A Day on Mount Desert Island

I woke up on the small island Thompson. I rode straight to the Acadia National Park visitor center and paid my $5 to bike around. That pass was never checked by any official. From there I rode straight to the Cadillac Mountain summit. There were many cars and a few bikers. I even passed a few on the way up. Walking around with just my camera, I had a couple recognize me and we chatted a bit about travel. Lunch of P B and J then a quick ride down to Bar Harbor for some chill time in the grass by the water and boats. Found a plug and wifi next to a light post.

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Second lunch was vege patty sub from Subway. Think that was $8 w cookies and Dr. Pepper.
Sitting on a bench I met a local named Ebbin who gave me a tip about good roads to do a loop on the quiet side of the island. And that’s what I did. And that’s how I racked up 64.8 miles for the day by time j got back to the place I woke up, to camp there again.
I was eating my pasta dinner by the side of the road next to a trail head, a couple in a BMW wagon parked beside me. Both were on their iPhones figuring out a place to eat. I could hear their conversation, she was looking for one place and he was to look up another. They must have figured it out because about two min later they speed off. Probably to walk into a place 5 min before they close.
After i packed up and got back to biking to my camp spot I kept thinking about how lonely eating by the side of the road, biking in the dark and solo camping can be. The reverse is that even if the fun I’m having is balanced by the total absence of finer things, like affection, or daily showers, or eating in-doors and with company I know that not all of those would happen if I was still living the non-nomadic life. With the options I have I think I chose the right path, at least for the next few weeks.

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From Cadillac Mountain

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A good day. It just so happened that I hit 15.30 miles for the day right as I hit 1530ft summit of this mountain famous for it’s sunrise. I think it should be famous for it’s smooth roads.
I might rather be here in a non weekend day. The cars lined the road as I made my way down just after 12 noon. As I write I’m sitting in a bay side park in Bar Harbor watching boats and yachts do their thing in the water.
Beautiful day.

Day After Bangor

I’ve passed the pol0 cities for now. I will be in Halifax but I cant say when or have any idea what day. I still need to send an email to the club to see what’s up. So far it was Sun. pol0 in NYC. The next day I left, then get to Boston by Wed to play(good games), then Portland, ME by Sun to play(I was there they were not) then be in Bangor by Wed(great time at pol0). So even though this has be a pretty care free ride I have had some time constraints. That lightened up a bit today. But talking to my hostess last night and this morning about Nova Scotia I think I just added 300 miles to my time there. Plus the fact the St. John ferry would cost $81 for me and bike I may just ride around. Also adding time and miles in New Brunswick. I can’t slow down too much. I want to try to be in some cities in the latter part of the ride before it’s too late in the season.
But on a time saving note I may take a ferry from Bar Harbor to the other section of Acadia Park. Saving me a days ride and many miles on a busy Route 1.

Today I camped on the side of the road behind a few trees and brush just before the road goes onto the island. About 1/2 mile before the 3 and 198 split.

Also of note, I woke up at 7:47am and was in bed in the tent at 8:32pm but it’ll be at least be 10 before I’m asleep.

Also the last place I filled up H2O was from a dirty hose on the side of a gas station. The bathroom sink was busted.

And I cracked 700 miles on the odo today.

My route was 1A to the 3. Bangor to Trenton. Slept on Thompson Island.

Cannondale Rear Panniers

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Late 90’s Cannondale Overland panniers.

I bought these over quite a few years ago. Not water proof but breath well dry fast and don’t stink. Four tours these have seen. Going strong. 3 outside zippered pockets, 1 mesh pouch and the large main compartment on each side.

I bought these at a local bike shop in Ohio. Think I paid $170 for the pair.

Hand made in USA.

6/14 edit: These have seen better days. Sun faded, weakened stitching, torn edges and beat up zippers. I’m going to try to sew new bags and re-use the inner frames and hardware.

Bangor, ME Bike Pol0 was a Blast

I was about ten miles further than I wanted to be on the morning of the day I was to meet the Bangor pol0 crew. And it was raining. I rode over 60 miles between 1pm and just after 7, the stated start time. It was slow, hilly, wet and very pretty ride from Rockport, or -land? To Bangor up the 1 and 1A. Didn’t stop for many photos or even food and water much. I wanted to get there. Even if it was rained out. I wanted to say I was there. Even if they weren’t.
I got to town and asked a few pedestrians where they play. The fourth try pointed me in the right direction. Not two turns later a dark haired girl in a car behind me yelled out “pol0”. From then on my night kept getting better and better. Pol0 in Maine for one, so fun only 5 of us all together but 2v2 is still good pol0. We had mutual friends because she and her boyfriend Gabe had lived in NYC a couple years ago. One of the other players shared his vege soup. Another was playing music. We mixed up games. And I had a very good time. Good like 2005 bike pol0 good. After, we relaxed at a bar for a bit but they closed early. Fine bc I was hungry. Kierie and Gabe offered a spare room. They also fed me and let me shower. We talked about travel, NYC, and pol0. It was good.

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And I’m on One

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I’ve been happily married to this road for days now. I have been bouncing around a bit but that’s ok too. My only regret is that I was just a handful of miles from a town named Dayton and I failed to realize until I was two days ride past. Oops. That’s one Dayton out out of the 20+ in the states I might not see.

Portland, ME Bike Pol0 was a Bust

Tried to link up with pol0 in Portland. A week ago I got a response confirming game time. I was there, they were not. Bummed
Up next is Bangor, ME and so far the email response has been positive. I really want to play pol0 in Maine. Even just one game and I’ll be a happy man. And to meet pol0 players up here. Seems so cool. I’ll be glad if I can take a few portraits.
Can say the weather in Portland was at worst, threatening. But it was dry all night. And their court had lights NYC would kill for.
The weather for tomorrow looks good. Can’t see why Bangor won’t be out hitting the ball around tomorrow evening. Looking forward to it.

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Simplify cleaning after cooking

One thing that is bad about bringing cooking gear is the clean up after eating. But the other night I made pasta, very simple I boiled water and cooked whole wheat thin noodles, used the pots lid to strain the water out. I added sauce from the jar to the noodle in the pot, added some salt and pepper. Good to go. Ate it right out of the pot I cooked it in. I don’t have a plate. (or a strainer)
But when I’m done I have pasta sauce all over the inside of the pot.
Here is the tip. A slice of bread. Wipe up the left over sauce with bread and the clean up after the meal is a snap. Just a fraction of the water is needed to clean up.
Same goes for the vege burgers I cook. The greasy mess in the skillet. With the corners of cheese that gets stuck on there too. And the grease on the spatula (great to have for pancakes). Wipe the spatula on the bun, or bagel, then use the top of the bagel to mop up the mess in the skillet before setting it on the burger to eat. The pan is nearly clean and I haven’t even taken my first bite yet.

Internet and me

Finding web time is not as hard as keeping this old iPhone charged. Need some solar charger but don’t want it bad enough to research, find, or buy one. Mainly because being on the Internet slows me down and sucks the life out of my time.
I’m exaggerating. I did drink a huge coffee at Bard Coffee in Portland, Maine while sending some tweets to let friend know I’m alive. Look at emails and try to contact portland bike pol0. Waiting on a response. Also look at 36 hour weather. Dry now but says all rain coming up. Rained all last night. Luck that it started 30 min after I was in my tent.
Also got this thing fully charged while waiting. Still no reply. Getting super hungry. Fingers crossed they play when and where their site says.

Also I met another touring cyclist.

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Dermatone Sunscreen 4oz

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I used to think things like – don’t use too much sunscreen because you dont want to run out – but na I need to use it. If I run out I’ll get more. Plus using it is like drinking water out of your bottles. It might be in or on you but it’s not on the bike any more so that a little less weight to be carried.