Bob Bike Trip (3) Day #6

And it DID rain… but a successful day nevertheless!  First my rescurer, Dave Doherty, took me on a tour of several of the radio stations at which he works … all in Providence, RI:  Here he is at WRNI AM’s antenna “farm” (yes, that’s what they call them) in a swamp

Yes, AM radio station towers are usually at low, wet spots, whilst FM stations are typically on hills, etc.

Then we went to the ultimate AM tower site…. a tower built on a man-made island!  Dave uses a boat to get to this one… and yes, the island has deteriorated over the last 50 years or so!

He saved the best for last:  we visited WBRU (Brown University) which is a very unique station.  As you know NCPR was originally only WSLU, a non-commercial station licensed to St. Lawrence University.  Being a non-commrecial station means, no c0mmercials, so we have to realy on program underwriting and donations to keep the money flowing.

WBRU, however is a commercial station operated by students (with a professional management and sales staff) and they are actually very successful… rating in the top 3 stations in their market for every reporting period! Its ALL commercials for them! They play music for young people 18-50.

The inside of the place is controlled chaos and reminds me very much of my days in college radio… or the inside of my office, car or garage.

Here’s Olivia at master control… and yes, those are thousands of Jazz LP’s in the back!

Then, thanks to the internet, we calculated that I had only a couple of hours of biking before another huge rain storm hit, so wonderful Dave drove me to Fairhaven, where I thanked him profusley and I rode a paltry 20 miles to my current abode, Buzzard’s Bay, on the doorstep of Cape Cod.  And just in time too…. it was pretty miserable for the last hour riding (drizzle, wind, cold) but then, the thunderstorm hit, and stayed for 3 hours.

On the other hand, I am right on Buzzard’s Bay, here’s the rainy view out my porch (or is it verandah?)

I’m glad I managed the 20 paltry miles today…. as of this morning I had developed a real aversion… OK, fear, to riding.  Yesterday was a little on the traumatic side.  But I feel pretty good now, although the muscles and Bass Ale at “Captain Al’s” may have helped, and am looking forward to tomorrow.  70 miles on my final leg… then I’m DONE!

Sorry about the lo-resolution photos… I think my camera took a hit getting wet yesterday.