A week ago, Phil Lussier invited me to join him and Lynn Avery on an overnight bike ride.
Tues., Oct. 25
Yesterday, October 25, Phil arrived to bring us to Manchester, Vermont, to meet up with Lynn. We arrive, and Lynn is already loading his bike. Phil parks his truck next to Lynn’s van. I visit with Lynn; we have not seen each other in two years. I begin loading my bike with gear for the cabin; Phil catches up with Lynn.
We have fifteen miles ahead of us; it is already 3 pm. We start the ride out of Manchester; it is cool, and the sun is heading for the tree line. The distance is now five miles. The last three miles are a steep climb up the mountain range to the entrance of Merck Forest and Farmland Center.
We arrive at our cabin with half an hour of dim sunlight. We settle in and eat our dinners. Mine is a can of cold Boston Baked Beans and a helping of potato salad. It is now dark; we talk in the light of headlamps.
In our sleeping spots, we drift into sleep.
Tues., Oct. 26
Sunlight through the windows brightens the room. I can see into the corner that were shadows last night.
It is a cool morning; the three-mile descent will be cold. I layer my down jacket under a windbreaker to soften icy air.
Breakfast is at a bakery in Dorset. We have warmed up with the day; I remove the down jacket. My choice of food this morning is a Mexican breakfast wrap with home fries and a strong black coffee. The breakfast is relaxed with no sense of hurry. The last eight miles are mostly downhill.
At the parking lot, we load our bikes and gear into the truck and van. We are talking of yesterday with fond memories. We hint at another adventure in the future.
Lynn heads to Adams while Phil and I point to Ashfield.
Back home, I unload and walk toward the house; Phil leaves the driveway heading to his.