Days 155-156 Providence, RI-New London, CT-New Haven, CT (Firsts)

Yesterday as I rode into my 5th State, since getting back into America, marked a number of firsts:

The first ride on the new rig Sam (named after a girl I knew growing up, here name was Sarah and she was equal parts innocent and badass).

The first time I’ve ever been to Connecticut

The first time I thought of Rob Lowe while bicycling

and the first time I ever knowingly set my tent up in the rain.

It seems like I’ve been in Providence longer than 6 days. After I hit the road I was thinking about the Capitol Hill Diner where I have been having breakfast for the last week and the wonderful ladies the work there. I was also thinking about the new friends I met at the Providence Hostel, along with all the work I was able to get done.

So it was exciting and sad to get back on the road, and say goodbye to the fair city of Providence, RI the place that got me rolling again after the major setback in Boston and that was so kind to me while I was there.

Sam (my new wheels) is quite different from my last faithful friend but equally ready for the task of touring, and as a Surly loves to carry a load. Everything went of without a hitch and we soon made it to Connecticut. About 20 miles out of New London the rains came and did not let up all night an through the next day.

The terrain in Connecticut is amazing with nice rolling hills and a lot of rocks formations. It made for some fun riding, although I’m still not used to miles and every time I look at my odometer I’m shocked at how few miles I’m covering (i’ll get the hang of it soon).

Now to clarify the Rob Lowe reference, as I was going by Groton and Stonington I saw a pizza place: Mystic Pizza II. I immediately started thinking of the 80s movie Mystic Pizza (which was filmed in the area) and I was remembering all these people that weren’t in it like Rob Lowe and Demi Moore but I was thinking most fondly of Annabeth Gish who was in the movie and also the one I had the biggest crush on as a teenager. She just seemed like more than a pretty face 🙂

That path of thinking took me on a whirlwind of 80’s movies some that Rob Lowe was actually in and before I knew it I was entering New London which was a welcome site even knowing that I’ll be camping in the rain. I was ready to get off the bike after so long getting the new one sorted out. I knew my host Richard lived on the Ocean but I was not prepared for the view out of his backyard, simply stunning, lighthouse and all. For a few minutes I forgot about the rain and just stood there holding my tent stuck in time.

Today was a fun riding day even though it rained hard from end to end, the terrain and scenery were absolutely stunning and I only wished that the rain would break sometimes and let me take some photos to share with you. But alas that was not to be. Fortunately though the ride to Stamford tomorrow is slated to be cool and sunny (perfect riding weather), lets hope that stays the case.

Until then…