Danielson to Willimantic, CT
The dew covered everything this morning. I had a bit of trouble finding my way out of Danielson. My cleats were wet, my pedals were wet, and I managed to dance my way out of a pretty bad fall. The bike went down, and how on earth I did not is still a miracle. But I wager that if anyone caught it on video, the dance will go viral by the morning.
On the way out of Danielson, I passed The Sunshine Shop, a florist (pretty sure), building and sign adorned with sunflowers. They had one of those temporary signs against the front that read (something like): If you’re Martin, come in and get your flower. How fun is that. I wondered if it were a special Martin, or if anyone named Martin could come in for a flower.
Two short trails along the Putnam River were lovely—The Quinebaugh River Trail and the Putnam River Trail, in Putnam. There were display plaques with pages from a children’s book at intervals along the trail. In order to read the book, one would have to walk to the next plaque. Seemed like a great way to get children outdoors and enjoying books at the same time.
Then another Putnam sighting was that of the Staples Distribution Center. If you know me well, you know I love me some office supplies! I thought if the bike trip didn’t work out, I might be able to come back to Putnam and get a real job.
You’ve all heard this before. Not breaking news. I don’t like hills. Sometimes I think that folks pick a route simply to add a hill or two after each turn. I actually walked my bike up one today. I was done with my share of them in the first 10 miles. (Sing this to the tune of Ain’t too Proud to Beg: Ain’t too proud to walk, baby, baby, when I see a wall of road coming up…). The top made for a beautiful vista. Gorgeous farm, trees changing colors in the background, blue sky. Picture lost, of course. By 11:30, I was toast already. There was a cute café in Pomfret Center. Half cheese and veggie sandwich, chips, and root beer. Made the rest of my ride much better. I had only a few miles then until the Air Line Rail Trail for the rest of the ride into Willimantic.
The Air Line Rail Trail--what an interesting trail. All non-paved, and in many spots, like single-track, especially at road crossings. Close to 21 miles off-road. Only a small portion was paved at the end, in town. Here is one of the rougher crossings.
Most of the cross-road transitions had boulders that had been chipped out or placed so that barely the pedals of a bicycle would go through them. There was typically a hill up to and down from the road, and these were mostly sand and loose gravel. The trail looked like a Forest Service road though. There was a section that resembled a stream bed without the water. The rocks were rounded as if by a stream, and there were as many. Now that was one bumpy ride, and it was difficult to maneuver.
I have a few shots from a pond just before the James L Goodwin State Forest. I was amazed at how much red there was. I’ll post that picture when I have a card reader. UPDATE: No pictures. Card malfunction.
Reflections: My “essential” tremor is much worse after I’m tired. If I stop for food, I can barely sign my name or pour my soda into a cup. Colas and root beer are delicious when you’re tired and thirsty from cycling. (Normally, I don’t drink sodas. Just not my thing.) DL is a special person. (Not a news flash.)
37.71 miles / 460.72
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