Memorial Day Weekend Ride for me and the wife!
 

The video is here


I'm gonna start this off here in C&A, but will eventually move it to the newly active "Stories from the Road segment in Touring.

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Here was our route out there: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2855546

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2855546

We made a little side trip to go to some interesting rock formations and a colony of Beavers, but the river was too high to be able to get to them. The worst part of the ride for the wife was at the last little bit, climbing Indian Hill. That's not tall, as hills go, even here in Indiana, but it's a 170 foot climb in less than 1'3 of a mile. Try that on a 52 pound recumbent trike with about another 20 pounds of gear on it.

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I was tryng out the Nashbar Bob Clone I got,,, ad I actually rather like it. Once you're in motion, you literally cannot tell it's back there behind you. Make sure you stop somewhere you can lean the trailer and bike, though so you don't have to lay the bike over to save strain on the hitching system.

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Well, 25 miles later, we arrived at the campground, and set up camp. :D

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Earlena took a nap

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Meanwhile, I set up the "kitchen to make Dinner. We had Freeze Dried Chili mac. 'Twas pretty good, too....CONTINUED.

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After dinner, there was an impromptu Bluegrass band, and the Banjo player wouldn't lose a lick to even Grandpa Jones (I know, because I jammed with Grandpa Jones when i lived in Tennessee. ;) ). They were pretty dang good!

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All in all, it was a pretty good weekend trip, and cost less than $30, overall. Earlena did her first loaded ride successfully, and had a blast, other than riding up Indian Hill, and I had to go back down on foot the last 100 yards and push her up. She's already wanting to plan our next trip together, though. :D

Nice report on what sounds like a great time for you both. Glad to see you both out there pedaling my friend. It's wonderful she's anticipating the next adventure already. :thumb:

C ya in a couple weeks,

Denny

Thanks, Denny!

Yep, We're looking forward to seeing you as well. :D

Looks like a fun trial run for the new equiptment

Man, that music just don't get any better than that!

Nice report, thanks for sharing. I liked the Bluegrass video. Did they keep playing?

Oh yeah, they did a bunch of Flatt and Scruggs, they did some Black Oak Arkansas in Bluegrass versions, like Cripple Creek. :D

Cool!:thumb:..The tent and stuff looks fun. Dude, is that you in the tye-dye sitting in the grass with the yellow band on your wrist?..You look like George Hincapie and a few other TDF riders!:eek:

Bravo! Nice tour! Great way to spend a weekend.:thumb:

Yeah, that's me. :D

:eek::eek::eek:Dude, I'd marry you!...OK, not really but dang dude, looking good!:thumb:

I'm actually making coffee there, by the way. Really good fresh roasted Costa Rican coffee (I roasted it myself and ground it right before we left for the trip from green beans) with a French press.......I was right popular in the AM, I can tell ya!

Nice report. Cool music too. Sounds like a good time was had by all.

Woohooo! Michigan has to be looking better and better!Oh and, Peace Doood!

Fred, does Gina know about this man crush? :p (Or did Gina post on your account.....please tell me that's the case. ;) )

Nice report Tom. Great Bluegrass....Thanks for that.

You folks that drag your crap along have a hats off from me. I have never done that with a bike, but I have made many self supported river trips in a kayak and know how much planning goes into balancing need, want and reality.

btw......I need your tye-dye shirt to go with my Rasta bike:D

Just wait until either one of you get the tandem bug. Might very well just be the best $$$ you'll ever spend.

we're already dreaming of this:

http://www.greenspeed.com.au/webimag...s/gtt_main.jpg

"It was summertime in northern Michigan
Splashing through the sandbar
Talking by the campfire
It's the simple things in life like when and where
We didn't have no internet
But man I never will forget
The way the moonlight shined upon her hair.

"And we were trying different things
And we were smoking funny things
Making love down by the lake to our favorite song
Sipping whiskey out the bottle
Not thinking 'bout tomorrow
Singing Sweet Home Alabama all summer long"

Very nice, Tom. Thanks for sharing the story.