Bicycle Tour: Dune's Edge Campground, Day Four
On Tuesday, September 13, 2023, I traveled home to Somerville from Dune’s Edge Campground on Cape Cod. (For the third day of this tour, see Dune’s Edge Campground, Day Three).
My original plan was to ride south from Dune’s Edge Campground to Nickerson State Park.
There was no rain overnight, and when I got up at 2:00 AM, I could see beautiful stars and a very bright Jupiter. I slept until about 6:00 AM. None of my clothes dried out because of the high humidity.
Because the weather forecast for Hurricane Lee was high winds gusting to 50 mph on Friday and Saturday and heavy rain (one to two inches) on Saturday, I abandoned my plans to ride south to Nickerson and on to Shawme Crowell. I considered staying another night at Dune’s Edge Campground, but some rain was forecast until sunrise, and I didn’t want to have to deal with wet gear on Thursday morning. So I decided to return home today.
It took me two hours to pack up. I did not have time to cook breakfast, so I ate cheese sticks and Clif Bars. While dismantling my tent, I discovered that water had collected between the footprint and the tent bottom. A little wet mud and sand were stuck to the footprint and tent. I used my rag to clean away the mud and sand before packing, and this slowed me down. In the future, after it rains, I should disconnect the tent from the footprint to let both dry.
I loaded my bike (everything fit nicely into the four panniers) and left at about 9:30 for MacMillan Pier. I arrived at possibly 9:45 (distance: 1.5 miles from the campground). The boarding line was still short. I picked up my ticket and got in line. The ferry arrived at about 10:10. When I boarded, I locked my bike to one of two bike racks on the front deck. I sat on the upper deck for the ride back. I should have put on sunscreen, because I got sunburned. The ride to Boston was smooth, with good visibility.
I rode home via Seaport Blvd., Atlantic Ave., Commercial St., Causeway St., Lovejoy Wharf, across the Charles River Locks, and the bike paths to Central Street in Somerville, and home. It began raining just before I reached Central St. I was able to take the panniers off my bike very quickly, so only my bike got wet.
The shimmy from my bike and rear rack flexing under the heavy load was unpleasant and possibly dangerous. I rode slowly and carefully. My gearing seemed better today.
I had a reservation for two nights at Nickerson State Park. I had to call the park to cancel the reservation.
I began drying my gear.