Day 31 – July 17th

My ride today started off a few minutes before 7 am, and all was going well. I was back on the machine that I have come to love over the last 30 days, and I must say it felt terrific to be reunited with my close carbon friend. She performed beautifully today; no creaking and the shifting was smooth as silk. It’s a glorious and beautiful experience to have a piece of equipment operating flawlessly as you give it all the power your legs can muster while pushing through a hill. It’s truly beauty incarnate.

The first 20 miles disappeared in a flurry of pedal strokes, but soon the strokes came to a standstill as we flowed into the bottle neck of rush hour traffic in Utica, NY. Luckily our trusty Tour Director was nearby and got us onto much more biker friendly highways. Though it cost an hour of downtime as we worked our way through the clustered urban sprawl, it was soon history and I was back on the crank and making great progress once again. Not long after a shortcut was discovered and I left Highway 5 behind to partake in the clodding roads of Stone Arabia. Confronted with a series of steep, yet short, climbs as I rolled onto the nearly abandoned highway, I realized I was in for a surprised treat of climbing. Smiling at my good fortune, I soon was in sync with the road and my Trek and took full advantage of the situation. Sweat pouring off my brow, knees groaning with self induced pressure, I kept up a healthy pace and pushed through the spires of earth. As I did so I was rewarded with a glimpse into a simpler time. A few miles into Stone Arabia, I realized I was in the heart of Amish country. Encountering horse and buggies sharing the roadway, in addition to viewing a young man hard at work with a plow and attached equestrian, I was amazed at their technology tenacity. They are a prime example of human endurance and will power; casting stereotypes and societies commonalities to the winds. Watching children at play, attired in their cultural garb, I couldn’t help but think that the differences in their culture and the one I grew up in really is not that different; kids still just want to play and enjoy life regardless of where they are. But what would it be like as an adult in their community? Would the differences be as gross as they appear from the outside looking in? My guess is no. I am sure their culture has many of the same stresses and daily issues that we all experience, for in the end we are all human.

The scenery on this route included more than just the Amish built houses though; the rolling ridge line I was pedaling over contained a kaleidoscope of scenes. At times it reminded me of Oregon, with the trees, ridges, and waterways, yet it has a beauty all of its own. Many times people talk of the beauty of New York and I would immediately think of the cement sprawl that is NYC; but these last couple of days of wheeling through the countryside has shown me the flaw in that perception. I now understand why people would want to live here; it’s full of ‘aha’ moments. Scenes that make you stop, if only for a second, and think to yourself “This is why I am alive, for moments like these.” This cycling tour has proven to be amassed with such moments. Fortune has smiled its kindly face upon me for the last 31 days.

The one other picture etched into my gray matter deals with an abandoned bridge. Standing stoic above the waters below, the chalky white stone, stained with years of exposure, it regally spanned the banks. Long cast aside by man in his quest for superior support, the bridge has slowly begun to lose the echo of foot and hoof traffic. Today, it serves as a resting place for foliage and the occasional fauna. Though it has long been in disrepair, you feel the need to respect its ability to survive, and the wisdom of the community in its decision to not tear it down. While it can no longer sufficiency function in a day of gasoline powered steel, the history that winds its away around the eroding arches can not be ignored. Out of respect for a life well spent, and a time well honored, it was left to continue its original job; to connect the east and west bank. Its perseverance is inspiring.

I wrapped up today’s ride up in Latham, NY and now have but two days remaining in my quest. Two days and this adventure will come to its climatic ending. Yet, I already realize its not the summit I am concerned with, but the journey to get here. A journey of self awareness and perseverance; a journey well worth the price demanded. I am both excited and saddened by the idea of concluding this crazy biking lifestyle that I have lived for the last month.