Google Maps, ummm, we need to talk. I think we might need to break up. Not permanently, maybe just a trial separation while you get some help for your issues.
Yesterday's 57.4 miles from Mansfield Center, CT, to Milford, MA was the second or third most difficult day of cycling I have ever done. More difficult that 150 miles on a loaded mountain bike through Los Angeles? No. More difficult than 26 miles on snow and ice in Anchorage when it was 25 below zero? I'm not sure on that one.
Google Maps has this sillyass notion that the Airline North State Park Trail, north section, is suitable for bicycling. IT'S NOT. Just in case anyone finds this page while, oh, I don't know, GOOGLING, I'll repeat that: it is NOT SUITABLE for cycling. It's an unfinished Rails To Trails, and is loose sand that would be difficult even on an unloaded mountain bike, and is basically impossible on anything else. After walking for about a mile of it (imagine pushing a loaded touring bike for a mile on the beach, except the beach has poison ivy) I cut down through someone's yard to escape.
Later in the day, I attempted the Southern New England Trunk Line rails to trails, also on Google Maps sadistic recommendation. It is a series of rolling bumps that are basically impossible to ride. I even found hikers and runners online saying it's unsuitable for them. Too bad I didn't find those comments first.
Good things: I got to my hotel just in time to sit in the hot tub and watch the torrential downpour, and remembered I packed Lanacane in my first aid kit, which is very nice for poison ivy.
All this said, it's still an amazing life to be able to get up and ride my bike every day.
Today, BOSTON!
And yes, once I have a full keyboard in front of me, I am going to write to google with the various suggestions i have for fixing their very, very beta bicycling directions.
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