Photos from your rides.

[Baron Blubba]

I’d love to ride with you someday, James. Your photos and stories have me thinking I’d like it a lot.

[weisan]

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . to ride one of the most beautiful–and challenging–gravel routes you will find anywhere, just west of Arlington, VT, on the home turf of famous artist Norman Rockwell. It was here that Rockwell painted some of his most famous images that included the hills, church, covered bridge, and his own home that we rode by and into. Eleven of us started this MHCC club ride by the Battenkill in Arlington. It’s 60-mile length is world famous for trout fishing, and we rode alongside its scenic waters for 5.5 miles before crossing to the north side and starting into the steep climbs and “Class IV” primitive roads that make Vermont a gravel riding mecca. Chunks Brook is particularly challenging including its steepest 15% grade that today was muddy and the most challenging I think I have ever seen it. Most of us walked a bit of it. I’m proud to say I did have to stop several times to catch my breath, but I refuse to walk! After that it was mile after mile of wooded dirt roads before we descended again into the Battenkill valley and crossed the covered bridge made famous in Rockwell’s paintings to get a group photo, then head toward his home and hang a left to head back to Arlington. Post-ride, we headed south to Shaftsbury to grab a great picnic lunch at The Market Wagon Amish market and deli. A truly great day! 24.72 mi/10.8mph av/2021ft. Photos with Panasonic Lumix ZS200D and iPhone 15 Pro. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48396588

[weisan]

[BumbleBeeDave]

You get around!

Originally Posted by weisan

[BumbleBeeDave]

Last week after thirty years living in upstate New York I finally joined a few friends to tackle the huge climb up Whiteface Mountain that towers over Lake Placid in the Adirondacks. It’s only the fifth highest mountain in New York state at 4,867 feet, but it’s the only one of the Adirondacks I know of that has a paved road all the way to the top and is the site of an annual uphill bike race every year. I don’t know exactly how long it took to climb all the way, but I know I won’t be any kind of contender in that race! It’s eight miles of an average of 8-10% grade, topping out at 11.4% at one spot, and with an average of 8.4% for the whole eight miles according to RWGPS. Oddly enough, the first 3 miles up to the toll booth ($15) were the hardest, in direct sun, no breeze, and even after 5 miles of warmup before we started the climb. But we did finish, and it was a fantastic view from the parking area at the top. But even that’s not the actual summit. To get to that you need to go through a tunnel and take an elevator. We didn’t bother, but instead enjoyed the screaming descent back down to Wilmington. I hit 50.5 mph on the way down and learned that over 45mph my LOOK 585 gets just a bit jiggly! Then we headed south to the Paradox Brewery in North Hudson to enjoy some post-ride recovery food and drink. A great day! 21.4mi/9.8mph av/3465ft. Photos shot with Panasonic Lumix ZS200D and iPhone 15 Pro. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48282598

[BumbleBeeDave]

Man, it was one wet mess! HilltopperNY, Dan and I ended up only doing about 13 miles. I brought my waterproof camera, but it has a glass cover over the lens that it was almost impossible to keep clear. iPhone is useless if the touchscreen or my finger gets wet.

CNYrider took a look at the radar, then decided to head home a he has a big vacation cycling trip coming up in a week or so and he didn't want to take a chance on crashing or getting sick. Pouring rain almost the whole time and only about 60 degrees. I felt sorry for local organizer Peter since this is the second year in a row this has happened. The heaviest rain moved through the area almost exactly in the hours we were riding. Special guest Alessandro Ballan was super friendly and a fitting follow-up to Ted King's participation last year. Hopefully Peter can get an equivalent celebrity guest next year.

But I'm looking forward to doing it again next year and hoping the third time is a charm. Beautiful roads, friendly people, and riding with fellow Paceliners!

BBD

[CNY rider]

Great shots Dave!
You are really living the cycling life these days.
I actually rode the whole Gravel Grinder course but I got so far out ahead of Alessandro and everyone else that nobody saw me.

[Baron Blubba]

Dave, your pictures so often exemplify everything I that think is right about riding a bike. Beautiful places, and groups of chums just riding along, spending the day hanging while exploring on two wheels.

[trener1]

That first hour was worst as far as the rain goes, after that it was only light rain... but man getting up those climbs with the tires sinking into the soft dirt...
Still cleaning my kit

[Baron Blubba]

"Heave!"
[IMG]Untitled by Michael Lock, on Flickr[/IMG]

"Ho!"
[IMG]Untitled by Michael Lock, on Flickr[/IMG]

50 miles, 6000 feet of climbing in Shenandoah National Park on the Rufus von Wario bike, with my pal Jose on his brand new 15 lb Wilier Super Dreamy Dura-Ace machine. The hardest part wasn't keeping up with him (but that was hard), it was lifting the bike over my head at this overlook (Hogback), especially without tipping backwards down the mountain. Apparently Pure Fun (PFu on the Esoteric Periodic Table) weighs a heck of a lot more than C on the standard Periodic Table.

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . you just keep dreamin'!

Originally Posted by CNY rider

Great shots Dave!
You are really living the cycling life these days.
I actually rode the whole Gravel Grinder course but I got so far out ahead of Alessandro and everyone else that nobody saw me.

[BumbleBeeDave]

I appreciate that!

Originally Posted by Baron Blubba

Dave, your pictures so often exemplify everything I that think is right about riding a bike. Beautiful places, and groups of chums just riding along, spending the day hanging while exploring on two wheels.

[weisan]

[merckxman]

In the mood for a chill ride I rode on the Cherryville plateau in Hunterdon County (NJ). There are endless miles of flat, virtually car free, back roads. Very relaxing. It can get hot in the open stretches in Summer so I normally only ride there Spring and Fall but with yesterday's temperature 77F and a nice breeze it was perfect. If you want some hills you can drop down to the Delaware River valley and climb up, several opportunities for that.