Oh, what a spectacular day of riding! Although not at the caliber or level of difficulty of the Tour de France, there is something to be said for riding hard day-after-day and getting stronger rather than more tired. Today, Wednesday, I felt better than on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday of this week. Although it may have been due to a bit of personal strategy rather as much as getting used to the daily mileage.
Yesterday, Tuesday, I made the mistake of not looking at the ride profile and was not prepared (and far too overfed after a big breakfast) to leave the barn and head straight up that long, long hill. So, getting ready for today, I saw that (again!) we had a long climb at the start of the ride, so I skipped breakfast and got on the road really early to avoid the heat, crowds and to get in the ride before any unpleasant weather might roll in. Also, I had heard that there were some extra dorm rooms available on the Hobart and William Smith College, immediately adjacent to the campsite and perhaps I could snag one if I rode hard and finished early.
Camped in a field of clover with my bike, camp chair, sturdy green tent, air mattress and big Hawaiian print bag of stuff!
By skipping breakfast, I was out and on the road just before 0700. The weather was still cool (around 18 degrees) but threatening to both heat up and rain. The road turned upwards as soon as I left Hammondsport but the view up Lake Seneca was spectacular.
Lots of grape vines and the road rolled past winery after winery.
Here is the Garmin Connect for the ride: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/10034660
So, it was a day of ups and downs and I averaged about 26 km/hr, which is not bad considering the hills. Of course there were some flat stretches, but the Garmin 705 grade read-out almost always said either 1% or 2% up or down and rarely 0% (and of course there were those 6% and 7% stretches.)
I pulled into the camp ground just outside of Geneva, NY (on the shores of Lake Seneca) as one of the first riders. There were four or five others, who had ridden the shorter route. The clouds were threatening and they were about to put the tarps over all the riders’ bags laid out on the road.
As I had anticipated, there were a dozen or so spots still available in the dormitory apartments located in the picture above just past the Budget truck. So, I asked at the information desk what the cost would be, thinking that it might be nice after four nights sleeping on an air mattress in a tent in the field, to have a bed, roof and electricity for the two nights we are going to be here. I was shocked when they said that yes, there were rooms and it would be US$37.50 total for the two nights. Wow! She asked, “Are you thinking about it?” At that moment the rain started falling, first lightly and then harder and harder. Easy decision.
So, in the above picture you can see where the tents start and my apartment is the two-story just to the right of the Budget truck. There are five bedrooms, a central common area and bathrooms upstairs and downstairs. Also, there is a coin laundry in the next building and I have already washed and dried all of my cycling clothes so that I have clean gear for the next three days of riding. And, no dealing with a wet tent!
So, tomorrow is a rest day with two options for rides. One is a shorter ride and then there is the 100 miler, which has been described as moderate to hard. But, with clean clothes, a good night’s sleep indoors and dry and some food today, I just might try the longer option tomorrow. It all depends on the weather, which at this point looks almost perfect, with a chance of a shower at dawn and then temperatures from 17 climbing to 27 during a partly-cloudy day. However, I reserve the right to change my mind between now and tomorrow morning at dawn.
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