Yesterday, a dirt road that we had followed for a mile ended in a bush about a mile from where it was supposed to meet up with the park road. Isaac wanted to persue a scraggly path into the woods from that point, but I had to insist it was too uncertain. It took us many extra miles including miles of dirt road and directions from skeptical locals to get us around to the park entrance. By the time we did, it was after dark and the bugs in the park woods were so thick that it was impossible to open one’s mouth while ridign without catching a fly. :x. Similarly, we had to wear our sunglasses into the night to protect our eyes from insects. We setup and climbed into our hammocks as fast as we could.

Today, we biked out of the park to a nearby town to do laundry and have some lunch. Our trip mileage now exceeds 300miles and will approach 400 by the time of our return.

Keeping my phone charged has continued to be a challenge. After Thursday in the Sun, my solar charger had enough juice to charge my phone an extra 25% and that got us through the day. I think some new techniques for positioning the charger on my bike might help its efficiency. It doesn’t really make sense to me that 10 hours in 80-90 degree sunshine can’t provide a little more energy.

We have been noticing that people are interested in what we are doing in ways we didn’t expect. Isaac walked into a Dunkin’ Donuts that we had never been in before and was immediately identified as a Fernandez brother on a bike trip returning from Provincetown before anyone had a chance to see his jersey. We think the woman might have seen us at another Dunkin’ Donuts earlier in the trip. Either way, at least once a day we run into someone who wants to ask us about what we are doing, ask about our gear, or tell us stories of personal biking experiences. Some people just ask for clarification in disbelief and others seem to want to come along! We haven’t yet figured out how to make this public interest work for us, but we’ve got plenty of time on our bikes to dream it up.

Although our distance today was relatively modest, we are getting tired and sore. I think our bodies are using as much energy moving the bicycle as they are repairing tired muscles. As a result, it’s hard to eat enough. Today, I ate:

• 2.5 Kashi GoLean Bars
• Handful of Peanuts
• Half a large Antipasto Salad
• 2 Footlong Italian Sandwiches
• Half of a large frosted sugar cookie
• Half a Broiled Seafood Combination Platter

and the best I can say for my digestive state is “satisfied”. I wouldn’t turn down a second dessert. :)

We are now settled in Shawme-Crowell state forest. We are experts at setting up camp and both hammocks go up in minutes. It is very quiet here, as the camping season clearly isn’t going yet. Everything would be great except there is some kind of small silk spinning tree worm that is attacking the campsite. Quite literally, they are falling from the sky by lowering themselves down from tree branches. A stroll across the campsite guarantees you at least one unwanted passanger. Either we are running into them or they are attracted to us because there are many more on us that on any inanimate objects. Luckily, we feel safe elevated and enclosed in the hammocks.

There’s only one day of riding left to Provincetown, but it’s going to be a challenge. Sore and tired we must complete nearly 60 miles to reach our destination. The consolation lies in the day we get off of riding afterwards and the comfy hotel bed we get Monday night. We are also hoping that motorist free bike paths here on the cape will smooth tomorrow’s journey.

The KOA is a pretty cushy campground and I have the luxury of charging my phone right now in the laundry room. There is a pool, a playground, a general store, and we’ve been told by other campers that they have WiFi on site. However, our campsite was sufficiently wooded for the hammocks and the grounds quieted down nicely at night.

Off to the next task of the morning: finding some quarters to run the dryer and take the damp out of our clothes.

Isaac Clothes

• Synthetic Long Sleeve
• Synthetic Orange Tee
• Cotton Dress Tee
• Fleece
• Tour Jersey
• Riding Shorts
• 3-Underwear
• Sport Shorts
• Synthetic Baselayer Longjohns
• 2-Short Cotton Socks
• Long Cotton Socks
• Wool Socks
• Jeans
• Running Shoes
• Helmet
• Belt

Devon Clothes

• Riding Shorts
• Riding Gloves (Gel)
• Riding Gloves (Windproof)
• Spare Gloves (Knit)
• Spare Gloves (Fleece)
• Synthetic Baselayer Longjohns
• Synthetic Baselayer Top (Thermal)
• Synthetic Baselayer Top (Compression Tee)
• Tour Jersey
• Black Athletic Socks
• Cotton Underwear
• Cotton Tee
• Cotton Thermal Shirt
• Jeans
• White Athletic Socks
• Polyblend Wool Socks
• Synthetic Thermal Bottoms
• Synthetic Ridign Jacket
• Facemask
• Sunglasses
• Helmet
• Reflective wristband

Miscellnaeous

• Tubes
• Patch Kit
• Tire Levers
• Allen Wrench
• Toothpick Holder
• Headlights and Charger
• Flashlight
• 2-Cell Phones
• Blackberry Charger
• Solar USB Charger
• 2-Wallets
• Bike Lock
• Bike Lube
• Compact Camera and Charger
• “Vault’s Guide to Finance Interviews” by Dan Jacobson

Bedding

• 2-Hammocks
• Male Winter Sleeping Bag
• Female “Extreme” Sleeping Bag
• Space Blanket
• 2-Super Plastic Bags

Toiletries

• Isaac Meds
• Hydrocortisone Cream
• Benedryl
• Tylenol PM
• Toilet Paper
• Deoderant
• Toothbrushes
• Soap
• Sunscreen
• Contact Stuff
• Compact Hairbrush/Mirror
• Mini-Conditioner

Now, I will move onto the heart of this post.  One week ago I mounted my bike for the longest ride in the history of Isaac Fernandez bike riding.  The destination was of extreme significance to the Fernandez name and history, Ossining New York.  In case you were not aware this is one of the first towns that Devon Fernandez called home.  In fact he spent some time growing up in a brick apt. complex across from Nelson Park (both pictured here).  Due the importance of the journey I had planned everything out; I had drawn a map, packed some snacks and charged my cell phone the night before.  I was a bit concerned about the distance 48miles but I was determined. 

Where Devon planned his future.

Ossinging was no disappointment.  A short ride from Pleasantville, Ossining was like a dream come true.  The town was full of apt buildings, people, stores, roads, and sidewalks.  Unique in every aspect, I took a lazy route to the past home of my brother just so I could tour a bit more.  I found the park they had built  for Devon.   In the park there were little boys playing soccer, and a statue of Devon.  I also located the apartment building. 

Where Devon taught his toddler friends to walk.

I grabbed a sandwich before the ride home.  All in all it was a complete success.  Before I wrap up I feel I am obligated to divulge a little secret weapon I used on my trip.  RAIN    

 Thanks to my good luck and gods love when I awoke Sunday morning it was raining.  Not a slow boring rain but one that would soak me thoroughly as soon as I started.  I contribute the success of my journey to the rain for a number of reasons including speed, efficiency, and motivation. 

 1) SPEED–  Rain is made of water & and water causes things to get wet and stretch.  This is very useful when it comes to brake cables.  Anyone who has biked knows that stopping is very frustrating because you lose all the momentum you have built up.  The rain effectively disabled my brakes due to the stretching of my brake cables and eliminated the stopping option.  This made my average speed much higher and trip quicker. Thank you rain. 

3)  MOTIVATION – I always bring my cell phone in case of emergencies.  The problem with this is that I always have a way out in case I get a flat tire, lost, or just tired.  The rain was able to quickly disable my phone and significantly increase my motivation to finish what I stated.

Thanks to the persistent and continuous downpour I was able to conquer Ossining and visit the origins of Devon Fernandez.  I hope this post was helpful.

LINK TO TRIP

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=62+Stephen+St,+Stamford,+Connecticut+06902&daddr=S+Highland+Ave%2FUS-9&hl=en&geocode=FcRwcgId3Lqd-w%3BFc7ucwIdrP2Y-w&mra=ls&dirflg=w&sll=41.070034,-73.704872&sspn=0.249515,0.527344&ie=UTF8&ll=41.045958,-73.569088&spn=0.124803,0.263672&t=h&z=13

Statue of Devon as a child.

 

Toothpick Holder

You’ve been on the road for days. You’ve lost count of the miles between you and home. The only things in your world are your bike and the pavement it’s rolling over like a tank in Tiananmen Square. But wait, you’re loosing speed and the consistency of your ride has gone from roller skate to rolling banana. It can’t be so! Still you hardly notice that your water bottle is empty and your granola bar is already gone because you’re confident in the situation. You’ve got your tire patches and your bike pump and if you can’t find that leak you’ll just blow up your tube and stick a handy toothpick in the hole to mark it.

In the old days, this critical situation might hinge on a flimsy plastic wrapper to protect the little wooden tool, but not on this trip!

Time: 2hours 38minutes
Distance: 31.1 miles
Top Speed: 35 mph
Elevation: 900ft total ascent

I felt pretty good the entire ride. I didnt stop or really feel a need to rest. There is a difference when you are not carrying any load. I will go out again this weekend.