July 4: Bennington, Vermont to Amsterdam, New York
Happy Fourth of July!
Guess what I did on the fourth of July. That’s right; I went for a bicycle ride. What did you do for the fourth of July?
There was a threat of severe thunderstorms this afternoon, so we got started early and I kept my pace higher than I might have otherwise so I could finish early and avoid getting caught in the high winds and damaging hail that they were predicting for the area.
Fortunately, the terrain we were riding through today was a lot flatter than yesterday’s ride through the Green Mountains of Vermont. There was also little or no wind. Those two bits of good luck allowed me to finish my 68 mile ride by 12:30 PM today. I averaged 14.1 miles per hour, which is nothing to write home about, but it’s the fastest average speed for one of my rides in a very long time. I remember doing some calculations prior to the start of the tour and I used an average speed of 15 miles per hour as a “typical” day. Well, the reality is that I haven’t averaged 15 miles per hour for a ride since way back on April 21. I was riding through eastern Kansas on that day.
In the end, the severe thunderstorms didn’t materialize. I had 45 minutes or so of light rain, but that was about it. Because it was cloudy and hazy, I’m afraid it wasn’t really a good day for picture-taking. Still, I collected a couple that I’d like to share:
The first (on the left) is some scenery from New York right next to the Vermont border. The second and third photos are of a covered bridge in Buskirk (in Hoosick Township) where I crossed the Hoosic River. The fourth photo is a of a auto repair place (with an attitude) that I passed just outside of Stillwater, New York.
I did much better, blood sugar-wise today.
- 109 (5:44 AM — fasting)
- breakfast (6:30 AM)
- 115 (7:19 AM — pre-ride — reduced basal rate by 40%)
- start of ride (7:45 AM)
- 118 (9:00 AM — 10 ounces apple juice, 1/2 bagel)
- 77 (10:06 AM — 10 ounces apple juice, 1 bagel))
- 142 (11:45 AM — 1/2 bagel)
- 87 (12:36 PM — post-ride)
July 4th, 2006 at 7:14 pm
Pete and Pat,
Happy 4th of July to you. We are wishing we could get in some of your incredible rides. Keep up the great work and fun!
John and Shell
July 5th, 2006 at 7:38 am
Pete,
Even at your 14.1 average speed, I believe you owe the Buskirks Bridge $25.00.
Paul
July 5th, 2006 at 9:47 am
Hi Pete,
If you live in NY you have to have an attitude. My old Road Atlas that I am using to follow your journey shows that it is about 420 miles across NY State to the PA border. Plenty of time to see and hear more NY Attitudes. My daughter the LIVabetes Glucose Goddess has T Shirts with her logo on the front and on the back it says “Diabetes education with an ATTITUDE.”
Do you have a route planned for going across NY State? You probably noticed that Route 20 goes right across but it might be kinda busy. It will take you through the Finger Lakes region in NY which is well known as Wine Country.
Blood sugars are great now. Yoi better stock up on some good bagels while you are in NY. They are the best.
My 4th of July celebration was quiet and simple this year. I went to a small family get together and cookout. The Boston celebration on the Esplanade with the Boston Symphony Orchestra was another grand success. It should be on your list of things to do before you die. The music, fireworks, and people make it a happy and joyful occasion. Back in the 80’s I was on a friend’s boat on the Charles River listening to the music led by Arthur Fiedler and watching the fireworks. I will always remember it.
Enjoy the ride and scenery, have fun, keep taking those great pictures when you can, and stay well and safe.
Florian
July 5th, 2006 at 7:47 pm
Hi Pete and Pat,
Enjoyed your photos of my home state of Vermont. Sorry that route 9 was so busy. It’s one of the few roads that crosses the southern part of the state. Denise and I are thinking of you both and wish you great travels westward.
Lawrence and Denise