Day 4: Lake Placid, NY

August 7, 2017

Miles: 49

Avg. Speed:  Unknown

Total Climb: 2700 ft

The alarm went off at 6:00a.  We were up by 6:15a and eating breakfast by 6:30a.  We had 47 miles (that turned into 49 miles) to ride to Lake Placid.  The weather forecast reported thunderstorms at 11:00a, so we decided to leave early to ride as many miles as possible before the rain started.  We left the Hampton Inn at 7:30a.  By 8:00a it was raining; it was just a passing shower so we found cover to wait it out.  We really didn't want to start a 6 1/2 hour bike ride in wet clothes.  After about 15 minutes the rain stopped and we were off!

This is a really bad picture of me.  For two reasons - one because it is 6:30a in the morning and two because it is blurry.  I did not want to include it, call me vain, but Steve insisted because it was the breakfast shot; I asked him to crop me out of the picture, but he insisted I look fine.  But it's not true, I don't look fine!

A really bad picture of me!

 

Undercover

Just a few miles into the ride, Steve saw this building below so he took the shot - Bimbo Bread.  A favorite of Steve's dad/Poppy.  Steve said he likes the wheat bread the best.

Where is everyone?

 We saw some beautiful scenery today.  This picture also was taken shortly after the passing shower.

Adirondacks  in background

After about 10 miles, we hit a detour.  We tried to talk the construction worker into letting us pass, but he wasn't having it.  He simply said 'pass how - there is no bridge'.  Not a good sign.  Fortunately, it was only about 1 mile out of our way and the safest thing to do!

Murphy's Law

As you saw yesterday with looking at the elevation map, today's ride was uphill from the start.  But what that map doesn't show is that once in a while there is a downhill.  Not many, but a few.  Right from the beginning it felt like I was pulling a truck behind me.  I thought perhaps my tires were low or my brakes were rubbing.  Then I remembered.  Sometimes the road appears to be going down hill when it is really going up hill.   Steve also experienced this today.  And I know Jen has as well!  It really messes with you.   You think the bike should be rolling, when in reality you have to peddle just to keep it moving.   This happened to us on the cross-counrty trip as well.  Once we realized this, we both felt much better. 

Is the road going up or down?

We climbed all day; it was exhausting. We had to cross over two tall peaks. We climbed about 2700 ft in total.  More than half of the feet we climbed were in the final 13 miles.  It took us 4.5 hours and 36 miles to cross the first peak with us landing in Wilmington on the other side where we thought to have lunch.  It was about 11:30p.  We searched for a place to eat.  After going in the wrong direction for 1/2 mile we circled back and found the only one place - Super Market, which was really a gas station and deli.  Much to our surprise, still no rain.  At this point, the forecast had changed with thunderstorms to begin at 2:00p  We felt that we had time to sit and eat something and still get to Lake Placid before the storms started.  We were wrong; the rain started earlier than forecasted.  Despite eating our sandwiches very fast and getting back on the road by 12:15p, we got caught in the rain with the final 10 miles still ahead of us.  We had one final peak to climb; it was steep, it was wet and it was slow riding.  We arrived in Lake Placid at 2:00p, but we couldn't check in until 3:00p.  So we found cover at a coffee shop.  Of course!

First significant climb of day

 We passed a lot of beautiful rivers.  This is just one.

River was tucked in; we almost missed it

 Here is another.

Oops!

River at the base of peak 1 on the other side

This is the Super Market in the town of Wilmington where we had lunch.  This had been the first place in 36 miles to buy food.   We did snack on bananas and power bars as we rode, but at this point we were really, really glad to find this place.  The sandwiches were great!   We both had smoked turkey with mustard!

Chocolate milk and chips too!

With 10 miles to go we stopped to put on our rain coats to ready ourselves for the inevitable.  The rain was just starting.

Ready - thumbs up!

It was a rough ride because of the uphill.  The rain really didn't bother us much.  It wasn't too cold, but even if it was our rain coats would have kept us warm.  They are water proof, not just water resistent, so we typically roast while wearing them.  Today we didn't mind.  It was in the low 60s.

Coffee face

You really cannot see in this photo below but the rain was crazy pouring!

Raining in Lake Placid

This is a picture of the apartment we rented for two days!  It required a $300 security deposit and me signing a two-day lease, but we are very happy to be spending our time here.  It is quite big and comfortable.  A great place to spend our first day off.

It was still raining like cats and dogs at dinner time, so we didn't want to go to far for dinner if we could help it.  Steve said he wanted a pulled pork sandwich and I though perhaps a steak.  We walked outside in front of the apartment and saw a restaurant across the street, the sign read Seafood and Steaks.  We looked at each other and said  - how convenient.  You can see in the picture below, in the background, is the place we are staying - The Haas.

The restaurant made their own beer, so it turned out to be an extra good choice. We both started out with a beer each.  Steve has a stout and I had an IPA.  A typical choice for both of us. Steve ordered the clam chowder and me a pear salad.  I guess we were hungry because we both enjoyed every bit of our appetizers.  Then came the meals.  Steve the pulled pork and me black angus steak.  Again it wasn't long before our plates were clean.  Another wonderful meal compliments of Steve's mom/Nanny.  Thank you again!

 

A coffee flavored stout and a very hoppy IPA - just the way we like it!

Chowder and Salad - yummy!

Lots of protein tonight!  We needed it!

Steve said very moist and tasty!

My steak cooked perfectly - medium rare!

We are spending an extra day here in Lake Placid.  We have lots to do tomorrow like sleep late, drink coffee, wash clothes, play cribbage, and explore the town.  Both Steve and I are relaxing comfortably now as I write these final words.  Good night!