We left the hotel around 9:30 this morning, not long after the 9AM ride meeting. First stop was the Lake Erie State PArk about 8 miles in. We were already pretty sweaty by then. Temperature was low 80s but humidity is very high. Met up with several couples from the group there. Nice beach and free entry for cyclists
Others lingered with some planning to swim but we headed off towards the mid point for the 42 mile ride in Barcelona. Here’s the predominant scenery, Most of these are Concord grapes which I assume will be made into grape jelly for my PB&Js!
Barcelona had a nice harbor, an old lighthouse (the world’s first gas-powered lighthouse) and most importantly, a gas station and convenience store. By then we needed water and we had been warned that there was no other food on the route so we grabbed a few snacks for the road. We also met Nick and Vivian there, a couple from Maryland riding a Seven tandem. They were also doing the 42 mile loop so we ran into them a few other times along the way.
Turned onto a nice country road as we started to head back to Dunkirk but it was the same no shade, blazing sun as we’d been “enjoying” on the way out. We then got on US 20 for a bit and Tom spotted this
He called back to me that there was either an ice cream sign or a mirage ahead. Thank god it was the ice cream! That gave us some good fuel for the second half of the ride. I will admit that I had a hot dog instead of ice cream. I crave weird things when I ride.
The owners of “The Farmer’s Daughter” roadside restaurant had their latest joke posted:
We were soon off 20 and on lovely country roads with the occasional patch of shade as we headed back. About 5 miles out we were both thinking that a long break from the bike seats would be most welcome when Tom spied a wonderful little park in Fredonia. We had a nice break there and made it back to the hotel around 4. Now we’re looking forward to a swim in the pool and then it will be early to bed to rest up for the ride to Mayville tomorrow. Today was all flat. Tomorrow will be a different story.
Quick update from the pool:
