RB Bike trip take 3, day 4

I woke up this morning in my “suite” in Clifton Park, (the only room available)  absolutely not wanting to go for a long bike ride.  Physically, I felt fine, but psychologically speaking, I was a mess!  I just wanted to stay in my safe suite and while away my time watching TV and doing crossword puzzles.  I wanted to go home! Who needs this exercise business?  But I got on the ol’ Fuji and hit the trails anyway, despite my better judgement.

A good part of the morning was spent avoiding Albany traffic by skirting the lovely Tomhannock Reservoir:

At 2 pm I tackled “the Hill”.  It’s basically a 4 mile stretch of road east of North Adams, Ma, that climbs 1500 feet and takes you high up in the Berkshires.  Anyway, I’ve begun to categorize climbs based on how long I have  to crawl along  in my lowest of low gears, typically at about 4.1 mph.  For example near my home in North Russell there is a 5 minute hill, etc.  This monster climb too 45 minutes, plus an extra 15 minutes (after the switchback) and another 10 minutes at the “Whitcomb Summit”.  Here’s my bike at the switchback:

By now I’d remembered that last year I ended up cycling 100 miles in one day (a Century) which I knew that I didn’t want to repeat.  (for one thing mild headwinds are predicted for the next few days and the Century last year was, admittedly, with a tail wind!) … so instead of crashing for the night at the lovely Whitcomb Summit Motel, I kept going another 20 miles to Shelburne Falls… bringing today’s total to 78 miles (including the Hill)

Shelburne Falls is a pleasant town, with restaurants, shops a trolley museum and the “Flower Bridge”.  Apparently when a 20-year old trolley bridge was abandoned in 1929, some local residents converted it into a garden!  It really is lovely.

Tonight, I’m staying at the “Dancing Bear” guest house… my host,  in addition to his many other talents, also worked at New Hampshire Public Radio for years.  Smallish world.  Tomorrow its on to Worcester… or possibly some thunderstorms!