It was one of the coolest Cohen Classics to date. Better known for heat and humidity, we really lucked out with a nice sea breeze and no real head wind. Six riders headed out from North Hampton Elementary School. Lisa, Donna, Sheldon, Jack, Tammy & Kathy who really was riding a 50 lb mountain bike, no exaggeration! Kathy pumped up her tires and Lisa reversed her front tire to get the odometer/speedometer going again and away we went.
We hit the coast and headed north. We rode thru the morning fog. Made it to Wallis Sands before the official 8:00am opening. No signs of the monster jellyfish. The workers were nice enough to take group pics for us, even before 8:00am. Lisa rode ahead of the pack as a rabbit and discovered a man roasting a pig at Odiorne State Park. We chatted and he lifted up the lid for an official viewing. He was preparing it for an afternoon wedding.
We made it to breakfast and enjoyed a nice meal at Cafe Espresso. The waitresses were very accommodating to us. From there Tammy & Kathy headed back. Kathy riding "the Beast". Lisa, Sheldon, Jack and I continued north. Before we hit the store a white van drove by us and I heard, "Donna?!", with a giggle. It was my friend Liz who lives in Nahant. Her parents live in Maine and she frequently visits. A few years ago the same thing happened.
We continued north and waved and rang our bells at a peloton of bright pink clad SeaCoast riders. Lisa made it up near Nubble Light but the bridge was closed and there was a detour. She looped back to let us know. At that point we all decided to turn back. No Nubble Light this year..... maybe next year.
The Portsmouth Bridge went up as we approached. At that point I had a flat so we took the time to change it. Thanks for the help Jack & Sheldon! We made it back and Tammy was waiting for us. Thanks Tammy! Sheldon, Tammy and I enjoyed lunch at Not Your Average Joes in Newburyport making it a TriState ride. : )
Thank you to all who showed up to ride and kept the tradition going. It really is a beautiful route and a delicious breakfast. Next year-- two weeks before the PMC again.
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