Bicycle trip to Connecticut

Background & Training

2005-08-05T08:36:00.000-04:00

Growing up in the suburbs, I spent quite a bit of time on a bicycle. Playing cops & robbers in the extended neighborhood or sneaking off for evening rides along Bethpage State Parkway. I kept riding through my 30's, nothing elaborate. It was mainly transportation. I always fantasized about a long trip. The summer of '73 I was living on a farm outside of Cataraugus, NY with my friend Stu. One of our neighbors and I started talking about a trip to NYC. I decided to stay on the farm and wait for a romantic interest to visit. She never came and my bike partner joined a cult in Oregon. A few years later I bought a Peugeot and did a bit of riding around the north shore of Long Island and San Francisco. I sold the bike when I left San Francisco and later picked up a cheap bike to ride when I was in graduate school. After that it was just a couple of rides with my children in our local park.

My only exercise was running. Up until a serious car accident running was keeping me in shape. After the accident I kept getting injured and finally quit. Last year I decided to go back to bike riding. A review in Consumer Reports steered me towards a hybrid bike and I bought a Trek 7300.

I'm not sure when I first got the idea to ride to Connecticut. Once I bought my bicycle I started keeping track of my rides. I completed about 200 miles in the fall and maybe half that much on the trainer during the winter. I suspect that it was some time in the spring after I started riding outdoors again that I seriously began planning the trip. Although I had the endurance, in retrospect, I should have spent more time spinning and on steeper hills.

Date	route	Cumulative	Time	Average Speed	Max Speed
4/5/05	6.2	6.2	0:36:41	10.1	13.2	Erie Canal
4/9/05	13.6	19.8	1:06:56	12.1	16.6	Onondaga Lake Park (OLP)
4/10/05	9.1	28.9	0:45:10	12.0	19.3	Onondaga Lake Park
4/12/05	8	36.9	0:39:41	12.0	20	River Rd to Phoenix
4/14/05	13.3	50.2	1:05:24	12.2	24.2	Verplank to Henry Clay
4/16/05	20.5	70.7	1:31:51	13.3	21.1	River Rd to Rt 43
4/17/05	13.6	84.3	1:05:22	12.4	23.8
4/19/05	22.5	106.8	1:45:46	12.7	23.8	Verplank to Henry Clay
4/24/05	21.4	128.2	1:54:42	11.1	27.5	River Rd to Onondaga Lake Park
4/26/05	21.5	149.7	1:39:58	12.9	29	River Rd to Onondaga Lake Park
4/28/05	14.6	164.3	1:08:36	12.7	20.3	Onondaga Lake Park
5/4/05	20.5	184.8	1:30:56	13.5	21.7	River Rd to Rt 43
5/5/05	13.6	198.4	1:01:56	13.1	20.6
5/7/05	27.5	225.9	2:05:11	13.1	24.2	Verplank to Henry Clay rt 43 to River Rd
5/9/05	30.6	256.5	2:14:51	13.6	27.9	From Campus
5/10/05	21.7	278.2	1:45:23	12.3	26.6	Verplank to Henry Clay
5/13/05	24	302.2	1:46:57	13.4	24.2	Verplank to Henry Clay
5/14/05	13.9	316.1	1:13:44	11.3	19	Onondaga Lake Park
5/17/05	15.9	332	1:24:04	11.3	21.7	Verplank to Morgan
5/18/05	21.5	353.5	1:35:04	13.5	24.2	Oneida River rd to Phoenix
5/19/05	33.9	387.4	2:19:26	14.5	24.2
5/20/05	25.7	413.1	1:56:14	13.2	24.2	River Rd to Onondaga Lake Park
5/23/05	32.7	445.8	2:25:13	13.5	22.5	Oneida River rd to Phoenix SUNY
5/25/05	42.6	488.4	3:08:30	13.5	30	Phoenix up rt 6
5/27/05	34.4	522.8	2:14:52	15.3	31.4	Phoenix silk rd
5/28/05	22.0	544.8	1:31:06	14.4	24.6	Oneida River rd to Phoenix
5/30/2005	18.5	563.3	1:20:59	13.7	22.1	Onondaga Lake Park - home
5/31/05	34.4	597.7	2:28:37	14.0	25.8	Oneida River rd to Hinmansville Bridge
6/1/05	34.3	632	2:34:49	13.2	25.8	Rt 14, fulton, rt 6
6/3/05	63.8	695.8	4:31:29	14.1	34.4	to from campus
6/4/05	16.5	712.3	1:13:12	13.5	18	OLP
6/7/05	24.0	736.3	2:22:34	9.8	35
6/12/05	17.5	753.8	1:17:46	13.4	22.8	to horseshoe Island
6/13/05	35.1	788.9	2:28:07	14.2	26.5	Oneida River rd to Hinmansville Bridge
6/18/05	30.7	819.6	2:12:43	13.8	24.8	OLP to Lamson Rd
6/19/05	36.8	856.4	2:29:01	14.7	26.8	Caughdenoy rd - oneida river rd loop
6/20/05	24.6	881	1:54:09	12.9	25.9	to OLP
6/22/05	37.3	918.3	2:38:17	14.1	31.5	OLP to rt 46
6/25/05	28.4	946.7	2:00:44	14.1	24.1	Oneida River rd to Phoenix
6/26/05	42.5	989.2	3:13:01	13.2	28.6	OLP to Lamson Rd to oneida river
6/27/05	19.7	1008.9	1:26:43	13.6	28	to OLP
6/28/05	34.2	1043.1	2:23:13	14.2	25.6	Oneida River rd to Hinmansville Bridge
6/30/05	23.6	1066.7	1:42:59	13.7	23.8	River rd - hinmansville bridge - rt 6
7/2/05	29.1	1095.8	2:07:15	13.7	25.4	Lamson rd - rt 46 - rt 6
7/3/05	42.0	1137.8	3:11:16	13.1	29.3	Fulton - Gilbert Mills Rd - rt 12
7/10/05	34.9	1172.7	2:35:54	13.4	33.6	phoenix - gilbert mills -central square
7/12/05	57.5	1230.2	4:14:21	13.5	28	OLP to rt 46 to oneida river
7/20/05	34.1	1264.3	2:30:53	13.5	29.5	OLP to Lamson Rd to oneida river
7/21/05	33.3	1297.6	2:17:36	14.4	25.7	Caughdenoy rd - oneida river rd loop
7/22/05	63.9	1361.5	4:33:36	13.9	33.3	to from campus
7/26/05	28.0	1389.5	2:03:45	13.6	28.2	to OLP
7/28/05	60.4	1449.9	4:23:45	13.7	26	OLP to rt 46 to oneida river
7/29/05	16.5	1466.4	1:10:42	14.0	24	OLP
7/30/05	33.1	1499.5	2:19:42	14.2	26	Caughdenoy rd - oneida river rd loop
7/31/05	33.7	1533.2	2:20:40	14.3	30.1	OLP to Lamson Rd
8/1/05	16.2	1549.4	1:14:43	12.9	19.3	Verplank to Henry Clay

I tried to find a partner to ride with but the only one willing would be too much trouble.

Neelix the wonder dog

Day 1

2005-08-04T11:00:00.000-04:00

Day 1 - Syracuse to Herkimer
72.6 miles 5:24
Breakfast was a couple of bagels at Panera's

Erie canal Trail to about Canastota was pretty. I kept waiting for a spectacular view for a picture. I waited too long as it became less picturesque. This was also the most dangerous part of the ride. A gaggle of geese started moving towards me as I rode past them.

After Canastota there was too much gravel, that made riding slow.

It was difficult picking up the path after crossing rt46 north of Oneida. I wound up taking rt. 46 into Rome

Getting through Rome was troublesome. I could not find the road from the guide book. Rome appears to be the king of children’s amusement areas. Fort Richey Game Farm brought back memories of taking Danielle & Alex. I passed the turn that would take me to the trail to Utica.

I wanted to stop for lunch in Rome but couldn't find a place to stop. I also could not find where to pick up the trail. While I took a drink & energy bar break (lunch) a woman collected her mail. She told me where to pick up the trail.

Wasn’t as bad on the path from Rome. After about 45 minutes I came to a fallen tree that made the path impassable. Fortunately there was a way to get to a road, Rt 69 Rome - Oriskinay Rd) so I didn't have to back track to the start. Being on a paved road let me pick up the speed. Unfortunately the road turned into the Erie Blvd. of Utica, which is also Erie Blvd.
The ride from East Utica to Herkimer was quick. Long stretch of rural scenery.

Got to Herkimer around 3:00. The Herkimer motel was ok. There was so much dirt & dust on the trail so I went to a car wash to clean up my bike.
Dinner was a bacon cheese burger at Denny's. I was fighting to stay awake at 9:30

Day 2

2005-08-03T11:19:00.000-04:00

Day 2 - Herkimer to Schenectady
72.7 miles 6:08

Breakfast was the continental buffet at the motel: Banana, bagel, and yogurt.
Some really steep hills outside of Herkimer. I was able to climb all but it was difficult.
Rt. 167 to Little Falls was a steep descent. At the bottom I had to check the map. Loosing momentum and still tired from previous climbs I walked the bike up to the trail.

The trail was more stone dust. The gravel kept the speed down.
There was one short trail, It may have been by Little Falls, that was beautiful, and the trail seemed to be in a gorge.

Parts of the trail reminded me of the paths on Bethpage State parkway.

A mill across the river

The ruins of some unknown structure along the trail

At some points along the trail there were information kiosks
This was the one in Mindenville

This was one of those duh sign sequences. The second one
indicated a Stop sign ahead, which you can see already.

Canajoharie information kiosk

Canajoharie was set up for cyclists. Visitors center was by the trail. The woman at the center confirmed what I thought: There was only one other person on the trail. Someone on his way to Maine passed by a few hours before me.

Too much of the ride between Canajoharie and Fort Hunter was along the Thruway.

These drums along the Mohawk were from the 18 wheelers.
The scenic view of Rt 5s, NYS Thruway and finally the Mohawk River

Cement plant

Had to go off the trail into Fonda for drinks. Passed an ice cream stand and had a thick shake also.

Path along the Mohawk.
Most of the ride was picturesque.
Before I left on the trip I briefly considered buying an extra mirror. Of course mine broke.

Once in Scotia the trail was much nicer. Also more riders, all day riders. Saw a white tail doe on the trail. By the time I got my camera it ran off with two fawns following behind.

Scotia along the river

In Schenectady I lost the trail. Had to make a mad dash across rt. 5. People helped with directions.
Spent the night with Stu & Sue. Stu took me to a bike shop for a new mirror.

Ron Gordon stopped by. Ron was going to ride with me to Sharon. Unfortunately he recently had prostrate surgery. He did help with directions.

Dinner was lamb chops & roasted potatoes and a very welcomed beer.

Day 3

2005-08-02T11:22:00.000-04:00

Day 3 - Schenectady to Hudson
59.2 miles
5:36

Breakfast was a Banana and granola mixed with yogurt. Stu's father had been admitted to the emergency room overnight. I waited around until he spoke with his father & sister

Had some difficulty finding the start of the trail but got help from a security guard at some plant. The trail was beautiful. Long unexpected climb was foretelling of the rest of the day.

Between Schenectady and Cohoes

The ride along the Mohawk & Hudson was the nicest of the trip.

Approaching Albany

Once in Albany there were children getting ready for some event. Later I learned some were taken away because of heat exhaustion.

Crossing the Hudson was a bit nerve racking because a ramp partially collapsed a few days earlier.

Is this the ramp that started collapsing?

Looking across the Dunn Memorial Bridge from ramp to pedestrian walk way

Looking across the bridge

Looking back to Albany from the bridge

Riding down the east side of the Hudson was somewhat boring. Got passed by one cyclist. Stopped in Castleton on the Hudson for lunch. The town was like a ghost town almost everything was bordered up. The tavern closed up as soon as I finished. Had a BLT for lunch

That is what is in store for the ride tomorrow.

Temperature was in the 90's, three or four hills I couldn't climb. By the end I couldn't look at another lemon lime Gatorade.

Part of the ride from Castleton on the Hudson to Hudson

I got this profile of the ride to Hudson from the Mohawk- Hudson Bicycle club

Finally got to the motel about 3:30. Motel was a typical family owned, roadside place. I just wanted to lie down and take a shower, the owners son wanted to talk about my trip. Had to walk to a diner for dinner. Had chicken stuffed with crabmeat. It wasn't that good nor was the ice cream soda. I was asleep by 10:00

Day 4

2005-08-01T11:25:00.000-04:00

Day 4 - Hudson to Cornwall Bridge.
46 miles
5:03

I only had two pictures left in the camera so I was regretting not taking my digital camera. In the scheme of things it didn't weigh that much.

Started early 6:30, grabbed breakfast at Dunkin' Donut. Ten mile ride to Taconic Parkway was very difficult. The previous day's ride wore me out. I couldn't climb any hills. I probably averaged 8 mph. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to finish. I had no strength in my legs.

Ride over the Taconic Hills

After the initial 10 miles I loosened up and the terrain flattened out somewhat. I was able to pick up the pace and was able to climb all the hills to Sharon. In Millerton I took the Harlem River Rail Trail. It was only 3.8 miles. At the end of the trail there was a banging sound coming from the rear of the bike. I had lost a screw holding the rack. Fortunately I had a spare.

The rest of the ride to Sharon was quick, through Millerton and around Indian Lake.

End of the ride

I felt like I was in heaven when I saw this sign. Kind of eerie when it was developed

From Sharon it was about a 5 mile climb, most of which I couldn't do. From there it was a quick 3 mile downhill ride to Susan & Michael's street. East St. It was also a difficult climb. I thought I had one picture left in the camera. No final picture.

It was good to see Susan & Michael and to see that Michael had no apparent effects of his recent heart attack. It was the best shower and beer (Bass Ale) I ever had.
Danielle & Alex came the next morning & we left for home Sunday morning.