August 10, 2018 Adams Center to Star Lake NY

Last night it started to rain about 10:30 PM. I awoke briefly to ensure my ground sheet was totally under the rain fly and back to sleep.  About 12:30 Am the first of the big lightning and thunder claps woke me again.  Then the rain started in earnest. It was just pounding down on the tent so hard that it was a little scary.  However my tent is pretty close to bullet proof so I rolled over and was back asleep.  However the lightning and thunder continued on until at least 3:40 AM when the fire siren went.  It continued for quite a while after that but I was off to sleep. 

This morning the only remnant of the big storm was a 15 mph wind out of the north east.  This meant a bad head wind as today’s route was northeast to Star Lake.  The route was a 70.6 mile route with 2970 feet of climb following state highway 3 with a few detours to ride three sides of the square. 

Being Ed’s day to ride, Bob, Ed and I set off after an exceptionally fine breakfast.   As a side note last night’s supper was one of the top 2 or 3 suppers on the tour.  The best we could do headed into the wind was about 9-11 mph.  This meant a seven hour grind and I sure wasn’t looking forward to that.  Fortunately at mile 13 we turned off onto a rail to trails path and in the trees there was no wind.  The path was beautiful as it wound along the Black River.  Unfortunately it was only 4 miles and then we were back to grinding into the wind.  At mile 25 we came to a gas a convenience store and went in for coffee. It was a good stop as when we came out the wind had died down considerably. 

Picnic finally came up a mile 45.7.  Having battled into the headwind for so long I was totally winded.   I had spotted a short cut on the route sheet map and when queried about it Ed who had done the routeing agreed that continuing up highway 3 would save about 5 miles.   Ed was back to work but Ken was there so he joined Bob and I and we set off with now only 20 miles to go. 

It didn’t take us long to figure out why they put us on the back road where the pavement is crumbling and the hills steep.   About a half mile past the turn was brand new pavement with a 15 foot wide shoulder.  The routers just didn’t want us on it. 

Tomorrow is Lake Placid and a rest day.  The end of week 8.  The count down to the end is underway with only 7 more ride days. 

Terry