Distance 14 miles
time: all day
Riding time: 55 minutes
Total 116 miles
Click Here for all the photos on Flickr
It was another hot day, fortunately we only had an 11 mile ride to the night’s  accommodations

We spend most of the day meandering around P-Town.  Walked to breakfast and around Commercial St. before checking out of the hostel.  We left around 10-ish and visited two bike shops just to look around.  We spend a good amount of time at Gale Force Bike where I did some work getting my handlebar bag issue resolved.  The bag was constantly slipping down out of position. A simple fix of adding a plastic thing to make the handle bar thicker. After that I was able to tighten the connections and secure the bag in place.

We arrived at Nick’s family’s campsite in Truro after spending time at the beach for lunch.  Although it was only a 10 mile ride, we were both still feeling the effect of our 100 mile jaunt yesterday. Riding 100 miles on the first day of a bike tour is not the best way to start.  It was Nicks only day of riding. I will now ride solo to continue touring Cape Cod.

We certainly met a few quirky people on this ride.  In Sandwich on our first day we needed to double check the directions I was given by an internet friend.

We came across an older “gentleman” (you will understand the quotes shortly). “Excuse me sir, do you live locally?” I asked.  “Do I look like a local?”  Red flags rising.  “I was told that rt 130 is the best and safest way to get to the Cape Ccod Rail Trail, what do you think?”

“You was told wrong. You’ll git yourselves kilt riding that road. 6A is your best bet but you will probably get kilt on that road too.”

“We are riding to P-Town and want to get to the Rail Trail. Any idea on the distance?”

“You ain’t gittin to P-Town today on bikes.  It’s dam near 60 miles to the rail trail and another 75 miles to P-Town.”

“OK, thanks for your help”

We did stay on Rt 6 and decided to stop asking for better routes and simply trust google.  In the end, it was 70 miles to our hostel in P-Town.

At the hostel on our first night, we quickly made friends with the other guests.  Riding on fully loaded bikes  brings out the best in people.  I spend some time with Willie Weir a couple of years ago and he told how being on a loaded bicycle changes you from a tourist to a traveler in the eyes of many.  People approach you and want to know your story.  How far your riding, where did you start, where are you going?    I’m sure my story of a short tour close to my home is disappointing, but I think I’m still considered a traveler and not a tourist.

Yesterday, when we stopped for a snack on a beach road, we saw this really really big guy on a fat bike,  (stop it, I know what your thinking).  Most people would make fun of this guy riding with his shirt off and wrapped around his head.  His physique was a sight that makes you stare like your looking at a car crash.   When he pulled into the lot, I said, nice bike.  That broke the ice and we had a great conversation.   He said he had to rent this fat bike because the tires would help him keep upright.  He is the head chef at a fancy hotel in Connecticut and always had a problem with his weight. Recently losing 50 lbs gives him motivation to stay on track of limiting his carbs and sugar.  He doesn’t miss them any more and is very confident he will be “svelt” soon.

Nick’s parents, Mark and Chris, not only gave me a bed for the night but also treated me to a wonderful dinner in Provincetown.  A twenty minute shuttle bus makes it very easy to get to and fro downtown and it’s only two bucks.

The three of them left a while ago to spend the day at the beach while I hang out at the trailer finishing this entry.

The plan is a short 40 mile ride to Brewster where I’ll stay at the Nickerson Camp Ground. It may be a busy weekend on the Cape and the place may be sold out, but the state has a no turn away policy for hikers and bikers.  We’ll see.

Here are yesterday’s photos, unedited.

 

Day 1  Fairhaven to Provincetown     Day 3. Truro to Brewster, MA

Click Here for all the photos on Flickr

“Two things get stolen in P-Town.  Boy friends and bikes.”

Fairhaven to Provincetown, MA

Distance 102 miles
Time 11:50
Riding Time 7:46

For some god forsaken reason, we decided to ride from Fairhaven to Provincetown, MA in one day. Actually, Nick’s parents wouldn’t let him do the ride alone.   I wanted to do a tour of the Cape, and this worked out great for both of us. Except for the hundred mile part. The first 50 miles was pretty nice.  The next 25 was hot and a bit difficult.  The last 25 miles sucked. It was hilly and a good part was on busy US Rt. 6. The plan was to get to P-Town by 3 PM for the Carnival Parade.  We only missed it by three and a half hours.

Back tracking a bit.  We didn’t know if we were going ride today because we had no place to stay.  I had made some calls to a couple off hostels but got no response. We decided to ride to the Bourne Bridge and if we got no response by then we would turn back and ride tomorrow. Fortunately we heard from Sarah and got a $45 a bed, right in the heart of the city.

We had heard about George’s pizza and sub shop who made the best sandwiches in P-Town.  Our adorable waitress,  Simpka from Lithuania,  told us that the grill was closed, at 8 PM.  All that was available was pizza.  Neither of us had the energy to try to find another place so we settled for a mediocre cheese pizza.

It was the first experience in a hostel for both of us.  The company was really good.  The accommodations were adequate. I’m staying in a trailer camper tonight and tomorrow I’ll continue riding around Cape Cod for the next two or three days.

Click Here for all the photos on Flickr

Day 2  Provincetown to Truro

 

We were scheduled to ride to P-Town on Friday.   We heard about the Carnival and the Parade that takes place on Thursday.  All accounts say that it’s a really great time.  If we can find accommodations, Nick and I will leave very early Thursday morning for the 100 mile ride to Provincetown, MA.  Nick is looking forward to the miles, me, not so much.

One of the requirements for the early departure was that Nick had to finish his science project. Coincidentally, I offered to drive a marine biologist, Kate,  to the bus station for her trip to NYC.  Nick rode along and got some really good advice from her.  We spend the next few hours visiting ocean, stream and river shores where Nick took his measurements, and did the other research criteria needed to complete his project.

Nick’s parents will be driving to the Cape on Friday and I will move on and spend a few days touring Cape Cod.  I have a feeling I’ll be camping in some unusual places.  I would rather not sleep outside on the ground but the prices of the motels are ridiculously astronomical.  Anywhere from $350-$700 per night.  Sheesh.

The humidity broke today and although it was hot, 90ish, it didn’t feel so bad.  It was a nice day to ride around the waterfront.

Three days of music was topped off by the Whaling City Blues Festival.  And it was “off the hook” Shemekia Copeland and her band were the most entertaining for me.

MAIN STAGE
11:45-12:45 – Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish
1:10-2:25 – Quinn Sullivan
2:50-4:05 – Jon Cleary and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen
4:30-5:50 – Shemekia Copeland
6:15-7:45 – Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band

2016 WHALING CITY BLUES FESTIVAL from John Sullivan on Vimeo.

I had to cancel (now postpone it seems), my planned summer bike tour of Cape Cod in June. Recently,  I was asked to chaperone, or should I say accompany, Nick, a 16 year old member of our bike riding group, to his parents cottage near Provincetown on outer Cape Cod.  It’s around 90 miles and Nick wants to do it in one day.  I’m fine with that as long as he is not in a hurry. Which he always is, by the way.  After spending the night bumming around P-Town, I’ll spend two or three days riding around the Cape and maybe Martha’s Vineyard as I meander my way back home.

I was a bit apprehensive about finding a place to stay on the return trip.  Hotels and Motels are extravagantly expensive, ranging from $325 to over $700 per night, often with multi night minimum requirements. They are pretty much all sold out so that’s moot. There are two State campgrounds that have a no turn away policy for hikers and bikers. Both are a bit off the beaten path that I’ll be riding.   Lucky for me I am following a friend Mike Riscica who just completed his cross country bike ride.  This is his third crossing by bike and he has learned not to worry about accommodations, often sleeping on a picnic table in a park or setting up his tent behind a church.

I have learned how to pack for a bike tour, long or in this case, a short tour.   A set of clothes to sweat in and a set of clothes not to sweat in .  A tent, sleeping bag, camp pillow, camera, video camera, charging cords, a 3 in 1 laptop and a six station power strip.  The total weight I’m carrying is just under 20 lbs.

That’s all beginning on the 19th.  Till then, it’s regular old riding around the neighborhood.

 

Located in Westport MA.  A spectacular day for a bike ride.  It doubled as training for my rescheduled bike tour of Cape Cod.

HORSENECK BEACH from John Sullivan on Vimeo.

 

The morning was riding around town getting things done.  After the post office run and before the market I took the time to visit the Pokeymon people who have invaded our Revolutionary War era Fort Phoenix.  Most in town are pining for the day when Pokeymon fever recedes.  They are there every day all day.  It’s like listening to the same song on the radio over and over again.  It may be a good song but eventually one tires of hearing it.  The town folk are tired of Pokemon players occupying the beach area.

The beautiful summer evening screamed for a bike ride.  We left home around 5:30 for a 27 mile spin on one of our regular routes. Although we have done this ride often, we saw things that had obviously been in place for years.  Today we just happened to look over and spotted a couple of gems.

We got back at dusk and withing 20 minutes the sky opened up with off and on heavy showers.  It’s all in the timing.

 

Register Here

2016 marks our 7th Annual bike-a-thon fundraiser for the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council! Ride 60, 40, 30, 10 or 5 miles with full support from our brilliant and steadfast team of volunteers.

2016 marks our 7th Annual bike-a-thon fundraiser for the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council! Ride 60, 40, 30, 10 or 5 miles with full support from our brilliant and steadfast team of volunteers.

Our Rides Include:

• 8:00 am – 60-mile ride
• 9:00 am – 40-mile ride
• 10:30 am – 30-mile ride
• 11:00 am – 10-mile ride
• 11:30 am – 5-mile ride or wal

This one is a really different and scenic ride through Providence and northern R.I.  I’ll be riding my 4th and in the past I have done photos and videos. Lots of food entertainment and swag at the end of the ride in Waterplace Park are all part of the registration fee.  September is a great time of year to ride and Northern R.I. is a great place to ride in September.   Click Here to register.  It’s well worth the fee.