Where to ride today? Well , at least I don't have to ride 50 miles and then go to work anymore. Now, and for the next 2 months this biking will be my job. 2nd to last day of "training." I can't wait until I can answer a stranger's question by saying "I'm biking across the US." Instead I have to sheepishly say "I'm training." OK so I just passed the 800 mile mark training during the month of August with the bike fully loaded. I remember a few years back when the run from the Art Museum to Valley Forge was a big deal. Now it seems so short.
Ended up riding to Ridley Creek State Park, one loop there, then back roads to Rt. 1 south. Stopped for a 10 minute break at Newlin Mill Park. Years ago would take the kids fishing there or picnic. A sign said "All visitors must check in." So I dripped my sweat in the lobby of their little check-in office and announced "I'm checking in!" The lady looked up and simply motioned a sign of acknowledgement that I was now duly checked in. Boy did I really need to bother? That really seemed stupid. Maybe it was a post-9/11 thing. Make sure terrorists don't mess with the ancient grist mill. By the way, what the hell is grist exactly. And why are there so many historic grist mills?
Oh and another thing that was really stupid was the water in the rest room was only hot...not good for quenching your thirst. So I asked where the cold water was and the lady in the office said to let it run for for a few minutes and it will get cold. I waited 4 minutes for it to turn cold and gave up.
Got back on Rt.1 south past Chadds Ford for a few more miles. Met some canoers by the Brandywine Creek who were just finishing an overnight camping trip and trying to get the SUV loaded up before the storm. Found myself sitting on a tree along the banks of the creek that had a trunk that ran horizontally out about 10 feet and then vertically toward the sky. Above the top of the tree were power lines. So let's see, water, tall tree, power lines, could I be in a worse place as the thunder rumbles closer? Hmmm. Best get the heck outtahere. Shortly after the lightning storm held me up for an hour. Found refuge in the foyer of defunct Lobster Pot restaurant. I once ate a pound of pasta there. But that is another story in itself. Rode in a steady rain for about an hour as I headed home. At one point I was really cruising...22mph on a long uphill grade. I guess the burrito supreme finally kicked in.
51.5 miles
3 hours 52 minutes of riding time