Vacation Ride 2005: Vacation Journal

Some of us thought that an 'adventure' ride was called for as we left the Quality Inn on Landis Valley Rd. We had had enough of trying to follow cue sheets over Lancaster County's labyrinth of roads. Rarely do their roads travel more than a mile without an intersection or turn unless one is riding on the 'numbered' routes and these roads have most of the touriste' and not as much of the interesting scenery. For example, yesterday's foray over the local club's Covered Bridge ride had seventy eight cues for the metric century!

Our plan was to ride for a while and when somewhat confused [no wise cracks, please] we would stop, consult the county map and proceed further until again (or still) wondering where we were and where to go next. Meandering northwest along the Canastoga River, I had paused to confirm which of the Farmersville roads we were traveling and which one was just passed. Pat Reed, not wishing to adhere to the gentlemen's proclivity to never to ask directions, even when lost, which we were most emphatically not, called out a query to a white haired fellow riding a hybrid in the opposite direction. He gave her good directions to proceed on North Farmersville Rd and offered to ride with her for a bit towards Brethren Church Rd.

"Oh, by the way," he offered, "See that green farmhouse up the road? Next door is the homestead of Floyd Landis," assuming any cyclist worth her salt would know that name, the Tour de France having just ended and Floyd having had such great results. Brian relayed this info to me as I rejoined the grupetto and I thought to take a picture.

Calling to the caboodle to return for this unique photo opportunity, my big mouth had alerted the pleasant, smiling with big dimples, lady inside the white farmhouse to our presence. She came onto the porch and asked us if any one needed to have their water bottles filled. We declined, having just filled them but did take the opportunity to strike up a conversation and I asked if it was alright to take a picture of my comrades in her company. She graciously concurred, as you can see, and as we took our leave, Mrs. Landis asked if we perhaps would like a fresh from the oven and still warm, chocolate-oatmeal brownie mentioning how she used to follow Floyd all over the area roads to aid his refueling with brownies and broccoli. Maybe this is a new speed secret?

Perhaps the bear lives in the woods, perhaps we did accept her offer.... in about two seconds. Our reward was a two inch thick oatmeal bar with a still semi-molten interior. Paradise may be a town just down the road but we had found it in Farmersville. More conversation ensued and by this time the rest of the gang had returned to see what had happened to the three MIA's. Out came more cookies, another offer of ice-cold lemonade and all too soon we said we had bothered her enough and would be on our way.

The Geezers plan to write and gently remind Floyd to call his Mom. Old guys can say things like that. We asked her where Floyd was presently but she hasn't heard from him since before the Tour de France started. He had an excuse in July but not this month! In all fairness, Mrs. Landis has talked with Floyd's wife recently but, really Floyd, phone home. Interestingly, his web site has been pretty quiet since the second week of the Tour but plenty of pictures and blog stuff there.

http://www.floydlandis.com/blog/

Feeling incredibly lucky to have such soul food bestowed on us, by such a warm, endearing lady; not to mention, hey, this is Floyd Landis' mom! and all because we were touring spontaneously, not knowing precisely where we were and a woman asked for directions. There just may be a lesson here.

Copyright © 2018 Onondaga Cycling Club.
All Rights Reserved.