Having completed three Grand Randonnees and a few brevets in the United States over the past decade, I discovered that I’d ridden in seven different states. This is only three short of the minimum requirement for RUSA’s “American Explorer” award, so achieving the American Explorer was very much on my randonneuring “to do” list. However, with the recent souring of the Canada-US relationship, I’d lost interest in riding in the United States. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, when my San Diego-based daughter provided me with an ideal excuse for a solo road trip to Maine. (She’d be there on business – I could share the Maine hotel room, and she could share the driving on the trek back to Ontario for a family reunion).
So I began to tinker with the Google maps driving route to Bath, Maine, and with the excellent RUSA resources for identifying Permanents in the vicinity of the driving route. Through a number of iterations, I gradually landed on a plan for a multi-day, three-permanent journey which would give me six “new” states for the American Explorer. For example, I found the recommended driving route went through Spencer NY, the starting point for a 126 km (958 m) “permanent Populaire” route (Athens Revisited) touching into Pennsylvania. After looking at available hotels in Spencer and in Owego, NY (another Control on the Athens Revisited route), I decided to target Owego as my starting point. If I started driving from home at 4 am, I should be able to make Owego and start the permanent ride by 11 am. With 8 hrs 26 minutes available to complete the ride, I’d be back to my hotel in daylight. The second day would be a relaxed drive to Putney VT, where I’d get a good night’s sleep before tackling the 206 km (1,476 m) South to Northampton permanent, touching on VT, NH, and MA. Three states in one ride! What could go wrong? After completing the 3-state ride, I’d hop in the car to drive to Bath, ME where (the following morning) I’d head out on the 161 km (1,324 m) Slate’s Bakery Century to give me a total of six new US states.
The first day went completely according to plan – after a smooth early-morning drive and Buffalo border crossing, I started the Athens Revisited permanent almost on the stroke of 11 am. Temperatures were very cool, and the wind made it feel even chillier. I was disappointed when I passed by the “Owego Donut & Beer Company” too early in the ride to warrant investigation. I’m sure I’ll be back. The roads on this first permanent Populaire were great, and the rural hilly scenery was wonderful. As I left the single major climb of the route behind me and crossed the NY/PA border, I knew states #8 and #9 were in the bag. But on this cool early-season ride, my septuagenarian legs were complaining, and my 17 km/hr moving average did not allow for any sight-seeing stops. Getting back to Owego, I was grateful for a celebratory Yuengling and a good night’s sleep. [Permanent #1 on Strava]
Observing the significant climbs and descents on the stunning drive to Putney VT, I began to question whether my planned second permanent would be achievable. With the next-day forecast calling for near-freezing temperatures and possible precipitation, I decided to “scale back” and do a shorter 103 km “Putney Jaunt” which would give me VT and NH. My bike was loaded and ready in the motel room, and my cold weather kit was laid out for an early morning start. However, after looking at the view out of my motel room door, and contemplating the potential consequences of the snowy Vermont descents, I realized I had to cancel my Vermont permanent. So instead of a late-day post-permanent drive to Bath, I enjoyed a relaxed scenic drive through hilly, snow-covered New Hampshire arriving in Bath ME late afternoon. With the forecast still calling for cold and windy conditions for the next morning, I again pared down my ambitions for my final permanent, selecting the 106 km (787 m) Maine Town Landings permanent instead of the longer century. This permanent (plus 11 km rides to/from the perm start) provided a great first exposure to the wonderful cycling which Maine has to offer. [Permanent # 2 on Strava]
Back in the Bath hotel room, I submitted my results for this state #10 permanent Populaire. I was then immediately able to apply for the American Explorer, with my qualifying rides automatically validated through RUSA’s excellent site. Scanning the list of American Explorer Awardees, there now appear to be four non-Americans: one Swiss, one Japanese, one Australian, and now one Canadian.
With the opening of the cyclable Gordie Howe Bridge and (hopefully) with a return to warmer Canada-US relations, I sincerely hope that earning American Explorer status is added to your bucket list. It is definitely achievable for all randonneurs, especially if your employment or vacation plan provides for a multi-state road trip. Remember to share your driving kilometres and permanent accomplishments “live” with family and friends via a Spotwalla Trip Page (here’s my PermPopulaire Road Trip to Maine) .
- John Cumming
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