BikeUSAat75

Please send comments to this blog or   bikerat70@gmail.com or 908-268-4250 Overcast and 39 degrees when I left at around 7 AM.  The leaves are really starting to have more color and because of the cold there was a lot of mist/fog off the lakes and rivers early in AM.  I used my winter gloves for the first time and shoe covers to keep my feet warm.  I kept them on all day except for the gloves. I had arranged for a van ride at mile 32 for a 4 mile climb. Unfortunately there was miscommunication and I pedaled all the way up. The descent of course was great.  Lunch was at a combination bike shop and cafe. By the way many of the roads and even this lunch spot were part of the Cycle Adirondacks bike trip I took last year.  After lunch I did get the van up the next ascent which was much steeper. I biked the remaining 15 miles into Ticonderoga which included a 5 mile descent and a ride along Lake George. Everyday is a good day even if the weather isn...

Please make comments to this blog or  bikerat70@gmail.com or 908-268-4250 This morning it was misting and 49 degrees when I left the Inn.  Within a mile I was back because the battery for the electronic shifter had been charged by the guides but not put back on the bike.  Without shifting gears my chances of climbing are quite poor.  (Tough to have electronic shifting hey?)  About an hour into the ride it stopped misting and at the first break Michael the guide joined me for the next 10 miles or so.  During that time of level riding we rode next to the Erie Canal for a while and ended at the break which was set up outside a prison near Rome NY.  I was on my own till lunch.  A lot of climbing to get to lunch, (we did enter the Adirondacks) but lunch was beside a lake and was quite pleasant. I hopped in the van for 10 miles and then got out to ride the 25 miles to the hotel. Again a lot of climbing not really steep but a lot of it. My quads, ...

Please make comments to this blog or  bikerat70@gmail.com or 908-268-4250 Challenging but very rewarding day.  Today there were a lot of steep climbs and I only got in the van for the one that averaged over 10%. The other climbs ran from 5% - 8%. They were challenging and in my mind the last one at mile 95 I decided I would need to walk it but I made it!  The day was overcast till about noon and then the sun came out.  The high temperature for the day was only in the mid 60 but luckily the wind was calm and  ride was enjoyable. Seeing the small dairies and old barns among the hilly terrain created great scenery and pleasant views. We also passed through Ithaca NY, home of Cornell University. The four mile descent into Ithaca was great, in spots - 11% grade, but getting up the other side was a 4 mile climb -- not quite as intense but still 3-5% constant uphill pedalling. The only other time I got in the van was after lunch. I was the last to arrive so I ...

Please make comments to this blog or  bikerat70@gmail.com or 908-268-4250 Great to have a rest day! Got up and did an hour of QiGong/Meditation, had breakfast and then did laundry-- the fun never stops. Rest of the day was spend relaxing -- went out to eat at an Italian Restaurant and then had ice cream at Dippity Do Da ice cream parlour.    Statistics                                   Scheduled                 Paul           Percent of Trip completed by Paul Miles since Madison                 769.8                      571.4            74.2%      Climbing since Madison            24,089      ...

Please send comments to this blog or  bikerat70@gmail.com or 908-268-4250 The weather is crazy. It was 68 degrees at 6:00 AM.  Severe thunderstorms predicted throughout the day.  In fact one was happening as we were getting ready to leave so the guides delayed departure. I took the van for about 25 miles and then did the next 25 to lunch. During my ride it was only misting.  At storm lunch however the radar showed heavy storms approaching. We stayed until the storm passed but again I rode in the van to the top of two climbs and then did 30 miles into Corning NY.  During that ride it poured for about 10 minutes, followed by lite rain.  Once again getting into a city can be a little tense.  Traffic was bad and the roads not bike friendly.  Celebration dinner was outstanding as usual. Another states. Going into a new state when biking is a big deal! Unique advertising for mufflers A helicopter as a lawn ornament I had a t...