Chafing Across America: The First Leg

So begins the bicycle journey of Ed and Kira...

Shortly after they left, Western Massachusetts experienced a run of daily thunderstorms. We at Dexrex stayed indoors during these times, glad of civilized comforts such as walls and roofs. Ed and Kira, however, were soaking wet and facing the prospect of annihilation at the hands of nature. The first such storm occurred on the day they set off from Amherst, and sunset found them camping in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Their clothes and our message to Meebo were about equally soaked, and the lot was hung to dry after the rain let up.

Laundry

The next day Ed and Kira crossed into the state of New York, fighting unbearable heat and continuing thunderstorms. Despite pulling a one hundred pound supply cart behind him, Ed's spirits remained high:

Spirits are high.

The rest of New York was marked by more of the same: heat and intermittant storms. By the time they reached Lake Ontario, Ed had been driven to the brink of madness by the weather. What he had to say about the following photo can be seen as a symptom of a troubled mind. "In an attempt to divine the fate of our journey, we threw about some driftwood and let it land where it wished. An auspicious sign!"

Has he gone... Mad?!

To their rescue came Niagara Falls and the Canadian border. New York has been conquered, and Ed and Kira will next cross into Ontario, which is outside the jurisdiction of thunderstorms. Their planned route will take them through Ontario to the lower peninsula of Michigan.

Right to left: Kira, message, good weather

Check back next week to find out how they're doing!