Rare December Ride

Last week the high temperture in Oxford struggled to break over 20.
But this week started on a kinder note and Monday brought us a warm
57 degree afternoon.

Unwilling to pass up such a December gift, Jim, Mark, Steve, Bob and I
met at the park at 2:30 and headed out to Riley and points south and
west. We covered a good 20 miles through the winter landscape and
enjoyed the chance to play hooky and steal one more ride on the
waning year.

Hiking the Blue Ridge Wonderland

With the weather making the turn to winter, the chances to bicycle are
growing slim. But one can hike anytime, and this week Bill and I are
in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We did a seven mile hike today up the
east face of Grandfather Mountain.

As we got closer to the summit, the temperature dropped to the low
twenties and we found ourselves in an ice covered wonderland. We were
warm as long as we kept moving, but when we stopped to rest, the
strong winds quickly chilled us.

The beauty in all the ice covered branches was truly amazing.

Last Long Ride for this Season?

On November 2nd, Bob, Matt, Laura, Mary, Mark, Bill and Jim did an autumn ride covering about 50 miles of the Little Miami Bike Trail, complete with lunch in Xenia. They tell me it was a crisp but beautiful day with wonderful color in the leaves and a big blue sky.

Wish I could have gone ... here are Jim's pictures photoshopped into one group.

Another Birthday Ride with Mark

It was darned cold Friday. It was October 16 and the leaves had a good start on their fall wardrobe. But the clouds were heavy and low. And there was a strong, penetrating wind out of the north. Jim and Mark, Marilyn and I started out a little after 9:15 thinking we'd go to Eaton and stop for some of that delicious pie up there.

But early on, we decided maybe a shorter ride would fit the day better. That wind was cold, and the clouds would spit a bit of rain now and again. So we settled on a ride up to Watt Road in Preble County and the ancient blue trestle bridge over Paint Creek. It is one of my all-time favorite rides.

We'd forgotten that October 16 was Mark's birthday. We'd celebrated with him last year on this day with a sixty-mile ride, but that would have been a lot in this wind and cold. So we stopped a while over Paint Creek and admired the brilliant leaves against the dark clouds and watched the waters flow under the bridge. I thought of our friend Joe, who passed away just recently. I wished he was with us on this ride today like in earlier times. And perhaps he was.

Jim snapped a few pictures. Then after a while we headed out again, south on Concord-Fairhaven Road and made our way back toward College Corner. We stopped for lunch at the new diner there; Holly's. Walleye sandwiches, hot chocolate, and homemade cherry pie. Pretty nice. We wished Mark another happy birthday and celebrated just being with good friends.

New Arrival

It's a Valkyrie titanium/carbon road bike with shimano ultegra components and velomax wheels.

Even the water bottle cages are titanium.

Now I just need some pedals!

Auburn to Cortland; Heading Home

Last night we camped on the north shore of Lake Owasco just outside Auburn. The endless rain moved east and this morning we headed out early for the final leg of our adventure.

The ride back to Cortland took us along the eastern shore of Owasco and it was really beautiful in the early morning sun. The final 15 miles was almost entirely UPHILL!

What a thrill to finish this week-long adventure. We are now in Tom M.'s big van heading back to Oxford. About 11 more hours to go.

It's a Wonderful Life

This morning we left Geneva in a pouring rain. Nothing you can do about it - just keep pedaling.

Along the way we crossed over a bridge in Seneca Falls. It's the very same bridge where George Bailey, of Bedford Falls, discussed the importance of one life with Clarence, his angel.

It's been a bit of a tough day with hours of rain and Marilyn getting three flat tires!

But we met some terrific people who stopped and helped us change the tires. We enjoyed the coffee shop and the wildlife sanctuary along the way. And the ride along Cayuga Lake was quite beautiful - even in the rain.

All in all, I'd have to say it really is a wonderful life.

Beautiful Campus

We've had a relaxing day in Geneva and the folks at Hobart have really made us feel welcome.

We all had a delicious dinner at Emile's restaurant, close to downtown.  The Bon Ton provided trolleys to get back and forth from our camp grounds to Geneva's business district.

It looks like rain tomorrow all the way to Auburn.

Rest Day

Today we didn't ride. So what did we do instead? We visited a bike shop! Geneva has one of the top 100 bike shops in the country.

What a treat!

Vineyards and lakes

Geneva on the Lake

We ended day four of riding in the city of Geneva on the western shore of Lake Seneca. Another 48 miles on the bike.

We are camping tonight on the campus of Hobart College. They fed us VERY well; all you could eat broasted chicken, lots of pasta, veggies and endless desserts!

Tomorrow is a REST day. I sure need it! Looking forward to exploring Geneva. Everyone is well and feeling really good.

Cycling through Grapes

Farewell to Keuka

The hill that climbs out of Hammondsport is not intended for bicyclists. It is not intended for any vehicle with less than 450 horse power. I saw two chipmunks and a mouse, all dead on the road from the sheer exertion of trying to reach the top.

The struggle yielded a great reward; a wonderful sunrise over Lake Keuka.

We are on our way back to Lake Seneca - this time at Geneva.

Seneca to Keuka

Day three took us another 48 miles through the wine country as we rode from Lake Seneca to Lake Keuka.

The route Included some gorgeous scenery through the Amish country. We then hugged the eastern shore of Lake Keuka and saw some beautiful lake front homes and bed and breakfast places.

Tonight we are camping at a school grounds in Hammondsport. Dinner at the nearby fire station.

Dessert at the Choclatier of Hammondsport.

Goodbye Lake Seneca

Hit the bikes at 7:45 this morning to face another multi-mile hill.
At the top we saw the sun over Lake Seneca and a beautiful winery.

This is where all the calendar pictures come from!

Watkins Glen

It was a hard day with the hills and the head winds. But again it was
also a day filled with excitement and wonder.

After dinner several of us walked a few blocks to a state park. There
we hiked two miles of the incredible Watkins Glen. I was exhausted,
but I would not have missed this beautiful hike for anything!

47 miles on the bike today. Time for sleep.

Lunch at Seneca Lake

After fighting vicious winds from Cayuga to Seneca Lakes, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch at a winery on the shores of Seneca. Beautiful!

A finger lake

Great morning! Lots of rain last night, but clear this morning.

Started out uphill for 8 miles -- not kidding. Descended to Lake Cayuga.

Incredible beauty

Day one: HILLS

The reports were true! There are real hills here. Not whimpy Hueston
Woods style hills -- but heart throbbing climbs and white knuckle
descents.

But what a glorious day! 54 miles, no rain, incredible beauty. We all
made it in fine shape. Now for dinner.

Tent City

Home sweet home. Fairground In Corttland, New York.

Take Off

The rain moved out over night and we have a beautiful day for riding.

We had a police escort to the edge of Cortland. A great start!

The night before: RAIN

After 12 hours on the road we have safely arrived in Cortland, New York.

Had dinner at Doug's and now back at tent city. Raining hard. We hit the bikes tomorrow at 7:30 am.

Six Days, Five Lakes, 300 miles

With just five days left before the start of The Bon Ton Roulette, we are getting in the last few training rides (working in lots of hills) and starting to pack. And studying the handbook and maps. It looks like the ride will be through some absolutely beautiful territory. It also looks like we will be climbing some really significant hills over the six days of the ride.

I hope to make updates to this blog -- maybe with a few pictures of the scenery -- throughout the ride. So wish us luck and be sure to check back from time to time for updates next week.

Jim Enjoys a Break

After about 40 miles of biking Jim stops to enjoy lunch of pizza pie and ice cold beer.

Countdown to Bon Ton

Monday six of us had a wonderful ride from Lebanon to Milford and back along the dedicated bike trails, just about 60 miles total. We stopped in Loveland at a pizza shop called "The Works". Great pie and great company.

Less than a week now before the Bon Ton. Time to get final preparations done.

Quite a Group

The summer is moving quickly, and much of it has been devoted to preparing for the Bon Ton Roulette coming up at the end of July.

As usual, we had a great Saturday morning breakfast ride today. But what was a bit unusual was the size and make up of the group of riders. We set a record with 20 riders. But even more impressive was the fact that our youngest rider was 30 years old, our oldest was 79, we had one rider all the way from Michigan, another from Columbus and yet another all the way from New Zealand!  And here's the kicker;  One of our riders has a broken leg (in two places!).  He can't walk on it, but he can ride.

It was great fun and we all enjoyed breakfast at the Hueston Woods Lodge.  Thanks to Pat for supplying the photo of the group.