Day 6- Matamoras to Bethlehem PA

The motto of the day was, get 'er done!! With temps approaching 100, especially in the afternoon, it was put your head down, dig deep, and get 'er done. It didn't help that it was the longest mileage day, 82, the most climbing, and the highest elevation day (5056 feet). And we traversed through three states.

The morning started super early, wheels on the ground at 6:15. The start was foggy and super humid. The views of the Delaware River crossing back into Port Jervis were eerily beautiful.

The early morning was relatively comfortable as we rolled through scenic northern New Jersey, passing lakes and horse farms.

It starting to become uncomfortably hot by 10 am, as the temps were already in the 90's. One of the more appropros views came from this horsefarm, owned by none other than "The Swets". Say no more!! We also saw a sign that said "Sheep, $100", which led to numerous sheep puns ("at that price they won't be fleecing you", "careful they be pulling the wool over your eyes", "ewe'll be sorry!, and many many more). My constant punning partner and riding companion is my buddy DJ, who I was lucky to have pedaled almost every mile of the ride with.

 

Today DJ and I rode the entire day with two of the aformentioned awesome Plumb-cycles, Gregg Plumb and his girlfriend Inna. They kicked butt today over what was a grueling day, for new riders and experienced riders. We started the day together and finished strong together, joined by our friend Lindsey. We finished the ride with high fives, naming ourselves "Team Bad Ass" for finishing so strong. Below are DJ, Gregg and Inna pedaling away.

By the time we crossed back over to PA from Belvidere NJ, the heat was blazing- clearly the hottest day of the week. It was an oven, and the hills in PA kept coming and coming. These were some of the steepest climbs of the week, and there was little to no shade for most of these climbs. This part of the ride became mind over matter, or mind over melting.

Many, many riders were sagged in by vans. Here is the last sag stop of the day, at the Northampton farm bureau, the sight of many of those sag rides. But the majority completed the day. As I said, we put our heads down, dug deep and powered through, finishing up the day after 82 miles. Tomorrow it's only 65 miles, but it will be very hot and then topped off with severe thunderstorms. Hope we get in before the rain!

 

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