The Fellowship of the Wheel is a group of four travelers who are tracing the footsteps of another, more famous Fellowship. They journeyed on foot; we use bicycles and/or stationary bikes to log the miles required to follow their path. At the end, perhaps we'll go on, having discovered new strengths within ourselves.
Erin June 11th, 2008
Day 36: 5 miles (posted for yesterday)
Total: 88 miles
Location: Leaving the path
Yesterday, the ranger and I took out our new steeds again. It was warmer than the night before, but still an enjoyable ride. And we were accompanied by Missy J., as well.
We made our way through the forest, over the top of the knoll, and to the point where the foursome that went before left the path and tried to turn north. Our next ride will progress into the discombobulation.
Rana June 9th, 2008
Day: Remainder Day 35
Miles: 17 miles
Miles to Rivendell: 511.4
Miles in Rivendell: 544.2
Miles to Loth Lorien: 129.5
Total Miles: 1193.1
This afternoon and evening I ticked off the distance of the Fellowship’s “2 Yule / Jan. 1″ progress, which was 15 miles and went 2 miles into the next leg labeled “Jan 1/J.2 - Nt. 9.” Their records indicated this should be swampy land, but I found a lovely campsite and was too tired to go on.
I received the happy news of Erin’s shiny new steed as well as the Ranger’s and bid them many happy miles in the saddle.
And of course, no day would be complete without an outburst from the Eye of Are, which I hope has been quieted. It’s cool tonight and I want nothing so much as to snuggle into my blankets and sleep.
Stephen June 9th, 2008
Day: 35
Miles astride: 11.6
Total Miles: 216.7
Terrain: creek side trails and woods
While I was graced with a remount yesterday, Erin was acquired one today. We spent our evenings with our new mounts Tico (short for Ticonderoga) and Sara. A cold front had just come through creating a delightful evening for all. A had to slip away for a few miles to conduct some ranger lick business, but Erin was safe among friends.
Tico takes to any trail with the tenacity of mule. “No limits!” she seems to cry. While she may not be anywhere as fast as Zi’de, it appears that we all work together as a great team.
Erin June 9th, 2008
Day 35: 5 miles (I’m going to assume Rana is right and go with 35)
Total: 83 miles
Location: The Forest
Today, I have a new steed. My lovely bike, Harriet, a 1950-something model, has proven inadequate to the challenge of a real outdoor ride (though she is the loveliest bike ever), and today my Hubby the ranger bought me a new one. She was christened Sara (short for Saratoga) on our evening ride. She is shiny and blue and allows me a comfortable position for riding (I hate that hunching thing!). And, the most important part, she has gears!
We set forth from the bonfire glade and rode several miles. Then I rested for a bit with friends while he ranged. After that, he and I rode a bit longer, then stopped for dinner, and finally made camp after dark. It was a lovely evening ride to let off some energy after a long day of hunting and foraging. We are currently camped in the forest, but I can see the top of the knoll in the distance.
Rana June 9th, 2008
Day: Days 33-Morning of Day 35
Miles: 66.2 miles
Miles to Rivendell: 511.4
Miles in Rivendell: 544.2
Miles to Loth Lorien: 112.5
Total Miles: 1176.1
For second breakfast today I’ve stopped at the Fellowship’s site listed as “Camp during the day - 2 Yule” on the map. When I start off in a few minutes, I’ll be working on their distance for 2 Yule/Jan. 1. There is little to report. I’ve seen no one, although I’ve spoken with my companions who are still working on reaching Rivendell. Here in this land I spend the days crossing streams and looking at snow on distant peaks. Yesterday I had a harrowing ride along a cliff top. But for the most part, this is a solitary leg of the larger journey.
Stephen June 8th, 2008
Day: 34
Miles astride: 29.5
Total Miles: 205.1
Terrain: town streets, small hills, wooded and riverside trails
I had heard rumor of an unexplored stretch near where Erin and I had camped for the night. It was time for a bit of a patrol. After skirting the edge of the a town, I found myself back along creeks and streams amid trees and hills. The terrain was a little rougher then I expected, but well within what Zi’dethiyah could handle. Somewhere around Mile 12, I encountered an older man walking a mount who had gone quite lame. Nothing that couldn’t be mended, but certainly not rideable. I asked if he needed any assistance. He replied in broken english that he had found this mount a few moments before off the side of the path. He had waited a good 10 minutes to see if any rider showed up and was now slowing walking along the trail asking any he found if they recognized the mount or new of its rider.
While I do not take the man to be of malicious intent, the thought did occur to me perhaps their were bandits a foot that took the poor rider unaware and left the mount behind when it went lame.
Many areas we travel are perfectly safe, while others may contain more nefarious kind set out to do us ill. We must be cautious.
The ride back to Erin was otherwise uneventful but enjoyable.
Melissa June 7th, 2008
After a month away from my journey, first visiting with the traveling peddlers and then laid up by the Abominable Abdominal Curse, laid upon me by a dark wizard who still remains shadowed, I resumed my journey once more, not counting miles, but having a therapeutic ride through the rolling grasslands.
(Translation: felt well enough to do a ten minute ride this evening, and probably won’t need the vicodin tonight.)
Erin June 7th, 2008
Day 30: 5 miles (Am I off on my day count? Should it be day 33? **is confused** They all blend together on the road)
Total: 78 miles
Location: The Bonfire Glade
This morning, the ranger rousted me out of my comfy bed at the end, and we met up with our friend Missy J. The three of us road through blasting winds and plenty of summer sun, but it was, overall, a lovely day for a ride.
Now we have stopped in bonfire glad to make camp and have second breakfast.
Stephen June 7th, 2008
Day: 33
Miles astride: 5.1
Total Miles: 175.6
Terrain: wooded and riverside trails
I have acquired a remount… or perhaps she has acquired me. While not as sleek or elegant as my Zi’dethiyah, this mount (who has yet to bespeak her true name) is built for rough travel. She goes where she likes. At this point she seems content to tarry with Erin by day and provide me comfort when we choose to traverse especially difficult trails. Zi’dethiyah will continue to be my primary mount for rangering.
Today found us making a short ride with Missy J. Perhaps she will join us for more of our travels.
Rana June 6th, 2008
Day: Days 31-32
Miles: 46.3 miles
Miles to Rivendell: 511.4
Miles in Rivendell: 544.2
Miles to Loth Lorien: 46.3
Total Miles: 1109.9
I left Rivendell day before yesterday, climbing out of the valley and on to the moors. I was thankful for my time riding up and down the hilly streets of the city or the trek up and out might have been beyond me. Like the Fellowship I turned south at the Ford of Bruinen and into the steep-sided canyon to the west. It is still an empty and rough country, only occasionally crossed by small streams. My first day out I traveled 23.3 miles, which put me just beyond the first historical campsite and in reach of fresh water.
Today I traveled 31 miles, climbing once again to the crest of a hill where I have camped. At dusk it was windy and chilly, but thankfully the wind has died down and the tent canvas is no longer making a racket. I have hopes of getting a good night’s sleep. There is more of the same kind of country ahead with few distinct landmarks. By my reckoning, I am six miles from the Fellowship’s original camp on their third night out from Rivendell.
Fellowship of the Wheel
Bag End to Rivendell by Bike.
There are 77 Posts and 11 Comments so far.
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| « Jul | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | |||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 31 | ||||||