Bristol's Finest and More Rain [news]

Clint and I searched around Bristol for a place to pitch our tent and toward dusk we found, what we thought,was a nice little spot in a small park near a pond.  Tent set up and dinner eaten we read bike magazines before falling asleep.

The rain started just after we went to bed but I had taken advantage of our time in East Haddam to reseal the bottom in hopes of keeping us dry.  At around one in the morning we were awoken by a police officer who using less than polite language, told us we needed to move.  We packed up our gear and moved on down the road finding a spot in the back of a large cemtery.  We tried for a second time to get some sleep.  The first clap of thunder came around 2am and then the clouds opened up and it poured. Thought the tent did a little better we were still getting wet and this would have to be resolved.  We both had smaller tents at home and though I felt strongly against seprate tents it looked like it was our best option.  This would also give Clint a better nights sleep as my snoring keeps him awake.
  
Back on the road at 0730 with just a hint of rain.  Forcast called for clearing skies by noon but as we sat and had our breakfast at the Lucky Cup in Terryville the clouds parted and it was sun and blue skies.  We biked all day with plans of camping at the Housatonic State Park.  We both needed a good night's uninterupted sleep.  It was another day of climbing hills with beautiful downhill runs.  We entered the park just before sunset and while I set up the tent Clint built a fire in the firering.  A neighboring camper was kind enough to share some of his dry wood and, if he is reading this, we once again thank you.  We dined on pasta with alfredo sauce that night and while Clint worked on his log entries I fell fast asleep while listening to the Housatonic river.

Team Bowditch Says Goodbye to Team Bowditch [news]

Crossing the swing bridge in East Haddem we set out for middletown with plans to stop at the Peddle Power bike shop.  Passing through Haddam we stopped for a look at the Thankful Arnold house.  As we were looking at the beautiful herb garden in the yard a women who was working on decorating the house for the coming holidays invited us in for a private tour. The Arnolds ran a store in the lower part of the house and added on to the house as the family grew.  The home remained in the family until the 1960's. If you find yourself in Haddam, CT then it is well worth a visit.
  
Onward to middletown and new brake pads. We looked in vane for a family dollar store to buy food for the evening and instead bought some very expensive pasta at an organic food market.  The poor will never buy and eat the food they need at these prices.  Thanks to the guys at the local fire station that offered us a place to cook if we needed it.  Nice to be reminded that kind people are still out there.
 
That night we camped down by the Matabesett river in Cromwell, CT. As luck would have it it was also just behind a doughnut shop. This would be our last night together as a trio.  Jo would be leaving us the next day and though we knew from the begining of our adventure that she would only be with us for the first month it was still not easy to say goodbye.

The next morning Jo surprised both Clint and I by bringing us coffee and doughnuts.  As a cook, who spends the summer waking around 4am every morning to light the stove on the schooner, it is very rare that I enjoy coffee in bed.  This is a true treat.  Thanks again Jo.
 
Back on the road we made our way towards Bristol, CT with hopes of visiting some of the museums. There in particular the clock and watch museum of which we had heard so much about.  If your crazy enough to ride a bike in Bristol, CT then you know of the hills.  One hill in particular forced me to dismount and walk.  I swear it was a 12% grade. 
 
We enjoyed our visit at the clock and watch museum and I think we were all very impresed with both the size and beauty of this collection.  When we walked outside Jo's ride was waiting.  We dismantled her bike and helped pack it in the car.  A final photo, hugs, and well wishes and then waves goodbye.  We miss you Jo.

Connecticut, Up Hills Both Ways [news]

Team Bowditch reached the summit of Jerimoth hill, the highest point in RI.  A marker next to the road pointed us into the woods, where a cairn marks the summit.  No need for hiking boots or supplimental oxygen, as the summit is only five feet above the road bed.  We enjoyed the walk anyways and the chance to streach our legs.  
 
Connecticut was just down the hill and I knew from past trips that it could be a challenge.  It is a near constant roller coaster ride through the countryside and our route would take us through the worst of it.  We mounted our bikes and started the run down the hill saying goodbye to Rhode Island and hello to the nutmeg state. A stop in Killingly,at the general store for supplies and then onward.
  
The forecast was calling for rain, starting in the evening and continuing for most of the next day.  We have been very fotunite so far as to weather, and knew that at some point we would need to ride in the rain.  We Biked along knowing that miles added today would be fewer miles we would need to ride tomorrow.  
 
Later that evening we found a wooded spot off the roadside and set up camp. While Jo and I set the up the tent Clint set up the cookstove and put the water on to boil.  We set out a tarp as a ground cloth and lounged on the ground as we ate out of the communal pot.  Radiattori pasta with tomato sauce and, perhaps a bit too much hot sauce. Just as we were finishing up cleaning, the rain started and we sought the shelter of the tent.  Journals came out and we each made our entries for the day.  We talked about what we had seen during todays ride and what tomorrow might bring.

About midnight the rain came down in earnest and clint and I, both being close to the tent walls soon realized that we were getting soaked.  I had lent my tent out a few months before and did not realize till now that before having it returned it was washed thus removing the waterproof coating from the tent. Clints new sleeping bag was now just a big sponge. The rain continued through the night and into early morning and with a long day ahead we broke camp, donned our raingear and set out for East Haddem, CT.  
 
We decided that rather than cook our usual pot of oats for breakfast we would find a diner in Willamanic and treat ourselves We spotted the Areo diner, a vintage diner complete with stainless steel and neon interior we knew we had made the right desition. After a hearty breakfast of eggs, sausage, and pancakes we pushed on.  

The rain would stay with us for the better part of the day but it remained light and by evening we no longer needed our raingear. It was a long day.  We had our first flat of the trip and celebrated the occasion with a small bottle of champagne that we had brought for just this event. The last hour or so was ridden in darkness and though we all had the neccesary lights and reflective gear we were eager to get off the road and someplace dry and warm. That place was with my dear friends Bob and Kathy, in East Haddam, and soon after our arrival we were warm and dry and enjoying a wonderful meal of morrocan lamb stew.  
 
We enjoyed Bob and Kathys hospitality for a few more nights but the road was calling and, as hard as it was to bid farewell, we needed to go.  Our bikes were newly cleaned and lubed and ready to roll.

Woonsocket Dynamites [news]

One of the great pleasures for me when traveling is the chance to try new foods.  This is even more enjoyable when the mode of transportation is a fully loaded touring bike.  No feelings of guilt when having seconds or thirds of anything. More biscuits and gravy? Sure.  Another chicken fried steak? Bring it on.  Another serving of dynamites?   What?    Now, lest you think we have gone off the deep end,  A dynamite is a wonderful, local food tradition found in Woonsocket, RI.  This filling and flavorful sandwich was, like many things, born out of neccesity.   Woonsocket was once a big mill town and that means it had thousands of mill workers, and mill workers not only need food but it must be fast and cheap as well as good.  Hungry and angry workers are not good.  Thus was born the "Dynamite".  A simple but satisfying sandwich consisting of a filling of ground meat,  peppers, onions and celery all slowly cook in a tomato sauce.    This meaty, spicy filling is then put in a very special roll that is Similar to a torpedo roll though softer and sweeter, but not as sweet as a hot dog roll.  A bit like a sloppy joe but better.  Very simple and very good.