LOCALadk Magazine

Spring 2016 LOCALadk Magazine 49 LOCALadk Lunches were provided en route as a selection of fruit, sand- wiches or salads. As long as you hit the dining tent during the established hours, there was always enough. There were options available at every meal for those who avoid meat or dairy. I enjoyed the daily inclusion of locally sourced vegeta- bles and meats from farms such as Fledging Crow, Juniper Hill Farm and Kilcoyne Farm. There were several different housing options: local hotels, B & B's, or event site tent camping. Riders could bring a tent and set it up each day, or for a fee, opt to stay in a "Comfy Camper" tent. Comfy Camper tents provided air mattresses and were set up and taken down each day by event staff. I traveled with my own tent and set it up myself. About a third of the riders set up their own tents. In the end, the Comfy Camper route was the best option. Each rider was allowed two pieces of baggage totaling 50 pounds. The baggage was transported from site to site by event staff. There were many amenities available during Cycle Adiron- dacks. Nearly every event site offered local WCS project infor- mation, and local artisans displayed their wares for after-ride perusing. Mobile shower units, hand washing stations, and portable privies were at every event site. And, professional bike mechanics were available nearly 24 hours - en route or at the end of the day - to tackle mechanical problems. Placid Planet Bicycles from Lake Placid staffed a tent with mechanics if replacement parts or overhauls were necessary. A saving grace for many riders was on-site chiropractic care and mas- sage therapy. Minimizing the ecological impact of every aspect of the tour was a WCS priority. Recycling was highly encouraged by event staff. All dinnerware was recyclable, right down to the forks. ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER FRIEND, ANOTHER ADVENTURE The scenery of the Adirondacks never disappoints, and the weather was beautiful for all but one day of the trip. I had been on many of the roads before, but it was like experiencing them for the first time through the eyes of my fellow riders Day one started in Saranac Lake and ended at Star Lake for a 68 mile day. That day, I biked several miles with a retired businessman-turned-bus- driver from Rochester named Bruce Rosenbaum. His outgoing personality was infectious, and his handlebar-mounted speakers provided a soundtrack to the scenery rolling by. At day's end we met up to check out the rumored "dock culture" of the local residents. We soon found ourselves in the middle of Star Lake basking in the late after- noon sun on a motorized dock belonging to members of the Star Lake Yacht Club. Lakeside property owners have been building motorized docks since 1963, and anchor 6 or 8 docks together in shallow water in the middle of a bay to create a floating island. Grilling, snacks, Frisbee and camaraderie are a must. Thanks again to Lenny and Linda. Another highlight was the standing ovation Zoe Smith re- ceived from the residents of Star Lake and surrounding Clif- ton-Fine community during the evening announcements. Supervisor Mark Hall recognized her for past and ongoing ef- forts regarding environmental protection and local economic development. Zoe has lived in the Adirondacks for 23 years, acting as one of its many quiet guardians. It was an applause well deserved. As I shook the dew off my tent on the morning of the August 24, I struck up a conversation with Chip Hobsen of Thetford, Vermont, whose tent was near mine. We chatted about bikes, tents, weather, and the route for that day. I asked what led him to participate in the tour, and he said his "long love affair with the Adirondacks". I know what he means. Day two took us 76 miles from Star Lake to Boonville. I enjoyed a tour of the New York Maple Museum in Croghan during our lunch stop. The event site for that day was the Boonville Vil- lage Park. Incredibly talented kids from the Boonville school provided the entertainment as we ate dinner that evening. My thanks to all involved. As I heard the first notes of the Canal Street String Band warming up, it was off to the event's nightly beer garden to see what local Adirondack brewery was on tap. Most riders stopped by the beer garden every night for conversation, en- tertainment, or to listen to the tour announcements. I was up at 6 the morning of day three and on the road at 7:45, feeling ready for the 78 miles to Camden. I found myself rid- ing along with Natalie Woods of Albany, New York. She has had an interesting assortment of professions, from real estate sales to television personality. I thought she was in her mid thirties, but I learned that doing a bike tour was on her bucket list of things to do before she turns 50 in December. At a rest stop I met Ken Stephens from Hamlin New York, a seasoned cyclist who was wearing a Pink Floyd jersey. Ken is no stranger to the Adirondacks, having been a Search and Rescue Volunteer and avid outdoors person. We soon dis- covered our shared enjoyment of bicycle touring: lower en-

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