cranky old dude

The following is a brief summary of some of the high points that I recall from my July cycling rides. I only hope that this doesn’t come across as being some kind of a journal as that most certainly is not my intent. I’ll not intentionally be making mention of how far or how fast I rode or didn’t ride as that info serves no purpose in this particular photo-ride report.



July 2nd and I just got off the night shift. June’s rains are but a faint memory as the skies are clear and blue. I’m hoping to get several rides in this month and if they’re all like today’s was it will be a great month.

I rode the Volae Tour today intending to just spend a few hours out puttering about. After wandering about some housing tracts in the older section of Greece, NY. I headed over to the cemetery. It’s quite large and very, very peaceful. Being an old established cemetery it’s more like a park than anything else. The ride was going just as I had hoped for, slow and aimless and just kinda wandering about.

I have the great good fortune of living very close to the Genesee River and Lake Ontario, so I generally incorporate them into all my rides. Today was no exception. I was almost the only person on the River Trail this morning.

Here’s our Coast Guard patrolling up the river....




Of course the river flows into the lake and we have a nice park and pier just a mile or so from my house. You just have to include them in a slow and easy ride day! While crawling out along the pier at about 4 mph I passed by a family of four…Mom, Dad, Junior (about 4 yrs. old and walking), and a baby in a stroller. Dad had seen me coming and was pointing me and my funny looking bike out to Junior. I don’t know why, maybe the Devil made me do it but I just had to mess with this poor kids mind a little bit. As soon as he turned to look at me I started bobbing my head and snoring out loud while slowly pedaling past. The poor little guy bought it hook, line, and sinker. I thought his father was going to fall off the pier laughing. All I could hear was the little guy exclaiming to his folks “Did you see that guy? He was sleeping and riding his bike! How can he do that?”

Seven miles west of the Beach is Braddock Bay Park. The ride takes me between Lake Ontario and several small to medium sized ponds along a residential street lined with majestic homes surrounded buy beautiful gardens. As nice as all that is it can’t hold a candle up to Mother Nature. Here’s a reflective picture looking south across Buck Pond…




Part way into this ride I came upon fellow Forum member Gyro. We rode together for the rest of the day, well until mid afternoon any way. It was great to have someone to share the peaceful experience with and Gyro shares my love of the natural and man made beauty of our little corner of this world. Thank You Gyro for a memorable day!


July 3rd.

Meet Fred! Fred and I have been riding together for just over a week now. He prefers the Tour Easy and always rides up in the bow (nautical speak for front).



Recently, when traveling with Fred I’ve flown the Jolly Roger at the stern but this being July the 3rd. I opted for the good old Stars & Stripes this time out.



Fred and I had quite a nice ride and of course we again found ourselves down at the beach. Go figure! Saturdays are special at the beach as the Volleyball leagues are active and there’s always a D.J. and lots of folks milling about.



And for the ladies…..



Now as I was taking a little break and having a cool drink (Gatorade), I looked up and spied this cloud formation. Tell me, am I the only person who sees Pegasus traveling across the sky from left to right?



I suspect the ‘Vision’ may have been induced by some of the thousands of ghosts riding this 1903 Dentzel Carousal, some of who I knew personally and shared rides with.



A carousal this old has so many memories, especially since I grew up here. I can remember riding it as a small child and seeing my Dad grab the Brass Ring. I can remember riding it with my bride back when we were way younger than now. But mostly when I watch and listen to that whirling menagerie I can almost see my young wife and our small children gleefully bobbing up and down way back when, each riding their favorite merry go round animal. I always get a bit melancholy when I stop to watch and listen to that beauty spinning proudly and majestically in circles. Sigh. It’s always one of my stops when I ride through the park.


July 4th.

It’s great to have Sunday off occasionally as that means I can join the fellers for ‘Hellbent for Breakfast’. Being a holiday we had a small turnout today, just six riders.



It’s a nice 20 mile out and back along the canal, a great way to start the day.




cont.

cranky old dude

July 5th.

I rode my usual out and back along the River and Lakeshore to Braddock Bay. Today stands out because I had a special treat. I spied a young lady unloading her ride from the back of her car and immediately knew that I had to meet her. She was preparing to embark on the River Trail on a machine that I’ve yet to master and I just had to ask for advice. She gladly gave me some pointers and wished me luck. I asked if she minded me snapping a few pics. and she was fine with it. She was quite friendly, we chatted awhile and then away she rode.






July 8th

I managed to squeeze a couple hours out of the middle of the day for a little ride along the river and down to the port.

I ride these roads and trails all the time yet I still manage to be suprised quite often by my natural surroundings. Today's first suprise was at the base of what used to be the area's draw-bridge across the river. The bridge has been replaced by a new higher bridge several yards south of the old one. The neighborhood is a good 50' up from the water surface and trail.

There's a nice stone wall that runs for close too 100 yards along this area and today I just noticed that the entire length of the wall is in bloom with what I think might be wild flowers. It's beautiful! I tried to capture it with my trusty camera but I'm not skilled enough with it to get a very good image. Here's what I did get.....





I don't know if they just kinda grew there naturally or if someone planted them, either way I'm glad they're there!

Though it's Thursday and most folks are at work there are still some lucky souls out playing on the water..........



Boy that sure does look like fun!!

The Neah Bay, a Coast Guard Ice Breaker came into port while I was out on the pier.







As you can see from the third photo, I wondered if maybe they just pulled in for lunch at Cheeburger Cheeburger, but if you check out the following link you'll see that they call on several ports during the warm weather and provide tours of the ship to the public for free!

https://www.1000-islands.com/inn/uscg.htm

Well, enough for now. I'm still riding and snapping so beware...I'll be back.

cyclinfool

Lenny,

You violated your first premise with the "hell bent" portion of your ride report - it stated miles out & back - shame on you

Beautiful pics. The U-cyclist has one of those fat tire jobs, believe it or not I see those in the Whiteface race - the ultimate in single speed.

DnvrFox

Outstanding reports - certainly not a "journal" - as usual.

Thanks for sharing.

Retired

Lenny,
I really love this. You do this so well. I love to see other areas where people ride. Now you got me taking my camera when I ride.

cyclinfool

+1
Indeed - Lenny inspired me to drop the "macho hammer reports" in favor of the "smell the roses" report. But truth in advertising - I now do a little of both. Variety is the spice of life.

cranky old dude

I don't always check back on these threads. What a pleasant suprise to see so many kind sentiments.
Thank You all very much.