Well today was my annual 50 mile "ride-a-bout" as I like to call it. I try to get in at least one of these solo trips in a year to help clear my head, as well as reflect on the year. It was a fantastic day for a ride. Autumn in upstate NY can't be beat - and the temperature was close to 70 degrees when I completed the ride. I circled the same route that the 50-mile SpokerRider's did in July. The wind wasn't to bad - only 6 mph, and was only in my face for about 1/3 of the ride.
My first stop was at the Sackets Harbor Battlefield. I had a quick bite to eat, and checked out Lake Ontario while I gave my legs a break. Attached are 2 pictures I took on my cell phone - one is the battlefield, and the other is the guard house near the Battlefield offices. The colors are just about peak here this time a year, so it was a gorgeous ride.
As I headed south on Route 3 I passed many farms and small businesses. There were many people outside taking advantage of what will probably be one of the last "good" days in our part of the world for awhile. The leaves were at their peak, there was a little nip in the air, and farmers were busy harvesting their fall crops for the winter.
My next stop was in the village of Henderson Harbor. I stopped near the Aspinwall hotel and had a sandwich and noted that I was at the 1/2 way point of my ride. Across the street there was a red barn built many years ago. I think I'll start taking more pictures of red barns, as they are becoming more and more a thing of the past. Newer barns arent' red, and many aren't shaped like barns either. Someday (probably in my lifetime), they will just be another memory.
As I rode the next ten or so miles, the wind picked up a bit, but it wasn't to bad, I was making pretty good time. I stopped at the entrance to Southwick's beach state park before making the turn east and towards home. This was the same location that 10 years ago my wife and I were involved in a bad car accident. In the picture you can see the ditch where our mini van ended up after being t-boned by a teenager that ran a stop sign and hit us going 55 miles an hour. It happened very fast and there wasn't much we could do about it. Mary (my wife) ended up in the hospital for 3 days, and had to have back surgery to fix complications from the accident. I lucked out and only had some cuts and bruises and a sore back for a few days. I stop here and reflect on the fact that the accident could have been much worse, and we were lucky no one was killed.
My next stop was at the McDonalds' in Adams. This was about mile 42 I believe. It seems like I always hit a wall around this point when riding. My back, butt and legs are protesting the ride, and all I want to do is stop for awhile. I did rest a few minutes, had a snack and continued on despite the pain. After a few more miles, the endophorins must have kicked in as the pain subsided and I returned to a rhythm again.
My final stop was as at Talcott falls. These falls are about 1/2 mile from where I live now, and 1/4 mile from where I grew up. I spent a lot of time there when I was a kid. In the fall they are beautiful. They are an overlooked treasure in Jefferson County. I wish that someone would make a nice park to sit and reflect there so that everyone can enjoy them.
I did the final 1/2 mile home in good spirits. The ride was great, the day was beautiful and it was great to be alive. 50 miles may seem like a long way, but many riders with much more experience than I will do this daily. Like everything in life, it is all relative. For a 44 year old I think I did pretty well!
I think everyone needs to take time out from their lives for awhile and reflect. It is self-healing in a way. These ride-a-bouts are a great way to look inward, think about what is going on in your life, and hopefully improve ones outlook!
The pics on the right are of the ride today. The first one is Talcott Falls, then in order, Mcdonalds' in Adams, Southwicks entrance, The red barn at Aspinwall Motel, and the final two are at the Sackets Battlefield.
