We rode out in one group and soon divided into two groups again. It was a nice ride on a bike path except for a few loose gravel spots.
We stopped at a very scenic spot for a snack break with a shaded picnic table and view of the water.
It is so hard to get everyone facing the same direction, hence, a couple back side shots.
While there, the second group met up with us and we left before them. And I left my helmet behind unknowingly. I always wear a bandanna to catch the perspiration so felt like I had something on my head. When we made another stop, someone asked me where my helmet was. I frantically patted my head and looked around and then realized I left it on the picnic table at the last stop. I was beside myself. I never ride without my helmet.
So I back tracked to where the other group probably had gone off route to get coffee or tea and decided to go back to my first group, hoping like heck that someone picked it up and was bringimg it with them. Maureen saw it and Dave put it on his bike and brought it to the end of the ride. Was I ever relieved. I know there is no bike shop for many, many miles where I could get another one. So grateful to both of them. But I did ride over 10 miles without a helmet. I was nervous the whole time.
One of the highlights of the day was when I ran over a 15 inch long, pencil size snake. There was no way I could miss him so just ran over him and yelled, “SNAKE”. Janice was behind me and didn’t see it but Kendy said she saw it curled up along side the road. I couldn’t help it and didn’t do it on purpose.
This was a particularly abnormal day for the number of different animals seen. Starting with a bald eagle first thing once on the trail, followed by every imaginable forest creature from rabbits to squirrels to chipmunk, etc ending with a dead mouse. Kendy was keeping track and rattled off a list of 10 or more. Also, saw a beaver dam and lodge right next to the trail. That was cool.
Our accommodation tonite is a very large house converted into suite like rooms. Kinda expensive but really nice. Our view is great but it was very hard to get a good picture because of all the stuff in between us and the water.
We went to a local pub for dinner and heard some authentic Celtic music. Two young girls played and they were really good. The fiddle player did a dance while the other girl sang and then they sang a duet which was beautiful. Most of the time it was the fiddle player with piano background. Very enjoyable.
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We left in such a hurry tonite in order to get there and get good seats because the place fills up fast that some were only given 10 minutes notice to be ready. Kendy was in the shower when I told her and it wasn’t until we were seated at the pub that someone noticed she had her shirt on inside out. Quite a laugh that was. We all have our moments.
31.1 miles today. 3570.4 total
BikerAl Across America 2018 