Todays Distance: 91 miles
Cycling time: 7 hrs 19 mins
Average Speed: 12.5 mph
Today’s cumulative ascent: 5907 ft
Average Heart rate: 107 bpm
Distance so far: 3,836 miles
Distance so far: 3,836 miles
Ascent so far: 123,064 feet.
Centuries so far: 13
Punctures so far: 10
Centuries so far: 13
Punctures so far: 10
Today’s Profile:
Today’s Route:
Dedication: My cycle today was for Kordolin, Rickey and Michael so that they and all the pupils in Providence will get the opportunity of the type of education that Edmund Rice envisaged.I had been made aware that the sting was in the tail i.e that this trip to Manchester would be a testing one. Forewarned is forearmed. Thanks Andrew.
PROVIDENCE [9] Providence is more than just a school…it is a centre of care. The children are provided with a hot meal each day; visits by medical personnel are arranged; clothes and shoes are distributed discretely as are umbrellas for the monsoon rains.
PROVIDENCE [9] Providence is more than just a school…it is a centre of care. The children are provided with a hot meal each day; visits by medical personnel are arranged; clothes and shoes are distributed discretely as are umbrellas for the monsoon rains.Some of you may have noticed that yesterday’s posting was a day late. I had it all ready on time but couldn’t connect to the internet in Brattleboro. Neither did the mobile or room phones work.
Distance for today wasn’t the longest but the climbs decided that we should start early with loading at 6.30. The outlook for the day was gloomy although there was no rain as we left. Still, everyone had raingear on the ready. Mist was drifting down from the hills to meet us on the way up. 
Shortly after passing over the Connecticut River in Brattleboro and as we climbed out of the river valley we entered New Hampshire (The Granite State). Two states in two days. New Hampshire with Maine and Vermont make up New England and the state’s motto is ‘Live Free or Die’ referring back to it’s long held belief in freedom. New Hampshire was the first region to break away from English rule in 1776. It’s about the same size as Munster with a population of 1.2 million. New Hampshire is the first primary to be held in the presidential election cycle. Earl Tupper who blessed the modern luncher with Tupperware was a native of New Hampshire.
Some serious climbing today over the Berkshires known for their sharp steep inclines. Fortunately heat was not a factor on these that were all in the 10% region with one of them hitting 18%. It was down to the lowest gear or pedal out of the saddle. None of the group did the unthinkable of walking. One of the most demanding was up Joe English Road. Why didn’t he stay at home rather than come over here building hills!
Very few fields of crops to be seen. In trees most of the time and it reminded me of cycling in Wicklow from Glendalough down to Rathdrum or down by Shillelagh or the Glen of the Downs as it used to be. Plenty of still small lakes with lots of holiday cabins in the trees and each one of them with canoes and snow-mobiles alongside.
For 1 mile today we cycled along a dirt road, the only time we have done so. For some unknown reason I met more cars and pick-ups on that 1 mile than on any other 3 mile stretch today. it was rough but I knew that it was only for a short stretch.
Followed by a dog again today but I think the poor thing did it because he was attempting to live up to the image. Didn't feel threatened.
Francestown at the second SAG was typical of the villages with white-timbered churches and so many old houses built of stone. Familiar town names cropped up again especially Antrim. There was another Dublin south of the route but too far away (15 miles) for a side-trip.
It was murky and misty all day without any drops falling but thunder sounded behind me when 20 miles from destination. Rain came down heavily and I took shelter in a carport for a short period when just 5 miles out from Manchester. The thunder didn’t really come over so it was only the discomfort of being soaked I had to contend with. No chill in the air. Really this has been the first continuously wet day we have had over the seven weeks. That’s a new experience for me.
I arrived in Manchester shortly after 2.30 with the rain still coming down heavily. No need to worry with the certainty of a hot shower and dry clothes. Not everyone can be sure of those. As I came in along Donald Street a large cemetery on my left was dominated by an ornate grave with Harrington inscribed on it in large letters. With no internet or phones last night I just wondered if the tomb was an omen that Padraig had blown it. No such significance as I later found out. With Dublin (NH) being far off the mark today I wondered if it was a sign. No, for 23 reasons.Manchester is the largest city in New Hampshire ( but not the capital). It prospered as a cotton mill town and took its name as it wished to be as its English namesake. There is a strong (21%) Irish community dating from the mill days. Dick and Mac McDonald the founders of the fast-food chain were natives of the town.
My first task in Manchester before going to the motel was to go about a replacement rear wheel. I thought it better not to leave it to the last day. The first shop( a large bike shop) couldn’t help but I got fixed up in the Bike Barn and had the new one fitted and ready for the road in 10 minutes. Now I could return the loaned wheel I had to Gerard. I finally made it to the motel at 3.30 like a pessimistic cyclist…with a spare wheel strapped to my back. That’s one less item to worry about in Portsmouth.
Tonight’s dinner was the official end of trip occasion as some will leave with their families after the wheel dip tomorrow at 12.30. Presentation of certificates and novelty awards to all and each cyclist spoke about what the adventure had meant for him/her. It was an emotional time for a group that had bonded so well. However the alarm goes off tomorrow morning again…. the last time for them and the third last time for me. Let’s hope the weather will be kind to us for the ceremony on the Atlantic beach. Gary and Alan both had 17 flats and were crowned while Piet has gone flat free....so far.Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.
Pulling out onto the quiet Sunday morning roads of Latham at 7 a.m. there was a bit of drizzle and it seemed we were in for an unpleasant day. However by the time I had got 3 miles done the rain jacket was off and stayed off for the day. Just 80 miles lay ahead but we knew that mountains lay between ourselves and destination.
After 4 miles I crossed over the Hudson as it flowed south to New York City. Immediately across the bridge lay the entrance to Troy, home of Uncle Sam. Initially Troy didn’t look appealing but as I climbed up to higher ground it was quite impressive. This was a short sharp climb of just over a mile and it set the tone for the rest of the day
Countryside was very green with the rising ground appearing ahead. No long stretches of road or large tracts of corn to be seen. . If the sun were strong there would have been plenty of shade.
On my right I spotted the workshop and display of a chainsaw artist who fashioned large pieces from trunks of trees using a chainsaw . The finished bears and lions looked most impressive. No sign of the artist himself about yet. It was a bit early for business.
First SAG was in New York (but just about) Everyone was well warmed up at this stage and eager for the climb ahead. Still no great heat from the sun and fingers crossed that it would remain overcast for the next hour or two. Each group moved out with a stateline as the next item of interest.
State No 12 of this long list. We are entering the Green Mountain State (Vermont in French) and cycling west to east across the very southern end of the state. Dairying is the mainstay of its agricultural economy…. not surprising, it is the first home of Ben and Jerry ice-creams. Maple syrup seems to be on sale at most farmers places. Hunting of moose, black bear deer and wild turkeys bring huntsmen to its 80 0,000 acres of conserved wildlife habitat. Moose crossing were indicated as I passed the way but no sightings. Vermont is famous for its vivid colours in the Autumn.
Bennington was the first town in Vermont. It had some quaint buildings as I approached but the main street was showing more positive signs. Cars lined the roads near the various churches and both sides of the street had pieces of art depicting people in familiar poses. I could only catch a few of them as I moved up the main street.
Out of Bennington the 8 mile climb started, gradual at first but building into a crescendo of 9%. Luckily the weather stayed cool with some drops of rain falling for a period. I maintained a speed of 6 mph as I moved up. No point of trying to catch up to anyone or to keep ahead of someone. Into the zone and plough along in the groove. Actually, I was surprised when the levelling-off came just over 2000 feet; I was resigned to a few more miles. Plenty of lakes about and obviously holiday homes. This area is just 4 hours from New York and 2 hours from Boston by car.
Some of the shoulders were a bit awkward to deal with. The main carriageway had been resurfaced but the shoulder left to carry on. Normally, this wasn’t a problem until it cropped up on a busy descent.
The final summit of the day came on Hogback Mountain (mile 60) with a reputed 100 mile view. With today’s overcast sky it was a lot less than that, but it was a refreshing change from the lowlands we have been accustomed for the last number of weeks. This is ski area during the winter months and is famous for its covered bridges.
The 12 mile descent to Brattleboro was worth all the climbing. At times it levelled out and a chance to view the scenery. At one cemetery I thought it had elements of the west of Ireland with the stone walls.
I arrived at the motel at 2 p.m. as the sky was beginning to darken. Within 2 hours the sky opened with a downpour and as I write there is a thunderstorm outside. Brattleboro is on the Connecticut River and has a population of just over 12,000. In a hilly state it is quite low (300 feet) and so is one of the warmest places in Vermont.
