Wed., 6 October 2021
Grateful my back was somewhat better, but I faced a good bit longer mileage. I wanted to start riding earlier than previous days. I shot for a hour earlier, but thought the actual half hour earlier was suitable, given the back pain.
Once again, I'll let the Relive video give the overview. I do have a couple of interesting stories, though.
Hurricane Ida had done a number on New Jersey trails like the Delaware & Raritan Canal Tow Path trail. The ECG trail map warned of several impassable sections and recommended using the on-road alternative route.
On my way to that section, I encountered a pylon designating a road detour (not on my route) at Brotherhood Street. I went a half block, and decided to turn around to get a picture to send to my friend, Vanessa (of Pylon fame and nurse colleague). You'll see that in the Relive video.
It wasn't too far before I encountered the Rutgers University campus. The ECG travels on nice lanes through what looks like a sprawling campus with a good many trees. Pleasant ride. My back was feeling okay; but I knew it was tenuous.
Then I entered a park where I encountered a state road crew working at one of the bridge closures and start of the first D&R Canal trail section. They talked about the bridge having been taken out during the hurricane's flooding. The entire area where we were standing had been completely submerged. I asked if they knew anything about the section of the trail that started there. They said they had heard a lot was walkable; several places had been repaired; but because that wasn't a state project, they couldn't be sure. They were amazed I was riding alone, and were positive about my accomplishments. Always nice to have people encourage you.
After about a mile or so in, I encountered a couple who were walking the trail. They said there were some rocks (like I had already seen), but it appeared much of the trail had some repairs. I decided to continue. After about five miles of walking and riding, my back was getting tense, so I jumped off and onto the on-road route for several miles. At a D&R Canal Park, I took a lunch break for some water, Skratch Hydration Drink, and back stretches/relaxation. Then jumped back on the trail, clearly with huge sections either repaired or untouched by the hurricane.
I had encountered one rough section shortly after lunch and crossed a state road. There was a fellow cyclist stopped there taking in a snack. We chatted. Tom had been an avid cyclist until a year ago that day, when he had received a prostate cancer diagnosis. It was one of his first few rides building back his strength. We talked a lot about how our major health crises had led us to respect each second we still had. We also were trying to complete major life goals. He was training for a century he would be riding with his son. He said he admired my tackling the Canal Tow Path, and he was heading to Morrisville also, because he lived there. But he said he was opting for the road; he knew that would be faster. If it hadn't been a pandemic, I think we would have hugged goodbye.
About a mile down the Trail I encountered a professional photo shoot, huge tripod and light in the middle of the trail, photographer holding an expensive-looking camera trained on a woman draped on a boulder. She was wearing some skimpy bra/panty set. It was not prudent to stare as I was trying to avoid the tripod obstacle. I guess there isn't much traffic through there.
The condition of the Tow Path deteriorated again. Repairs and flooding had deposited tons of sand. Grateful for mountain biking skills. Pick a line. Whether rocky, hilly, sandy. I passed one woman who said she would consider the part she just did impassable. I continued on, but wished I had had those wide beach tires. Let me say that by this time, my back is reminding me it would like a rest, and I probably had about 25 miles to go.
Where trails rise up to meet paved roads, there are often rough places that require dismounting. One of these had recently (hazarding a guess here) been supplied with infill rocks and about four to six inches in pea gravel. As I attempted to dismount on the incline, my tires slogged to a quick stop in the gravel. I fell hard. My left side took the brunt of the fall. My ribs were sore, and I'm pretty sure my bra's underwire bruised my ribs there. Amazingly though, my low back pain disappeared. Spine adjustment through impact, perhaps. (It did not hurt again until Thursday night/Friday morning.)
By the time I reached Morrisville, the sun was low in the sky, a couple of my lights had lost power, and my GPS device was getting low also. I made it to the hotel without further incident or interruption. Ordered a small pizza and large salad, and Uber delivered just before dark. When I had showered and sat down to eat, I thought I had ordered too much food. There were a few crust pieces and salad black olives left for the trash. I earned my food that day. Every scrap.
Relive my ride below...without the bumps, jarring, or falls.
52.9 / 153.3 / 1247.5 miles
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