In addition to hanging out, going to the beach, playing games, and lots of eating, one of the activities of our road trip involved ... hitting the road. Now, I am not athletic. I am seriously accident prone. I have not been on a traditional bike in 20 something years, but for some reason, NO one listened to my dire predictions about this outing*. Little did they know...
Cape Cod has transformed miles of an old railroad right of way into bike trails. We put in near Nickerson State Park, after finding a bike shop that was open. I immediately saw a few potential problems. They did not have an adult tricycle, adult training wheels, or helmets. Although there was a wide selection of bikes, somehow I didn't realize until after our ride that I was on a mountain bike and not a regular bike. This would prove to be a fateful decision.
Signs and smiles
My ride and the view I was afraid I would be my last ...
The first leg of the trip was interesting as I tried to get my balance, learn the whole gear shifting thing, and remind the girls that for their own protection, they needed to stay ahead and clear of me. (I veered wildly every time I had to shift gear and push off.) I was fine going ... stopping would prove to be my downfall. We pulled over a few times to enjoy the view and to rest.
While we enjoyed the scenery at the Breakwater and waited for our highly fried, highly carbed lunch, I tried to clean up a bit with water and hand sanitizer. Once lunch arrived, it was time for us to tuck into sweet potato fries, calamari, oysters, clams, a lobster roll, and fried scallops and fries for me -- with a nice accent of onion rings. (The Shushing Librarian tried to snag one, but I don't share well with others.)
Like my improvised bandage? Painters tape really does have many uses! Sunset on the beach and lots of Advil helped with the aches and pains, mostly in my neck and arms from where I was hunched over and bracing myself on the handles. My legs, even with the scrapes, felt fine.
Injuries and embarrassment aside (I was lapped by senior citizens on oxygen tanks and little girls on bikes with training wheels!), it was a beautiful day with some lovely and unique sights.
What is a cowboy doing this far East, at a seafood place? Even the shark knows that this is wrong.
*When I called my brother 10 days later to get medical advice about my leaking ankle, his FIRST reaction was: "Whose stupid idea was that? You shouldn't be on a bike!"
Hello!? That's what I was saying. I was more than willing to be the designated driver and documentation for the Vineyard and Brewery tours. That's MUCH safer. Incriminating, yes. But safer.
