Map and profile of the flèche
Map and profile of the 40 km extension
Pre-ride celebration at Jean Carpenter's house. On the left Bill Fischer and sitting on the table is Rick Carpenter
Jean prepared lots of goodies for us! We even had some wine.
Squadra Bricconi 2009: Bill, Juan (me) and Rick
Our host Jean Carpenter
Ready to roll at 8pm
The first bridge crossing at Washingtons Crossing
Most of these have to be done on foot.
My laser eyes will zap you!
At this point I was very alert.
Miners with scuba diving equipment?
Titusville Post Office contrôle
Signing the post card.
Wraps + lots of nuts
Mailing the post card.
At the Starbucks contrôle in New Hope. Many people were on the streets enjoying the mild temperatures.
Limerick Diner contrôle. We spent about an hour here.
Inside the diner. All I had was a milk shake.
Rick and Bill loaded with half-and-half.
Rick leading the way
Rick puts on his leg warmers at the Honey Brook contrôle
The person working at the diner was also a cyclist. He was very interested in our ride.
Dawn
Covered bridge
Rick
Bill
Starting off after a nature break
Early morning
My favorite picture of the day taken at the Conastoga Wagon Restaurant contrôle
Conastoga, PA
Cemetery
I wonder how I look in Rick's picture
Blossom
Turkey Hill ice cream... yum! What is Bill pointing at?
A giant cow!
The first time I've seen such a huge cow.
And there it goes...
Bill at the Sheetz contrôle in Marietta
We welcomed the moring light.
Colebrook Rd, Marietta, PA
Many rollers were found on this ride.
Horsie!
More horsies!
Rural PA
It was an absolutely beautiful day
We string out a bit
Spring is here! At least in PA. Upstate New York still looks dull.
We had plenty of views like this one.
Bill enjoying a ham and cheese sub in Denver, PA
Rick is a fan of the Philly cheese steak sub
More PA
Rick on his brevet bike.
Bill had some shifting issues, mainly in the lower gears.
How about that?
Bill got a flat just as we were reaching the Walmart contrôle in Birdsboro
Gilbertsville Turkey Hill contrôle
The 22h contrôle: Sumneytown Hotel & Restaurant . I had a gin & tonic
Rick setting up the camera
We thoroughly enjoyed our rest at this contrôle
The final miles of the Flèche...
...were beautiful.
Told you so.
We made it! RBA Tom Rosenbauer waits for us at the Weisel Youth Hostel in Quakertown, PA.
Bill's victory pose! Inspired maybe by his daughters ballet?
Rick takes a picture
Waiting for our lasagna with meatballs. Rick and I would start a 300K the next morning at 4:00am.
Map and profile of the 300K
The first picture of the ensuing 300K. Rick is in there.
The “official” rest room was closed.
Delaware River. I wet my hands in it for the first time.
It looks like I'm in the river, but actually it's a boat ramp.
Not quite the same spark as the laser eye picture.
One of our last crossings of the Delaware
Rick at the finish. Our 300K was completed in 17h21 minutes. A slow ride for Rick's standards. I was just happy to finish.
