The quickest way I can think to do a blog post, about my bicycle trip, is with a question and answer format. Here I go...
Question: Where did you ride?
Ron: Boston to Woodstock, Vermont. I made it! It's about 200 miles. There I am in the center of Woodstock Vermont about 6pm. It was a long journey that took 4 days of riding. I took one day off for rest, five days total. I recommend to anyone looking for a beautiful ride through New England.
Question: So how did you get there?
Ron: I got a car ride about 10 miles west of Newton, MA. Thanks to Jess' uncle Michael Benari for the launch! Then I pedaled like hell to eat up 50 miles of the first leg. I was nervous. The last time I did a long trip like that, it took me all day. To get on top of it I started out early in the morning. About 7:30am, I arrived in Wheelwright about 3:30pm.
Question: What is it like traveling the slower routes through New England?
Ron: Riding through New England was beautiful. I took all the byways. Just look at the views!
Question: Where did you eat?
Ron: I found farm stands like this all along the road. Most restaurants were Farm to Table.
Question: What do you do if you only eat vegetarian?
Ron: No problem... I have been eating veggie for about a year now. I had to look carefully, but I always found a vegetarian restaurant, like this one in Orange, MA. It's called the Bohemian kitchen. Funny thing is that I found the place by asking for vegetarian food at the meat barbecue pit in that same town. Here is the link in case you are passing through in Orange, MA
Question: Did you ever get lost?
Ron: No... I had a print out from Google maps and GPS. I may return my GPS to get a different one. Luckily I bought it at REI so I can return it. The model I used is a "Garmin Edge Touring Cycling Computer". The mount is good. The batteries were great, I just didn't find the interactive map user friendly. In my opinion, this would be a good model 10 years ago. There must be a better software now. Send me suggestions...
Question: Did you see any other bikers out there?
Ron: I saw this Three-Wheeled bike/car at the Northfield Massachusetts Library. Its an "Organic Transit". This vehicle is made in the USA. Maybe next time I will travel in one of these. Here is the link... http://organictransit.com/
Question: You must have had a lot to pack. What gear did you take?
Ron: As you can see I had a backpack and cycling panniers for bags. I thought I packed light... I could have left more stuff behind. I didn't need a second pair of shoes, and about 3 less shirts. I did laundry at most stops.
(In the Above photo is a Bed and Breakfast, called the Snapdgragon Inn. This had the highest quality for my money. I recommend, here is the web site http://www.snapdragoninn.com/ )
Question: Beside the Snapdragon Inn, where did you stay at night?
Ron: The first night I stayed with my friends Fay and Phyllis in Wheelwright, Mass. Together we made the fenders you see on the bike. We did not get a chance to finish the front fender so we attached it to the center of the bike for transportation. The next night in Brattleboro, Vermont, I stayed at a Hampton Inn.
Question: How was your stay at the Hampton Inn?
Ron: Blaa. Compared the Snapdgrgon Inn, and the same price!
(Above is the photo from the Hamton Inn..).
Question: Back to the Fenders! You and Fay made the fenders? Do you have a close-up photo?
Ron: Yes. Fay is a sheet-metal specialist and a mentor. Here's a link to his website to learn more. http://www.faybutler.com/
Question: Do you have a photo of you making the fenders?
Ron: Yeah, this is a screenshot from Fay Butler's Instagram.
Question: Okay so, what about the rest of the route? Do you have any other photos from the road?
Ron: Sure... This was a typical scene. Antiques from a time gone by.
Question: Ok... Besides antiques, what did you do in the towns?
Ron: Brattleboro was hip. I ate in the happening downtown next to the bicycle shop. The people at the bike shop were nice and helpful with directions. http://www.burrowssports.com/
Question: Did you meet anybody else that was cool?
( This photo of the Precision Museum, is from Wikipedia as I forgot to take photos that day)
Ron: Yes, while visiting the Precision Museum in Windsor Vermont I met a fellow bicyclist and
metalworker, Jacques. The bicycle fenders caught his attention and we talked about the machines
we saw at the museum. He is truly an amazing artist, you must check out his website.
Question: What did you find interesting at the Precision Museum?
Ron: Well for starters, apparently this is the location of the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
What that means is that the people that occupied this building in the 1800's invented
the process of repeatable interchangeable parts for machines. This makes for a faster more
serviceable product. This was vital in the Civil War and developing new products, like cars.
Plus, they got some pretty cool artifacts. For instance they have a Bridgeport milling machine with
serial number 1. That's pretty cool. Check it out! http://www.americanprecision.org/
Ron: I saw an artist carve a 6 foot ice cream cone from wood with a chain saw! "Buzzsaw" is a local artist that specializes in Bear carvings.
Question: Wow... ok what else did you see?
Question: Really? Out there in the country you saw all that? Got anything else?
Question: Do you have a photo of the building?
Ron: There it is... and inside you will find a passionate tour guide that knows Vermont history well.
Question: Ok, but what about the ice cream, Vermont is famous for ice cream. Did you have any?
Ron: I didn't stop at Ben and Jerrys, but I did find a nice place in Windsor called Boston Dreams. The server was nice and gave me directions to Woodstock. (Thank you :)
Question: Seems like New England is a chilled-out fun area. Did you have to travel by bike? Why didn't you take a car?
Ron: I have been driving up to Vermont for years. For skiing and in the summer to vacation with my family... I have never seen this side of Vermont until I did this trip. All these places are off the major highways.
Question: So biking is vital to seeing all this? Couldn't you just look this stuff up on Google and drive it?
Ron: Sure, if you knew what to look for.
Question: What do you mean?
Ron: For instance, I don't think you can look up on Google this 7 foot corn field. I don't think there is a listing for that. :)
Question: Are Farm-to-Table the only placed to eat?
Ron: Its mostly small businesses. I can't imaging eating fresher food. Here is a great Farm-to-Table stop. http://harlowfarm.com/farmstand/
Question: Is that it?
Ron: Yes... that's it...
Question: Is there anyone you would like to thank?
Ron: First I want to thank my Mom, as I am dedicating this bike trip to her. She is wining a battle with Pancreatic Cancer right now. Knowing more about Pancreatic Cancer is key to survival. Love you Mom. http://www.lustgarten.org/get-informed/quick-facts-a-pancreatic-cancer-infographic
Ron: Next... there have been a few key people that made this trip possible. Starting with my girlfriend, Jessica Benari. She encouraged me the whole way and found my hotels. I hope she will ride with me next time. The photo above is of her artwork. Check out! http://www.jessicabenaridesigns.com/
Ron: Phyllis cooked an amazing veggie meal when I stayed with them. Thank you! And as I mentioned above, Fay and I made the fenders for the bike. Fay is a great mentor and helps to guide me towards being a better craftsman.
Question: Did anyone help you prepare for the trip?
Ron: Dan and the crew at REI Paramus took the time to help set up my bike. Thanks guys. AND... Andrew Veiss of Steve's Moped. Andy had some good advice for traveling by bike. Thanks.
Question: How do you want to rap this blog up?
Ron: Ok... here is the rap up. Dan from REI said it best...
"There will never be a better time to go on a a bicycle trip, you will never be fully prepared, just go"
