The Bicycling thread

Not much happening here so I'll give you something to look at.

Yesterday's ride was a metric century (another Strava challenge) and we decided to ride the Oneida river from end to start to end. Out on the north side of the river, back on the south. That ride only gets us to 45 miles, so we added some riding along the Seneca river and Onondaga Lake to get us to 62 miles. I calculated it exactly and we got home with 62.2 miles. Less than a 10th to spare.

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In the image above, there are three little 'pictures', those correspond to where these photos were taken: First, where the Oneida River empties from Oneida Lake in the village of Brewerton, there is a site of an old fort that was built by the British during the French and Indian war. Prior to the construction of the Erie canal, Oneida Lake and River were part of a travel corridor from Albany to the port of Oswego on Lake Ontario. The Fort was built to defend that passage - I have no idea if there was a conflict here. I also don't know why it is called Brewerton. There aren't any breweries here now - and that is exactly what this village needs to help it out. Right now it is a mess - the main street has been ripped up to put in some sort of pipe.

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After this we took a little side trip to Lock 23. A couple of posts back I posted a picture of Lock 24 in Baldwinsville. Lock 23 is 18.75 miles, by water, from lock 24. Right now the lock is under construction. The canal was supposed to open on Friday, May 15 - but is delayed. Not sure when it will open this year.

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We didn't pass any welcome sign in Brewerton, so we took the gratuitous 'bikes by a sign' photo at 3 rivers point. Again, this is the confluence of the Oneida and Seneca rivers to form the Oswego river (flowing north).

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Yesterday was the first day of 'post lockdown'. The governor's stay-at-home order expired on Friday. What a difference a day makes. So much more traffic, many people have given up on social distancing: saw some yard parties and motorcycle gatherings. Some folks are wearing masks, some aren't. People in groups generally aren't but I saw more than one person by themselves, mowing their large rural lawn, with a mask on. I think that 2 months ago everyone was concerned because so much was unknown - but now that the statistics are becoming clear (of the 20000+ COVID related deaths in NY state, 96% are people over the age of 50, 86% are over the age of 60), the young people are choosing to take their chances. Older folks (especially those with medical conditions) are buckling in for a prolonged ordeal.

Personally, I am avoiding contact with anyone except Michelle. I haven't come closer than 6 feet from anyone during these rides (except cars passing, I guess?). Until yesterday we were pretty much by ourselves. Now that we have opened things back up, I am going to be more selective with my route planning - and stay away from parks, populated areas, and heavy traffic. I guess I'm holding out hope for a vaccine, a less lethal mutation, or a die down due to herd immunity, especially in the young. Or all of these.

It is funny - with all the talk of 'safety' and not imposing on the first responder system with our hobbies, yesterday was the least safe I've felt riding on public roads in over 2 months. It is also the first time I've been yelled at to 'stay off the F-ing road' in a long time. Can't say that I missed that.

This site needs a Thank You or Like button.
Kurt, thank you for your posts and pictures.

Since Lee has provided me encouragement...

Today's ride was to Skaneateles. If you are like any of the new people to this area, you are asking - What? How do I pronounce that?. If you want to sound like a native central New Yorker, just say 'skinny atlas'. This one word really allows us to identify the out-of-towners.

Skaneateles is a village on the north end of Skaneateles Lake. Skaneateles is, IMO, THE finger lake. It is beautiful, the water is clear, the lake is deep (~350 ft) and the terrain is beautiful. A ride around this lake gives you the best of the finger lakes experience: Great riding, a beautiful winery, a quaint village, great dining, a fantastic brewery and distillery. All in a 45 mile ride! Here is our ride. I included the elevation profile. if the lake is 350' deep, that means it probably goes up above the water, as well. That is certainly the case here. There are a lot of hills in this part of NY and this is where I ride for hill specific training.

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Lake front is exclusive, however. The real estate in the village is pretty steep, I think - I wouldn't even contemplate it. Even the welcome signs are nicer than the rest of the towns in the area:

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The shoreline in the village is covered with mansions. I wish my photos were better - this does not do the lake justice.

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I think my phone lens got some fog on it. There was this weird thing happening to me today. Water was coming out of my pores during the uphill sections. That hasn't happened for a long time here in CNY!

When we stopped, we saw this and had to get a picture. R100RT Classic. I am so old that, when I saw it, I thought 'cool, a new BMW'. New as far as airheads, anyway. Love the color scheme.

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The second half of the ride is pretty easy because it is all down hill. On one flat section I tried to take a 'Henzilla' shot. This is harder than I thought it would be. I'm glad I have a really cheap phone. The kitten really seems to be looking at you...

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This ended up being a 42.6 mile loop (2600 ft of climbing) for us. Really enjoyable ride.

Thanks for posting, Kurt.

Sweet rides! Thanks for posting as well... yeh, being thanked for sharing the road seems to be back. Some very fine people out the last few days :banghead

It's funny that I'm seeing these rides in a little different light with the idea that I'm going to post some info to a bunch of strangers on a motorcycle forum. Every ride that I've posted here I've ridden a bunch of times before - both on bicycles and motorcycles. I tend to take for granted the really awesome place that I live. Well, awesome for 6 months of the year :). I've traveled all over the country and have been wow-ed by the scenery and hospitality in most regions. But many times we get asked, "why did you come here"? Because it is different than what I'm used to - and I get to meet you! Hopefully I'm making a case for getting off of the Thruway (I90) when you pass through central New York. Enjoy the history, the culture, and some pretty nice riding.

While I'm still online:

I installed a new carbon handlebar on my gravel bike this week. I got exactly the same Easton EC70 SL3 bar that I have on my road bike. The reason is that I was feeling 'tingling' in my hands while riding the gravel bike on the road. Didn't notice that on the road bike so I thought I'ld give a carbon bar a try.

The previous bar was a FSA Omega Compact aluminum. The profile is REALLY similar to the new carbon bar - but the bend in the carbon bar, from top to drop, is more pronounced. Almost 90 degrees. The FSA is a little more rounded. But I REALLY like my road bike bar.

The FSA bar weighed 316 grams. The new carbon bar weighs 219 grams. I wasn't expecting such a big difference. When I first installed it, the aluminum bar seemed light. Everyones like photos:

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So today I rode the gravel bike and, almost, couldn't tell the difference between it an the road bike. The biggest difference now is mountain bike pedals vs road. So I really think that a gravel bike is the way to go if you want a do-it-all bike. I got my road bike first. If I had purchased the gravel bike first, I wouldn't have bought the road bike (so I'm glad that I did what I did :) ).

I weighed both bikes in 'as ridden' form: electronics, pedals, bottle cages, etc. The only thing I left off was the saddle bag with tools (about 1 lb). Gravel bike = 20.72 lbs, Road bike = 18.57 lbs. So that is just about 2.2 lbs (1kg) between them. I'm guessing that weight comes from: frame and fork, disk brakes, pedals. When riding, I really can't tell the difference. The gravel bike is a little nicer in the hills because it has lower gearing. The road bike steers a little quicker. Brakes are comparable in the dry. I don't ride much in the rain, if I can help it.

So now the only 'original' parts left on my gravel bike are: shifters, calipers, cables, and rear derailleur. I have a new rear derailleur to put on...

[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1206170]. I tend to take for granted the really awesome place that I live... [/QUOTE]

That's some great scenery in your state.

[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1206160]On one flat section I tried to take a 'Henzilla' shot. This is harder than I thought it would be. I'm glad I have a really cheap phone. The kitten really seems to be looking at you...

.[/QUOTE]

I don't know how Steve does it. When I try to take a picture while holding the camera the picture is usually crooked or pointing in wrong direction.
Sometimes on the bicycle I can tip my phone mount and get a decent picture.

[QUOTE=kurtr11s;1206170] Hopefully I'm making a case for getting off of the Thruway (I90) when you pass through central New York. Enjoy the history, the culture, and some pretty nice riding.[/QUOTE]

We like your part of the state but it's been a long time since we have ridden through it.
We got in the habit when we go northeast we go through Canada north of the lakes then drop down into northern NY.

We too have enjoyed riding through that part of NY, typically run out of time and need to spend more time in area. We watched Samantha Brown on PBS the other night and planning a return.
I have dropped a few cameras through the years and the phone a few times being honest.
Take a lot of pics, many are scrapped, both on motor and pedals.

Been using Strava when I remember, sometimes think about it mid ride and blow it off. Pretty cool tool to see how you are doing and where you are compared to others using same route. Sometimes you look good, sometimes humbling! But that's OK, a ride is a ride!

My last two logged rides, both ended up being metric centuries, not by design, by chance it seems. I was going to repeat my eighty miler and peeled off due to heavier traffic...and declining motivation due to added stress of fine people wanting ALL the road.
Saturday, I did a solo ride to see if the rain had impacted a waterfall that is temperamental this time of year. It is the route used by the annual May Real Ale Ride that got cancelled due to Covid, rescheduled for October, and now cancelled until next May. H has done it with some friends, but since we ride it all the time, kinda hard to justify the $$.

[url]https://realalebrewing.com/event/realaleride/?age-verified=e43471ad41[/url]

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We ride motors on these roads so often we forget the terrain changes when you can just twist the throttle...sometimes wish that option was available on the bicycles.

Anyways, the falls last May and again Saturday

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The profile of the Real Ale 65 mile route

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The lowest dip is the Guadalupe River and the witches hat is Crabapple road that is deceiving as it turns and levels briefly before final wall. We typically hit it at the 25 mile mark...I found it at 50 and felt the difference :hungover It takes a lot of riders out who haven't scouted course or ridden steep hills. I know it's there but still hurt myself on occasion...but the downhill worth it!


This old Kendalia schoolhouse turned community library is a water stop, luckily with an outside tap during current times.

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My shortened ride that I ran out of water on last time went smoother and didn't lose a bottle.

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Yesterday we did our favorite loop and H decided to attack the tractor convoy right before a climb...she took off, I said $#@! OK... and off we went. At top of hill, they were gaining but we made turn off ahead of them. Then they turned behind us , so we stopped and let them go again. H had a goofy grin though thought her heart was popping out of her chest from the pace.

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The bluebonnets and the sea of blue is gone, but replaced with Indian Blankets and bright orange fields that will be replaced again by the yellows of coriopsis that last into the heat of August.

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Well not sure how Bigfoot made it in the pics... another story of all the things we find along the road. This was on grassy shoulder for over a month before I really noticed the profile, thinking it was just a piece off a stock trailer. Couldn’t carry it home on the bike!
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Thanks for the pics Steve! I've seen tractor convoys while on motorcycle trips but never on a bicycle. In April we took a ride toward 'apple country' and went by a farm that had old John Deeres lined up around the house and barn. It was a collection, not a mess. Now I wish I took a photo.

Those are some pretty skinny tires on some rough looking road, though!

If anyone else wants to play - I'm interested in seeing your local rides.

The weather is going to be warming up here in NY over the next week so I should be able to get some better rides in. On the agenda are some lake rides and some rail trails. I'll keep the camera handy to show you anything interesting that pops up.

[QUOTE=henzilla;1206252]We too have enjoyed riding through that part of NY, typically run out of time and need to spend more time in area. We watched Samantha Brown on PBS the other night and planning a return.[/QUOTE]

Was it the episode on Corning and the southern Finger Lakes?

If so, there was a segment on Glenn Curtis and the museum in Hammondsport that mentioned earlier in the thread. Nice place to visit.

I'll plug the Finger Lakes rally a bit - it is held on Labor Day weekend (during normal times) in the village of Watkins Glen. The first time I went to the Corning Glass museum was during one of those rallies. The FLR is the biggest non-national BMW rally that I've been to so that makes it cool. The only problem is that it is so close to where we live, we actually want to RIDE on labor day. So we only attend every 3rd year or so. Can't do it all.

And here is a bicycle PSA. The finger lakes are extremely popular with bicyclists. It is a common challenge to ride around all of them - which is no small feat. There are 11 lakes. The largest, Cayuga, ends up being about 90 miles to circumnavigate and it is pretty hilly. BUT - there are a lot of wineries on these lakes and I am cautious about the 'tasting' traffic on afternoons on the weekends. Best to get the riding done in the morning, IMO. Then go and enjoy a glass of riesling yourself. Same applies to motos.

The week AFTER the FLR is one of my favorite events in the finger lakes:

[url]http://grandprixfestival.com[/url]

On the Friday before vintage racing weekend at the racetrack, they have a re-enactment of the old road-course race. Racers bring their cars to the village and line up at the start line, then they turn off their engines and just hang out for an hour or so with their hoods open so the public can go 'kick the tires'. They have always been lax with open container enforcement - so it is fine to enjoy a beverage while taking in the spectacle. There is car judging, autocross, food and entertainment. Then they kick the public off the street and do 'parade laps' of the road course. This isn't a 25mph lap - these guys like to make some noise. After it is all over they have fireworks in the glen (glen = small canyon with cliffs and waterfalls).

It is seriously one of the best motorsports events I've been to - and it is free to watch. It is worth taking some time and walking around the side streets: lots of spectators bring out their toys, as well. You never know what you'll see just parked on the road.

Indulge me as I go off topic for a second. Found some pics that I took at the Grand Prix festival in 2006.

This is the type of stuff people are racing. Really!

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And here is the car show. They change the marque every year. In 2006 it was Porsche. There were more cars behind me, to my left and right. This was kind of the air cooled section.

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