Thumbs up to Tracy’s handlebar fix

My handlebar Splint – not fancy but it worked!

This stuff finally came in handy

More photos

Another State Crossing

Beautiful scenery

Hi everyone, (updated )

It was a cool and potentially rainy morning as we left Albany NY. There was apt of construction going on between the cities and we were forewarned about the necessity to walk our bikes. This was to be a day of considerable climbing as del. I recall it was supposed to be about the 4th or 5th in terms of actual feet climbed (5600). Very early on, the late departures became separated due to traffic lights . I was ring with Tom M and Mike K and by mile we had encountered a couple rod construction sights. At the first one, we had to walk our bikes through streets that had been torn up. The second site was down to one lane and they had stopped us bso the oncoming traffic could clear out. When we received the SLOW sigh, there were a lot of cars queued up behind us. I wanted to sprint through the one lane area as fast as I could so I pulled pretty hard on the brake hoods to gain momentum. I felt one of the hoods give. When I checked it, it felt stable but the position had moved slight;y/ I figured that i would ask Rick or Tracy to have a look when I encountered them. Before the first SAG, I felt the same sensation when I pulled up on th brake hoods and it was unsettling.

I was riding slower than usual and mike and Tom had ridden ahead. At the first SAG, Mike had told Tracy about my brake issue. When she checked my bike, she discovered that I had actually broken the carbon fiber handlebar. It was definitely not safe to ride in that condition. I was thinking possibly Tour over or that I might have to SAG into town. To the point, I had risen every mile (plus a few extra). At this pint we still had over 50 miles to go. I was very downhearted . Tracy looked ta me and said, “you haven’t ridden in the van ay all,, have you?” I said ,”No”,. she then said, I think I can make a temporary fix that will get you int town to the bike shop. I said'”That sounds like a plan”.

Tracy disappeared into the truck with my bike and about an hour later emerged with my bike with an elaborate splint system to keep the handlebars in place. It wasn’t pretty and it took a little getting used to but it felt very stable. I tol Tracy that if anything happens, I made the decision to ride and only hold myself responsible for any negative outcome. I also promised to ride very safe and slow. Now there were quite a bit of big hills with descents and some very rough roads with traffic. I d0n’t think that I ever exceeded 20 MPH and usually kept it under 17 mph. I rode the aerobats whenever possible as that kept pressure of the handlebars. I made the second SAG and was very far back from anyone else.

The scenery was beautiful and i did take a few pictures that i will post, plus I crossed the state line into Vermont (doing the ritual sprinkling of sand). When i arrived in Brattlesboro, I stopped at the bike shop (they knew I was coming) and arranged to have new handlebars put on. They said a couple of hours and I had lunch at the Blue Moose and saw Patty walking around town so she and I had a couple of beers at a local establishment. The mechanic at the bike shop said that he has never seen handle bars broken like that.  Patty and I rode to the Hotel and I was met by a few folks (including Tracy) who had been anticipating my return. It was ^:00 pm , probably 3 hours later than i had ever come in. Richard M shared one of his Snooty Nose beers with me and I was cajoled into going to dinner with 7 other riders. i really wanted to stay in but also wanted to be with my friends.

It was a great dinner with Nick (from England), Patty, Cindi, Larry, Ron and Mike. We ate outside and a chipmunk ran across the patin. Nick exclaimed, “Is that a mouse or a rat?” We alo celebrated Larry’s birthday for about the 6th time. Cindi  arranged for a cake and Larry exclaimed “Oh no, not again!” We all liked to sing Happy Birthday to larry even though his birthday was not at that time. When I got back to the room. I had no internet sped and continually lost a connection and gave up the idea of completing the Blog that night.

It was a memorable day with a bit of adversity and some friends gathering to celebrate something special. I knew that our time together as a group would be short. Only 2 days to go… tomorrow 91 miles and the 18 to the beach in Boston. I am now counting down the miles of a most remarkable adventure.

Tailwinds

Chuck

I have a lot to write about and a lot of photos but I rolled in to the hotel at 6 PM because of physical issues and mechanical problems, went to dinner and got back at 9 and the internet here is like 48 baud.

John had an operation oh his pelvia down will have surgery on his arm on Friday. It sounds ilk the is doing well but was in surgery for something ilk e5 – 6 hours.

will try to write more when I have time and and internet connection.

Tailwinds

Chuck