Sunshine and Tailwinds

I got to a gas station real close to the Bay Bridge pretty early this morning. I was planning on hitching a ride over and I wasn’t sure how long that would take. A ride with an Uber driver would cost $36 dollars plus a tip. The Wawa station was very busy so I thought my chances were pretty good. However that wasn’t the case. In a 20 minute period only one person even said hello. I made a sign out of my towel hoping that would help. It didn’t. After another half hour I even put that I would pay $20. Still no luck.

The sun was shining and it was turning into a beautiful day for riding . I felt like I was wasting a perfect day so I resorted to plan b and got an Uber. I had to take my gear and front wheel off to fit everything into the car but it all fit without too much trouble. The driver was a retired man and said he had taken many cyclist across. I told him I had biked down the C&O and that got him talking. When he was younger he and his friends partied at Swains lock and a few other places along it. I wanted to be dropped off right on the other side of the bridge but the driver said he knew of a better place.

He took me a few miles farther to a little back road. I loaded my gear back on my bike and was on the road. I got on Route 50. It was perfect. Good asphalt and wide shoulders. It is two lanes in each direction so there was lots of traffic but I didn’t mind. At a little rest area I stopped and had my usual peanut butter and tortilla lunch.

After all the rain yesterday the sun felt great. It only got to 51 degrees though. There was a good tail wind and I was making great time. Around 15 mph. That’s fast for me.

Looking at a map while eating lunch, I saw there was a rail trail that ran parallel to 50. I decided to ride it. It was beautiful and very well maintained but I regretted taking it. It was shaded and cold also the trees blocked my tailwind. After a couple miles I got back on Route 50.

The miles flew by until I got to the Choptank River Bridge. It didn’t look very bike friendly even though the shoulder was plenty big and there were rumble strips separating me from the traffic. There were signs saying no pedestrians but none saying no bikes. I figured I would just go as fast as I could and get over it. It was uphill half the way to create a place for ships to pass underneath. The wind was brutal after I left land. It was no longer a tail wind but seemed to come from all different direction. When it was a head wind it would nearly bring me to a stop. I would lean into a crosswind from the right to keep it from blowing me into the traffic and when it stopped abruptly I would go careening to the left where the concrete bridge railing was only knee high. I was reminded that it was a very long way down every time I heard my pannier scrape against the concrete.The shoulder was littered with broken glass and I expected a flat tire at anytime. I could hear the glass crunching under my tires. Staying in my lane was tough enough without trying to avoid all the debris. In my mirror I saw a state police suv a few cars back, and I assumed it was to haul me off the bridge. I gratefully stopped and waited for them to pull up. Unfortunately they went on by without more then a glance in my direction. I guess cyclist are allowed on the bridge.I’m not sure how long the bridge was but it was the hardest couple miles of the trip so far. Oddly the bridge had lots of coins on it. Probably several dollars worth. I couldn’t figure out why that would be unless it’s just accumulated because every one was like me and too scared to stop and pick it up.

After reaching the other side there was a visitor center. I pulled off and laid down in the grass for 15 minutes. From the exertion my legs were shaking. Surprisingly I wasn’t really out of breath. I guess my cardiovascular system has improved even if I haven’t got much stronger. After a bit I went and got a free map from the visitor center and checked out the displays.

After a lengthy break I headed out but I was done for the day. I had been a bit over 40 miles and the bridge had used up the rest of my energy. I made it a few more miles to get out of Cambridge and into farm country where there would be an opportunity to stealth camp. This is a beautiful part of the country. It’s flat and perfect for cycling. I am really happy I chose this route down the shore.