Getting Ready to Ride

To Sudbury, Massachusetts -- Sat-Sun, April 29-30

Late Friday afternoon, after bowling and ice cream, Geraldine kindly drove us out to Sudbury, 25 miles east of Boston. Just eleven months ago, we had also stayed with both sets of friends, just in the reverse order as we are now heading west.  We had met Glenn and Terry during our last Cycle Oregon ride in 2015.  As they also ride a Co-Motion tandem, we immediately had something in common, plus, they were absolutely fantastic with Dex and Kylie, chatting with them, asking them questions, reliving episodes of Myth Busters….  They generously invited us to visit if ever we were in the area, and this will make visit number two. Last year, before our departure for Madrid, they had offered to store our bikes for us in case we really decided to tackle a trans US trip this summer… and here we are.

Terry taking a brake in the sun room

We had hoped that Glenn and Terry might be able to join us for the initial section of our ride -- east from their house through Massachusetts and into New York.  Unfortunately, the timing didn’t work out, and even worse, Glenn already had a retreat planned with some friends for this weekend, meaning we didn’t get to see him at all until just tonight.  Still, Terry made us feel right at home and happily accommodated our need to finalize our bike trip preparations: reorganize all our gear, transfer stuff from our backpacks into the bike panniers, reassemble the bikes, and ship all remaining items home -- bike suitcases, backpacks, heavy things etc.  Our Co-Motion tandems with S&S couplers are fantastic, but it’s no small task dismantling and reassembling two of them.

Yellow bike in process

Test ride

While Meg and I were consumed with these tasks, Terry took Dex and Kylie on a hike through the nearby forest and wetlands.  We also had a chance to play some more board games, always a favorite pastime with us.

Snapping turtle, rescued from the back yard

As luck would have it, another friend of ours, who we met years ago playing indoor soccer, also lives “nearby” in Connecticut.  We had never had a chance to meet her wife, Colleen, or three year old son, Baylen, so when she offered to drive out to see us, we checked with Terry, who, of course, graciously agreed.  We spent the afternoon catching up, while snacking and eating lunch on the enclosed porch.  Baylen is a total doll and seemed to enjoy his time with the big kids, especially his “girlfriend,” Kylie.

Tonight, we enjoyed a wonderful pasta dinner and celebrated us all being together, now that Glenn is back.  We are truly fortunate to have so many awesome friends. Glenn checked over our intended route, eagerly describing alternate paths, and both he and Terry listed a dozen historical sights and side trips to keep us busy along the way.

Kylie, Meg, Terry, Glenn, and Dex

The bikes are put back together and seem to be working.  I’m sure the fact that we haven’t been on the bikes for over nine months, won’t make a difference!  Here goes nothing!