Spring Break, cycling among the reptiles in Florida

For Spring Break, beginning March 10, we headed out to Florida for some early season riding. Averaging only 30 miles a day (supplemented by car), we had some interesting rides. First, we did the 15 mile loop of Shark Valley, a scenic route with close-up and personal alligator encounters.

Such as this gator crossing the bike path.


Or these little guys hanging out with mom.
John had to keep reassuring me that the Parks would not let us so close to the alligators if they were truly dangerous.




     

On another ride, Old Ingram Road, a deserted dead end highway near Long Pine Campground, we came about two inches from running over snakes. Picture to the left, shows snake heading into bushes. This guy looked a lot less dangerous than the first...

John on Old Ingram Road.

But the most fun was riding along the highway into Key West. Beautiful and plenty of room to ride comfortably.

May 2012 Trip: Three Cities Tour

The trip in May will be visiting D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia. Here is a "small" map showing the approximate route. The trip includes three baseball games, a full day cycling D.C., cycling through five states, several bike trails, and, as always, great food.

This Thursday (2/02/12) - Bike Programs on the Brink

Today, the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives is releasing its long-term federal transportation bill. Cycling groups expected the bill to be bad news for biking and walking, but we didn’t think it would reverse all progress made in this country in the past twenty years.

The House Transportation Committee will vote Thursday, February 2, on whether to approve this bill or amend it to include biking and walking programs. Find out if your Representative is on the committee by clicking here -- and if he or she is, then take action right away.

May, 2012 Ride?

Our friend Paul, who organizes a May ride (last year it was the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive) each year, has four ideas for the May 2012 ride:

Tour Idea #1: Grand Canyon & Southern Utah

#2: Outer Banks NC

#3: Florida Keys & Everglades

#4: A Tale of Three Cities (DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia)

Information about each ride is available at http://faculty.tcc.edu/PGordy/personal/may2012.pdf

Of course, I would love to do tour #1, but when you ride with Paul, it's a joy (and hard work) no matter where you ride.

Copan Ruinas, Honduras

 On Sunday morning, John and I visited the Copan Ruinas, an ancient center of Mayan civilization. We got there early and had the place almost to ourselves. An amazing experience.

Great Small Engine Motorcycles You Will Never See in the United States

In Antigua we saw small engine motorcycles everywhere, 125-200 cc. Efficient and capable on the cobblestone streets, families driving around on one motorcycle. Americans would never be seen on such bikes. I did see one groups of American riders in Antigua- bmw r1100s, fully loaded with expedition bags and complaining about the bumps. The size of the motorcycles seemed excessive. 

Our original plan in Antigua was to rent motorcycles and ride them to the libraries. But the  motorcycle rental agency, CATour, said they had no bikes for those dates.... I honestly think there was more to it than that, but they weren't saying. Anyway, I would love to ride through Central America and down through South America one day.

Chichicastenango, Quiche, and Consequences of Street Food

(Photo, Public Square, Quiche)

After a series of five different local buses, John and I traveled from Lake Atitlan to the Department of Quiche, an indigenous area of Guatemala, altitude of 6,500 feet.

(Following photos, Chichicastenango)

John and I visited a library in local Chiche on Wednesday afternoon and spent the evening in Chichicastenango (Chichi), the largest town in the area. Chichi is known for its large market, held twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays. Wednesday night we walked through town accompanied by loud music and fireworks in celebration of the Christmas season. We sat at a local food booth, as we had before in other areas, and ate fresh pineapple, pupusas, lemon pie, and a delicious hot chocolate oatmeal drink.

I suspect it was the "salada" on top of the pupusas that did it. I brushed mine off, John ate his. Poor John. Anyhoo- that night was a rather strange experience. Did you know that the sound of many roosters at night can sound like souls crying out, burning in hell? And that fireworks at 3 a.m. are more annoying than celebratory? Tie together with a heavy string of nausea and tummy troubles. A good ("good") travel memory.


Next day started with white bread and black coffee. We didn't have much heart for shopping but managed to buy two things, a set of place mats/napkins for John and a shawl for myself. Now I wish I had bought more, but I didn't have the appetite at the time.

If you ever have the chance, Chichicastenango is an incredible place. Go in early December and you will encounter few tourists and can catch some of the Christmas celebration.