It was a long one. Almost a century (probably a century).
More new bike love. Anytime I’ve ridden over about 120 km on any bike, I get pretty uncomfortable. Especially my ass. I usually end up standing on the pedals for a minute or two for relief every now and then. Not so today. I happily sat the whole 160 km.
First 40 km on the way to today’s trail was nothing more special than just being on a bike. Which is pretty special, IMHO.
Rolled into a roadside BBQ place at 10:59 am, one minute before breakfast was over. And oh my did I want breakfast sandwiches.
About 10 km after that I got on the Northern trail, a nearly 100 km rail trail which lead almost to the campground I’m in tonight. Though there is little to complain about a cycleway that long, I have a nitpick. At least 60 km of the distance was uphill, and most of that in one continuous stretch starting at the south eastern entrance. I know, rail trails are flat yada yada yada. This one broke some rules so far as I’m concerned.
Other than that, it was great. Very quiet, very long and in pretty good condition. Lakes and ponds and rivers most of the way. I didn’t swim, which was dumb. I did see a deer, which was cool.
For whatever reason (uphill cycling), at about the 80 km mark I was beat. Which was only the halfway point, I needed a fix. Saw there was a store at about the 100 km mark so I began dreaming of ice cream and sugar generally.
This store was by far the fanciest small town market I’ve ever seen. May as well as been heaven for me at that moment. How I ended up with the junk I bought, I can’t explain.
In any case, because I’m not carrying a fridge, I had to eat the whole tub of ice cream. And I got to thinking, there needs to be a system of measuring ice cream to distance. So one small tub of ice cream (500 ml?) means about 60 km for me. That’s 60 kpic (km per standard tub of ice cream). I wonder if it would be the same without the chocolate milk, or if that’s like a performance additive?
Last thing before I totally conk out for the night. My bike was featured in an email today from Dismount who built it up for me. Does this mean I’m famous by association?
Real Vermont style hills start tomorrow I think.
You sound tired but still a great visualization of today’s ride. Your photos are beautiful. Your bike feature, I’d say they owe you $$$ for using it in an ad. It will obviously bring them customers. Sleep well.
Ice cream mileage is very dependent on the quality. I recall getting a McDonald’s $1 cone on a trip once and regretting it within 15 minutes.
And railway paths aren’t flat, as such, but they tend to be limited 2-3° of slope. This means that yeah, you can sometimes be climbing, gradually, for ~6 hours at a time. Think of it as being more efficient than rolling hills.🙂
Also probably a lot more fun than Bloor, Avenue, College, Harbord, and Dundas today.
You get what you pay for ;). Efficient, yes. But still a little crazy making. More fun that the mean streets of Toronto? 💯
Holy beautiful scenery! And how nice to not have a saddle sore arse. I e always heard great things about Maine and Vermont so I’m excited to read your updates. Wishing you a smooth day tomorrow and fuel in your legs for the hills – although your cushy bike sounds like it takes you for the ride.
It’s stunning
Not just your bike! You were featured too, in picture and interview form! Superstar.
Ssshhhhh 😉
Hey Chad,
Glad to hear the bike is living up to your expectations.. today will be a different test – they have ski hills in Vermont don’t they?
How long does it take you to set up your abode for the night?
Discount should show your bike all geared up (you did a nice job on that) and maybe a shot of you on a difficult trail. These rail trails look like my cup of tea – maybe on an electric bike (he says to himself).
Have a great ride today amigo.
I was pretty close to killington. Setup takes about 30 minutes I think, though I’ve never really paid attention. Mornings are slower as they should be.
Hi Chad:
I’m a little slow getting up to your speed (no surprise here!). I’m catching up on my sunday reading and I want to share a few comments as you barrel your way back from forest bathing beauty to smelly, dirty, detour laden Toronto streets….
1) love your new ride! George!
2) Nice tactful play with the downhill flat overwhelmed distance rider
3) 160 in one day? You’re bionic! Also, now forgiven for any and all of your riding food obsessions!
4) when I was in Texas years ago truck drivers gave us distance predictions based on how many 6 packs away a drive was to our next destination. I love that for your barometer the marker is ice cream tubs!
Wish I was where you are. Safe journeys my friend.
Are you saying reading my blog is not at the top of your priority list? 🤣
ice cream is where it’s it