Monday, July 21st: Manchester, NH
Brattleboro was much nearer to the New Hampshire line than I imagined, so it was only 2 minutes
out of breakfast to the first photo of the day. Although Vermont was over, the hills certainly weren't, and we knew after last night's route rap that we were in for much climbing in today's projected 86 miles to Manchester. That being so, and with the memory of yesterday's rubber legs firmly fixed in my mind, I took it easy on the early rollers as far as Keene at 15 miles.
The first >10%er was due on the outskirts of Keene, going up Old Concord Road, the second was just 2 miles later. Those with Garmins were able to tell us that both were well over 10%, in fact one was 18%! Neither was short. Arriving at SAG 1, I felt utterly spent, and there was no sign of any oomph returning to the legs, so the day looked liked being an uncomfortable one! The climb of Pitchers Mountain confirmed that.
There were 2 more ups to come, the worst being Joe English Road, which I grovelled up with Fred, Jose, Don & Skip. At the top, part of the
group missed a turn and Skip & I waited for them to get back and regroup. It was at this point that one of those curious Road-to-Damascus cycling moments happened. On setting off again, at a much faster lick than I had managed all day, it became apparent that this faster pace had revitalised the legs, and the last 15 miles were knocked off in no time.
Sundry families were waiting for riders at the Comfort Inn, but no luggage truck had arrived, so Fred, Skip, Don & I went for a burger & Blue Moon at Applebee's across the street until it appeared.
I have not kept you posted about flats aggregated during the ride. I was first in that particular
competition for ages, but now Gary has caught me up, and we now share the lead on 17 each - expensive! My 17th came this morning, when Don stopped to let me use one of his CO2 cartridges, as I had none left.
Mileage today : 89
Cumulative : 4007
