Homecoming Bike Trip

Neither Rain Nor Sleet Nor ....

By Bonnie Stagers

Bikers

It started a round of telephone call, beginning with Harley Lee at 7am, when Team Leader Bonnie was barely conscious. As bikers checked in, discussed the forecast, and generally shamed one another into carrying on regardless, the decision was made that the Kennebago bike trip was a GO by almost everyone! The cars gathered at the AGC, organized bikes and riders and headed north, drawing in our 3 last bikers while passing through Stratton.

Bikes were unloaded and on the trail by 10:30, and miraculously the rain had stopped. Diane C. arrived a half hour late (by design) and pedaled fast enough to catch up with us half way in. Luckily we had stopped several times to sightsee and talk; she caught up with us at the famed fishing hole on the Kennebago River that was supposedly frequented by Eisenhower. Jerry L said he remembered him well, even if no one else did. Lucky we took Jerry along, though, as he was the only one smart enough to untie and open the gate instead of lifting all our bikes over it.

Paul had hopes of fishing along the way until he learned that the river had closed to fishing. Even with all the wardrobe adjustments that Pris and Ellen had to make, we still made Grant's around noon, in time for lunch. As always lunch at Grant's was superb; one can still savor the ham and tortellini soup, the great roast beef with barbecue sauce on a bun, and most of all, the cheesecake with a tart cherry sauce for dessert.

So we were 21 for lunch, half filling the dining room and appreciating the lovely location. Six more CVOA friends had driven in and joined us for lunch (you can't keep CVOA'ers away from good food). The Briggs, Labbes, Nelson Camp, and Charlie Copeland were great resources. A few riders who decided that they had eaten way too much took the easy way out in those welcome support vehicles!

On the way out, Bonnie, Rick, Jerry, Dave, and Roni rode down to the causeway at the north end of Kennebago for a beautiful view of the lovely, mostly undeveloped lake. After the agony of the first few miles back on the bikes with full stomachs, the ride out was speedy. The tiny elevation difference, hardly noticeable on the way in, was appreciated on the way back.

Bike Trip View

No one fell over in the 2 mud holes we had to go through, although it would have made for a great photo! Diane S. was one of the smarter ones who walked around it instead of barreling on through.

On the other end of the smart scale was Bonnie, who had spent an hour cleaning her bike the night before, right down to the spokes. And Nancy has learned how much more fun it is to bike if one has air in the tires. Gail got our sympathy (but not much) for riding on a wet seat, since she had left her bike outside the night before. Lisa gets the nod for speedy riding as she kept whizzing by.

So, the bottom line was a great ride accomplished, no mishaps, no flat tires, no bloodshed!