Today was again cloudy and cold with a threat of rain. luckily for me, it did not rain at all although it did spit a couple of times. I improvised the route as I did not want to back track to East Derry to pick up the route. It actually worked out better as I avoided a pretty big hill. I don't like to start the day with a big climb. It takes me a few miles to get everything functioning. I have decided that I have been riding by myself for too long. I am starting to have conversations with my self and arguments. I had promised myself a Hershey bar at a particular way point. I decided to go a little longer and my other self started to protest that I had promised to stop. I can't figure out which side of me is in charge!!
I made pretty good time until just before Tynsborough when I crossed over the state line to Massachusetts, my third state!!
Tynsborough is another old town with many houses built in the late 1700's and early 1800's. I am fascinated with the fact that these towns were established long before the United States.
As I passed through Dunstable, I passed the Dunstable town forest. It is surprising how tall the pine trees are in Northern New England. Maine had several forests as well and theirs were even bigger.
I kept climbing as I went from Dunstable to Groton. I passed the Dunstable High School around 2:00PM just as they were being let out for the day. I was climbing a pretty steep hill at the time so I pulled over to let the crazed pent up students fly by. I watched something on TV last night that discussed all these kids who were texting while driving. I figured these guys had to start texting as soon as they left the parking lot. It looked like the Grand Prix as I sat there and watched.Also there were probably 30 school buses that whizzed by. After 15 minutes all was quiet so I started up again. Eventually I got to Groton and entered the Nashua River bike trail. It was paved and very nice. The trail ended in Ayer Ma, I first was in Ayer 48 years ago as a young 19 year old private in the US Army being stationed at Ft. Devens. I wish I had that 19 year old body again. The main street of Ayer looks just the way I remembered. Kelley's is still there as well as the pool hall. I managed to reach Harvard MA, my original destination but there was no hotel available so continued on toe Marlborough. I was constantly climbing. Every time I thought I reached the top, there was another mountain. Finally I reached the top. It was obvious once I was up there as it was the highest point around. I passed more old cemeteries including one that had a lot of little head stones. I am sure they didn't bury pets in those days so those little head stones were the cause of a lot of grief for parents back in early days.
I made it to the hotel, showered and walked to the Olive Garden for dinner. It rained while I was eating and stopped in time for me to walk back.
I have decided that their are way to many cars on the road! I am going to support the effort to raise the gasoline tax to $10 to see if that will help. Of course this tax only applies to the East Coast.
Tomorrow will be another state!
I made pretty good time until just before Tynsborough when I crossed over the state line to Massachusetts, my third state!!
Tynsborough is another old town with many houses built in the late 1700's and early 1800's. I am fascinated with the fact that these towns were established long before the United States.
As I passed through Dunstable, I passed the Dunstable town forest. It is surprising how tall the pine trees are in Northern New England. Maine had several forests as well and theirs were even bigger.
I kept climbing as I went from Dunstable to Groton. I passed the Dunstable High School around 2:00PM just as they were being let out for the day. I was climbing a pretty steep hill at the time so I pulled over to let the crazed pent up students fly by. I watched something on TV last night that discussed all these kids who were texting while driving. I figured these guys had to start texting as soon as they left the parking lot. It looked like the Grand Prix as I sat there and watched.Also there were probably 30 school buses that whizzed by. After 15 minutes all was quiet so I started up again. Eventually I got to Groton and entered the Nashua River bike trail. It was paved and very nice. The trail ended in Ayer Ma, I first was in Ayer 48 years ago as a young 19 year old private in the US Army being stationed at Ft. Devens. I wish I had that 19 year old body again. The main street of Ayer looks just the way I remembered. Kelley's is still there as well as the pool hall. I managed to reach Harvard MA, my original destination but there was no hotel available so continued on toe Marlborough. I was constantly climbing. Every time I thought I reached the top, there was another mountain. Finally I reached the top. It was obvious once I was up there as it was the highest point around. I passed more old cemeteries including one that had a lot of little head stones. I am sure they didn't bury pets in those days so those little head stones were the cause of a lot of grief for parents back in early days.
I made it to the hotel, showered and walked to the Olive Garden for dinner. It rained while I was eating and stopped in time for me to walk back.
I have decided that their are way to many cars on the road! I am going to support the effort to raise the gasoline tax to $10 to see if that will help. Of course this tax only applies to the East Coast.
Tomorrow will be another state!
Norbert, while you ride up the hills, I am working in the office, counting the days until I can join you to ride a little! Am thoroughly enjoying the blog, esp. the humor!
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