Evening star., 1942-06-14

had shared since "courting days
Husband Toured France
When He Was 16.
MY husband had told me Of a
bicycle trip through France when
he was 16." she said. We often
discussed how We would like to tour
England after we were married"
For years the Fryes found that
first one thing or another prevented
the long-desired vacation.
When the war came we knew
our trip through England might
never be realized" she continued.
1T was then my husband sug-
gested bicycle tour to some of
the historical places near Wash
ington"
1t was no sooner said than done
so far as Mrs. Frye was concerned,
and immediate plans were made
While her husband mapped the
itinerary, Mrs. Frye prepared the
packs to be carried On the bicycles.
we took equipment for cooking,
blankets and changes of clothing. :"
she explained. These were carried
in waterproof covers which proved
very effective when we were caught
in drenching rain one day"
Mrs. Frye laughed as she recalled
the contents of their packs
I'VE took enough supplies to pre-
pare most of our meals. but after
we started We never cooked a single
thing 1t took too much time. In
the morning we tried to get an early
start, and in the evening we were
too tired to do thing except have
dinner at the hotel or boarding
house where we stopped and then
get to bed as quickly as possible. I"
The Fryes' trip. which took them
from Washington through South
east Maryland to Williamsburg and
then on to Virginia Beach, av-
eraged about 80 miles a day.
I'VE travelled about eight miles an
hour" she said. but never rode
as long as two hours at a stretch
We'd pedal about an hour, then rest
an hour. When we came to places
of interest we'd stop for sight
seeing"
The travellers spent a day in Will
liamsburg. where the bicycles
proved most convenient for getting
about.
Every evening after dinner Mrs.
Frye took off time to launder the
family clothes"
IF they were still damp in the
morning We would hang the smaller
items on the handlebars and let
them dry as we rode" she laughed.
Stopping at country stores to pur-
chase midday snack was one of
the most enjoyable experiences of
the trip, Mrs. Frye declared.
"One meets and chats with the
local people in the stores" she said,
land that is the best way to get in
formation of interest"
Some Practical Hints
For Other Bicyclists.
Mrs. Frye brought back practical
advice for bicvclists contemplating
long distance tours.
Don't coast too fast down hill" :"
she warns. "A pebble might throw
you and cause serious injury.
BE sure to carry a plentiful sup
ply of sun oil. One gets terribly
wind and sun burned.
And watch for cars coming
around bends on country roads.
Country people don't expect bicy-
clists in out-of-the-way places and
are likely to take the curves pretty
fast"
Mrs. Frye continued with a warm
word of praise for truck drivers. -
They always gave us as much of
the road as they would have given
a car. Other drivers are not so
considerate." she added Many
passing uncomforta:iy close to us,
glowered as though we had no busi-
ness on the road
The Fryes tool, nearly two weeks
making the trip between Wash
ington and Virginia Beach. After
spending a day at the beach they
returned to Norfolk, where they
took the night boat, bringing their
bicycles with them.
Mrs. Frye, who is leader Of a
Brownie Scout troop. hopes some
day to take a similar trip with her
young daughter Alice and little
william Fenner. named after his
father. a member of the Associated
Press staff in washington.