Andy & Kerry's Greenway Trip

So, we got our new bikes this week and decided it was high time to start spinning the wheels for reals. We loaded up our Long Haul Truckers this morning, strapped on the trailer and headed out to the Farmington Canal Greenway, a section of the ECG that goes north of New Haven. It was amazing! If the entire trail were completed and just like that, going to Key West would be a piece of cake. We blazed through 35 miles with ease today, though only 18 were on the off-road trail. We did discover, though, that our new saddles are going to take some getting used to. I've got some rawness in my dark and naughty places, and I think Kerry has the same problem. Patch handled the whole thing with his usual lethargy, though he did get worked up every time we stopped to rest. Little jerk thinks we should be pedaling his chubby butt around the whole time. He expressed that in his usually subtle way, with constant whimpering until I started pedaling again. It was totally worth it, though, seeing everybody's gushing reaction to the cute little dog in the bike trailer. Apparently the ride was exhausting for him, too, as he passed right out as soon as we got home (and persuaded him out of the trailer). Well, gotta go ice my junk. Until next time ...

Well, there's been a lot of sad news lately. It seems people are always finding ways to mistreat each other. The whole thing got me thinking about isolation, which has become a fairly significant part of our culture. We live in single family houses that, with rare exceptions, hold only a nuclear family. Those who invite relatives such as parents or siblings or even cousins are definitely anomalies. We then drive to work in our single-passenger cars. Most communication is done by cell phone or e-mail or IM. It's no wonder we've learned to dehumanize each other. What does this have to do with the subject of this blog? Well, I think bicycle travel may be one way to reconnect with one's world. It's a lot harder to become completely absorbed in your own small little world when there are no windshields or dashboard stereos to block out the rest. Also, it becomes a lot harder to forget about nature's beauty (and also its terrible power) when completely exposed. Perhaps more people should do some traveling by bike or by foot. We've already encountered some unbelievable people who want to be part of our trip, either by riding along or offering to host us and help us find our way. So, I guess that gives me a little optimism for my species, though I fear that kind of brotherhood is swiftly becoming the exception, rather than the rule.

In other news, I had a really positive meeting with U.S. Rep. Chris Shays yesterday. He's promised to insert some funding for the ECG in a future transportation bill. He said he will work with his staff to create a five- or ten-year plan to fund the alliance and help them finish the project. Hooray! Also, our new bikes will be ready tomorrow. We took a long training ride Sunday and discovered that Patch loves his trailer even more than we'd thought. The only time he seemed dissatisfied was when we were stopped. What a strange little dog. Until next time ...

Well, the trip is now just about a month away and we're getting very excited. The bikes are at the shop getting tuned up and ready, all our gear is purchased and Patch is napping. We've got what seems like an interminable amount of time to go, but I think we can do it. I'll write more when I've got something new to report.