Noon in Ayer, Mass
I’ve entered the realm of dropped “r”s and Irish faces. Uncharacteristically most Massachusetts drivers are treating me with good care. The roads look bad but I’m having no trouble riding.
I lined up a Warmshowers host for tonight in Derry, 60-ish miles away. The weather forecast called for rain until noon. With each passing hour the end of the rain moves further into the afternoon.
Rather than wait the rain out, I left the hotel at 8:30 wearing all the things. Temps were in the 50s and a light rain and light headwind added to the sheer New England climactic bliss.
The terrain has been forgiving. Either that or The Mule and I are getting lighter. My face is becoming gaunt as it usually does later in a tour. What hills there are seem easily climbed. My breakfast consisted of two cups of weak coffee, two packets of instant oatmeal, and three mini muffins. I apparently get about 8 miles to the muffin.
My Warmshowers host told me last night that he wouldn’t be home until 11 p.m. He texted a few minutes ago saying he’d be home by 7. I wasn’t looking forward to hanging out in his garage for hours so this is a welcome development.
5 p.m. in Derry, NH
After lunch the sun came out! For ten minutes. Sad face. At least the rain was mostly over.
After a five mile ride on a paved rail trail, the terrain became a little hillier. No worries. I am feeling exceptionally strong today except when I get off the bike. Then I feel woozy. I really need to eat and drink more but my mind is focused on the map which has a gazillion turns, many of them unmarked. I went off route several times today. I even missed the turn off the rail trail, more from zoning out than anything else.
A few miles before the finish a hawk swooped down and snatched a squirrel off the road ahead of me. Marlin Perkins phone home. The circle of life is savage!
I’m at the town bar, Hare of the Dawg. Everyone knows everyone else. It’s a bit intimidating but the food is pretty good. My Warmshowers host lives right off the route so there will be no problem finding him.
New Hampshire is the 37th state I’ve ridden in.
Miles today: 64.5
Tour miles: 746
A Few Spokes Shy of a Wheel 
Glad to hear you are doing well. You are witnessing hawks taking squirrels. I’m watching baby robins steal my strawberries. About to watch game 2 of the Stanley Cup. Sorry the weather isn’t more pleasant for you.
I wonder why New Hampshire also welcomes people in French. Must be a lot of Canadians up that way–makes sense. Enjoying reading your blog as a distraction from studying electrical theory. 🙂 Cheers!
Quebec shuts down in July and many people vacation in NH.
I laughed out loud at the 8 miles per muffin comment. I hope the host was welcoming and not home too late. Are these interactions ever awkward? I’d feel pressured to have conversations with them I think, when I’d likely just want to sleep. Is there any incentive for the hosts, or are most fellow bikers who just enjoy helping out?
Only once in Montana. The house was a pit so I opted out. Basically guests sing for their supper. We tell each other tales, swap bike touting info, etc. Sometimes the hosts provide dinner and/or breakfast.