Yesterday, I noticed that they were having a bike ride today. A fundraiser for the Kelly Brush Foundation. Kelly Brush suffered a spinal cord injury in a skiing accident. The foundation, and the bike ride, raise money for specialized skiing and biking equipment for people with spinal cord injuries. They raised almost $700,000 today. I was glad to contribute.
I was fortunate. At the bike shop, there was only one bike left - exactly my size (54 cm). It was meant to be.
I got up early and rode the bike to the start and got registered. Nice Kit! (biking outfit). My biking friends will understand.
Everyone puts their name on the ride card they wear. Nonetheless, they are always surprised when I pass them and say, "How are you doing Tom!", like I know them. They seem oblivious that they are wearing their name on their back.
I was quite a sight in my unorthodox kit and sandals. I stuck out like a sore thumb. All day long people politely noted my poor choice of biking footwear.
My beautiful wife came to see me off
I enjoyed the ride. It was not too challenging. 50 miles; 2500 feet of climbing.
Beautiful dairy country. A lot of the ride was alongside Lake Champlain.
Nice covered bridge - Pulp Mill
Some observations from the ride (compared to rides in California): No tattoos. They permit riders two abreast. No hills to speak of. Lots of rollers. Not much diversity (almost all white).
Interesting Vermontian (is that a word?) snacks at the rest stops. Pretty good sweet lemon tea to drink and little vermont sausages to nibble. No potatoes. No coke at the last stop.
Delicious food at the finish. With all the Chocolate milk you could drink
Nice BBQ dinner and a BIG green salad with Tom and Kat
Tom and Kat took us out for a community concert at a cute neighboring town - Ripton
We got to see the monthly Ripton Community Coffee House show. Several open mic performances followed by Beg, Steal or Borrow (Bluegrass Band). High quality music. One of my favorite nights of the trip so far.
I have to add that this performer below, John Smyth, was on fire. He played like he had just escaped from an insane asylum and only had a few minutes to perform before they caught him and locked him up again. He was fantastic! Beth approached him after the show and told him how much she liked him. He gave her a CD. I don't think we have CDs anymore in California.
It is late. I have so many impressions of Vermont and the Northeast. People feel different here than the Bay Area. Not in a bad way - just very different. Much less diversity. People even look different to me. Big beards; weird hats. They seem very well educated. Enough said. Maybe too much.
Off to the the Sailmaker's House in Portsmouth, New Hampshire tomorrow.
Bear and Beth
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