Greetings from the SPS Cyclists! We're here in the small town of Minnewauken, ND, enjoying a lovely batch of S'more Pop Tarts.
Today was one of our biggest challenges yet, because the bike mileage was the largest of the entire trip: 130 miles. Prepping ourselves mentally for the feat was tough enough, but actually getting through the day turned out to be tougher than we expected (at least for some--more on that later). After finishing our breakfast, we hit Route 2 with gusto. We made excellent time to our first snack stop at mile 40 of our day. While the rest of the group went off after some locally-grown watermelon, I realized that my chain had fallen off of my bike. Frantically, I tried to put it back on, but by the time I had done so the group had disappeared ahead. Hoping to catch up with the group, I got on my bike, pedaled a couple of revolutions...and got a flat. Not too far away from the support vehicle that had all of our extra equipment, I walked back to the snack spot with my bike. While changing the tire, I saw Renzo, biking the opposite way, back towards our support vehicle, because he had realized that I was not with the group. We changed the tire, then continued on our way. And we were flying, trying with all of our might to catch up to the group....until Renzo ran over a shard of glass and got a flat. Seeing the support vehicle right behind us on the road, we flagged it down to get more bike tubes from them. We changed the flat with a patched tube, put it back onto place on the bike...and the patch on the tube popped! So we tried again, and this time we got a hole in the tube right underneath the hole in the tire. By that time, the support vehicle had left and we were stuck on the road with no more tubes. We phoned the support vehicle, who were waiting at the lunch stop for the other cyclists. They came back half an hour later, and we changed the whole thing, tire and tube. With that, Renzo and I powered it on the road. We got to lunch, and then just kept on going. We made it to Minnewauken soon after the girls, and couldn't move for fifteen minutes afterwards. Oh yeah, it was that extreme.
Renzo's Recollection of the day:
That was some intense riding. I can't move. I think we took it to the max today.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Minot, ND
We rolled out of Stanley this morning at 7:30, eager to get our day finished early. Due to some logistical stuff that I don't even understand, let alone feel like explaining, we only had 54 miles to travel today. With a slight tailwind, we averaged 23 miles an hour and arrived in Minot at 11 o'clock. We spent an hour or so giving our bikes a thorough cleaning, and covering ourselves in degreaser and chain lube in the process. For the rest of the day, we were free to do as we pleased. Sarah, Gwen and I watched a movie in our room while everyone else payed a visit to Target.
The Graysons arrived in the late afternoon, and were quickly swept up in the swing of the trip. They were given a tour of the trailer, and lesson in driving it, and a run-down on all of our favorite snack foods. After a delicious dinner and a toast to the Stoners, we got to my favorite part of the day... Dairy Queen.
Mr. Stoner, my junk food guru, informed me that my snack food repertoir would not be complete without Dairy Queen, so of course, I had to go. I had a delicious "Blizzard" with bits of Reese's in it... it was amazing. And Mr. Stoner got his famous chocolate milkshake-thing (it doesn't really have a name, and takes a long time to explain).
Now the Stoners are leaving us, and we have a week of Graysons, flat North Dakota plains, and long days ahead of us. Stoners, we will miss you, and your support was so appreciated. Graysons, we can't wait to see what this week has in store!
Travelling
Mrs. Stoner read this to us today at lunch. It's the forward from Through Glacier Park by Mary Roberts Rinehart. We all agreed that it fits our trip perfectly, and thought that we would share it with you:
There are many to whom new places are only new pictures. But, after much wandering, this thing I have learned, and I wish I had learned it sooner: that travel is a matter, not only of seeing, but of doing.
It is much more than that. It is a matter of new human contacts. It is not of places, but of people. What are regions but the setting for life? The desert, without its Arabs, is but the place that God forgot.
To travel, then, is to do, not only to see. To travel best is to be of the sportsmen of the road. To take a chance, and win; to feel the glow of muscles long unused; to sleep on the ground at night and find it soft; to eat, not only because it is time to eat, but because one's body is clamoring for food; to drink where every stream and river is pure and cold; to get close to the earth and see the stars - this is to travel.
There are many to whom new places are only new pictures. But, after much wandering, this thing I have learned, and I wish I had learned it sooner: that travel is a matter, not only of seeing, but of doing.
It is much more than that. It is a matter of new human contacts. It is not of places, but of people. What are regions but the setting for life? The desert, without its Arabs, is but the place that God forgot.
To travel, then, is to do, not only to see. To travel best is to be of the sportsmen of the road. To take a chance, and win; to feel the glow of muscles long unused; to sleep on the ground at night and find it soft; to eat, not only because it is time to eat, but because one's body is clamoring for food; to drink where every stream and river is pure and cold; to get close to the earth and see the stars - this is to travel.
Mr. Stoner's Comments
This is the 27th of June, and Carol & I have been running the bikers' chuck-wagon for nine days, crossing our home state of Montana and the first 100-odd miles of North Dakota.
We'll be replaced later today by the Graysons (Parker's folks), and be on Northwest Airlines (a/k/a The Night Train to Sverdlosk) at 5 AM tomorrow, heading back to Boston.
Details of the trip to date are recounted below, and nothing of great consequence can be added by us. I am compelled to mention, however, that these bikers are feeding machines, taking in somewhere between six and eight thousand calories per person per day, much of it in the form of quick energy-producing simple carbohydrates: That's French for "junk food."
Early on, I advised 'em that if they were gonna eat crap, it needed to be the very best crap available, and thus the continuous quest for the ultimate maple stick (still eluding them), the penultimate hamburger (found and devoured) and the incomparable confections--Big Hunks and Pearson Nut Rolls (acquired in bulk and gobbled by the fistful).
On a mildly serious note, we have been parents for over 37 years, Brendon being the baby of the family. All of our children have had the great good fortune to meet and bond with very high quality peers, establishing marvelous friendships that carry on into adulthood.
Although Brendon had to temporarily break away from these friends to row at Nationals, we feel completely at ease in his absence. These kids are relentlessly cheerful, unfailingly polite and helpful, intellectually agile and tough as nails.
It's been a pleasure for both of us to have been associated with this contemporary "Voyage of Discovery," and we wish the cyclists a safe and smooth ride to the Atlantic!
by Howard Stoner
We'll be replaced later today by the Graysons (Parker's folks), and be on Northwest Airlines (a/k/a The Night Train to Sverdlosk) at 5 AM tomorrow, heading back to Boston.
Details of the trip to date are recounted below, and nothing of great consequence can be added by us. I am compelled to mention, however, that these bikers are feeding machines, taking in somewhere between six and eight thousand calories per person per day, much of it in the form of quick energy-producing simple carbohydrates: That's French for "junk food."
Early on, I advised 'em that if they were gonna eat crap, it needed to be the very best crap available, and thus the continuous quest for the ultimate maple stick (still eluding them), the penultimate hamburger (found and devoured) and the incomparable confections--Big Hunks and Pearson Nut Rolls (acquired in bulk and gobbled by the fistful).
On a mildly serious note, we have been parents for over 37 years, Brendon being the baby of the family. All of our children have had the great good fortune to meet and bond with very high quality peers, establishing marvelous friendships that carry on into adulthood.
Although Brendon had to temporarily break away from these friends to row at Nationals, we feel completely at ease in his absence. These kids are relentlessly cheerful, unfailingly polite and helpful, intellectually agile and tough as nails.
It's been a pleasure for both of us to have been associated with this contemporary "Voyage of Discovery," and we wish the cyclists a safe and smooth ride to the Atlantic!
by Howard Stoner
Friday, June 26, 2009
Stanley, ND
We got on the road late today (9:30!), and within a few minutes, we had moved into a new time zone and a new state. We tried to make an N and a D out of our bodies beneath the North Dakota (Discover the spirit) sign, but it didnt work very well; apparently all of this biking has not been good for our upper bodies, because the middle part of the N and the curve of the D had some trouble staying upright... (Ellie and Gwen?)
We were told multiple times from our hosts in Montana, the Millers and the Stoners, that North Dakota is much much flatter than Montana, but today didn't really prove that theory, much to our dismay. It seemed as if the last 60 miles were up, down, up, down, up, up, up, up...
A few minutes after our lunch break we started to notice the usual streaks of water and mud running up our backs, yes, rain again. It kept up all the way to Stanley. Mark Richardson got his first flat today, which leaves me as the only person not to have had one yet. Although I probably just jinxed myself, and I will wake up tomorrow to find both tires deflated, or be cruising down a hill and pop one on some glass.
Riding with Renzo and Parker today was classic. Every hill we'd come up to would be just another challenge in their ultimate quest for the perfect Subway sub, and the steep slope in front of us would be met with cries of "For the maple sticks!" or "Grayson, buddy, we just burned through that Randy Burger," which was followed by a burst of speed from Parker. We ran into the Van Woerts again at the crest of one hill, and they told us how lucky we were to have a rest day yesterday due to the 30 mph headwind they battled against.
All the girls are snuggled in bed, high on endorphins and eating the most delicious candy bars calld Big Hunks which Mr and Mrs Stoner introduced to us. Tomorrow is their last day with us. They've gone above and beyond the call of duty time and time again, and provided great stories and company along the way. We'll miss you!
We were told multiple times from our hosts in Montana, the Millers and the Stoners, that North Dakota is much much flatter than Montana, but today didn't really prove that theory, much to our dismay. It seemed as if the last 60 miles were up, down, up, down, up, up, up, up...
A few minutes after our lunch break we started to notice the usual streaks of water and mud running up our backs, yes, rain again. It kept up all the way to Stanley. Mark Richardson got his first flat today, which leaves me as the only person not to have had one yet. Although I probably just jinxed myself, and I will wake up tomorrow to find both tires deflated, or be cruising down a hill and pop one on some glass.
Riding with Renzo and Parker today was classic. Every hill we'd come up to would be just another challenge in their ultimate quest for the perfect Subway sub, and the steep slope in front of us would be met with cries of "For the maple sticks!" or "Grayson, buddy, we just burned through that Randy Burger," which was followed by a burst of speed from Parker. We ran into the Van Woerts again at the crest of one hill, and they told us how lucky we were to have a rest day yesterday due to the 30 mph headwind they battled against.
All the girls are snuggled in bed, high on endorphins and eating the most delicious candy bars calld Big Hunks which Mr and Mrs Stoner introduced to us. Tomorrow is their last day with us. They've gone above and beyond the call of duty time and time again, and provided great stories and company along the way. We'll miss you!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Plentywood, MT (Rest Day)
Finally, we had a rest day. On day 16, we found ourselves in Plentywood, Montana, ready to give our bodies a break from bikes for a day. First off, we had a radio interview in store. It was a pretty special experience. It was our first live radio interview of the trip, and we were pretty excited. It took place in the back of a little drugstore, in a backroom, where two telephones were our microphones. After we had our time as celebrities, we had some breakfast and drove to Outlook, Montana, just a fifteen-minute drive from Plentywood. It was time to meet the Stoner family. As soon as we got there, we were thrust into the world of farming. Farms surrounded us. Individual houses were at least two miles apart. After a delicious lunch with the locals, Helen Stoner, Brendon’s grandmother, gave us a wonderful look into the history of Eastern Montana, as well as the lives of her relatives and how they first settled the land. Afterwards, we explored the farm machinery found at the Stoner farm. Parker and I got a sweet ride in a tractor, and we all got a close look at the combines used to harvest the crops. Later on, as temperatures soared above 100 degrees, we sought shelter in the house of Bonnie Stoner, Brendon’s aunt. We got to relax for a while, enjoying a movie, and lying on a massive, very comfortable couch. Amazingly, we had another home-cooked meal. It was a feast, and I’m getting really worried that we won’t be too spoiled after today. The Stoner family has hosted us so graciously. We’re all very thankful for their generosity and their willingness to give us a little peak at how they live out here. Now, it’s time to hit the hay and get ready for another day on the road. It’ll be out last in Montana. Tomorrow, we’ll finally get through this mighty state. After 9 days, we’ve finally made it. What’s next, North Dakota? No problem.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Plentywood, MT
We awoke this morning at six am just like any other day. As we stepped outside into the parking lot of the Cottonwood Inn, the sun was already shinning and even then the air was warm. The smell of Mr. Stoner's eggs on the Coleman stove were wafting through the air and the infamous mosquitos were already landing on our legs, so bug spray was quickly applied. We were quick to hit the sticky, hot pavement and begin our 110 mile day along Route to for what seemed like the millionth day.
In our first thirty mile stretch we were already beginning to feel the hints of boredom, so we began straying from our usual pace lines, and were riding two abreast. The shoulder was big, so we thought this would be perfectly acceptable, despite the middle fingers we received from multiple pick ups. Anyway, we were all settled into the rythmn of riding when all of a sudden the sound of sirens jolted us back into reality. Yes, that's right sirens. We were pulled over by the Montana State Troopers. Sirens, lights, and all. We all pulled over, and beared ourselves for the worst. He stepped out of his vehicle, surrounded by stirred up dust, and began to explain to us how Montana State law clearly defines that cyclists must ride below the speed of the cars, and single file as close to the white line as possible. "I wouldn't want any of you to get run over". As soon as he saw Mr. Richardson, and realized we weren't just a bunch of routy kids horsing around, he changed his tune and asked us a few questions. Luckily we escaped without a scratch, but it was a close call.
The temperatures were in the nineties and the roads were flat and straight. Ellie and I continued our chatting in the back of the lines which seems to pass the time quite well. The group even experimented with a new game, the name game. If I wasn't so exhausted I would go into detail, but five miles from the finish we hit a very unpleasant surprises: HILLS. After miles, and miles of flat open land these hills appeared out of nowhere, and were not welcomed by us. We schlept up them (Ellie and I keeping eachother motivated), and eventually arrived in Culbertson, MT. Mr. Stoner had parked the trailer right infront of an ice cream shop, which couldn't have been planned better. There we hooked up with Mrs. Stoner's sister and headed by car up north of our route for a rest day in Plentywood, the Stoner's original hometowns.
The ride was about forty five minutes, and almost everyone enjoyed a nice nap. For some reason the landscape was too interesting to me as the other Mrs. Stoner (Brendon's aunt) explained all of the farming. I learned about Elevators, Silohs, Dry land, irrigation, and much much more. Who knew farming had so much terminology! I thought I was in a different country. The two sisters were reminiscing about times in their highschool days, and the stories were just too interesting to fall asleep to, but the stories were cut short by our arrival at the hotel.
After we had all gotten cleaned up, we headed for dinner at Randy's (two blocks from our hotel) Brendon's grandmother, and some other members of the Stoner family joined us, and we enjoyed a "family" dinner. As you ight have seen from the pictures, we enjoyed a LARGE dinner.
Mr. Stoner challenged Parker and Renzo to the Randy Burger (although he did not order one himself). This burger was twenty ounces of lean ground beef, slathered in mayo, and topped with lettuce, tomato and onion. Even the bun fit over the entire burger!!! To our surprise they both finished the ENTIRE burger before they slurped down their mountain dews. All before nine o'clock.
Now we've all retired to our rooms and are slowly headed for bed. Sweet dreams!
In our first thirty mile stretch we were already beginning to feel the hints of boredom, so we began straying from our usual pace lines, and were riding two abreast. The shoulder was big, so we thought this would be perfectly acceptable, despite the middle fingers we received from multiple pick ups. Anyway, we were all settled into the rythmn of riding when all of a sudden the sound of sirens jolted us back into reality. Yes, that's right sirens. We were pulled over by the Montana State Troopers. Sirens, lights, and all. We all pulled over, and beared ourselves for the worst. He stepped out of his vehicle, surrounded by stirred up dust, and began to explain to us how Montana State law clearly defines that cyclists must ride below the speed of the cars, and single file as close to the white line as possible. "I wouldn't want any of you to get run over". As soon as he saw Mr. Richardson, and realized we weren't just a bunch of routy kids horsing around, he changed his tune and asked us a few questions. Luckily we escaped without a scratch, but it was a close call.
The temperatures were in the nineties and the roads were flat and straight. Ellie and I continued our chatting in the back of the lines which seems to pass the time quite well. The group even experimented with a new game, the name game. If I wasn't so exhausted I would go into detail, but five miles from the finish we hit a very unpleasant surprises: HILLS. After miles, and miles of flat open land these hills appeared out of nowhere, and were not welcomed by us. We schlept up them (Ellie and I keeping eachother motivated), and eventually arrived in Culbertson, MT. Mr. Stoner had parked the trailer right infront of an ice cream shop, which couldn't have been planned better. There we hooked up with Mrs. Stoner's sister and headed by car up north of our route for a rest day in Plentywood, the Stoner's original hometowns.
The ride was about forty five minutes, and almost everyone enjoyed a nice nap. For some reason the landscape was too interesting to me as the other Mrs. Stoner (Brendon's aunt) explained all of the farming. I learned about Elevators, Silohs, Dry land, irrigation, and much much more. Who knew farming had so much terminology! I thought I was in a different country. The two sisters were reminiscing about times in their highschool days, and the stories were just too interesting to fall asleep to, but the stories were cut short by our arrival at the hotel.
After we had all gotten cleaned up, we headed for dinner at Randy's (two blocks from our hotel) Brendon's grandmother, and some other members of the Stoner family joined us, and we enjoyed a "family" dinner. As you ight have seen from the pictures, we enjoyed a LARGE dinner.
Mr. Stoner challenged Parker and Renzo to the Randy Burger (although he did not order one himself). This burger was twenty ounces of lean ground beef, slathered in mayo, and topped with lettuce, tomato and onion. Even the bun fit over the entire burger!!! To our surprise they both finished the ENTIRE burger before they slurped down their mountain dews. All before nine o'clock.
Now we've all retired to our rooms and are slowly headed for bed. Sweet dreams!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)