West Chester, PA to Wilmington, DE

A short day today, but still 32 miles. I got to start out by going down the long hills into West Chester that yesterday I'd climbed when I was tired and out of energy. Actually, the riding didn't start until about 1:00 P.M., so when I finished the stage at 5:00 P.M. I felt like I should be just stopping for lunch and should have many miles to go. It was a good ride, but I'm happy to be done with the roads around here: unlike the Northeast's roads, the back roads and small highways have little or no shoulder, and even though the traffic is often kind and courteous, sometimes it's not. I find it stressful, even when the drivers wait for a good spot to pass.

I only have two little stories from this stage. I stopped at the West Chester Bike Shop, and walked away with weaker plastic. That is, I spent a good deal to have my bike tuned up and fixed. I can now ride without worrying that I'll break a spoke in certain gears. I guess my derailleur hanger was bent, among other things. My bicycle rides so smoothly, that even though I spent more than I had hoped or expected, I can't truly complain. Maybe I got spoiled by kind Yankees fans.

The second story is happier. I grabbed a hoagie from a local shop right next to the bike shop in West Chester, called "J & A's." It turns out that the namesakes for the name of the shop are the kids of the owners, and their picture decorates the couter right next to the register. The hoagie I got was really good, too. I stopped to eat it for lunch after a while, and I only intended to eat half, but it was so good and I was so hungry I ate the whole thing! Thanks, fellas!

Total Stage VIII Distance: 32 miles

Stage Time On Bike: 2 hours, some minutes

Total Stage time: 4 hours

Total Trip Distance: 451 miles

Net Elevation Change: -???

From the Delaware Constantines: We invited Brett to stop for the night in Wilmington. At exactly 5PM as planned, he arrived. Pretty good timing for someone arriving on bike. The trailer attachment is really cool. Amazing that he could travel so light for such a long trip.

After the mandatory juggling (to earn his keep), we enjoyed a barbacue and a fire in the backyard.

Next morning sent him off after a breakfast of blueberry pancakes.

On to Stage IX

Back to Stage VII

Back to Bike Travels

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