A LAYOVER IN THE LIBRARY BETWEEN CLIMBS

Joan's View

Wow! What a day! Again, we started out our ride with a steep ascent panting up a hill that trucks use their flashers on. Honestly, they really look more like mountains on a bike when you are at the bottom. The GPS nonchalantly informs us of the 1,880 feet climb for the day.

Our first climb of the day.. A sign?

We started our day with a late breakfast knowing that we only had a 30 mile ride. Boy, how plans can change. We were forced to make some stops along the way. Some might say it was to catch our breath, but we found other excuses reasons to stop. One time Tony fixed our brakes. Another time we took pictures and, yet, there always is the need to check our phones. 😉 










In  actuality though,

Another great view

 at one point Tony read that we were on a road with 17% slope. That's called a heart rate monitor.

A sightseeing stop

We eventually coasted down a hill into Naples and stopped to eat at Bob & Ruth's Diner. Bob came running out as soon as we pulled up to see our bike. We had planned to eat a big meal and fill ourselves up for the rest of the day because our bed & breakfast, Bristol Views, is a 2 mile ride up a hill out in the country. Well, Tony started checking doppler and the rain was arriving sooner than we expected so it was time to go to plan B. Because the storm looked pretty strong and was passing through in a few hours, we took refuge in the Naples library. A huge shoutout to Pam, one of the Naple's librarians, for letting us hang out in their reading room while the storm poured outside. Tony took the opportunity to research routes for the next few days and I read from the huge selection of magazines. We also did some electronics charging as well. 

Luckily we took the low road... this time.

Clouds in the mountains after the storm

The storm finished and we packed up again. As we were loading the bike, another bicyclist stopped to chat. He had waited out the storm in a baseball diamond dugout, and was traveling from Boston to Colorado. He was young and free spirited.

Tony in the reading room at the Naples library. Our bike can be seen through the window.

Upon leaving the library, we actually walked our tandem to the grocery store nearby to find dinner that we could take with us up the mountain to eat later. Seeing that this was our 4th major ascent of the day, once we got to the top and made it to Bristol Views, we were staying put for the night. I got wings and Tony got a sub. We took the "shortcut" that Tony found at the library. It was 100' less of climb than his previous route. Yeah, but we still found it necessary to stop for pictures and such again.

Henry, Tony & Colby

Our welcome sign at Bristol Views

Around 5:30 (kiss the ground) we arrived at Bristol Views! Henry, the owner, said to us, "We don't get many bicyclists here." That's a belly laugh! Henry and Barb, the owners, are great and so is their dog, Colby. Colby is a another rescue with loving owners. Henry and Barb were making burgers for dinners. They had four until Colby snuck into the kitchen while Henry was talking to us. Now they had 3 burgers.

Tony & I are sitting on the porch enjoying the view and the cool temperatures up here on the mountain. There is a hummingbird that keeps visiting a nectar feeder right here by us. So nice!

Tony's View

The mountains are beautiful and for me unexpected. Now I know what Bonnie and Paul at the beginning meant by saying the first stretch will be easy, than it gets hilly. I guess I thought, "how hilly can it get?" Now I know, very hilly. Even though, it has been an enjoyable experience. The name of the streets really make it fun, like Widow Hill Road.