grandpa looked so young.
Ride safely,
Cheri
Mike and Rach, t'was our privilege to host and spend time with you.
ReplyDeleteI noticed you had a warm cycle, to say the least, up the Middlebury Gap. Quite an accomplishment at 96 degrees F and on bikes with your home lashed to them. (I find that climb difficult on a 17# road bike.)
I see you have been by a very great lake the past day or so.
Here's wishing you some days with a wind at your back and always the best of luck and cheer. We'll be following along from Maine.
Dan, Laura, Freeman and Fred the Fluffy Dog