Look at this tough guy

We passed him yesterday on his aged equine ranch on one of the 50 miles between Boyertown, PA and Manheim Township, just east of Lancaster, PA. We also passed a pizza joint, where we succumbed to the temptation of the 16" Square Sicilian. Our eyes proved bigger than our stomachs (mine did, anyhow). That last half slice, I just couldn't face it. Ryan faced his. To the face, full speed.

Some ominous clouds appeared up ahead as we approached Lancaster. We tried to out ride them, but the storm broke on top of us, soaked us in an instant. Then the thunder started cracking around us, and my chain chose that very moment to slip off the back rings and take cover under a screw that holds my rack in place. Not sure how it got there, but it refused to budge. This little maneuver was unprecedented on the chain's part, and could not be remedied without a moderately time-consuming procedure. So I had to make a mad-dash for cover by foot. The following blood-thrilling images by Ryan Gilhuly are the result. We eventually made it to my good friend Brian's house, and had a very dry, comfortable night.

The other day we rode about 55 miles from Washington, NJ to Boyertown, PA, where we spent the night in a camp site. We met with a great deal of kindness just over the state line, in Easton, PA, where the folks at Gensis bikes used every resource at their disposal to help us find the best route west (phone calls, maps, websites, and free use of their computers to see what we could find). A block away from there, V., the proprietor of Nature's Way Market, gave us a warm reception and lots of free stuff. Many thanks to all these people for their generous help.