70 miles, +1818/-2012 feet

Dana on the bridge

Seventy miles makes a short cross country ride day for this fast group. I refer to them lovingly as an “anomaly” because they are not normal tour riders.  They came to tour strong and fast and are now stronger and faster.  This morning we left the hotel in Little Falls an hour later than usual (at 8:30) and were at the hotel in Albany by 2:30, after two SAG stops.

I rode today and took pictures along the way.  It was a day of bridges.  There are lots of old bridges, homes and businesses along the route from Little Falls to Albany.  While there is a certain charm, it can also be sad to see some of the ruin that naturally occurs over the years.

Little Falls has become very, very quite.

Bridge looking to the South

The population has dropped from 14,000 to (now) 4,000.  There is some concern that the hotel may not remain open.  Hopefully, with new interest in the Erie Canal Trail, business will improve.

This evening, in Albany, we are just about five miles from the capitol and will ride by it in the morning before crossing the Hudson River.  It is a thrilling experience and one we look forward to. For now, it’s time for dinner, time to restock for the next two full days of riding, and time to sleep.

Picture by Steve (thank you for driving today)

We always need more time to sleep. Time is short. Boston is waiting.

Bridge looking to the North