Jeffsride

  The last big riding day is in the books.   93 degrees when I rolled in this afternoon.     Much of the ride was super scenic.    T traffic, and road surfaces were an issue as we got further into civilization.    I rode 56 miles, and that's with 2360 of elevation gain.  I rode in the van for first 35 miles.   The profile for first part of the day along with the heat and efforts of the previous 5 days..... anyhow,  I'm sure it was the right decision.    We crossed through new Hampshire and our 15th state.    Massachusetts.   Tonight was the ending banquet.   Tomorrow is the last ride with this bunch. We were told 80% of this group made it the entire way, without getting in a van at all.   I have said all along that this was a strong, strong group for the most part. After tomorrow I will have traveled 3235 miles.    By my calculations,  most of the group ...

  If it's possible.   Today may have been the most scenic of the journey.    You'll see.  . ....  we moved into Vermont.    81 miles,  5100 feet of climbing.    Includes a 9 mile uphill that was doable,  barely.   74 degree at 6:45 start.   93 degrees with 98 heat index when finishing.    Survived it .   There were 2 separate 2 mile descends with 8% grades.     Way too fast.    On brakes most of time.     Worried brakes would fail  Once again the scenery changed today.    Could see really BIG hills always on the horizon.    Maybe that's because we went through the Green Mountain National Forest?!!! Someone forgot to check tire pressure before leaving today so we checked it 12 miles in with a tire pump that I hate 😑! On to the scenery.   Again,  I love these shallow wide streams and rivers! More scenes...

  84 miles today.  2200  feet elevation gained .  70 at start, 90 when done.   Overcast till late morning then the sun came out.    Rode to mile 58 sag, took van for 18 miles, then rode in .   20 miles of last part was nice! Bike trail. And partly shaded.  Got in, found a bookstore,  leisurely late lunch of pizza pie and ice cream.   Got back to hotel, and went to a great seafood restaurant with the Georgia guys  . More really nice views.    Terrain is changing.    We were mainly in the Mohawk river valley.   You can see the hills beginning to surround us.  More scenery  Here are bike trail shots  Alena got me Dana behind Jeff  Bridge over the Hudson River in Troy.   Hotel was immediately past the bridge.  I am obsessed with the granite curbs in this part of the country.   They are virtually everywhere  . I think it's fascinating...