
Today was another 101-mile day wrought with climbs and hills. There were, however, also some nice descents and an overall downhill after about mile 70. We were talking today about how we are managing to knock out 100-mile rides like they are nothing. It continues to astound me the power of the body and the mind.
When we started out from Bradford at 8 am, it was in the mid-forties. We were all bundled in varying layers depending on our general tolerance of the cold. I was probably the least tolerant and wore the most layers. As the ride started, we were faced with a climb fairly early on around 5 miles into the ride. I warmed up a little, but there was a steep descent on the other side making me glad that I had several layers on including my fingered gloves. There is nothing worse, for me, than being cold while cycling. Heat isn’t great, but being cold absolutely sucks. I asked our group if anyone could believe that, riding to Condon on that horrible hot day early on, we’d be thinking about wanting the temperatures to warm up a little. We rode to the first van stop and came through a valley of fog that was colder than the temperature at the hotel when we left. Not convinced that the temperature would warm up quickly, I kept my layers knowing I could shed and carry them until the next van stop if needed.
We reached the NY state line about mile 25 and took photos. The sun had come out, and the dense fog had lifted. We were only 7 miles to the next rest stop, so I left most of my layers on still. I was able to dispose of my jacket at the next stop and kept everything else on but my fingered gloves
We continued our ride up the climbs and across the rolling hills, and down the steep descents. There was one descent early in the day that was spectacular – all I could think was ‘This is what we paid for’. The foliage was beautiful and rich with fall colors. The sun was low on the horizon and dappled through the trees. The road was steep with gentle curves, but the surface was flat and forgiving. I don’t believe I had my brakes on at any point during that descent. It was nearly perfect – in fact, it may have been.
The day, even with its climbs, was beautiful. The fog eventually lifted, and the temperatures warmed up – but not too much. I shed my layers at the lunch stop at mile 52 and was comfortable for the rest of the day. Lunch was a home run with a delicious salad, two kinds of pasta, browned butter bread and yummy biscotti for dessert. I’d purchased a few Starbucks Double Shot cans in the last few days for Myrna and Caroline and me. We each enjoyed a can with our lunch this afternoon. It went exceptionally well with the biscotti.
After about 70 miles the hills and climbs calmed, and we had an overall downhill into town. One of the riders in our group had a tire blow-out about 18 miles from town, but very conveniently just as one of the support trucks was passing. They passed and were about a half mile down the road when one of the group raised their left hand in a fist – the sign that we need help, and just as quickly as he raised his hand, the brake lights on the truck lit up as did a left turn signal and the truck turned around and was back with us in a matter of minutes. The rider with the blown tire told us to go ahead and not to wait. We started off again and within the next mile or two the support truck passed us, and we expected to see our fellow rider within miles, but he never did catch up – completely surprising because he’s a very strong rider.
We rolled into Corning past Corning plant after Corning plant. If you didn’t know that Corning was the cornerstone industry keeping this town in business before the ride, you certainly would have learned it yesterday. Our hotel is near the main street in Corning which is nice for us on rest days to allow for us to stroll and enjoy everything within a walking distance. We took advantage of a nice evening and the proximity to the main street and went for dinner at The Cellar. It was delicious and the approximately ten-minute walk was welcome both to and from dinner. I’m sure the wait staff wherever we go is amazed by the amount of food we eat and also by the amount of water we consume. Of course, the water is often accompanied by a glass of wine or two, beer or non-alcoholic beer. Given the quality of the restaurant, I decided to enjoy a glass of rose – okay, maybe two. But tomorrow is a rest day and we aren’t riding.
Perhaps it was the last few days of longer rides, but I was exhausted by 8 pm and enjoyed the idea of getting to bed without needing to get up and ride the next morning. I am loving the trip and the riding days, but the rest days are always welcome!