Cape Cod Bike Riding Weekend

Photos
Cranberry Harvest, Hinkley Pond, Harwich, MA on Cape Cod

Friday
Kathy and I headed for Cape Cod in pouring rain. Our bike saddles were covered with plastic bags (for waterproofing) plus a canvas bag over that (to prevent the plastic from ripping to shreds). After a very bad meal at Jason’s Tavern & Pub in South Dennis, we started our ride on the southern end of the Cape Cod Rail Trail about 2 p.m. By that time the rain had stopped, but the wind was blowing pretty hard. Our first day of riding was 22.5 miles with 50 mph wind gusts with a mile to go back to the car. Fun! Somewhere on that trail is a squirrel with a bad case of jangled nerves. It was sitting on a fence as we rode by and Kathy yelled “BOO” at the poor thing! ☺ As we came past Hinkley Pond in Harwich we saw cranberries ready for harvest and had to investigate. They told us the harvest would be the next morning. We decided to come back to watch. We proceeded to our motel in Provincetown and after checking in went into town to George’s Pizza for supper where we watched the first couple innings of the Red Sox game.

Saturday
Had breakfast at The Fairway Restaurant (next to the Hole-in-One Donut shop). Our waitress, Melina, was from Brazil and the sweetest, best, most attentive waitress. Next we drive to Hinkley pond for the cranberry harvest. I hope you enjoy the pictures. Today’s ride took us from Nickerson State Park north to South Wellfleet. After a brief rest, we headed back. Instead of going to Ben & Jerry’s on Bracket Rd., we kept going to Arnold’s, just before the Route 6 tunnel, and had ice cream there. To our surprise we found an air hose, bike racks, 2 porta-potties and a larger (way more expensive) choice of meals beyond ice cream. Most businesses along the trail cater to the trail users. Today’s ride totaled 24.5 miles round trip. Wind blowing, but not quite as bad as yesterday. On the way back to the motel, we stopped at the National Seashore Visitor’s Center where I bought a couple of books before we checked out the beaches. Saw seals swimming just offshore. Dinner became interesting as we were unable to be seated at Napi’s or the Lobster Pot because Provincetown was rocking! Hundreds of people clogging the restaurants and streets. We were able to get in at the Mayflower Restaurant, which always has good food. Our lobsters were delicious! Watched the Red Sox game at the motel. Fell asleep and shut the TV off at some point. Glad I didn’t stay up to watch the end of that one!

Sunday
Slept late – 7 a.m. As usual, I rode my bike into town to get coffee and tea. There’s a great coffee shop on Commercial St. called the Wired Puppy. The coffee and tea are super good. They also have two computers for customers to access the internet. They will serve anyone, but from their name you can guess they cater to people who own dogs (and in Provincetown who doesn’t?). Back to the Fairway for breakfast and were lucky to have Melina wait on us again. We decided not to ride today, but walk Coast Guard Beach instead. We walked south to the inlet for Nauset Marsh and back—about 3 miles round trip. Along the way, entertainment was provided by a pod of at least 9 seals all floating and cavorting just 25 feet offshore. After a brief stop at The Birdwatcher’s Store in Orleans, we were headed home by 1:15 p.m. Arrived just in time for the start of the Patriot’s game (which the Pats won). Perfect end to a perfect weekend!

Woolly Bears
Just a side note: on the Cape I kept seeing woolly bear caterpillars that were ¼ dark brown at the head and just a smidge of brown at the tail. The middle was the usual dark orange. Here at home, the wooly bears have been ¼ dark at head and tail with the middle half orange. I will have to go on the internet to research woolly bears and report back. Sounds like a difference in weather between the two areas.