Rumford

I’m camped along the beautiful Androskoogin River.

I only rode 37 miles today. Maine has been awesome! I cant believe how flat it is. There is hills of course, but not bad ones. Today was 37 miles with only 1000 feet elevation gain. I didn’t have to push once!

I wasn’t real happy with being on this road. It was a designated bike route but there wasn’t a shoulder. I looked to see if there was a way around but there was not so I took it. In one hour only 3 cars went by and they were moving very slowly. In fact so slowly I thought it was strange. A little later a saw a speed limit sign. The speed limit was 35. I couldn’t figure that out. Its a big 2 lane road. It made me happy though!

I did have to push once. I forgot. It wasn’t because of a hill though. There was road construction and it was just one lane. The shoulder was a mix of mud, sand and gravel so I just walked. It probably was a mile long.

I passed so many scenic spots its hard to decide what pictures to post!

I stopped at a little gazebo in Bryant Pond for lunch. I ate a snickers and two packs of tuna on a tortilla. There was a sculpture of an old hand crank telephone. Here is the plaque that was on it.

I didn’t get on the road till late today it was very foggy for one thing. And the sporting goods store I wanted to stop at didn’t open until 10. It was on my way out of Bethel though. I stopped in just as they were opening. It was a great hiking/camping store. I got fuel and a blaze orange bandana. Hunting season will be starting soon and it won’t hurt to have it when I’m on the trails. I spent $13 dollars but that is not part of my budget . Later in Mexico I resupplied at a Walmart I got my usual pasta sides tuna salmon and oatmeal. I also bought a flannel shirt. Its getting pretty chilly in the mornings. I have a pretty decent jacket and also thermal cycling sleeves. Its not quite cold enough for the jacket and the sleeves are just sleeves. They are great for cycling because the wind from moving chills your arms while your core sweats. They are the opposite of a vest. But there not much good for chilly mornings in camp. I spent $27. I also bought a dr pepper a Starbucks iced coffee and mac and cheese from the deli. But those last few things were out of my coffee fund. Thanks every one! Pasta sides were $1 dollar again in Massachusetts Vermont and New Hampshire they were a bit more. I forget where but they were 1.96 at one place. Grocery stores don’t supply bag up here I don’t think they have since New york. If you need a bag you have to ask for one and then you get charged 5 or 10 cents.

In the past 100 miles people accents have become noticeable. I guess mine is just as noticeable though. I’ve been asked if I’m from Texas, Georgia, West Virginia and my favorite was Ireland. Without fail when I say no I’m from Pennsylvania, they say you don’t sound like it,where do you get your accent? When I checked into the campground the other day, it was right after I wrecked. Even though I had cleaned up with Purell I was still bleeding. When I walked into the office to pay for a site the lady asked can I help you? I said yes I would like a tent site but first may I use your rest room? She said it was the next door over from the office. I went and washed the blood off my leg and walked back in to the counter and she said “how many is in the potty?” Assuming I misunderstood I asked her to repeat that and again she said “how many is in the potty?” I thought it was a really weird question and who calls a bathroom a potty? Maybe it had to do with covid. I answered it was just me, but a dude was washing his hands when I entered. She looked a bit confused and said two then? I replied yes, but only briefly. When I left it was just me. She looked even more confused then I felt. Dureing a brief weird and awkward silence I looked down at her desk to the form she was filling out, it read how many in the party. Party not potty I understand now, I said its just me. Potty, thats what I said she replied. It took a lot of willpower not to ask her to say potty.