Hello Everyone,

 

The ride today from Herkimer NY to Albany NY was done unde a constant threat of rain, but little actually rainfall. The combination of cool weather and overcast skies made for an overall great ride despite the ever-present headwinds. I rode fairly fast but comfortable all day.

We rode along highway 5 east most of the day and sometimes there was a great shoulder but other times not. There was typically quite a bit of traffic all at long. We were joined in the boring by Don who cycled with Crossroads in 2009.  A lot of the ride was through small to medium sized towns with distinctive architecture. One house that i neglected to photograph looked like a small castle.

We did about 2000 feet of climbing ver 79 miles. None of the climbs seemed very tough but a few were fairly long. The one right before the SAG at mile 41 was probably the most memorable. There was a lot of road kill on the route today. Each state seems to have certain creatures that die on the highways in large numbers. I saw several dead deer and other small mammals that perished trying to cross the road. In Missouri there was an abnormal number of snapping turtles….

At the SAG, I had a special surprise. Rich and Sara who rode with me in 2012 were at the SAG after visiting their relatives in Boston. It was a really nice surprise to see a couple of old friends. Rich and Sara are going to ride in Tuscany in the fall after Sara retires. They seemed “sort-of kind-of” interested in another cross country stint. They both looked very healthy and fit. It was very nice to visit for a few minutes with a couple of very special folks.

I rode most of the ride from the SAg with Darryl who is finishing his last week of the cross country trek. he does it one week at a time. I have to say that riding through Schenectady NY was a little unnerving between the traffic and a few seedy neighborhoods. One of the vans passed me in the city and I was able to draft it for about a mile before a large hill caused separation.

After getting into the hotel, we cleaned our bikes which needed it. I then wen to Starbucks with Alan and Ross – we had an interesting conversation on bikes and the tour. Two very fun cyclists Alan is a retired dentist who also is able to describe culinary delights in a way that could provide a role as editor on the food page of a newspaper. Ross is a college principal from Australia. Both of then can ride like the wind when the spirit moves them but they also like to stop for coffee, pie and lunch. Alan then gives us an update at dinner of the culinary delights that he encountered during the day.

In the evening, I met Brick S who rode last year and is a legendary blogger. He and Herm hit it off and both tend to see and recognize sights that most of us miss. Brick will be riding with us tomorrow to Brattlesboro VT.

Another reminder that I am riding fro the Wounded Warrior Project and donations are appreciated. I have not recognized some of those who have contributed but would like to thank Gerry L. and Darlene G who recently contributed. Many thank for your help!

Tailwinds

Chuck