This was just a little adventure in the total scheme of things...
We headed for the ferry from Pt. Judith, RI Thursday AM and got on the 12:30 high speed ferry, after a 90 minute drive. The weather predictions ranged from so-so to terrible, so we went with no expectations, our Jamis Codas, and all of our rain gear. But, it was just cloudy when we arrived; walked the few steps to our B and B from the dock and set out to eat lunch. Thanks to Indigoiis, we had plenty of suggestions! Then, seeing no rain coming, we changed into casual riding clothes and set out to see the southern end of the island. My DH did not bring his cycling shoes, and it was fun watching him ride with hiking shoes, something I can barely achieve anymore. We rode up to the Southeast lighthouse, walked around, and then down the road to the nature trail, which is really a very steep set of steps down to the ocean. There was a huge warning sign that this was strenuous exercise! I must say, though, that walking up, combined with riding the bike with spd pedals (no float) was making my knees a little cranky, too. Well, we rode a bit more and returned to the inn, with a whopping 6 miles since we didn't want to miss the wine and cheese. But, it was hilly! I always think islands will be flat. We had a good dinner that night and went to bed, awakened by thunderstorms Friday AM. So, we shopped a bit, ate breakfast (the B and B had a crappy continental breakfast), and then decided to head out to the other end of the island. As soon as we left, it started raining. Put the rain jacket on and got out to the Northeast lighthouse. Beautiful scenery and hardly any cars. Then it started raining harder, so we got the rain pants on, and helmet covers.... as soon as we had ridden a mile or so, it lightened up . It was getting hot, but we made it to New Harbor and had a nice lunch at the Oar, where we changed out of the rain gear. After lunch, we rode the rest of the perimeter of the island. It got very foggy and cool for awhile, but I must say my Ibex short sleeved T shirt was great. Again, it was hilly, with many rollers. We got back to the inn with a total of 15.5 miles, although it seemed more like 30 on those bikes!
We didn't know there was a promotional event for the weekend, where all of the shops and restaurants were giving discounts if you bought a button.... on Friday the tourists started arriving and the sun did come out by 5 PM. We walked to dinner, but got lost, and I ended up getting blisters on both feet from new shoes; the dinner was worth it, though, ribs and beer!
Yesterday we got up early, to ride the 1.5 miles to the airport cafe for breakfast. I had a flat on the way and of course, we had taken the panniers off with the tools, etc, so Steve rode back, got them and then it took awhile to change the tube. Breakfast was worth it, though. After we packed up, we sat outside on the porch and watched the people. Oh my, we saw some cycling things that would make you cringe. And we also saw a woman renting a moped (when we were riding back from breakfast) who crashed through a fence when getting a lesson. Apparently we were the only ones who wore helmets, except for the police, although yesterday I saw a few more people wearing them. People were walking their bikes up teeny little rises because they didn't know how to use their gears, riding while carrying cases of beer, wearing flip flops, going the wrong way around a rotary, etc. I had to look away at one point.
I actually got a little sunburn on the ferry on the way back. We ate a nice seafood lunch in Pt. Judith before heading home (fried scallop roll, something I allow myself once a summer) and got back around 4.
Was supposed to do a 50 mile charity ride today, but it's cold and rainy, so we bagged it. Going to have a sangria party with our cycling friends tonight.