September 1, 2013

September 1, 2013 "Rest day" in Lake Placid - 18 miles

I awoke in a lovely town to clean clothes, a comfortable room, and good coffee with half and half. I felt happy and excited to start the day. After my morning studies and quiet time, I started planning the week's riding schedule. I decided I would definitely stay over in Lake Placid until Tuesday morning, then ride approximately 38 miles to Westport, NY via the High Peaks Scenic Byway. Shoot for Burlington, VT via the Lakes to Locks Passage and ferry on Wednesday, and reconnect with Ron and Tom if they are available. Then resume riding east through Vermont on Thursday, looking to reach Bar Harbor in about a week. Wow - the end will be here before I know it.

Next up was planning the day's activities. Due to the impending forecast of rain, I felt compelled to do any outdoor activities today. Top of the list for me was the bobsled experience. And after getting a decent night's sleep I was feeling more open to the notion of biking the 16 miles roundtrip to get to and from the Olympic venue. I kept thinking it would be good training for The Amazing Race. If I got my act in gear, I could be there when they opened and possibly get back in town in time for the Lake Placid cruise that had been so highly recommended. Newly inspired, I hustled to get ready. But as I started to wheel my bike out of the room, I realized with some dismay that my rear tire was flat. Which seemed strange since I had just spent a good bit of time cleaning and doing maintenance last night. Changing the tire took about 15 minutes - found a little "wire" that I assume was the culprit. By then, it had started gently raining. Undeterred, I hopped on the bike and started riding. I reasoned that it was a piece of cake since the only thing getting wet was me - the panniers and all my belongings were safe and dry in my room. Luckily, the rain stopped within 5 minutes as I reached Main Street and headed out Highway 73 for the 8 mile ride to the venue.

Along the way I passed many of the Olympic venues. The Olympic Center, which was the site of the Miracle on Ice hockey win; the speed skating rink; the ski jump hill; the equestrian center ( not a winter sport, but I later learned the Olympic flame was there). In the distance I could see the mountains where the downhill skiing was located. I had to climb a few fairly steep inclines to get to my destination, and it was if my legs were talking to me and saying, "Rest day, huh? Promises, promises..." I kept thinking how worth it it would be, and I was DEFINITELY not riding on "real rest day Monday." This was just too good an opportunity to pass up. I was right.


The road to the bobsled, luge, and skeleton venue passed by the areas for biathlon and cross-country skiing. There was a big mountain bike activity of some sort going on. Also, another equestrian center located on the road.

I was among one of the first groups they took up the hill today for the bobsled ride down. We went down the actual track they used in both the 1932 and 1980 Olympics. They had to stop using the track because as the newer sleds have developed, they go almost 90 mph and are too fast to negotiate the curves. So, they constructed a new track adjacent to this old track where the US teams now train. The only other track in the US is in Salt Lake City. Each year, Lake Placid hosts World Cup competitions here.


As I was waiting for my turn, I struck up a conversation with a nice woman named Joann from Toronto. She was kind enough to take some pictures of me. Joann's husband Sam was waiting at the bottom of the hill. Since I was just in Toronto a week ago, we chatted about the city and I asked her about the CN Tower "Edge Walk." Joann had not done the Edge Walk, but told me a little about what they do up there. Apparently, they have you lean out forward and backward. I mentioned that it looked like good training for The Amazing Race. By the way Joann's face lit up, she is acquainted with The Amazing Race.


They packed four of us in the bobsled, with a driver in front and a brakeman in the rear. We took off on the 42 second ride down at about 55 mph. It was a blast and over way too soon. The most fun was the hairpin curves near the end. It looked just like it does on TV when they show the sleds going up on the side of the wall and jerking back the other way. After the bobsled stopped, a photographer took each of our pictures with the "crew". They gave us our T-shirt, a lapel pin, a copy of our picture, and one of those little day bags with the Lake Placid Bobsled Experience logo. Then, they loaded us up in a little bus and took us for a tour of the real track where they now train and hold the World Cup competitions. We stopped a couple of times and were able to take some nice pictures of the mountains. You could see the ski jump hill off in the distance. And the sun had come out! Sam and Joann took some pictures of me and I took a few shots of them together.


At the conclusion of the tour, we took each others' pictures on the Lake Placid victory stand. Before Sam snapped my picture, Joann shouted, "Think of it as if you're the winner of Amazing Race!" Thumbs up to that. They were fun. I told them a little about my ride and gave them one of my "business cards."





The 8 mile ride back to Lake Placid was a blast and I fairly flew - partly because it was mostly downhill (grateful legs). But I suspect my adrenaline was still in play and I just felt happy. Randy and I used to describe these type of days and experiences as "pure joy." On the way back I stopped at the equestrian center to take a few pictures for my sister, when I noticed that it was also the location of the Olympic flame. There was this really neat plaque out front commemorating the 1989 Olympics. I was the only person there, except for a local family who had brought their young children out there to ride their bikes. They struck up the usual conversation with me regarding where I was going, how many miles each day, etc. I could see the longing in their eyes... The young father even told me that at one time he had bought some panniers... Once again I was reminded of how blessed I am to have the opportunities to live my dream. Do I sound like a broken record?








When I got home, I went to ask the motel owner if I could stay and pay for another night. He said that would be fine - we had gotten quite friendly and I found him to be very helpful, accommodating and cordial. Although the weekday rate is about $10 less than the weekend rate, he went beyond that and gave me an additional $10 off - a total $20 off the already reasonable rate. I told him how much I appreciated his kindness, and that I would recommend the Alpine Air Motel to anyone I knew who might be coming to Lake Placid. Gave him one of my "business cards" about the ride.
I changed clothes, grabbed a quick bite to eat, and walked back to town to catch the 1 hour boat cruise around Lake Placid. It was quite lovely, and the boat driver did a good job pointing out who owned the various mansions and houses - they are all called "camps" regardless of their cost. Randy would fall in love with this style of "camping." The boat driver also gave some good historical background and threw in a few good stories as well. Nicely done.








I returned to town and walked around the shops a little before finding a restaurant next to Mirror Lake for dinner. Then, hiked the mile back to my motel. End of running around all day on rest day. Worth every minute. I had a blast and love Lake Placid.

So, I really am going to take a rest day tomorrow. Honest. Just checked the weather forecast and there is a 40% chance of rain tonight and 60-80% chance of rain and storms tomorrow. You will find me hunkered down dry and warm at the Alpine Air Motel.

August 31, 2013

August 31, 2013 Cranberry Lake --> Lake Placid, NY - 55 miles

As anticipated, I awoke to a steady rain. What I hadn't anticipated was the bright pink water coming out of all the faucets and in the toilet. I suspected that it was nothing harmful, but wasn't willing to take the the risk. So no hot shower to loosen up these old joints for the follow up to 72 miles yesterday. Pull out the Advil. Luckily, I had enough water in my water bottles to heat in the microwave for my Starbucks Via coffee to accompany my morning studies. Afterwards had breakfast at a cute little diner across the street, and hit the road in a light drizzle by 8:00 a.m. in hopes of getting to Lake Placid early enough to enjoy some of the afternoon there.

It rained the first 20 miles to Tupper Lake and I was pretty well drenched from the combination of rain and sweat. It was warm and very humid, but I had on my bright yellow bike jacket in order to be as visible as possible. Despite the rain, the riding itself wasn't so bad as I continued on the Olympic Scenic Byway with its nicely paved and broad shoulders. I stopped at a McDonalds in Tupper Lake to get a cup of coffee and use wi-fi to send the blog entry from yesterday. Cranberry Lake Lodge's internet wasn't working and there was no cell service, so I had been cut off from communications with anyone for a day. The non-functioning internet service and pink water (none of which the motel proprietors told me about beforehand) somewhat revised my earlier glowing opinion of Cranberry Lake Lodge. That, coupled with the proprietor's attitude as if they were doing me a favor. They seemed to know I had no other options.

The remaining 29 miles from Tupper Lake to Lake Placid were pleasant enough. However, I began to encounter those long gradual inclines, followed by the fast downhills with more and more frequency. Not drastically steep climbs, but I was definitely feeling it. Although it remained overcast, the rain had pretty much stopped.










The weather continued to improve and the sun actually started coming out by the time I entered Lake Placid and found the Alpine Air Motel, my home for the next few days. I found that the motel was in a terrific location. Within walking distance of downtown Lake Placid and situated across the street from a grocery store and very nice laundry mat. Lots of nearby places to eat and a bicycle shop just up the street.




After taking a hot bath and re-grouping for a few minutes, I rode into town and checked everything out to see what I might want to do during my down time in Lake Placid. Lots of cute shops and stores to explore and an abundance of appealing restaurants. I stopped in at The Black Bear Restaurant and had one of the best pasta primavera dishes ever with hot homemade bread. My seat was right alongside Mirror Lake with its gorgeous view and I was in heaven. I think there is a very good chance I may be back at that restaurant before it is all said and done.

After dinner, I found a place that had information on Lake Placid and things to do, etc. Met a very nice lady who was extremely helpful in helping me plan what I wanted to do that was logistically doable given that I am on a bike. What immediately caught my attention was the Lake Placid Bobsled Experience held at the site where Olympic athletes still train for bobsled and luge events. I was also interested in seeing the Olympic Museum and Olympic Center. A young man who worked with the lady assisting me strongly suggested I take the 1 hour Lake Placid boat cruise, saying it was well worth it. Only about a mile walk north of Main Street. They started peppering me with questions about the bike ride, since I told them that whatever I did had to be within reasonable biking distance. I told them a little about the ride and gave them one of my "business cards."

I returned to the motel full of excitement about the possibilities during tomorrow's "rest day" and decided to go ahead and do laundry to get it out of the way. While my clothes were washing, I performed routine bike maintenance and gave my bike a good cleaning since it was caked with dirt after riding in the rain. The owner of the motel had graciously given me some old rags to use on my bike. I returned the bike and clean clothes to my room and decided I wanted pie. So, I walked across the street to HoJo for dessert. No apple pie left at this point, so I opted for NY style cheesecake.

When I checked the weather forecast as a prelude to starting to plan the next few days riding, there was a 60% chance of rain and storms forecast for Monday. I started thinking about staying an extra day until Tuesday. That way I could essentially sight see and window shop all day Sunday, then stay inside and actually rest on Monday. I decided to ask my motel owner if I could stay an extra day.

Another great day of adventure. So far, I am loving Lake Placid.