| Ride Stats |
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Distance:
138.01 miles
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Altitude Gain:
5,620 ft
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Avg Speed:
17.15 mph
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Route:
Run to Lake
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Avg Grade: 0 %
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Max Grade: 0 %
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Max HR: 0 bpm
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Avg HR: 0 bpm
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Terrain: Road: Rolling
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Bike: Look 585 Carbon Road
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Club: Schuyler County Cycling Club |
| Weather Conditions: Sun Cloud Mix 80 F SW wind @ 4 mph |
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It wasn't so much as a run to the lake as it was just get to the lake and back. We started doing the ride in the late 70's riding bikes like my Montgomery Ward English 10 speed racer, wearing cutoffs, T-shirts and sneakers. In those days we walked quite a few of the hills and even some hills that aren't even considered hills now. It was an all day adventure and before bike computers. The ride is simple- just get on State Route 14 in Montour Falls and head north until the road ends at Sodus Point on Lake Ontario and return the same route. A few of us started doing the ride every year and it moved to the Summer Solstice. We would get up before the sunrise and would start out in the dark and watch the sunrise while riding usually as we crested the hill climbing out of Watkins. The ride changed as we went from tourists to racers and sometime in the late eighties it became a 65 mile team time trial to the lake and then a you're on your own get back as best you can return leg. I think we peaked in 92 with a sub six hour ride and averaged around 23.5 mph. Over the years we had rides with temperatures reaching 110F one year. By that time we were using bike computers and mine got so hot that the screen turned black during the ride. I have fond memories of riding back alone in 90 degree heat another year with 20+ mph headwinds. Having to stop and sit under a shade tree waiting out the signs of heat exhaustion- cold dry skin and the mother of all bonks. Later years I usually have ridden alone and seldom hit the Solstice anymore as for a few years I would only get back to NY on an occcasional weekend in June. I've lost count of how many time I've completed it but it is in the twenties for sure. There was nothing spectacular nor even memorable this year other than it was a good ride. I caught a mild tailwind up and kept a good pace. Stopped at the market and bought some junk food and sat on the lakeshore and watched the boats. Return trip was a bit less pleasant as it was pretty much sixty miles into a steady headwind. Actually looked forward to the hills that come late in the ride as I was getting pretty sore on the saddle and did most of the climbs out of it. Overall average speed was low but yesterday was a race day and I thought the legs were tired and didn't push the big gear very often. Only saw four other solo riders today and they were all going the opposite way. Still it is good to have the longest ride of the year behind me.
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