The first time I took a bike trip, I envisioned getting thin from all that biking, tanning golden along the way, and all the benefits of lots of exercise and relaxation. Well suffice to say, helmets and sun and wind do give you a different "do" and my pants are usually tighter at the end of the week than before I started.
If you do the math, we needed to pedal a lot farther than we did to keep up with the calories.
But somehow when you feel like you are working so hard pedaling up those Vermont "mountains", that ice cream and m&ms are somehow your "right".
My brother, who also bikes, and I have a helmet hair contest. Now I do have a bit MORE hair, so there is even more to work with. I think I got first place today. But with nowhere to go but up another hill, it suits me fine.
After a short overview of where we will be biking today, we were pedaling by 9:00 am. Our first turn of the day led us through a covered bridge and second turn sent us climbing (literally) up a formidable hill.
Again no shame in walking.
Took a spill on my bike cuz I was not paying attention to the ruts in the road; too busy taking in the beauty everywhere.
I was none the worse for the tumble and my bike was unscathed, that being my biggest concern. And the photo op was worth it.
Biked into a Van Gogh painting.
Rolled past gardens chocked with brilliant blooms and veggies.
Beauty like this requires unbelievable hours of work. Vermonters seem to be people of ingenuity, flexibility, resiliency and willingness to work hard physically.
Picnic lunch was provided by our leaders today, including dueling homemade quiches. It was a tie for deliciousness.
Under the spreading chestnut tree , (maybe it was apple trees), we enjoyed food and stories of the morning ride and discussions of whether we were biking or riding in the van to our afternoon destination as heavy rain threatened, AND there was a 6 mile steep long uphill ahead. All but one opted for the van. (I was not that one !)
During lunch I received an urgent prayer request from a friend via text. As Jesus would have it, the proprietors of the wood shop that hosted our lunch were Christians. I had a prayer time with them, -- thank you Scot and Kathleen--, that was Holy Spirit led and resulted in immediate answered prayer on the other side of USA. Praise God. With Him everyday is an adventure.
It did indeed pour rain much of the afternoon. Grateful for a dry van.
Today's color is Mustard Yellow.
Pancakes, bacon, herb muffins, warm maple syrup, watermelon...you get the idea...
Little did I know this would be great compared to the end of the week.
"The Haystacks". The entire day feels like I am living in a painting. The day was cloudy, and cool. Perfect for cycling.
Perfect wedding venue!
Leaders Pete and Cedric served quiches, potato salad, spicy salsa, veggies, melon and much more... yum!
Looks like an abstract painting waiting to happen.