Almost 4,000 miles on new bike.  Couple of interesting rides lately but back in the saddle. Next ride will be the Fat Tire ride around Lake Geneva WS.  Will be joined by Roger,  Rick and newcomer Brian who is visiting from England.  This is the third year we have done this ride but while it is relatively short, 22 miles, it is fraught with thrills and adventure.  A bar about every 4 miles, hills to satisfy climbers and a steep near the end to challenge the best.  Roger and I are the oldest of the riders and two of the few that don't walk the final climb.  Also, not much drinking for us but the younger riders take advantage of the stops.  All in all a good time.

Back in the routine.  Biking 40 miles a day when the weather allows.  Its been hot and humid the last few days but if I get out early enough it is doable.  My new bike has just passed the 3,000 mile mark.  Not bad having purchased it in April.  Looking forward to the Fat Tire Ride in September.  Stay tuned.

Day 16 ride to Boston Ma.  Finally reached the Atlantic Ocean at Revere Beach, Ma.  1,168 miles ridden with old friend Harry and new friend Tony.  Fantastic bicycle ride across the eastern portion of the U.S.  I made many new friends and met some amazing people along the way.  Livin the dream!

Day 15 of ride to Boston. Today's ride was a 90 mile jaunt from Brattleboro VT. to Burlington Ma. With all the climbing from yesterdays ride I knew there would be challenging hills today. And, man was that a fact. If one were a climber with a bike this would be climber heaven. I'm a flatlander and these climbs were indeed a challenge. I just put my casset on the smallest ring and chugged along. The good news it that not one of those inclines were too much to accomplish. Riding down the descent fast was the reward for all the hard work of climbing those monsters. Passing the hilly part, the road became very busy. With little or no shoulder a biker had to be on constant alert. Enjoying the scenery was not a possibility so this particular ride was one of the most difficult. But the good news is I near the end of my ride and I had a great time. Plus, the weather has been fantastic. Today was in the middle 70"s with a favorable wind. Again, the scenery is best described in the photos.

Since tonight was the last big ride, a banquet offered a feast and sharing of the experience by each rider. Universally agreed was that the experience was more about meeting people and the interactions between them. This was followed by social interaction (partying) by many, but not all and I drag my weary carcass back to the room. If the grammer, spelling and snytax are wrong, one can understand why. 

 Harry and I crossing into New Hampshire

 Covered bridge on the road to Mass.

 Still climbing in New Hampshire

 Taking a rest from climbing to but Lemonade from kids at roadside stand

 Church in Concord MA.  Across from Concord Square

The British are coming......The British are coming.  Iconic church at Concord Square

Day 14 of bike ride to Boston. Todays route was from Albany NY to Brattleboro VT. a total of 75 miles. Once again the weather was picture perfect. Clear skies, temperature in the low 70's and favorable wind. Couldn't ask for much more. The unique aspect of this ride is the amount of climbing involved. 5,000 plus feet. For a flatlander like me that is quite a bit. Climbing start virtually the minute I left the hotel. This was followed by hills that were quite doeable.... After mile 34 a 6.3 mile climb ensued. The good news is that the first 2 miles very steep. The bad news was the next 4 miles were STEEPER!!. And if anyone is wondering, I used every gear on my bike and wished I had more. An electric motor would have been nice or even some of Lance Amrstrong's drugs. But I digress. After a short stop at the top I was off again. The terrain was very hilly but nothing like the 6.3. At mile 57 another steep climb was waiting ending at the top of Hogback Mountain. From that point into Brattleboro it was very hilly but not like those we climbed earlies. As for the grade percent, it was as least 10% plus. Not sure exactly because I do not ride with a Garmin; much steeper than I'm used to. Now, about the downhills. In the past, I would have had no problem "deadheading" down the mountain. But being older and wiser, I actually used my brakes coming down. Even with the braking action, I hit 45 mph on one descent. Also, since I last rode this route, the road had deteriorated to the point of being very bumpy. Pot holes and semi's provided excitment on the descent.  But all's well that end's well.
When I entered the city, I saw a bike shop and stopped to make some purchases. The clerk asked how I entered the town and I told her route 9. Her eyes bugged out and she stated "no way". That is one of the toughest rides in this area. It services the ski trails in the mountains around Bennington. YIkes!!
The best way to describe the terrain and scenery is though pictures. Mountains in the background and a stream on the right side of the road made this aspect of the ride very enjoyable; almost to the point of ignoring the screaming in my quads but not quite. Tomorrow is the last long ride of the trip from Brattleboro to Burlington MA. 90 miles. Friday I will be in Boston! Horray

 Entering Vermont

 Cattle farm in the mountains

 Bennington Memorial in the background

 Babbling stream along side the road

 View from top of Hogback Mountain

Weary biker after a day of riding through the mountains of Vermont

Day 13 bike trip to Boston. Today took me from Herkimer NY to Albany NY. a trip of about 80 miles. And wow, what a great day to ride a bicycle across America. Anticipating rain as per the weather channel, I was prepared to get wet for the second day in a row. But, by the time I started riding, not only was there no rain but the weather was perfect. Low 70's, no humidity with a favorable wind made this one of the best treks of the journey.
Following the confluance of the Mohawk River, in the Mohawk valley the scenery was extraordinary. To my right  the river flowed with verdant valleys, farms and houses displaying the natural beauty of the area. To my left were hills covered with greenary, family housing and various businesses. Mixed along the route were small iconic towns that reflect the history of the area. Examples are Schenectady settled in 1661 and Little Falls in 1723 to name a few. What I like most about these places is they were established before the American Revolution. Oops, there I go again with the history thing.
As much as I enjoyed riding my bicycle in these conditions I had forgotten what I had in store for me. About 5 miles from my destination in Albany I was greeted with steep and long hills that challenged my ability to climb them. Remember, I had already ridden 73 miles so it was even more difficult. But the good news, as a flatlander, I eventually conquered them without using the last of my "granny" gears, I'm saving it for tomorrows ride throught the mountains. And yes, I rode them during the 09 cross country ride I recall they were as difficult back then. The years have not eroded the grade of the slope.
Tomorrow I ride from Albany to Brattleborro VT. 

 Hills along the Mohawk River Valley

Riding Crew, Tom, Tony, Harry

 Harry and me

Mohawk River from road

Day 12 of the bike ride to Boston. Syracuse to Herkimer was a 70 mile jaunt. Per yesterday's prediction, today turned out to be a ride in the rain. As I have stated on previous occasions I do not mind riding in the rain. In fact, I prefer it to the 90 degree with high humidity we had yesterday. All in all it's good to have a diversity of weather. The better news is that the wind was favorable and the temperature was in the low 70's as the high of the day. Starting in a slight drizzle, the rain slowly subsided. It was not until with about 5 miles to go that the heavy rain started. Needless to say, by the time I arrive in Herkimer, I was drenched. At this time I will share a well known secret to keeping warm on a bike in the driving rain. Newspaper!! That's right. If rain is anticipated, simply put a section of the newspaper between your skin and your jersey. It keeps the core warm and the rest of the body responds. It works. Professional bicycle racers use this trick.

I really enjoyed today's ride as we are now entering the hills leading to the White, Green and Hampshire mountains. Green hills with the mountains in the background make it a much more scenic ride.

The highlight of the day was the stop we made at the "smallest church in America" located in the middle of an algae covered lagoon. I made the same stop in 09 and we almost missed it today. After pictures it was suggested we take the boat nearby to actually go out to the church. But in the interest of time and good sense, it was decided it was a bad idea. So, after a few snapshots we were down the road. It was a great day for riding across America and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's ride to Albany; a 78 mile distance

 Early 1900"s road grader

 Tony modeling the latest in biking apparel

 Me with the newspaper I used to keep warm

Harry relaxing near the smallest church in America