So one sunny day I set out with Jesse and his friend Ken for a leisurely "bike ride" through the upper cape.... or so I thought! These guys show up with their $2500 racing bikes, spandex (yes, I said spandex), race helmets, riding gloves and bike shirts... and I'm sitting there with my Dad's 10 year old Canondale, casual shorts and a wifebeater undershirt! Man, I know I'm in for it now...
We started out in Dennis and after only a few miles I was already struggling to keep up. We continued through to Chatham and rode through the beautiful downtown area and stopped to have lunch at the Chatham Bars Inn for lunch. The food was great if you don't mind paying $17 for a cheeseburger.
After lunch I was dreading the trip back to Dennis when I find out that we aren't going back just yet, we are going to wind up Route 28 to Orleans. As if riding on a trail made for bikes was not challenging enough, now we are riding on windy, overgrown roads with no shoulders. And, let's not forget I don't have a helmet... because I thought we were going for a bike ride! Cycling? Really?
I survived this trek and was only run off the road a couple times. Oh, and I forgot to mention that this was the first time I've ever ridden a bike (sorry, "cycled") with my feet LOCKED into the pedals. Ya! I had those shoes that lock your feet into the pedals. So every time I went to stop and put my foot on the ground I nearly killed myself - you have to twist your feet out and it takes some getting used to!
Anyway, we made it to Orleans with the pro riders a steady mile or so ahead of me. Luckily we picked the trail back up in Orleans and cruised back to Dennis. My butt was sore for 4 days after that! Holy crap. The good thing is the scenery was absolutely beautiful and you really see a lot more from a bike.
This trip ended up just over 36 miles. Find out more about the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
1 comment:
One winter day, which was nice to start, buddies and I attempted a Cape Century (100 miles), which commenced in Dennis on trail. We rounded Chatham, but, by Oleans, a freakish snowstorm that only hit outer Cape forced us to quit. Barely got back with brakes fouled by pine needles and slush.
One summer later we resumed in Orleans to round Race Point and settle tour. The view from the bluff high above Provincetown to the azure blue water and snow white sand was like nowhere else on earth. It was a tiring day; few realize how strenuous riding on the Cape can be, since wind seems to come from every direction, usually right into your face. But scenery makes it well worth the effort.
Fall and Spring are good times to pedal the narrow streets. http://bike-n-chain.blogspot.com
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