7 Small Towns on a Bike
I am nothing if not consistent. With my hopes and claims of a daily blog foiled, I'll have to try my best to do a recap of the week after the fact. The links on riding days go to Strava, which is a run/ride tracking site where you can check out the elevations charts and my speedz. The mileage next to the day is self-explanatory (I hope), and the feet climbed are vertical. If you want to see the cue sheets themselves, the data is here on Ride with GPS.
Saturday, or as I like to call it, Day 0, was the bus ride up to Burlington, VT. I left my ride packet (with all my cue sheets for the week) on a bench in front of Waterfront Park. Very slick way to start the week, indeed. We sleept in the University of Vermont's dorms that night, which was different. I don't miss dorm rooms. In the evening, Pops and I walked into town to Church Street, Burlington's pedestrian-only bar/restaurant/random-street-performer boulevard. Ate at Sweetwater's with the team, and even had a few drinks with olde friend Alex Wonnell.
Sunday, Day 1: Burlington to Rutland (78.7mi -- 4,963ft)
Woke around 5:30 for breakfast at the dorm cafeteria (another thing I don't miss) for a 6:38am departure. Our exit times were a battle that I constantly and consistently lost ground on as the week went on. We were lucky to have cloud cover for the whole morning, and got some nice views of Lake Champlain. Not too hilly, not too much to complain about. Riding in Vermont is gorgeous.. mountain views all around, and relatively friendly drivers.
Pops and I wanted to get out to the Wobbly Barn, an old Pico/Killington Mountain haunt, but a cab from downtown Rutland was just too much cash. We ended up having both lunch and dinner at Ninety-Nine, a chain place in the strip mall next to the hotel. It helped that they were doing a 15% benefit on checks for the House as well. Also drank this great local brew, Switchback Ale, from Burlington, for the second day in a row. Waited too long for our hotel room (as is tradition on Sunday), but there was plenty of Riverhorse to go around. Late night drinks were also had at Ninety-Nine, so I ended up there three times in one day. Clearly a hoppin' town.
Monday, Day 2: Rutland to Glen Falls (61.3mi -- 4,397ft)
Our second day of riding had a bit more climbing in store. Went past plenty of farms in southern Vermont and Eastern New York State... how I love the smell of manure in the morning. As we left Vermont and got closer to New York, there was never a clear cut sign when that would actually happen. But, license plates slowly changed over in driveways, the drivers got a little more aggressive, and it stopped being so hilly. That didn't hold for the rest of our days in New York State though.
Got a delicious Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla for lunch at a Cafe across the street from the brewery. The brewery, which was Davidson Brother's, was our destination for dinner (and for what I could stand to watch of the home run derby). They were also doing a benefit for the House. Decided to sample up all ten of their house brews... settled on their English Special Bitter and the Brown Ale as their two best. I did love how they named their special IPA after the local interstate though. Shout out to the Brewmaster, Rick, for tolerating the rowdy biker crew. His wife was the head hostess too! A real family operation.
Tuesday, Day 3: Glen Falls to Latham (65.5mi -- 3,147ft)
This was the first day we really got the heat going. You might have heard about this crazy lil' heat wave in the Northeast last week? Perfectly timed for us bicyclists. The last twelve or so miles were on a bike path on the Mohawk Bike Trail, which is a very novel new thing for the ride. Took the photo below about halfway thru, as we came up on the river for the first time with that awesome view. Also got to swoop under this sweet looking maroon bridge that I always drive over on I-87 (the name of that Davidson Brew) on my way to ski, which was a cool moment.
This was another day of waiting around for hotel rooms for Pops and I. We got in around 12:30, 1:00pm, and didn't get a room until 4:00. Tuesday is also notable for being the only day on the ride that I made an attempt to study flashcards for my Regulation test in two weeks. That lasted all of ten minutes. Dinner was a Red Robin night, yet another (but unfortunately the last) benefit for the House. Classic Banzai burger with unlimited steak fries. Also snagged a Davidson Brothers pint glass for the memoriez.
Wednesday, Day 4: Latham to Kingston (80.0mi -- 4,299ft)
Thursday, Day 5: Kingston to Matamoras (71.9mi -- 3,962ft)
Another good day of riding with the youths. If you peep the elevation chart, you'll see an easy first 40, followed by a steady rise up in the next 30, culminating with an 1,100ft drop into Port Jervis and Matamoras. I don't mind the hills. I relish them. Nom nom nom. The slope down gave us some great views of the Delaware Water Gap valley at breakneck speeds, which was fun and terrifying. Left early at 6am to try and beat the heat, and we were rather successful, arriving around 1pm.
Friday, Day 6: Matamoras to Bethlehem (82.4mi -- 5,047ft)
The fun part about making the banquet on Thursday is that you have two days left to ride instead of one. And Friday? Was tough. We left Matamoras thru Port Jervis into New Jersey, but we would only stay in good ol' Jersey for 30-some miles. This was our longest and arguably toughest day, with a big climb followes by some strong-willed climbs. Rollers that did not act like rollers, but like big long steeps to grind your gears upon. Oh, and did I mention it was hot?
Saturday, or as I like to call it, Day 0, was the bus ride up to Burlington, VT. I left my ride packet (with all my cue sheets for the week) on a bench in front of Waterfront Park. Very slick way to start the week, indeed. We sleept in the University of Vermont's dorms that night, which was different. I don't miss dorm rooms. In the evening, Pops and I walked into town to Church Street, Burlington's pedestrian-only bar/restaurant/random-street-performer boulevard. Ate at Sweetwater's with the team, and even had a few drinks with olde friend Alex Wonnell.
Sunday, Day 1: Burlington to Rutland (78.7mi -- 4,963ft)
Woke around 5:30 for breakfast at the dorm cafeteria (another thing I don't miss) for a 6:38am departure. Our exit times were a battle that I constantly and consistently lost ground on as the week went on. We were lucky to have cloud cover for the whole morning, and got some nice views of Lake Champlain. Not too hilly, not too much to complain about. Riding in Vermont is gorgeous.. mountain views all around, and relatively friendly drivers.
Pops and I wanted to get out to the Wobbly Barn, an old Pico/Killington Mountain haunt, but a cab from downtown Rutland was just too much cash. We ended up having both lunch and dinner at Ninety-Nine, a chain place in the strip mall next to the hotel. It helped that they were doing a 15% benefit on checks for the House as well. Also drank this great local brew, Switchback Ale, from Burlington, for the second day in a row. Waited too long for our hotel room (as is tradition on Sunday), but there was plenty of Riverhorse to go around. Late night drinks were also had at Ninety-Nine, so I ended up there three times in one day. Clearly a hoppin' town.
Monday, Day 2: Rutland to Glen Falls (61.3mi -- 4,397ft)
Our second day of riding had a bit more climbing in store. Went past plenty of farms in southern Vermont and Eastern New York State... how I love the smell of manure in the morning. As we left Vermont and got closer to New York, there was never a clear cut sign when that would actually happen. But, license plates slowly changed over in driveways, the drivers got a little more aggressive, and it stopped being so hilly. That didn't hold for the rest of our days in New York State though.
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| Our last look at the mountains in Vermont |
Tuesday, Day 3: Glen Falls to Latham (65.5mi -- 3,147ft)
This was the first day we really got the heat going. You might have heard about this crazy lil' heat wave in the Northeast last week? Perfectly timed for us bicyclists. The last twelve or so miles were on a bike path on the Mohawk Bike Trail, which is a very novel new thing for the ride. Took the photo below about halfway thru, as we came up on the river for the first time with that awesome view. Also got to swoop under this sweet looking maroon bridge that I always drive over on I-87 (the name of that Davidson Brew) on my way to ski, which was a cool moment.
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| Around a bend and BAM! Mohawk River. |
Wednesday, Day 4: Latham to Kingston (80.0mi -- 4,299ft)
Hump day. This was the first day the youths all got together and rode together, or at least four of us. Good times! Lots of climbs, really hot. This will be a theme. I can't remember much from this day simply because I'm writing it almost a week later. I got sunburned on my arms cause I stupidly wore a Riverhorse t-shirt (for the kids!) and then had to tie it around my bike and wear just this silly looking Under Armor sleeveless undershirt for 60-some miles. Had a swordfish dinner with a twice-baked potato at a delicious restaurant in town called the Hoffman House. Classiest dinner of the week BY FAR.
Thursday, Day 5: Kingston to Matamoras (71.9mi -- 3,962ft)
Another good day of riding with the youths. If you peep the elevation chart, you'll see an easy first 40, followed by a steady rise up in the next 30, culminating with an 1,100ft drop into Port Jervis and Matamoras. I don't mind the hills. I relish them. Nom nom nom. The slope down gave us some great views of the Delaware Water Gap valley at breakneck speeds, which was fun and terrifying. Left early at 6am to try and beat the heat, and we were rather successful, arriving around 1pm.
The committee decided to have the banquet on the second to last night (as opposed to the last night) this year, so, Thursday night banquet it was. We bussed down on a bunch of shuttles to this great BBQ place, ate delicious food, and drank from the cash bar. Lucky for me, my table was the last to be called. As the ceremony began, I was finishing my plate and pining for more. So, as the first speech began, I took it as an opportunity to grab seconds. Pause. If you received or read my pre-ride letter, you might have caught that this year is my fifth year. The Ride likes to give out plaques to riders who hit milestones on their fifth, tenth, fifteenth, etc. rides. These plaques are handed out on banquet night. Play.
So I've got my big second plate of pulled pork and beans, and as I'm about to walk back into the banquet hall, I decide to relieve myself before I sit back down. I hear some applause, don't think much of it. Just as I finish washing my hands, I hear what sounds like a muffled "Buckley" come from the other side of the wall, followed by some applause. Oh, shit. Hop out of the bathroom as my friend runs nearly right into me saying "Russ! You're gonna miss your award!"
So, I had the pleasure of making everyone wait a good fifteen seconds so I could walk all the way in from the back, plate in hand, laughter abound, to receive my award. I made some stupid comment to the crowd to try and save face-- I don't think it worked. Typical. Post banquet, as is tradition, some fun was had with a big (enough) group at the hotel bar.
Friday, Day 6: Matamoras to Bethlehem (82.4mi -- 5,047ft)
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| We crossed the Delaware thrice in a day. |
Pizza upon arrival in Bethlehem was glorious, as was the random Irish pub we wandered into for a surprisingly delicious dinner. Personally, I was too exhausted to make a night of it in Bethlehem. We also decided that their Brew Works was too much of a hike from the hotel. Tame. Also of note-- Pops and I got a shout out at the Yellow Truck (which we missed) for helping come up with the concept for the new powder blue training shirts. *Hoping* to get my hand at designing some of the ride shirts next year..
Saturday, Day 7: Bethlehem to Lawrence (55.8+10mi -- 4,169ft)
The final day. Lots of climbing packed into less mileage. Rode thru New Hope into Lambertville, roads become more familiar, and the end is nigh. Had riders giving me shout outs left and right for the training shirts (as I passed them) which was neat. Nice picnic at the Dutko's, who are very tolerant of us 250 bikers descending onto their lawn and pool, and then an easy 10 mile jaunt thru Pennington and such to ride into Quaker Bridge Mall. Great to be back having the final ceremony in the Mall, as opposed to Lawrenceville Prep's stadium last year during Mall renovations.
Saturday, Day 7: Bethlehem to Lawrence (55.8+10mi -- 4,169ft)
The final day. Lots of climbing packed into less mileage. Rode thru New Hope into Lambertville, roads become more familiar, and the end is nigh. Had riders giving me shout outs left and right for the training shirts (as I passed them) which was neat. Nice picnic at the Dutko's, who are very tolerant of us 250 bikers descending onto their lawn and pool, and then an easy 10 mile jaunt thru Pennington and such to ride into Quaker Bridge Mall. Great to be back having the final ceremony in the Mall, as opposed to Lawrenceville Prep's stadium last year during Mall renovations.
And then that was that! We raised a total of over $516,000 and counting, which is a hell of a total to reach. Great news for the House and the Foundation. A great time with great people. Now I just have to find the energy to cram enough Regulation into my head to pass part 3 of the CPA next Thursday. ...and then I leave on a five week road trip from Seattle to San Diego to Denver. Hoping to post a bit from the road during that time in August, so bookmark and check back if you're so curious.
Last thing! Thanks for your donations, every last one of you! If you haven't donated yet, please do! If you have, donate again! (I'm kidding-- or am I?) or bug your girlfriend, your old man, your old lady, your cat, anybody! Click thru here to do it. It's all about the kids!
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