Martha's Vineyard, 8 July, 2010

 Too shy and quick for a photo!

Check out time is 11am. So we have a choice; laze around for awhile, pack up in a controlled and leisurely fashion and then head out OR get it in gear, pack up quickly and fit in a bike ride before catching the ferry back to Cape Cod.

And the winner is . . . Door number 2!!!

Packing up to leave is SO much easier than packing up to go: Collect everything in room, shove into any bag. Done.

Off to a town called Vineyard Haven this morning. Looks about a 5 mile ride each way, plus whatever tooling we do in town. We snag apple fritters in the lobby, deposit our bags in the luggage keep at the inn and make like trees (leave.) I've decided that my oldest is the ride leader today. He has a look at the map and we're off. Although there are no bike paths on today's route, I'm not too concerned. It's a small island, after all. How many cars can there be here?!

The boys ask if it's OK to go ahead, and I agree, as long as they stop and wait should we need to make any turns that aren't obvious (I've surrendered my map, after all.) What is it about organized group rides in the US? The riders usually break into two groups early on, and even when a new route is improvised, no one waits at corners! I've done enough wandering through Fairfield Co. roads to be able to find my way home from anywhere, but that's just inconsiderate!! It also means I get promoted to ride leader (for the broken half) a fair amount. Not my preferred position. I have to say, my English cyclist friends get the prize for best riding partners. They're patient and considerate, even tho it likely kills them to go my speed.

 Not sure how I got this shot. I think my iPhone has a mind of it's own.

(Perhaps one to send to Road ID tho?)

ANYway. So off my boys go, and my daughter is left to lead me along the highway. There's only a 2 ft shoulder the whole way, but I'm VERY impressed by her level of comfort and competence, despite the cars whizzing past. We approach a bridge and I see the boys ignore the signs that request cyclists to dismount, cross and take the pedestrian path over. They merge right into traffic and carry on. I'm too far back to call out to them and once over the top I can no longer see them anyway. But, I'm banking on them making safe enough choices.

We girls, follow the signs and enjoy the view on the bridge as we cross over. 15 min. later we all reunite, boys waiting dutifully at our first real turn. Chapeau lads! My son hands the leader reigns back to me to negotiate the town. We ride and walk to explore another charming coastal village. Tiny, tho, this one.

I suggest my oldest take us up a few hills for a challenge. No sooner said than zoom! Straight out of town. And more straight. And gaining speed. And up hills and down hills and straight some more. Then a stop. Er, not quite what I had in mind. Especially not the whining daughter in tow bit. Middle son has a goofy grin on his face tho, 'Me like fast.' Someone get this kid on a bike track. Boy has no fear. Still, I make an executive decision to turn around and reset the destination for BAGELS.

(Insert pic of cute bagel shop here. Note to self: Blogger doesn't upload vertical photos.)

When we arrive the princess is in full scowl. I can barely hear 'I'm not hungry' over her gurgling stomach. Having been a victim of force feeding growing up, my parenting style with food has always been let-them-starve. I have strong, healthy kids. They could go a day without food and be fine. A 10 mile bike ride hardly requires additional calories. Plus, then they know that they do indeed have power to make their own choices and trust me when I say, 'I know you're not happy about (whatever,) but it's important that you (do that thing I'm trying desperately to persuade you to do.)

Congenial tummies full, water bottles refilled (with Gatorade, no less, considered a special treat - I'm a water only mom, WAY too many kids downing gallons of high chemical sports drinks for no reason.) And back to Oak Bluffs we spin. Bit of a grumpisaurus along this leg, but in fairness, she's tired from the last several days of riding her 7 speed bike all over the country (and riding the waves.)

AND, her seats too low! How do other parents get past this?? She's not at the place yet where she's comfortable not having her feet flat on the ground while in the saddle. I'm concerned for her knees, her back and well, loss of power on hills. Altho, she's a mad scrambler out of the saddle, I must say. Climbs like it's nobody's business. Even has that gorgeous little Contadorian sway.

Speaking of whom, I secretly put up an Alberto poster over my sons GI Joe before we left. It came with the Tour de France booklet, which, by the way, I had to buy the British version of!!! Can you believe none of the local newstands had the US supplement?! That's insane!! 'Not enough interest in cycling, ma'am.' No sh*t, Sherlock. I spend all my extra time lobbying for bike accommodations in my town. It's a chicken and egg scenario.

Right. So, back to the inn for our bags and off to the ferry terminal. We've truly had a really tremendous time exploring Martha's Vineyard. But life and work beckon. Sigh.