County Loop and Big Rides Planned!

Perfect weather for riding today and thoroughly enjoyed looping through Broome County in the Southern Tier of upstate New York today. The only thing that could have improved the 50 mile ride would have been some company.

Whether tunneling through the tall corn fields, taking in the sight of a regal blue heron beside a pond like glass reflecting the abundant blue skies and fluffy clouds or being caught up short with the beauty of wildflowers of every hue juxtapositioned more spectacularly than any flower shop could dare to accomplish...the outdoors just endlessly rolled out all its splendor today.

My camera hardly does justice, but I did make an attempt today:



And here is a shot I took during my commute to work one morning last week. It was foggy and the trick of light coming through the trees, reflecting off the water...just caught my eye enough to bring me to a stop and attempt to capture it:



I've been trying to bump up the miles a bit as I have (hopefully) two big rides on the horizon. The first one is a bit questionable as we may not have enough signed up as we had to commit to 16 minimum. Each year our bike club organizes rentals at a hostel at Tibbett's Point in the 1,000 Island area:

www.hiusa.org/capevincen
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If we succeeded in getting enough (I'm still awaiting final word) this will happen over Labor Day weekend...soon! I finally got my enhanced Driver's License so that I'll be able to join in with rides over the bridge into Canada!

The 2nd ride is REALLY big...HUGE! It has me intimidated too as I am WAY breaking out of my comfort zone...by planning on a self-supported tour...no hotels, sleeping bag & tent will be packed on my bike along with all my clothes and other necessities! But get this: the ride will be curling throughout all of Cape Cod! From a state park near Boston, through Falmouth right out to Provincetown with a ferry ride back to Boston. Here is the link and map of the ride:

ridewithgps.com/routes/2
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I have no idea how I'll do sleeping on the ground outdoors and am nervous as all get-out over packing everything and managing, but the president of our bike club is loaning me the tent / sleeping bag and going to help me to plan on setting up my bike for the ride. No trailer, just dual rear panniers with the tent & bag rolled up on top.

What excites me, however, is the idea that I might just take to this like a duck to water: my cheapskate heart LOVES the idea of snubbing hotels and their costs but even more, my adventurous heart will be thrilled by the sense of independence of managing a self-supported tour.

However one good rain storm will pull the plug from the whole thing for me. Gulp! I just know that is how I'll react...I just HATE cycling in the rain!

I have some nervousness over managing power for my smartphone and having enough charging capabilities so that I can use it and not leave it off all the time.

Anyhow...if anyone has any tips, suggestions, I'm way open to them. Have been reading up some. Last year my failed attempt in touring at least had me riding two 60+ miles stretches with two full panniers without much difficulty, so I feel good to have at least that much experience.

Cross your fingers for me!

Don