Cycling Across America #3
Part 3 of the series of snippets following my attempt at cycling alone across America exactly ten years ago. It started in Boston on August 2, 1996, and today’s excerpt is another from the audio taped parts of the journal, ten years ago today, on August 4, 1996:
Fairfield, Connecticut. Ten o’clock in the morning, which means I ain’t going anywhere today really. The dilemma is New York City. Can’t establish contact. So last night I hadn’t got any answers but I told my hosts I’d come up with a plan this morning, and stayed up drinking the bottles of Harp left out for me, to help.
So the plan is today I’ll stay an extra day here, get dropped back in Milford where I finished yesterday, fifteen, twenty miles away. And I’ll cycle to here, thereby filling in the gap - which is important, because it means that New York downtown is sixty miles rather than eighty, which makes it easier ’cause I’m gonna, well I want to get to New York quite early if I’m going through the Bronx and Harlem. Where I’m staying in New York I’ve no idea.
Last night was good. Breakaways, very much a local restaurant come pub. Small, great food, nice people. I was introduced to Boo. Great name for a girl, Boo. Drove around Southport and down past amazing houses, even in the dark. Mansion after mansion. Quite something. Down to the beach. It was good. My hosts are great company.Let’s listen to some American radio:
-San Diego or bust. With Campaign Notebook, I’m Sean Couthard. Republicans are hoping next week’s convention in San Diego is anything but a bust as they hope to give Bob Dole a boost in the polls. Political Analyst Rod Prochet says there are three things to watch for during next week’s affair:
Dole’s choice for vice-president, the candidate’s acceptance speech, and whether controversy rears during drafting of the party platform.
-If they’re successful, Republicans could find themselves with a burst of momentum heading into the Fall fight against President Clinton. With Campaign Notebook, Sean Couthard, News Radio 88.
-This portion of news on WCBS sponsored by Car Business Systems.
-Mable, Mable, over here. All right positions, and, one two three, one two three. Up on your tippy toes. That’s good, that’s it. Beautiful.
-Looks like some of our competitors in the Trash business have had to look into new lines of work. Hmmm, I guess it’s the historic new city trash law that’s really changing things in the trash business.
This law makes it possible for businesses to break free of existing over-priced trash contracts - in many cases just by giving thirty days written notice to your hauler and then you can have anybody you want, freely. Imagine that. Call 1-800-PICK-BFI and we’ll send you a free copy of your rights under this new law.
-People, we’re flowers, now water buffalo.
-BFI was the first company to offer New York businesses much lower prices for trash removal. So call 1-800-PICK-BFI to make the switch to New York’s trash company.
-And work them hard, high and wide, up and down - ohh
Just had my second shower of the day and applied more Vaseline. I want to try and fight saddle soreness the way I fought those hills yesterday. If I can get through the 1′000 mile barrier without being in too bad shape, I’ll be very pleased. It’s the heat. So much sweating and rubbing, it’s impossible for the skin not to break.
Was dropped right back where I finished yesterday and I cycled that missing link from Milford to Fairfield. A leisurely two hours and all the worry about Bridgeport was unnecessary. Stopped at traffic lights while cars around you throb to fabulous rap and soul music. I could’ve listened forever but the lights went green.
The only problem today was trying to stay on Route One when I wanted to. It wasn’t always so obvious. That problem will recur again tomorrow all the way to New York. I think I should start wearing a helmet again. Seeing all the motorcyclists without them I wondered why I should suffer alone in the heat. Life seems far too good at the moment even if my cyclo-computer doesn’t work.
New York finally made contact. The idea of cycling to downtown Manhattan and going into an apartment block to pick up a key from a concierge is exciting.
Hit the supermarket and the price tags were all in digital LCD. Brunch. Potatoes and onions fried. Ham steaks fried. Eggs poached. And of course, biscuits. We wouldn’t call them biscuits at home. Like large fluffy light scones but more bread-like
Dinner tonight with some other friends of my hosts including one who is bringing her daughter and some pork. I know I like pork.
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