Like Magic

Today Papa made an awesome contribution to our trip: Defeet socks and this amazing Blackberry!! Woo technology!

Maya

Mascot Appreciation

I am currently reading The Omnivores Dilemma, by Michael Pollan (www.michaelpollan.com), which is increasing my appreciation daily for the food we eat. In particular, the Chicken. I would like to give a shout out to all the chickens - when allowed, they can do most of the work on a farm (www.polyfacefarms.com), miracle workers, indeed. 

Free Range for Life,

Lara

5 Boro: Another Day of Practice

Another year, another 5 Boro Tour. Unfortunately the weather was not quite as good as last year, but it was lovely by the time we finished at Staten Island. 

Here, at Astoria Park, Carolyn and Maya celebrating - having made it the first 20 miles. We got some free snacks = BANANAS! Feeling good, we pressed on.

The masses. The 45 miles we biked that day turned out to be a breeze compared to the three hilly days of the practice tour to Upstate NY. Good times and fun company. 

Bikes have no walls,

Lara

3 Days To Upstate

Local Eggs! From Garrisons Market. Tastey, Local, and Multi-colored.

Epic bike trip = sore legs! 

Maya and I left New York at approximately 12.10PM on Tuesday...not an early start. The weather wasn't any better: Wind and Rain all along the Hudson/West side highway. But we made it into New Jersey and up the 9W without any problems. 

The weather finally cleared and we had some really beautiful biking along the river. We had lunch in a park and visited a bike shop in Nyack. The two old men who helped us out gave us some great tips on (illegal) camping in the area.

We managed to get to our camp spot off the old 9W route by 7 PM. WOO! We got our MSR whisperlite under control and ate in the dark.

The next day we took it pretty easy - only 30 or so miles compared to the 50 we did the day before. Wow, New York- Nice Hills! Gently sloping, kind of, and forever up and down. Who knew?

Our 2nd night we stayed on Iona Island: Bald Eagle Bird Sanctuary! Beautiful site, though still close to the train tracks. This morning, Thursday May 1, we left by 8AM after fixing my first flat on my Surly! Solid ride back to NYC. We stopped at the Shake Shack to eateateat. Now we are home and super BEAT. I've got a nice sunburn on my cheeks and lovely sore legs/butt. 

Tired and Proud,

Lara