Long Haul - Day 5 (8/21/21)

Edgecomb to Scarborough (South of Portland) 59 miles.

So this was likely the best day yet. We got started fairly early and made good headway’s and knocked out 20, found a Dunkin and each had a breakfast sandwich and headed on down the road. The terrain was a bit more like what we were accustomed to so it felt easier in that sense. We were along a busy Highway most of the day but it had a nice wide shoulder most of the time and most of the time it was fairly smooth. The challenge came when the road veered to the left and of course we were on the right shoulder. But for the most part it wasn’t too tricky. around 11:00 we felt the weather starting to change. the day was much cooler all day but it began to get breezy and gust of wind caught us from the side. The sky started to get overcast and we figured the Sir Henri is making his way north. We picked up our speed a bit thinking the affects of the tropical storm migh be arriving earlier. As we got closer to Portland the route took us along a path along the waters edge. There were quite a few people so it slowed us down but it was so pleasant and nice to be by the water. We found a coffee trailer and had a really good Mocha Latte, it felt like a little bit if home

As we were riding along, a 20 something guy yelled “where you coming from and where are you going”. I yelled back the information to him and he started running to keep up with me so I stopped and he said he had just finished the same route starting somewhere in northern Florida and ending in Maine somewhere. There were two couples and they gathered around to get into the conversation. We chatted a while and I think they might have been either in awe, shock, or questioning why two old people were even trying this. I’ll continue to believe in the first two options. Cool guy and very friendly. We rode off to their wishing us well. I am reminded that there is a lot of crap and hate in our world, but also filled with good people who just want to be a good neighbor. It‘s a great experience to find these good souls and be reminded that the world isn’t all bad. Great ride and meeting good souls; it was a good day. We still haven’t seen a real bear.

By this evening, tropical storm will be arriving in Portland. The forecast for the next several days is lots of rain and breezy/windy. By tuesday morning it should be out of the area and things should be settling down. Because of the wearher we will be hunkering down in a hotel and planning to head out on Tuesday morning, depending on the weather. So you probably won’t be hearing from us until Tuesday sometime. Until then #treesforgoshen

#eastcoastgreenway

https://www.treesforgoshen.org/biking-for-bucks-expand-goshens-tree-canopy/

Today’s Ride Ratings

Weather 9.5 (never got too hot, a little breezy but not too bad, I’ll take this any day)

Temperature 69 at start and 74 at finish

Scenery 6 (I mean it was mostly along a highway)

Riding Surface 9

Terrain 9

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