Day 47 – Slippery When Wet

August 3, 2018

Day 47 – Little Falls (near Utica) to Latham, NY (near Albany) – 76 miles, 2,310 feet vertical

It was a soaker today.  All day.  It started off wet with a persistent drizzle.  The persistent drizzle eventually turned into a persistent rain that soaked us for most of our 76 miles today.  Not complaining, just reporting.  Given the fantastic weather we’ve had for most of the journey, it’s hard to complain.  Tomorrow is forecast to be more of the same, and if so, … all bets are off and I may consider a little whining.

We had a special guest this morning – a reporter for a local news outlet in Little Falls.  His name is Dave Warner and he did a really nice piece about our ride (and not just because he was quoting me.)

I am grateful to Gail Rochette in the Stone Mill card/gift store yesterday for asking about our ride and then putting Dave in contact with me.  He did a 20 minute telephone interview yesterday afternoon, and then took photos this morning.  His story is today’s feature article at My Little Falls .com (mylittlefalls.com)

The story link is here: https://mylittlefalls.com/cross-country-cyclists-overnight-in-little-falls-during-3700-mile-bike-ride-of-a-lifetime/   Enjoy the story and thank you, Dave!! 

Other than the rain, there’s not much to report.  We went through more Amish country and encountered a number of horse and buggies, with Amish folks huddled inside the primitive transportation.  Clippity-clop, clippity-clop, clippity-clop. 

The day finished with a nice (except for the rain) long section of a great bike trail.  I’m really enjoying the bike trails, especially so because there are no cars or trucks.  For the last ten miles, I kept repeating my standard two-word mantra in situations like this:  Hot. Tub.  

Tomorrow, we return to the mountains with some tough climbs into Vermont and our overnight destination in Brattleboro.  My local bike group, the North Shore Wheelmen, knows this area well, and it’s going to be … vertical. 

Three days left.  That’s it – just three days.  We’ve covered 3,472 miles so far, so bring it on, Vermont!! 

Please enjoy these photos from today’s wet ride and check out our progress at Where’s Jeff at jeffblye.com 

Thanks for following.

…Jeff

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Meet Dave Warner. Reporters generally don’t like being part of their own story, but too bad: he’s part of MY story!
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The main load folks get their bags on board the BAT.
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Jon Dobbs gets ready to ride. Check out Dave’s caption for Jon in the article.
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I include a picture of Dave taking a picture of me, while he includes a picture of me taking a picture of him in his article. Fair is fair.
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And we’re off. Rain jackets are off, but not for long.
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It’s raining now… always great on an uphill (not).
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Even in the rain, Arlene manages a big smile.
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There was a very brief glimmer of sun trying to break through, but … no, it was gone shortly thereafter.
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Got gun?
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Foggy, foggy, just before it became rainy, rainy.
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Clippity-clop, clippity-clop. We’d run into several of these today.
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SAG 1 at Karen’s ice cream and produce. I am on a lactose boycott for the next few days.
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We huddle underneath the awning.
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Well, that’s it – sky opened up.
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Judy refills some supplies.
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Robin does a repair on Randy’s rear brake.
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AND … We have to wait for the train to pass.
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Even wet, they’re beautiful.
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Stopped to watch a river barge-hotel rising up within the lock.
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Yeah, it’s exactly what it looks like. You won’t see many more pictures today …
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Made it to the hotel. I am soaked through and through. And now … Hot. Tub.

6 thoughts on “Day 47 – Slippery When Wet”

  1. Jeff, I’ve read pretty much all your posts and I didn’t realize I could comment and you’d get it until just the other day. So here it is… WOW! What a fantastic read over the last 3,472 miles! I was hoping you guys might swing through Manch, but Bratt is just far enough to interfere with my weekend plans, sorry to say. You have had an incredible journey…I’m envious, yet I’m adding it to my bucket list! I love the camaraderie you’ve shared and the endurance, perseverance and determination! Well done Jeff! You might like to share a split photo of the “you” before and the NEW YOU after! Thank you for your entertaining commentary of your journey and your heart felt self! See you again soon! Only a few more days… I know it’s a sad day coming… but life is rejuvenated beyond this accomplishment!

    Jen

    Jen Black Designs 603-340-0152 Cell jenblackdesigns@gmail.com http://www.jenblackdesigns.com

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    1. So great to hear from you, Jen, and sorry we will miss each other in VT. I’m sure we’ll be back in Manchester at some point soon. So glad you’ve enjoyed the travelogue. It’s all a mush to me now and I can’t wait to read about what a good time I had. LOL.

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