Day 31, May 24, 2011, Liverpool, NY to Amsterdam, NY

118 miles and 1700 feet of climbing.  This may be redundant, but another day is done and it was a good one!  We traveled most of the day on Route 5E which paralleled the Mohawk River and Erie Canal.  We again passed through many small, historic towns and saw lots of old buildings and houses.  This part of NY is actually very beautiful.  After lunch we had a long 5 mile climb that culminated in an 8 mile descent that was fairly gradual with long swooping curves.  It was steep enough to easily keep a rate of 30 – 35 mph going without having to ride the brakes all of the time.  In the valley below was the Mohawk River and Erie Canal.  It was impressive!  The weather was very cooperative.  Winds of 10 mph were at our backs, it was in the upper 70’s, and slightly overcast.  The humidity was a bit of a challenge but at least it was not raining. 

At dinner tonight the conversation centered on our not believing the challenge is about to be over with.  There is a general sense that we really can’t believe we are this close to having done it.  Everybody is very tired but you no longer hear complaints about sore butts and other aches and “ouchies”.  It is interesting that in the last couple of days many of the gazelles have taken to riding by themselves (as opposed to in groups or pace lines).  They have been explaining that they find it to be a lot more relaxing and enjoyable.  I could have told them that weeks ago!  As a group, we are now a hardened bunch of road warriors who are beginning to savor the fact that we have accomplished something big!  The camaraderie within the group is really quite interesting and special.  Arriving in Amesbury will be bitter sweet.

Last night I reported about the mishap that one of our group had.  This morning we learned that it was discovered that he had a fractured vertebrae (C-5) and would not be returning to the ride.  That was not the news that we were all hoping for.  He expected to make a full recovery with no serious complication.  He was one of the most accomplished and experienced riders in the group, which reminded us that it could happen to any of us.  Needless to say there were a lot of “safety reminders” being offered up to one another all day.

Tomorrow we will leave NY behind and head to Keene, New Hampshire a trek of 123 mile and 7100 feet of climbing.  It has been a few days since we had to do any serious climbing.  The consensus seems to be that if we made it this far we can make it to the end, no matter how much climbing we have to do.

Pic looking back on long climb up from the Mohawk River Valley.  Spectacular scenery!!