Back on the Road

To Herkimer, New York -- 67.7 miles, 14.1 mph, 1375 ft

After an unplanned but restful day off the bikes, we said goodbye to our wonderful hosts. The day was overcast, but the forecast predicted much warmer weather and, most importantly, no rain!

Saying good bye to Dan an Anita

With no mechanical problems, drier weather, and flatter terrain, we were able to smash our typical 9-10 mph average speed with a blazing 14 mph! We rode along the Erie canal trail for a while until we realized that the unpaved surface was adding to our effort and there was a nice paved highway paralleling the route most of the way. As luck would have it, we skipped over to the blacktop right where a black Amish buggy was parked, a woman and her son selling fresh baked items ... jackpot!

I'm pretty sure the pies, cookies, and coffee bars helped fuel us all the way till lunch in Fort Plain. The 5S Diner was calling. Seems we can hardly pass up a diner without stopping these days.

Our weather luck held out all day. Despite wet roads the last fifteen miles, we avoided the rain and finished off the ride by 3:30 to settle into the Red Roof Inn. Kylie and I were disappointed, however, to see that there was, in fact, no red roof!  So much for honesty in advertising.

Dex and Kylie wasted no time finding Brave on TV and jumping into bed. (Apparently they’re trying to make up for a year mostly without TV.) Denny's, one of the perennial favorites in my family, was right next door, so no need to walk far for dinner. Good thing too, temperatures were already dropping in preparation for a cold Sunday.