Biking - Up the hill to a great lunch

Another unbelievable March day, with the high expected to reach 80 and sunny skies! We'll probably be wishing for these later in the summer.

I got out for a ride today, stretching the miles a bit and also throwing in a more significant climb. Rector Road, west of Scotia, climbs out of the Mohawk Valley up into the Glenville hills. It's about a 2-mile climb, with a couple of over 12% pitches in the first half, and then easing off near the top. Reaching Ridge Road, the climb continues gradually, and then the high point is reached, with the rest of the ride being a rolling general downhill.



At the 18-mile point, I stopped at the Charlton General Store for lunch. They have some pretty good sandwiches and wraps in a country store atmosphere, and the prices are good. Then I continued east on Charlton Road to the east side of Ballston Lake (the lake), turning south to return to Schenectady. The total mileage was about 38, with about 1300 feet of total climbing, so a bigger ride than I've been doing so far this year. At the end, I felt really good, with legs to spare, a good sign for the season ahead.