Today dawned as a cloudy but slightly cooler day than yesterday which was a midsummer style hot & humid one. Bikes were loaded onto the new rack-it's a breeze and only takes a minute, no bungees or straps needed! My sister joined us at the Whitehall parking lot on the NCRR trail and we rode north. The sun was in and out and there was a little breeze to combat the lingering humidity from yesterday. I could hear a hawk circling above us, calling out-a sign from my deceased Dad, I am sure. He visits in the form of a red-tailed hawk, and lets me know he is ok.
Halfway into our ride, we passed "gnome town" a little gnome village on a mini mountain along the trail-so kitschy it's cute! Many gnomes! Roadside America in miniature.
After a stop for gnome photos, we rode on. Haven't been on the NCRR for a long time (too long!) and it has become much more "populated" than I remember, but for the most part users were courteous and stuck by the rules.....of course there is always going to be that one person who feels he is somehow exempt from the ALL DOGS MUST BE ON LEASH AT ALL TIMES rule. How is it that some folks just think they can do as they please is beyond my understanding on all levels. I just hoped that the dog would stay to the side as we passed, and not charge us as one did to me on a previous ride. The owner of this dog was oblivious, but thankfully his dog was better behaved than his owner. (Don't get me wrong, I love dogs! But having been attacked by an unleashed dog with an owner insisting he was friendly, you can understand my caution, and appreciation for owners who obey the rules...)
Another stop by a bridge was our turning point, as Danny's and my rears were hurting from the bike seats (I have enough "padding" back there that it shouldn't bother me!). The ride back was slightly downhill, so we had a nice breeze in our faces and mostly a coast back to the car. Our maiden voyage of ten miles was a success-but we surely will need some more conditioning for the rides in Acadia.
a little p.s. .... My wrists used to hurt so bad while riding due to carpal tunnel syndrome-I would ride for 15 minutes and my hands would be completely numb and feeling just like two cement blocks attached to my wrists. Made my riding a challenge. Well, bilateral carpal tunnel surgeries two years apart worked like magic! No longer cement stumps at the ends of my arms! I can now ride pain-free! (As well as pain-free driving, sleeping, typing, drawing etc etc!)...
