The Long Haul

24 June 2012

Stats for the day:

Depart Proctor, VT 7:10 a.m., arrive Clifton Park, NY 5:40 p.m.

Trip mileage – 296.4 miles

Today’s mileage – 87.05 miles

Time on bike –6:54:37

Average Speed – 12.6 mph

Max speed – 38.0 mph

 

After our day off, we were raring to go this morning.  Hitting the road fairly early gave us the option to do our planned ride, or if we were feeling good to continue to Clifton Park.  As you can tell by our stats, we decided to make the run to CP.  

The day started cool as we set out, and watched as the fog raised and cloaked the hill tops in its milky gauze.  Fields of hay and new corn lay waiting for the sun to burn its way through and bathe them in golden rays.  Low rolling hills greeted us like ocean waves, a nice change from the steep hills of days earlier. 

We made great time all morning, with rested legs and bright dispositions leading the charge.  We stopped at the Castleton Corners Deli & Citgo to refill water, get Gatorade and something for lunch.  Lorraine greeted us with a warm smile and curiosity about the trip, so we chatted about where we had been and where we were going.  After getting some clarification about directions we were back on the road eating up the miles like Rick wolfing down Hershey's kisses.  

 

 

 

Our route took us down U.S. 4, following the Champlain Canal.  A lovely ride and some very interesting sites. The canal offers a waterway from Lake George down to the Erie Canal. 

 

We stopped somewhere south of Hudson Fall, NY to enjoy our fabulous sandwiches from Castleton.  The day has been going very well, so we decided to push on to Clifton Park and give ourselves an extra cushion day, just for safety's sake.

It has been fun to see the small dairy farms as they dot the rural country side, as well as the quaint villages with their stately old homes with rocking chairs on the porches and hanging flower pots.  You can almost see the ancestors sitting and rocking, watching the world go by.

 

 

 

 

 

There have been a couple of small art objects that we have passed in the last few days, but this one caught our attention because of the topic - Dragon!  For any of you who don't believe that dragons lived, and continue to live, just know that they hide in various ways, sometimes even out in the open.

Our last few miles were the toughest.  Why is it all of our friends and family live up a hill?!  We never went into the Granny gear on Rt 4 all day, but the minute we veered off Rt 4 onto the County Road that would take us to Eileen & George's, the hills got steep and the Granny gear got used.

We had a lovely, warm welcome when cycling into Eileen & George's street.  Four kids, ages 6 to 9, were cheering us on and taking photos.  We climbed up to the driveway, then pounded to get to the top of the driveway.  Rick was starting to get off and walk the bike when I yelled in his ear, "We can do this!" while also pounding hard from the rear.

Water was offered and accepted, showers were taken, supper was eaten, and then the hot tub!  That was so welcomed after our 87 mile trek today.  Now it's time for bed!