Category: RA 2011

RA89: Finally Into Maine

Jigger Johnson Campground (east of Kancamagus Pass) NH to Raymond ME – 63.2 miles The group got up early this morning and all followed Frank on a beeline on US highways to his house, but I don’t quite know what they were smoking. The scenery is so breathtaking around here that, in my opinion, taking the backroads is a necessity. Jack and I rose last, gathered our crap and started down the mountain.  The continued descent made it chilly but the scenery was magnificent.  We followed the AC turn onto Passaconoway Road and discovered one of the prettiest passages yet. 

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RA88: Kancamagus Pass

Orford NH to Jigger Johnson Campground (east of Kancamagus Pass) NH – 64.2 miles When we met Nancy yesterday, she asked where we were staying tonight, and when we told her she remarked, “You’re going to do Lincoln Pass and Kancamagus Pass both in the same day?!”  On paper, today’s ride looked challenging, 60 miles that finished with a couple of 2000 foot climbs. Jack and I started out on a different mission, though, to get a proper “Welcome to New Hampshire” photograph for our collection.  We found one just north of our campsite back across a bridge into Vermont

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RA87: And Into New Hampshire

Gaysville VT (White River Campground) to Orford NH – 44.7 miles The entire gang stopped at Creek Cabin Diner about 4 miles north of camp this morning and tanked up.  I think our ravenous appetites actually increase in these hilly areas.   We enjoyed a fabulous ride along the White River flowing in our direction.  It occurred to me that water always rolls downhill – so it must be a lot be smarter than touring cyclists. The road continued a general downhill all the way to Sharon VT.  There we met a lady named Nancy in her car who’s done a

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RA86: The Green Mountains

Ticonderoga NY to Gaysville VT (White River Campground) – 69.2 miles The guys all left early but Jack and I lingered as usual at the Ticonderoga Super 8, and eventually rolled over to the Hot Biscuit Diner in town for breakfast.  We then pedaled down to Lake Champlain for a ferry ride.  While waiting we talked to a number of families who seemed really interested in our bike trip.  It is kind of fun to get so much attention from nice folks. You know what’s next… Our 13th state!  It’ hard to describe, but right away Vermont was different than

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RA85: Ticonderoga NY

Rest day in Ticonderoga NY – 2.6 miles Late night last night watching those great old movies, so late rise this morning.  Super 8’s super breakfast was a humorous attempt, but I did enjoy the coffee.  The team, including Jesse but minus Roger, convened in the breakfast nook and yucked it up for more than an hour.  It really felt good to be taking a day off. A roll to downtown Ticonderoga to the laundromat.  We put our clothes in and strolled over to the Corner Café for a more proper breakfast.  Unfortunately, our order for French toast and burrito

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RA84: Adirondacks Mountains

Newcomb NY (Lake Harris campground) to Ticonderoga NY – 49.3 miles There was lots of hushed and urgent talk last night and this morning about our transgression of tenting in the edge of the next site, talk of being fined or of being thrown out of the park.  Jack and I were glad no one called the National Guard.  We packed up and departed without incident, punitive or otherwise. The longer I am on the road and in a camping mode, the less and less I see a need for finding an organized campground.  We pass by dozens of signs

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RA83: Adirondacks Lakes

Thendara NY (Singing Waters RV Park) to Newcomb NY (Lake Harris campground) – 72.5 miles Nice evening of sleep last night. There was no grass at our campsite, so I learned that when you pitch your tent on the dirt in the rain, its floor is not only hard, but the tent bottom is really muddy when you go to roll it up.  Ah the little things we learn. First thing out this morning a doe came prancing right in front of us across the highway.  Just like ten feet away! We just stopped and admired her – it didn’t

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RA82: More Superb Riding

Port Ontario NY to Thendara NY (Singing Waters RV Park) – 75.0 miles Jack and I considered breakfast in Port Ontario but instead rolled a few miles to Pulaski NY and found the Hometown Diner downtown for some good eats.  Jack’s Belgian waffle with strawberries smelled especially good.  By the way, you say it pull-ask’-eye. The riding weather was quite great today, starting out about 65F in the morning with only mild breezes.  Healthy climbing met us squarely as we ascended away from the lake, and we then enjoyed 50-200 ft rollers over and over.     We passed through small villages,

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RA81: Along Lake Ontario

Sodus Point NY to Port Ontario, NY – 64.4 miles In Sodus Point NY Jack and I hit a place called the Hot Spot for breakfast, which may have been the only place in town serving.   Decent food – the grits were my favorite.  We then took off on the quiet streets and took in the beautiful coastal scenery created by the marina and Sodus Bay. As expected, we encountered much of the same rolling terrain as yesterday afternoon.  Nothing overly steep or long but it kept the derailleur action lively.   Jack says the landscape here is one he is

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RA80: North to Lake Ontario

Holley NY to Sodus Point NY – 88.6 miles Out of the beautiful Holly NY campsite and back onto the AC route.  Jack and I’d planned to meet up with the guys at the next town but, as usual, we rose slower and were about an hour behind them.  In Brockport, we caught them just leaving Colleen’s Café (Jesse’s find) and raving about it, especially the French toast special.   Jack and I both ended up ordering it.  Great stuff, with 100% maple syrup from somewhere in New York.  Add in excellent coffee.  Colleen’s is a place with good atmosphere that

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