Perth-Andover to Woodstock (not NY), New Brunswick
9/11/23. 50 mi. AIS: 4:33. 11 mph. Elev 1312 ft.
Woke up to the rain. Headed to a little cafe for some breakfast… and check the weather radar. Looks like the afternoon will improve. Our goal today was 50 miles to Woodstock. Decided to get started. We had the full rain suit on to start…jacket, pants, boots, waterproof socks. We didn’t ride far and decided to take the pants off. We didn’t ride far again and it started to rain harder… pants back on! We would stay in that uniform for the next 2.5 hrs…26 miles. It was a steady rain… not a downpour. We could see pretty well, the traffic was fairly light. The road surface varied from really good with good shoulder to crumbly and rough. When it’s raining and the road surface is rough you really have to focus on traffic behind you… there’s a bit of weaving going on. When you see a big truck you have to really hold your line. All the cars and trucks were great. They’d move completely to the other lane to pass us, except maybe one… Jim took the side spray a bit!
before the rain got heavier.
It’s funny how you get used to riding with a rear view mirror. This morning it was raining when we left the motel. It was a pretty fast downhill, bad road surface with 8am traffic. I had put my cap under my helmet… consequently my mirror angle wasn’t right… I couldn’t see behind me at all and I thought I forgot my helmet! Haha. Felt like I was riding blind until I could get to a safe place to adjust my mirror. We use these mirrors so much when we’re riding highways. Today with all the rain, traffic and bad surface our mirrors were crucial.
We tried to take refuge in Florenceville but it’s Monday and nothing was open except the gas station-convenience store. The rain pretty much slowed down, so we had some lunch under the roadside picnic shelter. Took off our wet jackets and pants and put some dry jackets on while we ate.
Side note… Florenceville is famous for being French Fry capital of the world! Remember all those potato farms I saw the day before? Well, the McCain family from this town decided to freeze French fries… and hence the fame. They built the frozen fries empire. McCain French fries are everywhere in Canada (I guess).
After lunch the rain seemed to take a pause so we had a really pleasant ride along the River on a quiet road for about 10 miles or so.
Seems we’re in World’s best, most, biggest, longest etc. part of the world. Tomorrow there is a town with the biggest axe!
Back on the road with 15 miles to go. Back road with roly, poly hills to go up and down, up and down. Oh and the rain picked up again but not as hard as the morning. Just rain jacket was enough.
.Along the way we had school bus on the same route, a junky junky junkyard that was on both sides of the road. (Jim said if we got hit they could just throw us in there and we’d never be found😱!) and an Amish horse and really big carriage with about 8-10 people on board.
Made it the 50 miles to Woodstock about 4pm. We chose to motel again to dry out clothes. Also chose not to ride up the hill near the freeway so…. Mom and pop motel it is. This one’s a gem… just kidding. Yesterday’s was actually really a good one… this one is a C at best. They have redone the bathroom.. otherwise kind of dark and dreary. Luxury vinyl plank is a godsend to these small motels.
Tomorrow? I think it’s not suppose to rain. No sun either though. Looking at about 50 miles and camping. You never know though. Working our way to Fredericton.
cinnicrew 