Good-bye NY, Hello CT

It took us longer than expected to depart NY and enter CT. This is a picture of the sign welcoming us into CT. It took so long to get here it seemed worthy of a picture!

Because of the length of time leaving NY (Dan was lost a lot of the time), we ended up staying the night at LaQuinta. Tomorrow is another biking day followed by a rest day. We'll have to use these days to make up the time lost. I believe there is a media event on Tuesday, so we may have to get back to our schedule using tomorrow only. We are still getting marvelous support from other ECG members, so we are not worried. Tomorrow is a cooler day and we expect a good biking day. Breakfast at 6:30 and departing soon after 7. Let's see what CT looks like!

Day 8 - Manhattan!

My hosts for days 6 and 7 actually spent day 8 riding with me from Edison, NJ to the Newark Penn Station in Newark, NJ. That's a lot of time spent with us travelers, but is that all? No, they also drive me through the Holland Tunnel and drop me off at the trail in Manhattan. These folks, Mike and Anne Kruimer, have no end to their generosity (remember, they also gave me Mackenzie). The picture above shows them on the K-Train, a bike specially designed for them. Thanks Mike and Anne!




Day 8 brings us to Manhattan. This is the best trail I have seen so far. I don't get out to run as much as I would like because Dan makes good time, but the scenery is spectacular! I always thought that Manhattan was a busy place with too much traffic. That's why you have to love the East Coast Greenway - this trail was incredible.






The day finishes with my new host Oscar Hernandez and his neighbor Anthony helping put away the bike - Dan was way too tired! Then Oscar provided Dan and guests (e.g. Karen Votava) with cold beer, good music, and appetizers. This was followed by dinner for Dan et al. What did he cook? How about brown rice mixed with tomatoes, onions, various peppers, and topped with clams, shrimp, scallops, and lobster tail? Based on the way Dan was eating, this guy can cook up a storm! Thanks Oscar - you're going to be hard to beat!

Day 7 - Rest!

Let me start off by saying I didn't need a rest - Dan did. I was ready to go and go, but I have a human with me slowing me down. It looks now like that was a good decision though. Dan slept for 10 hours, woke up for breakfast, took a nap, woke up for lunch, and took another nap. Of course, I slept the same amount of time, but I was just keeping Dan company.

As you can read, this was a day for resting and it was needed. Besides, it rained hard in the morning and again around 6 pm. There's nothing like good timing when you want a rest AND to avoid rain!

The only activity I did today was to play with my new friend Mackenzie. She threw the ball for me and we had fun together. I'm going to miss her. I'd better close for now and check on Dan. Who knows, he could be napping again!

Hello, New Jersey!

It's day 6 and Dan says that NJ is a fine place to ride a bike. The ECG has done a good job here - the trails are nice and signs mark the way. Above is a picture of one of the ECG kiosks. We can thank one of my hosts, Mike Kruimer, for the kiosk you see above. I also thank Mike and his wonderful wife Anne for taking in this exhausted duo - Dan and I plan on being asleep before 8 pm.

Most of the trail on the way to Edison was hard-pack with periodic muddy sections. I just ran along but the mud would fly up and stick to my belly. I looked like I was black under and white on top. I didn't mind at all and I guess Dan liked it because he let me go swimming. I then hopped out of the water and rolled in the mud. Dan must have liked that also because I was invited to swim a second time.

Day 5 - Events Day

This is Scott Maits, his two dogs and the historic house he lives in. Scott provided a guided tour of the Philadelphia area and kept me from getting lost. Scott knows his information and he was generous with his time.

Scott set up an event at a school. I got petted by a zillion kids and had to perform my tricks over and over. Dan seemed proud of me - you know I looked good! Kids and adults were sitting on the bike and asking Dan many questions about the bike and me. Dan met a new friend who helped adjust the gears. It was another great day.

When Dan and I were about a half a mile outside Bristol borough, PA, we met Bucks County Commissioner Diane Marseglio and a police escort. We followed a policeman riding his bike and the Commissioner (with a police car behind us holding up all traffic) as we entered Bristol borough. It was a sight that is hard to describe, but I believe all the dogs behind us being held up in traffic were happy for me.

Bristol looked like a happy town with plenty of water to swim in, a great park where my friends could play, and neat looking old buildings, one of which Dan ate at. He told me later the food was really good.

There was a large arrival party and they looked happy to see me get there. I suppose some of them might have been happy to see Dan, but I was clearly the star! Per the picture below and listing them from the left to the right, there were Spencer Finch (Director of Sustainable Development at Pennsylvania Environment Council); Dan; Rick Dalton (Department of Natural Resources); Diane Marseglio (Bucks County Commissioner); Robyn Trunell (Borough Council); Andy Hamilton (Pennsyvania ECG Committee Chair) ; Jeff Darwak (with the Bucks County redevelopment Aurthority); and Don Fisher (ECG Board Member). I don't know what all these things mean, but I was impressed they came to see me arrive. I like Bristol and I want to come back!

Day 4

Day 4 in Delaware was windy, rainy, and cold. If the wind was supposed to be at my back (per weather.com) then Dan and I were facing the wrong way! That being said, the ride today was... dare I say it... FUN! Dan might have been too cold some of the time, but I never was. We both enjoyed the tempature drop and could have done many extra miles. We had a GREAT day!

H E L L L L O, Wilmington!!!! Here I am eating at the Riverfront Market. I like it here, but the food tastes the same...

Tomorrow we go through Philadelphia. Dan has asked me to perform for a school at 11:30. At 4:45 we are supposed to get a police escort into the city of Bristol, PA. I'll know more tomorrow!

Tonight I am staying with my friend Shyly. She owns a lovely woman named Dianna who has gone way out of her way to make us all very comfortable. Dan is cooking steaks right now and I will never understand why I never get any. Oh well, he seems happy and that makes me happy!

Day 3 Ends Well!

Day three certainly ended well. How can you beat 100 people partying with food, drinks, and a live band? Obviously, I didn't partake in this human food and beverage, but I could tell Dan was enjoying himself. Dan had me doing tricks over and over but I got lots of extra petting and I do love to impress humans. Dan also took advantage of the time to show off the Sun bicycle. Many asked questions and many tried the bike on for size. I drew the line there - I sit in my trailer only if Dan is at the hyelm. It was a fabulous time and I think we're going to have more bloggers! I am tired! Tomorrow we ride again!

Some Photos from Day 1 - courtesy of Chris & Carrie Sapienza

Chris had to remind me that even though I had a good day, I have quite a few left to go!

Nick asks a good question . . .

Many of my friends came out to see us - Dan got his drink first but I drank MUCH more than he did!

Day 3 Starts Well

Here at Biller's Bikes in Havre de Grace, Walter (shown above - standing, not being held) worked last night and this morning giving my Sun EZ Sport the "new bike tune-up." I can tell you Walter is extremely thorough and he likes his work. It was a pleasure to watch him check every bolt and screw. Walter is also impressed with Sun bicycles.

It turned out that our breakdown yesterday was caused by a $2 plastic part that isn't a necessary piece to have. Walter said it's just one of those things that can happen. Thank you, Walter. I'll be back on the road tomorrow!

Day 2 - Not as good as Day 1!

As the title indicates, Day 2 was not as good as Day 1. Actually, the hills were better, but the bike broke down and the day ended early. As I think about it, maybe Day 2 was better than Day 1! After all, I was so hot and tired. Every time Dan stopped I flopped in the grass. I didn' see Dan flopping, but he sure was sweating. It was only later this evening that we found out why.

Eileen picked us up on the EGW trail. That was more difficult than you might think since we hadn't seen a town for over 10 miles and Eileen's GPS started with the question What town do you want? Dan eventually went out into the road and yelled toward a driver with his window down "Where am I? What town is near here?" The driver gave Dan two or three choices, most we couldn't understand. Eileen resorted to solving the problem the old fashioned way - she looked at a map.

So we got picked up and rode the rest of the way in an air conditioned car. I can't understand why Dan doesn't finish the trip that way. Anyway, lucky for us our next stop was Biller's Bikes in Havre de Grace. This was a good time to be spending the night at a bike shop. That's where we met Walter and Mara Biller - wonderful people. They even have two cats to play with. Actually only one cause the other one scares me.

Walter checked the bike out and said "This bike is unrideable!" At least that made Dan feel better. Walter fixed the bike and we learned that the problems actually started during Day 1. Maybe that means Dan's next day biking will be much too easy!

Dan has decided to make Monday our rest day instead of Tuesday. Walter and Mara are having a biking party tomorrow and expect more than 100 people to attend. Dan will show his bike, trailer, signs, flags, and ME! This may be a day worth spending here talking and passing out palm cards.

The pictures above are from the Torrey C Brown Trail (aka Northern Central Railroad Trail). This was a wonderful 7.25 miles of biking ending in Monkton, MD.

More later...

Day 1 is Complete!

Day 1 of this tripwas started in style. Dan's brother-in-law and good friend Joe Sampugnaro volunteered to contact the neighbors in our community (including my four-legged friends) to invite them to a mimosa party. This party would be held in the parking lot in front of my house at 8:30 am - my deoarture was scheduled for 9 am. The party was certainly a success! Approximately 30 neighbors came AND two bikers who had just arrived from Germany. I guess that made this party an international affair!

Our ride today was difficult. The tempature was around 90 and the humidity was high. This would also be (hopefully) one of the hilliest days. That being said, we only have to get there and the hosting couple said they would have dinner ready whenever I arrived - no pressure. This allowed Dan to take as many breaks as he needed - I was hot and tired but I didn't need any breaks!

When I neared the hosting couple's house, they had seven screaming people on the main road with signs! One said "Free Beer!" and another said "I'll drive you to Maine for $100." I don't know what these mean because I can't read! It was quite unexpected and Dan said it made every hill worthwhile! Thank you Chris and Carrie Sapienza!

Dan hopes to add more pictures and a video tommorrow. It is 9 pm and he looks exhausted!

Dan, Eileen, and I went to downtown Annapolis today to meet Ellen O. Moyer, the mayor of the city of Annapolis. She would proclaim today East Coast Greenway Day and officially kick-off our trip to Portland, Maine. Here we are waiting her arrival.

I got to meet the mayor - she seemed nice (so far).

She gave Dan the proclamation and made Dan, Eileen and our friends who volunteered to take pictures and hand out palm cards official Ambassadors to the city of Annapolis. That was pretty cool, I guess.

Then the mayor gave me a large blue crab squeaky toy from Paws Pet Boutique! This is a wonderful lady! She's got my vote!

Oh, boy - this is really going to happen!

I've been planning this trip for several months now and have had Dan in training for that period of time. But now, it's time to make this dream real! You can see I've had Dan change my training sign to one that will let people know what we're really up against! My limousine, fully loaded (trailer, all gear, my food and, most important, ME!) weighs 195 lbs. Dan won't tell me his personal weight but firmly believes it will be quite a bit less by the time we arrive in Portland, ME :-)~

You can see the Chesapeake Bay in the background of one of these photos - this is a "Port to Port" journey.

I've made my list and now I'm checking it twice!

Today, I helped Dan gather all our equipment for the trip. I AM EXHAUSTED!!! I'm sure glad I don't have to pedal 850 miles with this load! Dan thinks he can put all of this on the bike. Check back tomorrow to see what happens.

I keep trying to tell my cat, Rocky, that no cats are allowed on this trip. He keeps trying to convince me to take him . . .

The countdown begins . . .

So this is my first posting!!!

In case you haven't heard, I am undertaking a HUGE adventure. My human, Dan McCrady, is taking me from my house in Annapolis, MD to Portland, ME one of my favorite spots to visit. We're leaving on Saturday, May 23rd 2009 and are travelling about 850 miles on the East Coast Greenway (ECG) - a fabulous multi-use trail that connects Florida to Maine!! We have one week left before our trip begins and Dan is running around trying to get everything ready. He's packing our bike and making sure my limousine (he calls it a trailer - whatever!) is ready for the trip. I will get plenty of exercise along the way. I plan to have Dan let me walk or run 5 - 10 miles each day. Not at once, though. I'm not that crazy! Please also check out our website for more info on what we're doing, when we're doing it and our motivation for this whole adventure!

See you on the trail!