Oct. 14th
I have not been on the bikes much lately. First we had over a week of rain, then the sun came out but I stayed in, with a nasty chest cold. I did manage a few one-day road trips (in the pickup truck) with the bride to enjoy the fall foliage, but the bikes have been idle since the 3rd.

The October road trips have been an annual staple in our lives ever since we drove from Rochester to the Pennsylvania Dutch Country on our Honeymoon some 35 years ago. We try to choose our destinations based on the fall foliage change. This year we managed a trip around Seneca Lake with stops in Penn Yan and Hammondsport, a trip to Angelica N.Y., and a trip to Letchworth State Park. (all good cycling locations, by the way)

http://www.angelica-ny.com/

http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/79/details.aspx

http://www.hammondsport.com/



Here’s a shot of my lovely bride striking out in search of some interesting shopping in Angelica, N.Y.



Our drive to and thru Letchworth State Park was great this year. I was reminded of TSL as I saw a few cyclists riding through the park. I seem to recall reading a few of his ride reports regarding an annual century ride he does from Rochester to Letchworth and back in the Fall. We also managed to work our way through the gathered crowd around a gent on the Easy Racers Gold Rush at one of the many scenic overlooks. He and I had a nice chat as we compared his new Gold Rush to my older (and absent) Tour Easy. Sorry, no pictures of the Gold Rush but I did slip in a few shots from our frolic in the park!!





As if we didn’t have enough color to marvel at here’s a double rainbow in the mist of the middle falls. That’s the Glen Iris Inn in the background. It’s within the park and would be a fantastic place to stay during a cycling trip through the area.





October 16th,
It’s been two full weeks since I’ve been on a bike! Today I’m heading out to see if I can first of all ride, and secondly see if I can clear my lungs out a little bit.

I started out by riding by this house that blew up yesterday. It’s kind of sobering when you think about it. While many of us were busying ourselves wondering what bike to buy next or what color arm warmers to get for cooler weather bike rides, these poor folks were struggling to save themselves from their instantly destroyed home. One minute you turn on your clothes dryer and the next thing you know you’re standing in the driveway looking at where your house used to be. http://www.democratandchronicle.com/...s-neighborhood

Here’s what it looks like today…




From here I headed over to the 390 bike trail and had a very peaceful cruise northward towards the lake. As you can see, the leaves are changing but not quite at peak this close to Lake Ontario yet. Next week will be georgeous!!





From the north end of the 390 trail I headed east on the Lake Ontario State Parkway trail…



….to the Genesee river. Then I headed south to Holy Sepulcher Cemetery…



…and home from there. All told I rode 26.92 miles. I certainly took my time as I left home at 01:00 p.m. and returned at 03:30 p.m. I don’t feel real strong but I am going to try riding to breakfast with the Recumbent Group tomorrow morning. T