It’s 6:30am, and the transition from darkness to twilight is just beginning. Sunrise will occur in just under a half hour. Sunset will be almost exactly twelve hours later. The roads are wet, and the air is humid, although it’s not currently raining. As the day progresses, the winds will pick up, but for now, the air is still. After I ride north past the length of Cayuga Lake, I’ll turn left, heading west, and ride into the wind for the next 110 miles until I reach my camping spot for the night. Or at least that’s the plan.

The first 45 miles along the lake are somewhat familiar. more...