Ain’t No Sunshine…

Frankly nothing makes me feel less than going out on a bike than 3 days of 50 degree wind driven rain — it’s hard to leave the comfort and warmth of the indoors, but: NO RAIN, NO PAIN, NO MAINE. And I intend to get to Maine. So out I go…

I witnessed a late morning drama between geese parents, goslings, and a marauding seagull at Edson Park on the outskirts of Stamford, CT. The seagull seemed to be trying to poach one of the goslings, but the parents were successful foiling the gull. Then they saw me taking pictures of the scene, and when one made a beeline for me l, and I was on my way again.

Days, and a series of 3 days as we’re experiencing, are endurance tests — type 2 fun— not truly enjoyable on its own terms, but enriched by what you’re able to wring out of your body and mind. This is what we sign up for when we take on  these long distance biking endeavors — but don’t think I didn’t consider jumping on the CT Transit train at various early points today, and saving myself some misery. But that’s too easy a solution, one needs to remember what they set out to do, bike to Maine. This moment at the Westport train station was the last time I considered skipping some mileage — that’s a slippery slope.

A moment by a private beach in Greens Farms, CT. The water was deceptively clam for such a high wind day. The beach in Fairfield, CT, and a Southport, CT public garden — which afforded a canopy for a short break.

It was a complete washout of a day — wall to wall torrents of rain & wind with temps in the mid-50s — just awful biking weather. Late start = a late lunch at Beverley’s Pizza in Bridgeport, CT. A hot coffee and half a chicken parm sub did the job fueling me to the next stop.

Wheels in Milford, CT was good for a Snickers bar, hot chocolate, and a break from the rain.

Oyster River Beach was deserted, as was every other beach I saw today. Today was also the first day I didn’t see a single bicyclist out on this tour. Seems everybody had better sense than I did and stayed inside today. Later the same dynamic at Veterans Park in West Haven, CT. 

It was heartening to see New Haven materialize beyond the mist. I was soaked, shivering, and leg tired.

The ECG had one more surprise at the Harbor Trail, which abuts a wildlife refuge — an unpaved path with interpretive signs.

And even a food truck festival about a mile from my hotel.

But I’m done and done! 49 miles in the cold wind driven rain — I’m stepping in fully clothed into a hot shower. Warmth, shower and laundry all at once.

Day 24:
Start: Stamford, CT
Finish: New Haven, CT
Miles: 48.6

Tomorrow’s the last day of this rain pattern. It should stop raining by midday … another late start in store? Then a series of sunny days with mild summer temps is forecast.

What I’m Reading:

My heart open like a burst fig my coffee
a pool staring back at me it’s dark & when
I’m not home I wake up with bug bites I’m
never home anymore my body is not home
to me it is a center I am trying to find

— Francesca Kritikos / “Kneeling”