GroHappy has been dedicated to the pursuit of gardening and how horticultural therapy can positively influence people. But for the next few weeks postings will be more frequent and the topic will be different as the focus of this blog will pivot to bicycle touring as my friend Ted and I stretch our 60-year-old legs (and other body parts) to travel from my birthplace of Pittsburgh, PA, to Washington D.C.
I first brought up the idea to my family over New Year’s Eve all of whom believed that I was suffering from some form of early-stage dementia. But I thought it would be a good way to celebrate my 60th birthday and be the next chapter of my solitary bike trips, the last one a few years ago when I biked 220 miles over four days on Long Island.
Most of my friends had similar thoughts of my family except Ted who upon hearing of my plans asked, “Could I come with you?” I had never thought that anyone would want to come with me but I was very happy and relieved that I now would have a cycling partner as was my wife who threatened to shadow me as she did our daughter when she started to bike to school in second grade.
So we will be cycling two trails–the Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal Towpath for a total of 335 miles over eight days. I think Ted is more ready than I as he has been hitting the saddle more frequently than I have been able to. He is also better equipped with the latest in biking gear and clothing while I stubbornly hold on to wearing some older (unpadded) shorts that have held me in good stead for years.
So we both are excited for our trip ahead and hopeful that the weather will be nicer than we have experienced this last month, which has been good for the garden with rain but not as nice for cycling. It should be fun.
