Another spectacular weather weekend. Seriously, this has been the best summer weather ever! Saturday was as perfect as a ride day can get – upper 70s, low humidity and no wind. Can’t beat that! We decided to head up to Lake George. I had a hankering for a morning pastry, so we ended up leaving mid morning after breakfast. It takes about an hour and 15 minutes or so to bike to the lake (16 miles).
Look how lush and green it is around here thanks to adequate rain:
It looks like June, not August, other than the goldenrod!
About 10 miles in, we stopped for a snack:
I do love dried pineapple when riding. Quick energy without taking up much stomach space and making you feel full.
The shaded part of the path was just wonderful! I could have stayed in there all day.
At mile 16, we arrived at that lake and what a pretty scene it was.
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We hit up Lake George Baking company for our snack, along with an iced coffee. I had a maple cinnamon roll.
Yes indeedy! That was delicious! John had a couple donuts that were out of this world good. This company does it right. Probably a good thing it is 16 miles away – although from our new house, it will only be about 10! 😀
We sat for a long time and just soaked up the gorgeous weather.
We did have to head home, though. Lots of things to do around the house. Back on the wonderful path when I started to feel a clunk in my chain. I had a bad link it in, so we figured it was time to stop and look:
Not sure if you can see that pin sticking out, but it isn’t supposed to do that and the link was bent (which you can’t see in the photo). That meant it wouldn’t got back together right and would definitely break climbing the hills. When you are 12 miles from home, not a good feeling. Luckily for me, I had some extra links that I purchased knowing that I had a bad one.
John had the chain tool:
It snapped right into place and was an easy fix, actually. I really don’t like having to haul stuff around on long rides like spare tubes, links, tools and the like, but they have saved our asses more than once.
All better!
Happy Lori because I could keep going!
45 SPF sunscreen and I still get a ton of freckles 😀
The chain felt great and we continued on our way. This is the marsh:
A shot of my pensive husband:
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Perfect, perfect riding day! YAY!!
Ride stats:
Total miles: 35 (I am calling it LOL ).
Average speed: 12.6 mph
Top speed: 27.9 mph
Calories burned: 1229
John was actually going to be gone on Saturday, but all I had to do was mention that I was going to the lake and a check of the weather and he changed his mind 😉
Will that chain link repair be good for the long haul or do you need to buy a new chain before the next ride?? Love all the pics Lori…temps in the 70’s ….I’m green with envy! LOL! 94 today….. but we had a gloriously cool night down in the upper 50’s….so nice….. Big Hugs! deb
That repair is meant to be permanent. Hopefully 😀
I’m trying to decide if you inspire me or make me feel totally inadequate, LOL. It took Kevin and I about 45 minutes to change a tube once. I am definitely bike shop gal and have phone numbers of friends with trucks or bike racks stored in my phone. Keep riding, girl – you do inspire me.
Well, we have had waaaay too much experience changing tubes, which means we can do that pretty quickly. Our bike shop charges $15 to change a tube and when we were popping tubes right and left, we just couldn’t afford to take them in, so we got quick at doing them ourselves LOL! The other stuff is just handy tools to have. We go pretty far from home and hope to at least McGuyver ourselves out of a situation if not fix it all together.
The weather is definitely making it up to you for the harsh winter! Love the shady path.That is great that you guys know how to do these bike repairs. I guess its a necessity if you are going to be a long distance biker.
Yes, you just have to know how to save yourself 😀
Now I know that y’all are true pros at the biking gig – the fact that you had extra links and John had the chain fixing tool is impressive. Even if I had that stuff with me I wouldn’t know what to do with it:)
Love the lake pictures!!!
When you have a problem – you become prepared in the future. We have had a lot of issues in the past and learned from them LOL!
SO SO SO SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love going on bike rides with you & this is an especially amazing pic one! 🙂 UGH on the chain but you were prepared & Jonh was there so he could do it instead of you! 🙂
Thank you for sharing the beauty!!!!
What a great and lovely bike ride, the area is so beautiful.
I’m back at work today and the past 3 weeks we had great weather, as of today that’s changing: lots of rain coming so I guess we choose the right period 🙂
It really is a pretty area around here. Even prettier in the fall, too! Winter, not so much LOL
I love these as they inspire me.
things like stopping for a snack ten miles in—I fear ID STOP TEN MILES IN!!
Wow you can’t ask for a more picturesque day than that! Lovely. It must feel pretty good when you do have a bike issue that you have the knowledge and equipment for a quick fix so you can keep on pedaling. 🙂
SPF only stops the damaging rays, it doesn’t stop freckles or tanning. (Having had melanoma I’m a sun-skin guru.)
Lovely ride as usual and I agree, we have pretty much had nearly a perfect summer 😀
I am with you on our weather this summer – I think I’ve turned our air on three times all summer!
Love your long rides – best reward after a long work week!
You give me more incentive for us to be able to get back on our bikes. We’ve done so little biking since the summer we met you. First, I was the one that couldn’t ride because of wrist issues and then Bill got sick. But hopefully, soon!! Love the marsh pic. Looks like a painting.
That’s awesome you had that to fix your chain. I need to look for it and carry some more stuff in case of emergencies like this…
I’m surprised you didn’t keep riding until your odometer hit 35 even. Not that I’ve ever done that with running and my Garmin…OK, I have. LOL.
I really thought about it, but then I would have had to turn around in the driveway and I figured it was okay if I rounded up 😀
I too am LOVING this summer weather! Your ride shots are so beautiful, though I try to scroll by the pastries really fast. I fixed flats in the past … WAY past … and I carry tube, patch kit, small pump with me. But honestly, I don’t think I have the hand/wrist strength now to fix one. Of course, I am riding only 6-8 miles and on bike trails, so if I looked pathetic enuff probably someone would help me. If not, or if it is a chain issue, I have my cell phone I guess. Or I’d start hiking. 🙂 You’re my biking inspiration though, maybe I ought to carry chain links and tool.