Day 1 - Bar Harbor to Hope

Well, the day did not turn out the way I’d hoped. I got up early this morning and got some breakfast at our hotel before the shuttle took us over to camp. I was getting all my stuff ready and remembered that since I had forgotten my sunglasses, I had asked to borrow a pair from one of the support members. When I asked her about it, she said she had forgotten them but could run back to the hotel real quick to pick them up. At this point, Blake’s EPIC talk was over and people were starting to head out.

Lo and behold, I ended up being the last one out of camp because of the glasses situation. No big deal, I thought, I’ll just catch up to the others by the next water stop (in 20 miles). Well, we had been warned about some of the hills, especially the one on the way out of town. I thought I was prepared… but I turned that corner and tried to shift… and it didn’t shift. I just kept pedaling thinking it would catch eventually, and not only did it not catch, it locked up. I knew I was going down… so I braced for impact, leaned to the right, and hit the ground. OOOHH that was harder than I thought it was going to be! Also, there’s a bit of a ditch on the side of the road. I got the wind knocked out of me and laid there for a minute.

When I stood up, I debated about whether or not to call for assistance. I took stock – I was ok. No major scrapes or bruises. But man my ribs were sore. And my chain had come off. I sent in the text for help… “yup, I’m at 0.3 miles, and I need a mechanic.” I felt silly, but I knew it was the right thing to do. A few minutes later the mechanics rolled up and checked out my bike – and made sure I was ok. And we decided that me and the bike were ok to continue riding. At this point, the sweep rider had also shown up, so he stuck with me on the remainder of the ride. He’s worked at ski resorts before too, so he knew what to keep an eye out for with regard to my injury.

I had a tough time on another hill, just having difficulty taking a deep breath, but managed to make the 20 miles to the water stop. But at that point I decided it was time for a ride – in a vehicle. I was thinking I would be able to get back on the bike after the lunch stop, but once we got there and I talked with the ride medic, looked over the route and elevation for the next section, and confirmed with the ride director, I decided to call it a day. I’m not seriously injured, but I’m definitely sore enough to know my limits. After all – it’s day 1. I still have 4 more days and over 300 miles left to ride.

So the plan is to get a good night’s sleep and take stock in the morning. Hopefully I’m feeling up for the 52 miles on the agenda! If you're considering donating to my ride, please head on over to my fundraising page. 

Day 0 - Acadia

A panoramic view along the ride around Acadia

Today was pretty amazing. It was an early morning, and I was so glad I was able to stay with Dani just across the river. It was a pretty easy commute into Boston and after a little hiccup, I found the park with all the other riders. I parked my car, and started hauling down all my stuff – I may have overpacked. I got down to the park and had some time to kill, so I grabbed breakfast and did a little check in with the internet before hopping on the bus.

It was a 5 hour bus ride up, and we had a pitstop for lunch. We all ended up going to the same place at the “service plaza” so lunch took a little longer than intended. The bus had wifi, so I was able to get some work done, which was nice. We finally arrived in Bar Harbor around 3.

We unloaded the bus and headed off to our hotels to get checked in. I grabbed all my bags and did a bit of reorganizing before heading back down to go out on a ride. We had the option of doing a 22 mile loop ride in Acadia National Park and I just couldn’t miss out on this chance. Ever since I received Jack Perkins' photography book about Acadia, I've wanted to visit here.

 It was sooo beautiful. The area is just really craggy and then on the other side of the road is the ocean and the harbor. Absolutely stunning! The pictures really don’t do it justice. Every corner we came around we just ooohed and ahhhed at how majestic it was. I really would have loved to spend more time there, but sadly we had limited time before the sun went down. It was a lot of hill work to start the ride, but a good way to get loose after the long bus ride. There were times we were flying and times we... weren't.

My Fellow Riding Buddies 

Then it was time for a quick shower, some food – a check-in call with mom – and then some mingling time with other riders in town. Bar Harbor is such a cute little town and I was a little bummed I didn’t have more time to explore it. I will definitely have to come back and spend some more time here.

Right now, I am EXHAUSTED but I wanted to check in with you all and let you know how the first day went. Tomorrow we get started – 76 miles on the agenda! If you haven't heard, I've decided to increase my fundraising goal, since we did such an awesome job raising $2000 over the last two weeks! I've pushed my goal to $5000 and I'd love to hit that before I finish up in Boston on Monday. To donate, just head on over to my fundraising page.

Climate Ride Northeast 2015 - The Adventure Begins

Wow! I can't believe it's here. It's been a really crazy few months, and there were times in the last couple weeks I really didn't think I would hit my fundraising goal or be able to get away. But here I am, sitting at my friends' just outside of Boston, gearing up to hit the road for another Climate Ride adventure. I am PUMPED for what's in store over the next week!

So, here's the agenda:

• Wednesday, September 16: depart at 9am on a shuttle from Boston to Bar Harbor. 

This will take me and the bike up to Bar Harbor so I don't have to worry about getting everything back there after the ride. It's about a 5 hour drive (glad to not be driving any more myself, since I've logged about 17 hours of driving over the last two days!) and we arrive in Bar Harbor around 2. Once there, it's time to check-in to our hotels and if we want, get a ride in around Acadia National Park. I can't WAIT to check out this park, after receiving a photo book from the park back in 2004. 

• Thursday, September 17: ride begins at 8:30am, Bar Harbor to Hope (79 miles)

Wow! Really diving in on this first day. Not just the miles, but it's looking like about 3000ft of elevation climb as well. I will be STOKED for dinner this night. 

• Friday, September 18: leave by 8:30am, Hope to Jefferson (52 miles)

So, on this day, we have an option to ride an extra 20 mile loop to the Oxbow Brewing Company, and while that sounds exciting... I think I'm going to skip it to prepare for the BIG day tomorrow... 

• Saturday, September 19: head out at 6:30am, Jefferson to Ocean Park (100 miles)

Yes, you read that right. Today is a century day! I am really hoping to be able to bike all 100 miles. There are two shorter options, and I'm not sure yet if I need to decide in the morning what my plan is, or if I can call for a ride if I feel like I'm not going to make it. There will be some tough climbs on this ride, and it will definitely be a LONG day in the saddle. But it would be amazing to conquer my first century day during this ride. And I will sleep HARD that night if I do!

• Sunday, September 20: leave by 8am, Ocean Park to Amesbury (76 miles)

After yesterday, this day will feel like a BREEZE! And it's all downhill from here. Maybe not literally, but after a 100 mile day, these last two days will seem so easy because they are so much shorter! This day does have a major climb right near the end, but if I have to walk it, so be it. Been there, done that. Currently, this is the only day in the forecast with a chance of rain. (don't worry, I knocked on wood...) Hopefully by the time the day rolls around, we'll get clear skies!

• Monday, September 21: start riding by 7:30am, Amesbury to Boston (59 miles)

Early start again this morning, but only because we got places to be! The goal is to ride into Boston Common around 3:30pm and anyone in the area is WELCOME to join us. It will be SOOO awesome to finish up on the Common and relive all my memories from the marathon. I do hope to see some of my local friends at the finish. And feel free to grab a bike (if Hubway has any available) and join us!

Then I'm hoping for some Wahlburgers as a treat for my efforts before a low-key week. But the fun isn't over, because the following Saturday, my friend Liz and I are heading out to the Cape for the ZOOMA Half Marathon! Yup... it's gonna be epic!

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