We may have cycled back to the 1820's and the time of Washington Irving. As we left our motel and headed to New Paltz, we passed a school called Ichabod Crane high school and saw signs for Rip Van Winkle bridge. I sure hope that I don't meet mysterious Dutchmen and fall deeply asleep in the Catskill Mountains.
For the most part, the wonderful trails that we've experienced in the past couple of days have continued. I have been struck by the amount of enjoyment that we've had as a direct result of New York State having invested in cycling infrastructure.
Today's ride was 64 miles with over 95%, or greater, in separated cycle paths making the journey safe and fun and reducing confrontations with automobiles.
We have left the Erie Canal behind us and are now traveling south along the Hudson Valley with quite a bit more climbing that we have had when following the canal and crossing the very wide Hudson river. The views from the high river bridges are spectacular.
I had a minor mechanical issue today on the road. I couldn't take care of it with the tools that I had with me and fortunately Frank was able to pick me up in the SUV and take me to a bike shop in Kingston. A place called Kingston Cyclery. An unassuming shop where I was met at the door and explained the issue. Knowing that I was on a bike tour, the mechanic took my bike into the shop and with no drama, was able to professionally resolve the issue and get me back on the road while we traded touring experiences.
I was fortunate on several accounts; first that Frank could pick me up in the SUV, second that I was able to locate a quality bike shop with my smart phone, third that it occurred during business hours, forth that the shop was able to put me at the head of the line to fix my bike and finally that the shop was not too far from the route that I was able to navigate back to the bike trail and continue the ride. Sometimes you just need to count your blessings. In addition, I met another rider on the trail that helpfully pointed me to a great restaurant at our destination, New Paltz, called Main Course. A place that I would highly recommend.
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