Friday, June 17, 2016
Day 9 - 6/16/16 Bridgewater to Cazenovia, NY
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Day 8 - 6/15/16 Sharon Springs to Bridgewater, NY
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Day 7 - 6/14/16 Schenectady to Sharon Springs, NY
Today was the longest ride yet: just under 53 miles. It was also the flattest day. I also spent a good amount of time talking on the phone. I talked to Nick who just got home from Bonnaroo. He said it was amazing and I can totally imagine it was. I talked to my mom and dad and sent a video to Meg for Ava. I need to send her something. I want to send her a rock from every state I ride through. But I think I also want to draw on the rock or write something but I don't know what. Plus I also haven't seen anything good in New York as far as rocks go...
I got a sunburn today when I took my shirt off to dry it out while I took a break and ate some food and made those phone calls. My tent is set up behind a dugout of a baseball field, I don't think anyone will bother me here. There wasn't much of a view on the ride today. It was just like most bike paths that are totally surrounded by greenery. But at points there were some quick views of the Mohawk River and I did get to cross a bridge and there were some nice mountain views. But once I got within 10 miles of Sharon Springs– off the bike path, the landscape changed to rolling hills of green grass dotted with farms. Dutch Country, the Amish.
Day 6 - 6/13/16 Petersburg to Schenectady, NY
A real beautiful day out on the road but, the best part was getting to Schenectady. I was planning on stealth-camping somewhere in one of the parks but, Matt A. put me in touch with his wonderful friend from college, Meghan. Her and her boyfriend, Radhe, and their dog, Bruiser, and their neighbors Brian and Russ, made me feel right at home. Meghan's neighborhood reminded me of Somerville being so clustered together with older homes and small gardens. I'm so thankful Radhe had an unusual hunch to make a vegan meal and feel so lucky for Brian letting me borrow his panniers for my bike.
In these areas where farms are such a close source of fruits and veggies and meat and dairy and eggs, I've had great conversations about eating vs. not eating animal products. I didn't eat anything from these farms but, from what I've been told, the concern for the animal's well-being (while it's alive...) is what gives way to a higher quality product. Unfortunately, not all areas are like this. Instead of animal products being treated as a sort of delicacy, they have become commodities– mass produced in an unhealthy way to meet the demand for them. So it's a tough truth that not all parts of the world can have these sorts of products readily available at such a high quality, there's just not enough room in the world. Anyway, back on the road to continue across the beautiful state of New York.
Day 5 - 6/12/16 Cummington, MA to Petersburg, NY
Day 4 - 6/11/16 Amherst to Cummington, MA
I am writing from an old barn. Warmshowers.org brought me here to the top of an incredibly steep hill in Cummington where Fletcher and his wife and 2 kids and 2 dogs live. Their property was once used as a center for artists and musicians which is why there's a large house and 2 large barns, one of which was used for dorms for the residents. Their children are going to have a wonderful time growing up here. Tomorrow, I will cross the border into New York. It's hard to believe I've traveled 150 miles in 4 days and will be leaving Massachusetts for an indefinite amount of time. This trip has been amazing thus far. I don't know how reality compares with what my expectations were but I am loving every minute, even when I am going uphill and even in the rain. Obstacles like these are true tests I need to talk myself through. I think that's part of growing up: being able to take the reins of our own mind when it desperately wants to be in a different situation.
Day 3 - 6/10/16 Templeton to Amherst, MA
It was like being on a ferris wheel that would bring me down underwater and then back up to the sun to simmer again. As bad as it was going up those monsters, no feeling can compare with speeding down the other side. I'm sure a lot of things in life are like that: a tough ride to the top but then it all pays off. If only major accomplishments could be made in the short time it takes to go up a steep hill.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)