I worried whether the barely-twoperson tent would withstand a deluge like this and what the protocol was should lightning strike. And then lightning struck.
We talked about what to do. Maggie pulled up some information on her phone and was soon crouching on one foot, to avoid creating a circuit, she said with confidence. She counted the seconds between each flash and rumble out loud to gauge the storm's proximity to us.
I was mostly thinking of just how scant our escape options were. Our only way out was our drenched bicycles, resting against a soggy pine tree outside the tent. We took turns proposing different plans: spend the night in the campsite bathrooms, ride to the nearest motel, call the cops. We settled on hoping for the best. I fell asleep amid spiraling thoughts of dread: first night in, and this bike trip was already feeling like a mistake.
I woke up to the sound of birdsong and gentle raindrops, one beckoning me out of my sleeping bag, the other making a convincing argument to burrow deeper into it. But multiday bike touring, I would come to learn by the end of a 10-day journey across New York State's Empire State Trail, is all about convincing yourself to do things you might not feel like doing-ride another dozen miles to the next town because it's either that or a soulless highway motel, eat yet another granola bar because you didn't plan lunch properly, wake up early to beat the hottest hours of the day-only to be thankful, eventually, that you did them.
Under a canopy of drizzle, Maggie and I emerged from our tent and went about a set of tasks that would soon become routine: We boiled water on our tiny camp stove for coffee and tea, broke down our sopping tent, repacked our panniers, and triple-checked that we left nothing behind. We were exhausted-a bad sign considering this was Day Two.
But it was understandable, given how much we'd already experienced.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Winter 2024-Ausgabe von Bicycling US.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Winter 2024-Ausgabe von Bicycling US.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
THE ALCHE MISTS
They led a cycling revolution in Afghanistan where women were forbidden to ride. When the Taliban returned to power, their only hope was a harrowing escape to an uncertain future.
COUNTDOWN - TO YOUR FIRST CRIT
ONE INTREPID MEMBER, ONE WORLDCLASS COACH, ONE INCREDIBLE BIKE-THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME.
ONE MAN'S OBSESSIVE CRUSADE TO Take Down Zwift Cheats
Indoor cycling and virtual racing are booming, and so are the ranks of digital dopers abusing the platforms.
HOW TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE RIDER YOU USED TO BE
CYCLISTS OF ALL LEVELS GO THROUGH various phases or eras over the years they spend in the saddle. For the vast majority of riders (myself included), these things happen privately, without fanfare.
BIKES MAKE THE WORLD A MORE INCLUSIVE PLACE
LIFE'S A BEAUTIFUL PUZZLE THAT COMES in all sorts of shapes, colors, and sizes.
WHY YOU DESERVE A CUSTOM BIKE
Custom. The word evokes passionate opinions about what constitutes a custom-made bike and who gets to ride one. There's this idea that they're wildly expensive pieces of functional art meant only for the fittest, fastest riders.
PERFORMANCE EYEWEAR -FOR ALLTYPES OF RIDERS
These stylish and comfortable shades improve visibility on gravel rides, diminish road shadows, and will stay put on your face even when mountain biking. Bonus: We also tested a few prescription options.
EVERY GRAM MATTERS
SRAM'S UPDATES TO ITS RED GROUP PROVIDE BIG RIDER BENEFITS
NYC'S BIKE POWERED DELIVERY WORKERS \vs BIG TECH
HOW THE NATION'S LARGEST TWO-WHEELED WORKFORCE IS FIGHTING FOR BETTER PAY AND SAFER CONDITIONS. ITS VICTORY COULD CHART A COURSE FOR FOOD-TOTING CYCLISTS EVERYWHERE.
2024 BICYCLING BIKE OF THE YEAR ENVE FRAY
WHEN YOU ARE BUYING A NEW BIKE, IT CAN BE HARD TO PICK THE RIGHT ONE. CHOOSING THE BEST OVERALL BIKE IS TOUGH FOR OUR TEST TEAM, TOO.