Product Testing and Wildlife Spotting
The other day I rode 24 miles to Bethesda, Maryland to pick up the touring bike shoes that I had ordered. They look like everyday street shoes but are a bit stiffer in the sole to avoid pedaling fatigue.
I put them on and rode east 13 miles to drop some old tubes off at a friend’s house in Hyattsville. The Google routed me back and forth across the Beltway. At one point I stopped to check my bearings on my phone. I heard a rustle in the greenery next to me on the side of the road. I looked over and there was a deer about three feet away, staring at me. I stared back. The deer didn’t flinch it just turned its head and started munching on some vines. Deer take lunch breaks. Who knew?
(This wildlife close encounter follows one I had earlier in the week near home. Three wild turkeys, an adult and two young-uns, were ambling about in a yard. In 34 years, I’ve never seen a turkey in this area. Weird.)
The ride to Hyattsville was surprisingly enjoyable for this section of car-happy Maryland. I ended up taking Sligo Creek Parkway about seven miles. Shade. Stream. Hardly any cars. Not too shabby.
After I dropped the tubes off and googled a route to home, I discovered that my friend lives a quarter mile from the route of the annual Cider Ride. In five minutes, I was on autopilot. I arrived home after 58 miles.
The ride was part of a 100-mile test of the new rear wheel on The Mule. As far as I can tell, the wheel performed fine. I am still getting used to the sexy buzzing sound that the new rear hub makes when I glide.
The shoes worked fine but after a subsequent 30-mile ride my neuroma pain came back. I decided to try loosening the laces across the bridge of the foot. Today I rode 30 miles and haven’t had a pain recurrence. Knock wood and cross my toes.
Bagging All 50 States – The Event
The 50 States Ride is starting to take shape. I signed up and have three other people riding with me. I expect that by the day of the event next month, I’ll be riding with several more victims…I mean, participants. This will be my 15th time. (This year is the 20th 50 States Ride.) It is suspected that I have ridden it as a paying customer more than anyone else. (There are a few people who have volunteered as course marshals that may have done it more.)
Bagging All 50 States – The Real Ones
I am almost over my post-tour recovery. The physical part is done. (I gained back 10 pounds.) The mental part is the hard part. I have to forget about the hassle of arranging lodging every night and staying in sketchy motels, the brutal climbs, the rain, the mud, the grime, the nasty hike over the Paw Paw tunnel, etc. I’m sure I’ll get my mojo back in a few more weeks.
There are 12 more states for me to conquer – 13 if you count Kentucky which I have only ridden a mile in. I am contemplating using the Natchez Trace to pick off Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. With a little wandering I could add Louisiana, Arkansas and Kentucky to the total. Amazingly there is a website that provides specifics about places to stay and camp all along the Trace.
Another possibility would combine South Dakota and Nebraska. This would involve Adventure Cycling’s new Parks, Peaks, and Prairies route. Highlights would include the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, the Mickelson Trail, Devil’s Tower and, well, something or other in Nebraska.
A couple of other ideas involve the southwest and south. I could take Route 66 from Santa Monica to northern Arizona. There I’d take a side trip to see the Grand Canyon. After a bit more Arizona rock gawking, I would head across New Mexico, the Texas panhandle, Oklahoma, and, if I haven’t already done so, Arkansas. Alternatively, I could do the Adventure Cycling Southern Tier Route from San Diego to Mississippi then ride the Natchez Trace as described above.
The idea here would be to string together multiple states while keeping the tour length manageable. If I could pick off all these I could put Little Nellie in its suitcase and fly to Alaska for the big finish.
Logistics are troublesome. As is my advancing age. Then you have to factor in climate change. And lions and tigers and bears…
A Few Spokes Shy of a Wheel 
The Natchez Trace is a nice ride… tho not many services, if any, on the route. Lots of historical signs to read. 🙂
When did you ride it? How’d you work the logistics?
Did it in 2018. Friends from Illinois drove down to Natchez, picked me up at airport, so we used the car each day – we took turns driving/cycling.
Used to see wild turkeys regularly in Anacostia Park near the Douglass Bridge when I commuted in to Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. Ed and Mary have also reported seeing the Anacostia turkeys. It does feel a bit odd – and heads up – they can be aggressive if the mood suits them (sort of like Canadian geese that way.)
I’ve seen ways of lacing hoking boots to avoid pressure on a sensitive part of the upper foot. Look it up, might work for your cycling shoes too 👍
Hiking boots that should be!
This is a friend of mine, the relevant bit is at 1:25
If you ride in South Dakota, don’t miss Needles Highway. On a weekday morning there is no traffic. (I hear it’s full of motorcycles on weekends and later in the day.)
Andrea was wondering. You ride all these organized rides. The same ones year in and year out. She was wondering why don’t you give the Philadelphia Naked Bike Ride a go?
Sitting in the Wee Packet restaurant in Dennisport Ma. The sign says “Eat here or we will both starve”
You have to come stay with Tom and me in Sedona when you do Northern Arizona!
I actually know another Sedona couple so we’re going to have you duke it out with them!
Ah… ok then we must at least get together for a beer or whatever you’re drinking on tour. Maybe I know your other Sedona friends?
Have you heard of the Bike Non-Stop US (BNSUS) race? https://bikenonstop.com/?fbclid=IwAR3oS8PGttlT8fQKPE-FxmslEjXsN8M3_W6ZxTbxJpyX05SyY-EFpISVOX8
I’m considering doing it next year to be the oldest woman to finish it. The organizer is considering combining it with the TransAm bike race next year since it only had 6 competitors this year.