CcbBiker1964

Today, I joined a small band of cyclists undaunted by the impending storm. While coolish and overcast with increasing winds, it was a scenic, mostly pleasant, and challenging ride. Over the course of four hours with 3H 18M of that in motion, we completed a 54.3 mile course at an average speed of about 16.5 mph. Overall, we climbed more than 2,600 feet. The highlight of today's ride was Chester, NH, known for its many scarecrow displays. The fun and whimsy of these creations was marred by a Trump Parade. As we rested at the top of a long climb that brought us to the Chester General Store and main scarecrow display at the public library, a train of more than fifty cars and trucks honking horns and sporting various MAGA merch and flags of Dear Leader and Charlie Kirk, martyr for the cause, and examples of many US Flag Code violations sped through the main intersection in Chester. As in Amesbury last November, an "honorary" traffic director on a motorcycle blocked the intersection and waved the train through the stop signs because ... hell, why not? Pedestrians, mostly families with young kids visiting the displays, were prevented from crossing the streets safely. (Sound familiar?) Our cycling group was unable to cross despite having right of way. The difference between this event and the one in Amesbury last November was that @ Chester NH Police Department arrived and actually stopped the lawless, unpermitted "parade." One officer even went so far as to stop one of the scofflaws who ignored his counsel and ran the stop sign to interfere with our group. The efforts of Chester Police are to be applauded. Unlike APD, these guys did their job to protect and serve the public. The actions of a lawless cult populated by bullies supporting a fascist authoritarian wannabe were also on display, scarier than any of the scarecrows we saw.

03:18

87.4km

26.5km/h

810m

820m

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