Last summer we joined Gear-To-Go tandems for their tandem rally in Saranac Lake NY. The hosts, rides and participants were just great so we signed up for one of their 2018 7-day tours. The Lakes of Chautauqua tour will have 10-12 couples on tandems and explores the western NY region around Lake Erie with stays in Dunkirk, Mayville, and Clymer. …
On the road again
It’s a small one, but it is our first trip in the new tour mobile Weird to have a minivan but it’s the only vehicle that can transport a 7 foot tandem bicycle inside and we’ve actually found it to be pretty useful for other things like ferrying angry political activists around, doing our own dump runs, and the occasional …
Day 1, 0 miles
We had time on our hands this morning as the tour start in Dunkirk was only a 3 hour drive from Geneva. Stopped at a Starbucks in Canandaiga for coffee and a breakfast sandwich and consulted Trip Advisor for advice on attractions in the area. Kershaw Park seemed to be the #1 attraction so …. Absolutely lovely little park on …
Day 2, 44 miles
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 …
Day 3, 28 miles
Yes, that was a vodka tonic in my hand in that pool and it was delightful! Met up with some of the other riders at Dimitri’s for dinner and then it was off to bed with the alarm set to make sure we were up and packed in time. We rode to Mayville today. We’ll be staying at the Chatauqua …
Day 4, 24 miles
Weather forecast was looking a tad dicey today with threats of heavy rain and thunderstorms but morning looked ok so we headed out around 9:30. Temperature was only in the 70s but the humidity was just about as close to actual rain as you can get. We pulled over for a break after the first big climb at around 7 …
Day 5, 14.2 miles
Day 4 continued.. Great dinner last night with Jim and Paula the couple from Tewksbury and Rich and Lindy the tour leaders. We ate at a restaurant about 1/2 mile from the hotel that had walleye, a fish from Lake Chautauqua. Took the hotel shuttle over and walked back along the lake. On the way we saw the poor Bemus …
Day 6, 33 miles
33 miles and 2300 feet of climbing. Some of those climbs were mean and nasty too! We had a mediocre beef on weck at the hotel restaurant last night and were up early to pack and get our gear loaded onto the trailer. Really gorgeous day with sunny skies, mid 80s and reasonable humidity. The climbing started early so the …
Day 7, 0 miles thank god
We have done an excellent job of relaxing and recovering today! We managed a walk to lunch after the pool and then a full round of mini golf. Jeannie won the contest for most holes in one, but it was a difficult course with many water features. We then walked all the way back to the hotel, passing one of …
Day 8, 45 miles
Beautiful sunny day! Our choice was 44 miles along the ridge or 45 along the coast. The coast ride had a bit less climbing so we chose that but it still clocked in at 2200 feet with pretty much all of that in the first 20 miles. Proud that we climbed every hill on this trip and there were plenty! …