2015-06-04 - NY - Day 8 - Middlebury to Newcomb

At the start of today's ride, there were only a few turns to go before we'd cross the edge of our first map by taking the ferry into New York, so I thought I did not need to bring that map. Big mistake. I missed the turn off to Highway 74 and ended up cycling an extra seven miles. I did see some extremely beautiful Hobbiton-like landscapes and more cows than you could count. Once I realized that I had missed a turn, Google Maps led me to a smelly rocky road I had to walk my bike through.

I eventually reached the ferry however and met up with the route leaders Lucas and Joe, who were patiently waiting for me. While on the river's chain-pulled barge, I met Calene whose son has owned the ferry for years. Once we reached the far side, a short ride took me past Fort Ticonderoga and to the first rest stop at Walmart.

After catching up and chilling with other riders at that first rest stop near Ticonderoga, I cycled a lot with Leo and Will. Will studied creative advertising and creative writing. He's trying to figure out what to do next, like a lot of us.

After the second rest stop, I rode mostly with Bridget and Mike. Mike was dying to get some riding in after three days away from his bike, and Bridget was like a beast possessed going up the hills with her wide-tired Surly, much to Mike's surprise. I initially rode behind Bridget, but dropped back when it became too tiring and drafted behind the much larger Mike for a bit before catching back up to her. It was a lot of fun riding with the two of them. I ran out of water and dropped out to refill my bottles, use the restroom, rest my feet, and take some close-up photos of the flowers. Soon after that I crossed the Hudson River, which brought back memories of my home back in Jersey, before heading into camp. It was a beautiful day, about 75 miles and over 6000 feet total elevation gain.