"I don't like that in order for you to win an argument you have to yell and be vulgar"

Yes, Liz and I got into a little debate this evening after dinner regarding David Ortiz and the steroid issue. I had some choice words about it, and Liz did not appreciate it. Very rude of me to do to someone who drove out to Amherst cooked for us and then has to drive in the next day to work at 6 a.m. However, my Irish was up and I felt in the right. If you have had dinner at my house, you know that in order to win an argument you need to be loud and vulgar, but I digress..

I do not "plug" or give shout outs to anything/anyone who does not deserve it, or who has not helped us out during these trips. That being said this little organization http://www.fvgreenway.org/, really, really, really, made today an easy relaxing day. Timer did some phenomenal recon in spotting this route that was a real breeze. We only had a few miles of traveling on real roads, the rest was greenway all the way.
At the rail trail in Amherst/Northampton (http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/nwrt.htm) we enjoyed some very scenic views and smells. Tobacco fields, dairy farms, and two teenagers smoking weed in the woods were some of the local flavor that we enjoyed. As I passed the kids I yelled back that I smelt the Devil's Lettuce.
The whole day could not have been without some sort of drama. As we entered the rail trail portion of Massachusetts the trail was closed. They were actually paving the trail towards the end of the trail in Ct. A gentleman who has been unemployed for the past two years (he told us) explained the route to Billy as we rode behind and enjoyed the conversation. He was not wearing a shirt, and was just wearing spandex. If the Ride was a movie, this would be the perfect cameo by Gary Busy. He also had a rubber toucan (not Toucan Sam from Fruit Loops) on his handle bars.
He was a character of the day and so was the the guy from the Bike Shop in Simsbury. He was a skinny, in shape John Malckavich who spoke to me like I was an abusive parent on trial. "This bike should not have a rack on it." (oh yeah asshole, how are the paniers going to get on them?) "Why do you need a third gear, you climbing any mountains?" (ummm, yeah a few actually. I can tell your single from your people skills and your body odor.) "Oh this bike is filthy!" (Remember all that rain we had over the past few days? I was riding through it, not taking bong hits on my couch and watching reruns of Wings you Goddamn college dropout!!)
So, I know it is a generalization but people who are into cycling or riding have either been friendly or helpful or smug assholes. I am basing that on my experiences.
All in all, I am thankful to be doing this trip with some amazing people and overwelmed by the generosity that has been given along the way.