Rana May 31st, 2008
Day: Half Day 23, Days 24-25, Morning of Day 26
Miles: 83.5 miles
Miles to Rivendell: 511.4
Miles in Rivendell: 377.8
Total Miles: 889.2
A summer heat has settled over the valley of Rivendell. While mornings and evenings are still comfortable, afternoon rides are grueling. My current schedule involves two morning delivery runs and then a night circuit. I have developed my routines and gotten to know people along the way, but with only scattered word from my companions, I am contemplating going on with the next leg of the journey alone. At first it was nice to be in one place, but the lure of the road is beginning to call to me and I’ve had the maps spread out on the desk in my room for a week now.
Rana May 28th, 2008
Day: 21, 22, half of 23
Miles: 98.7
Miles to Rivendell: 511.4
Miles in Rivendell: 294.3
Total Miles: 805.7
For the past two days and this morning I’ve ridden 98.7 miles. As soon as the holiday was over the Elvish Courier Service was back in business with a vengeance. I’ve learned my way around Rivendell quickly and am currently making three runs a day, two in the morning and one in the afternoon or evening. I particularly enjoy the late night deliveries because the town is so quiet and all the trees are lit with twinkling white lights. I have, however, been too tired to post my progress. So far today I’ve ridden 25 miles and have one more excursion scheduled later in the day.
Erin May 28th, 2008
Day 23: 11 miles
Total: 67 miles
Location: Between the Causeway and the Buckleberry Ferry
I spent several days with Tag and the Ranger in a lovely Marish cabin. he rode the outlying lands of Mother Neff, while Tag and I walked around the cabin. Later, I dove into a river and floated along a bit longer. Then, yesterday and this morning and mounted the bike again and got back on the road. Now, I have paused a few miles before the Buckleberry Ferry. It’s time to do the day’s foraging. Tonight, I will mind the little hobbits for what might be the last time during this journey, and then hopefully get back on the road tomorrow.
Rana May 25th, 2008
Day: 21
Miles: 38
Miles to Rivendell: 511.4
Miles in Rivendell: 195.6
Total Miles: 707
It’s a holiday weekend here in Rivendell, a commemoration of great warriors who have fallen in battle. The day was warm, so I finished my day’s ride under the stars watching the fireworks and wondering if they were anywhere near as fine as Gandalf’s.
Stephen May 25th, 2008
Day: 21
Miles astride: 33.6
Total Miles: 170.5
Terrain: rolling hills, moderate hills, valleys, more hills
As the sun rose, I made may way out to my trusty steed and back upon the road. Conditions being similar to yesterday I decided to make my way to Mother Neff and back by an alternate route. As I left camp, a light rain began, yet we decided to press on.
This alternate route was far hillier than the previous route. We went south west off to an area known as mound then followed many back trails over many streams and rivers to wind our way down to the Grove. From their it was a short jaunt north back to Mother Neff. There I encountered another Ranger (one dedicated to the preservation of this site) with whom I traded tales from the trails with before returning to the comforts of our cabin.
Rana May 24th, 2008
Day: 20
Miles: 38.1
Miles to Rivendell: 511.4
Miles in Rivendell: 157.6
Total Miles: 669
Today’s riding time was spread over three sessions. After my days on the road and now my work with the courier service, my leg strength and stamina have improved markedly. Just before starting out on this journey I bought a new bike and after almost a month with the better piece of equipment, I’m riding much greater distances with more efficient performance.
I was especially overjoyed to have news of our Ranger and Erin and to know he is back on the road again. We fear for Melissa who, when last we heard, had fallen in with peddlers from the southernmost regions. Although we have seen smoke from the direction of her last known position and smelled cooking meat on the wind, we have no further word of her and can only hope for the best.
Stephen May 24th, 2008
Day: 20
Miles astride: 28.7
Miles afoot: 1
Total Miles: 136.9
Terrain: praire, rolling hills, valleys, moderate hills
Today began with Erin, Tag and I ensconsed in a quaint cabin in the hills. I took to my rangering just after first light. It was a beautiful morn to be about. Slightly overcast but hinting of a beautiful, yet windy day to come. This ride was into unknown territory. I had heard of these towns, but had yet to visit them. While the local dogs took me as invader or brigand to warded off, a quick turn and kick from my trusty steed left these canines in our dust. They simply can’t understand the notion of their prey not fleeing and terrified when it turn to begin it’s own straife of their lines. A quick hit-and-fade and we are back among the trees.
We came upon some ruins known as Mother Neff. Natives had once lived in caves upon these grounds. While recent flooding had left some of the structures damanged, we could see efforts were underway to restore this area. As we cleared the ruins and caves a chanced upon a trail following the river. It was an impressive view with a decent climb ending a moderate hill! We pushed our way up and made way back to the cabin.
An excellent day in the saddle.
Erin and I expect to stay at this cabin for the next several days. I hope to ride out each morning.
Rana May 23rd, 2008
Day: 19
Miles: 41
Miles to Rivendell: 511.4
Miles in Rivendell: 119.5
Total Miles: 630.9
I’m happy to say I’m learning the layout of Rivendell quickly and was able to make more runs today, to the pleasure of my employer and the notice of the other riders. I’ve been invited to participate in a weekend ride with the local cycling club that will also serve to acquaint me with some of the roads around the city I’ll be using next week as my delivery route widens. Although I can hear sounds of merriment in the street below my room, I’m exhausted and ready to turn in. All my companions save Erin have disappeared from the road and I fear they may be lost.
Rana May 22nd, 2008
Day: 18
Miles: 38
Miles to Rivendell: 511.4
Miles in Rivendell: 78.5
Total Miles: 589.9
I awakened early and had coffee at the shop downstairs, read the local paper The Legolas Ledger, and set off down Elrond Way to the offices of the Elvish Courier Service in plenty of time to arrive early. (It’s always a good idea to make an impression on your first day and I wanted to scope out the other riders.)
My bike has been outfitted with copious saddle bags and a GPS attached to the handlebars. I spent the day delivering various parcels in and around the city center, taking my hour for lunch at a place called Lembas and More. (I skipped the lembas and went for a plate of apples and cheese with slices of cold turkey washed down with clear spring water.)
All in all it was a highly successful beginning to my temporary career. There is a good-natured rivalry among the riders and while I didn’t “win” for the day, I put in a commendable 38 miles that won me an invitation to the neighborhood pub after work.
Now it’s time for bed so I can put wheel to pavement again in the morning.
Rana May 21st, 2008
Day: 17
Miles: 40.5 miles
Miles to Rivendell: 511.4
Miles in Rivendell: 40.5
Total Miles: 551.9
The morning was taken up with my orientation ride with the Chief Cyclist of the Elvish Courier Service. Fortunately I’ll be armed with a GPS unit because there are more twists and turns in the streets of the city and through the surrounding hollows than I could possibly learn in one day. Tomorrow morning I begin delivering parcels inside the city and as I will have to track my mileage to receive my pay, I will now be showing “Miles in Rivendell” on my daily totals.
The afternoon was my own and since I will be setting up a temporary household while I wait for my companions, I spent the time (and my first month’s advance) to do some shopping designed to make my rooms feel more like home. My elvish brethren, like their counterparts in my own homeland, are generous once they get over a certain wariness about strangers. I have already found a coffee shop in the street below my rooms that will no doubt become a favored haunt, especially as there’s a bookstore next door.
All told it was a pleasant beginning to my time in Rivendell and I am happy to report the Eye of Are was quiet throughout the day!