Biking - Same Old River Loop

I was hoping to get out for about 30 miles today, but with a tough hike coming up on Friday, I thought better of it and decided on an easier ride - the usual westbound up the Mohawk River to Lock 9, cross the river, and return on NY5. With a brisk westerly wind gusting to 25mph, the westbound leg was a lot like a steady 7-mile uphill climb, with an occasional steeper "pitch" (gust) thrown in unexpectedly every now and then. I was glad I wasn't doing the 30 I had planned.