LOCALadk Magazine

52 Spring 2016 LOCALadk Magazine LOCALadk Lunch that day was hosted by the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. After a picnic on the expansive main lawn, I lost myself for a few hours among the exhibits and reconnected with the 200 year history of the enterprising, hardworking, adventurous residents of the Adirondacks. That spirit can still be found in every hamlet, village and town. I pulled myself away from the exhibits to enjoy the thrill of the steep downhill sections after the lunch break. The route planners had not forgotten to include the North Point Road so that riders could enjoy stopping at historic Buttermilk Falls before finishing for the day in Long Lake at the village athletic field. The afternoon faded into evening much too quickly as the reality hit me that this was the last night. I wished the afternoon would last forever as the GOATS and I set up our tents. That evening Alex Smith and Dan Woodcock provided some of the best music of the trip as I mingled with local residents. One person in particular was avid bicyclist, canoeist, Newcomb resident and longtime acquaintance Bruce Coon. Detailing to him every day's route, the people I had met, funny stories along the way, I knew that this was an experience that I would treasure for a long time. The last day of the ride was the 65 miles back to our starting point in Saranac Lake. I was on a mission to make it back as quickly as possible for a friend's wedding that afternoon. I started as early, cranking through the first 25 miles and stopping at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake. Just as I was pulling out, my GOAT friend Mark caught up saying he wanted to finish the ride with me. We stopped on Harrietstown hill where volunteers where helping riders take photos of the scenic vista. Thanks to Dave Winchell for snapping my hero shot of the summer as I held my bike aloft with the High Peaks in the background. I had to introduce Mark to Donnelly's Ice Cream just as they were opening. Fortified by a chocolate twist, we enjoyed the long sweeping downhill to the finish line. My wife Anne was waiting for me as Mark and I crossed together. I barely had time for introductions before Bruce Rosenbaum was giving me a high five and congratulations. It was the best finish I could have asked for. Cycle Adirondacks was my absolute best week of 2015. The combination of new friends and the intrinsic beauty of the routes made every day special. The well planned and organized event services allowed me to lose myself on the bike and not worry about the many daily details necessary with a self- supported tour. I found a peace and contentment that comes from knowing all you have to do each day is just get on your bike and RIDE. LE Baskow

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