The Tripper Report for September - December 2010 (updated 6/12/2013) North American Rides Date Page The Berkshires September 2010 2 Cape Cod and the Islands September 2010 3 New Hampshire Lakes and Mountains September 2010 4 Southern Utah National Parks Tour September 2010 5 Fall 2010 Tour of Quebec September 2010 6 Southern Utah National Parks - Section 2 September 2010 7 Adirondacks Fall Foliage 2010 September 2010 8 Solvang: Sun, Pinot Noir and Tarantulas October 2010 9 Overseas Rides Date Page Tuscany on the Mediterranean 2010 September 2010 10 The Dordogne, Perigord and Gorges of France September 2010 11 Rides without Reports Date Montreal to Quebec City September 2010 Slovenia's Heart, Julian Alps &Adriatic Coast September 2010 Dordogne, Perigord and Gorges of France Section 2 September 2010 The Berkshires September 7th to September 20th Ride Director: Tom Leever, Report by: Phillip Coleman This trip began in Hartfort, Connecticut, moved northward into Vermont and curled back to the starting point. The route was picturesque New England countryside, with light traffic and good roads most of the time. At least 2 significant climbs were encountered virtually every ride day. Most days also had a shorter and less elevation ride option for less ambitious riders. Participants in this tour, however, need to be able to climb short but relatively steep hills. Prepare yourself and your bike gearing accordingly. Envision a series of Currier and Ives prints and you have a good image of the scenery every day. In short, spectacular, even with Fall Colors having just begun. Our accommodations were usually vintage Inns and B&B's, with a more modern hotel in the urban areas. Rooms were clean, quiet, and often quite spacious. Some of the sites were luxurious. Most accommodations provided special and secure storage for our bicycles and the proprietors were always hospitable. High detail maps and cue sheets were provided for each ride day. Were one to get lost using the cue sheet, the map would show a linking road to return to the route. A dedicated and competent sag driver made sure our luggage was awaiting us upon our arrival. Local drivers were courteous and obliging to touring cyclists on the frequent narrow roads. The ride leaders, Tom and Julie Lever, enjoy a sterling reputation for putting on good BAC tours. Leading four tours annually, the Levers are professionals in all aspects except compensation. Their first trip to the Berkshires never gave the appearance of being a first trip. They work especially well together, with each having personally defined roles in providing to the needs of the group. The Levers have coped with every tour contingency in the past, and they are unfazed with any problem that may arise. Social interaction within the group is emphasized. Nightly briefings and the social hour are festive and enjoyable. Tom and Julie make sure all riders have an opportunity to participate in the "play" as well as the "ride." Strategically designed layover days allowed tour participants the choice to ride a recommended optional ride, rest, or visit local historical sites, which abound in this region. One veteran bike tourist announced at the conclusion of the route, "This is the best bike tour I've ever been on." That pretty much says it all. Participants: Becky Beagle, William Reichert, Ben Satterwhite, Grace Silverstein, Paul Silverstein, Julie Leever, David Hansen, John Leever, Stephen Petke, Tom Leever, Richard Spinetto, Janet Freeman, Gerald Hefele, Alexis Armao, Jon Armao, Jim Joyner, Julie Clark, Phillip Coleman, Suzanne Petke, Ernie McNeill, Sidney Whaley, Cornelia Garbee, Wes Garbee Page 2 of 11 Cape Cod and the Islands September 10th to September 19th Ride Director: Ida Nystrom, Report by: Barbara Stiltner Cape Cod 2010 was a typical BAC trip including: great people, wonderful leadership, good food, fantastic accommodations, flexibility of rides, and excellent cue sheets and maps. Of course, we also enjoyed wonderful seafood during our entire trip and numerous picturesque lighthouses. We met in Hyannis and were quickly introduced to New England hospitality and quirks on our first circle ride. In congested areas, the signs read Thickly Settled 30 mph. General stores still sell penny candy (at slightly more than a penny). Houses have painted siding on the front and shake shingles on the sides and presumably the back as well. There were many lovely treed streets which were not "Thickly Settled" and wonderful for biking. We were constantly riding near lakes, rivers, oceans and bogs. A part of the ride also went through sections of a local triathlon. On a sunny day, we took the ferry to Martha's Vineyard where we stayed in Oak Bluffs. The hotel was located in the middle of wonderful historic gingerbread cottages. Rides on the Vineyard included historic Edgartown and Aquinnah cliffs. At Edgartown, we took the ferry to Chappaquiddick. The original bridge has been replaced by a presumably safer one. On Chappaquiddick there was also the opportunity to ride a good gravel road to the Mytoi gardens which had a distinctly Japanese flair and were beautiful even in mid September. The ride to Aquinnah and Gay Head Cliffs was across the island and much of it was on a well developed bike trail. A highlight of the day was the general store and the erotic sculpture garden in West Tisbury. After two nights in Martha's Vineyard, the ferry took us back to Hyannis and then on to the old whaling village of Nantucket on Nantucket Island. The leaders arranged for all of us to participate in a nature ride to Great Point Lighthouse in the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge. Our guides were very informative about the local wildlife and ecology. The Whaling Museum covered all aspects of the whaling culture in an engaging fashion. On the tip of the island at Madaket, we saw a house which had succumbed to the ocean and was being torn down. The erosion of beaches is a continual process in the Cape Cod region due to wind and water. Another destination was Siasconset, a quaint beach town. The final two days of the trip we rode from Hyannis to Provincetown with stops for the National Seashore and many wonderful beach views. Much of the riding was on the Cape Cod Rails to Trails path. Provincetown offered trails in the National Seashore and exploration of the town. Commercial Street with its quirky shops and heavy pedestrian traffic is truly unique. Nightly happy hours coordinated by Susan Hardy and the Nystroms helped us to develop a congenial atmosphere within the group. A special thanks to Jim for hauling the happy hour materials to the islands with his burley. Participants: Jim Nystrom, Frank Lamitola, Vickie Smith, Susan Hardy, Sue Ann Erb, Ida Nystrom, Gat Lum, Gerald Lum, Beth Caldwell, John Caldwell, Barbara Klaus, Dorothy Stock, Bill Deverell, Marne Deverell, Doug Gant, Colleen Gant, Steven Crockett, Margaret Crockett, Susie Stogsdill, Stogs Stogsdill, Bob Mueller, Ellen Mueller, Barbara Stiltner, Suzie Shao, Alexandria Di Nome, Barbara Moothart, Carol Svendsen, Jay Mead, Sandra Franzen, Richard Moothart Page 3 of 11 New Hampshire Lakes and Mountains September 10th to September 17th Ride Director: Douglas McLane, Report by: Rita Jensen "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference" Fourteen BAC members gathered at the home of Doug and Sue McLane to begin a one-week exploration of the mountains and lakes of New Hampshire. These words by Robert Frost, read at the opening of the evening, were definitely the theme for the week. The format of the ride was semi-fixed base so the participants could do as much exploring as desired. The routes (with excellent maps and cue sheets) developed by Doug and Sue took us up and down the many hills of New Hampshire, through classic New England villages, along lakes and ponds, through covered bridges, touching on the Appalachian Trail now and then. The first two nights were spent at the Common Man Inn in Plymouth. This former mill beside the Pemigewasset River was been lovingly renovated as a small inn. The first full day of riding was a circumnavigation of Newfound Lake. The next day we headed out to North Woodstock for three nights at a bed and breakfast. This location in the White Mountains provided loop rides of Waterville, Franconia Notch, Sugar Hill. Departing from North Woodstock, we enjoyed a wonderful ride on the Kancamagus Highway that takes one through the heart of White Mountains. The final two nights were spent at a lodge at Rockywold DeepHaven Camp on Squam Lake. What an amazing place! An added bonus is that the camp in managed by a participant in the 2007 Race Across American (RAAM). We were treated to a slide show and talk of this grueling ride. The mileage on this ride was not particularly long, but in the range of 45-50 miles. However, the hills of the area definitely gave us all a workout. These are not western-US style grades! The routes follow paved as well as some dirt roads though the dirt road sections were not long, and were very well packed. There was absolutely no vehicular traffic on these dirt roads. Because we were getting such a great workout, I have to mention all the great meals we had. Doug and Sue prepared an excellent opening dinner, with many vegetables for their enormous garden. Yum! The breakfasts at the Woodstock Inn provided us with more than enough nourishment each day. The ultimate though was the amazing buffets at Rockywold. These were worth the price of admission alone! In summary, Doug and Sue just introduced us to the possibilities of touring in New Hampshire.