MOOSA droppings

Just finished the MOOSA tour of Maine. 350 miles in six days. A wicked good time was had by all. Best things about MOOSA:

The People. Peeps were wonderful. Number one, the staff of MOOSA were constantly helpful, friendly and hustling. Starting with the first day when stormy weather exploded the plans of many travelers. Including two of our three-man party. No cyclist was left behind, though one piece of luggage never did catch up to us.

Number two, the participants. Great assortment of folks from across the country. Only 130 people in all, so a small group. You didn’t need to fight for the bathrooms and instead could spend your time getting to know all the great characters.

Weather. Yes, the weather. East coast has been getting tons of rain, flooding across the seaboard. And our second day was entirely washed out. We were wet as sewer rats and just as dirty. Forecast for the entire week was for rain. Every daily forecast was for rain. But we only had the one day of rain, along with a few other minor incidents. Nothing like a good soaker, and a lot of threats, to make you relish every dry moment outside the tent.


Terrain. The route and terrain were quite enjoyable. All of it bigger than we see here in Minnesota/Wisconsin. Hills are bigger. Woods are greener. More rocks. Big rivers around every corner. And we got into ME, NH, VT and Quebec. Not too shabby.

The Brothers (in-law). Me (Minneapolis), Jerry (Milwaukee, my wife’s sister’s husband) and Al (Gainesville, my youngest sister’s husband). We got on well. We’re compatible riding partners and tentmates. Got to know each other better. And perhaps the brothers made a little name for ourselves.

We stayed together. The entire week. Taking pulls, working as a team. Getting stronger as the week progressed.

On the screamer downhills with top gear spun out we’d leapfrog each other for a little extra speed, top end for the week 51 mph.

The final day we were just cruising down valley. Trading pulls. Cranking toward the end of the line in Bethel. Carrying speed over the rollers and just powering through the miles. The best riding I’ve done for the year.

The search begins for next year’s tour.