The Prince Edward Island bike tour was coming up fast
And Joe wanted to make sure; novice riders would last

He said if we'd ride the North Central Heritage Trail
We'd have lots of time in the saddle; then how could we fail

So early on Saturday we met at the Paper Mill lot
To begin our trek north, before the day grew too hot

One by one; ten of us, hit the fine gravel trail
With its four degree pitch; from its days of the rail

The miles went by, with Charlie and Dick, taking the lead
While Bob and Will took turns passing me; with effortless speed

On we pressed to the Mason Dixon Line; where we entering Pa.
'Sag van' duties done, Joe met us at the train station and, then biked with us, the rest of the way

Following lunch we rode the remaining twenty miles to York
I and the forty one were done and, I was ready for the fork

At the hotel we locked up our bikes, showered and, rested a while
Then Joe had us up to his suite; for Happy Hour; with his usual style

Soon after, we all were headed for dinner up the street but, this time we were carried by twenty tired feet
We dined at a restaurant that was, fun, noisy and, many good things to eat

The final decision of the evening, was breakfast time and, when we should depart
Joe, would transport our luggage back Maryland and, wait for us at our start

After a good nights sleep and, 'leisurely' breakfast; our remaining five mounted up and, began our ride out of town
But, in a mile, Pat's bike blew a rear tire and, tire changing experts were no where around

Lady luck was smiling; for in no time a young woman named Donna; who had tire changing skills of a pro
Changed the tube; while we looked on somewhat slack-jawed and, then we were back on the go

Oh! During our tire woes, I captured a snapping turtle as it ambled across the trail
It snapped its displeasure, as I showed it to my bike mates; hence my hold on it, by its tail

With high spirits and tires full of air, we headed south and, a rest stop where Lincoln once changed trains
Then in ten miles more we lunched at the train station; where the memories of the trains, are all that remains

Back on my bike, I sped up for a while; until Maria reminded me of the others, well behind
I slowed; then spied a Black Racer crossing the trail; one of largest snakes of its kind

In a moment, I had the guy in my hands and, surprisingly Mary Ellen and Maria, showed no distress
They touched and enjoyed the 'Garden of Eden villain'; the victim of very bad press

The serpent was released after some pictures; then Leslie, came around the bend with bad news
A half a mile back, Pat's front tire had blown and, his only spare tube, had been used

Well, Leslie had a plan to drive back with her car and rescue Pat, if he'd walk to a town, where she could find him
In nine miles, our almost perfect day, wrapped up at the Paper Mill, as we were welcomed back by Billy Van and Kim