August 7, 2018 Geneseo to Seneca Falls

Today’s ride was routed for 95 miles and 5000 feet of climb.  The route took the riders around the Finger Lakes. However I did not ride this route.  I took a short cut up hwy 39 to hwy 20 and followed hwy 20 straight in to Seneca Falls.  Along with myself as route cutters were Auzzie Bob, Graeme, Ron and the token America Ken.  The British brother and sister also took the short cut, although they didn’t ride with us.  They generally come in dead last but rumour is they are just a couple miles out which will put them in well in the top quartile of riders.

The forecast for the day sounded ominous with 80% chance of rain with hail and heavy wind warnings out for most of the area. As we left our camp this morning it was looking pretty black and rain was threatening but it held off.  There were a couple of kind of steep climbs but nothing terrible and they were all pretty short.  The further we got north the lower and less steep the hills.  It looked like we were headed in the right direction as the sky was much lighter to the north.  We could see nothing but black to the south which is where the route went. 

At about mile 10 I got a flat which is only my second flat this trip. The first flat being at mile 14 of day one.  Of course the Continental tire was a beast to get on but my new tire tool Ray sent me worked like a charm.  Three clicks and the tire was mounted.  I went to pump my tire and to my horror the retaining ferrule on the head of the connector where it hooks to the valve stem was gone.  Somewhere in the last 3000 miles of rough roads it had fallen off.   Luckily Ken was there with his pump and we got the tire pumped.   Great! No pump and so close to the end of the ride.

At mile 12 we turned east on highway 20.  Huge 15 foot wide shoulder with not a bump in it anywhere.  Wow!  This is deluxe.  At mile 17 we stopped for coffee and the waitress told us about her home made chocolate cake the place served.  It was absolutely heavenly. What a great treat to get a huge chunk of chocolate cake.

After coffee the sky has lightened considerably and the hills are easy long rollers.  There is hardly any traffic and what there is way over.  The shoulder continues to be spectacular and there is just a hint of a tail wind.  Just a beautiful ride.

It doesn’t take long and we are in Geneva which is only 10 miles from Seneca Falls and where we intersect the scheduled route. We roll in to a local diner.  Burgers and root beer for lunch.   As we are having lunch the much forecast rain opens up.  We finish and head to the bike shop which is right next door.  Geneva Bike Works.  Ron finds a great rain jacket on the sale rack for $20.  The owner digs though her parts bins and comes up with a new ferrule to fit my pump.  No charge it was in the junk bin.  Unbelievable luck as I now don’t have to buy a new pump.   

It is still dripping and the road is nothing but puddles so into the local bar where we enjoy a local wheat beer. 

We get out on the road and within a mile Ken gets a flat.  I get to work and again use the tire mounting tool.  This time I have experience with the tire mounting tool and one click the tire is mounted.

I had originally called the day at 63 miles and 1725 feet of climb based on the Google route.   My odometer made it 63.05 miles and 1760 feet of climb.  Probably more luck than anything. 

Missed the rain had a nice easy day down a very nice road and had fun with some good friends. It just doesn’t get any better.   

Terry hot biker