Bon Ton Roulet, Day 7 - Trumansburg to Auburn

We actually saw a sunrise today from our room at the Copper Beacon. The weather forecast is for thundershowers in the afternoon, though.Our room was called "Under-the-Eves" and it had two full beds, an in-room bath and a sloping roof - Ouch! Hit my head a few times. Laurel and I decided to hang around for breakfast and treat ourselves to Eileen's home cooking. We couldn't decide what to choose from the menu but I think we tried almost everything - eggs, bacon, French Toast, potatoes, home-made muffins, fruit, coffee, juice, and maple syrup, jellies, and butter made on the farm. What a way to start a day! It was past 9:30 AM, and we had to get rolling.This was a straightforward route heading north along the west shore of Cayuga Lake back to where we started seven days ago in Auburn. There was not much sightseeing, just a long steady bike ride with time to think about our past week riding in the Bon Ton Roulet.The last leg was a downhill out of Trumansburg and a gradual easy uphill climb back to Auburn. Total ascent was 1,385 feet. The straw from the wheat crop that is left behind after the combine does it's job is baled and used for livestock bedding. . . and hay rides. This must be where old tractors come to rust while they wait to be sold on E-bay. Today was the kickoff for the 22nd Annual Route 90 Garage Sale, stretching more than 50 miles where "garage sale junkies find paradise". Unfortunately, today's route back to Auburn took us on SR 90 for about 3 miles. If you sell it, they will come. People stopping, parking, U-turning, door-opening, J-walking, trunk-loading made for a challenging ride through the neighborhoods. Besides, we were also trying to check out what was for sale. The final stretch back to Auburn. Since we had a late start, we saw none of the other riders on the road. We did the 45.6 mile ride in 3 hrs:40 min with only one 15 minute break, averaging 12.4 MPH. We were the last ones in, just before it started raining again, and in time for our shuttle ride back to Syracuse.

Congratulations! 291 miles in 7 days

Total bike time: 38 Hrs:30Min

Total Ascent: 11,362 ft

Total Calories: 14,723

No flats, no falls, many good memories.

Bon Ton Roulet, Day 6 - Watkins Glen to Trumansburg

Today was anticipated to be an enjoable ride: a downhill start to breakfast, two lakes, two water falls, two wineries, a home made ice cream shop, and blue skies. Plus we were staying at a bed & breakfast tonight. Two steep climbs today, 2,315 feet of total climbing, 45.5 miles, 4 hrs:24 min ride time. Average speed 10.3 MPH, max speed 32.5 MPH. With rested legs we made this climb out of Watkins Glen with no problem-o. The bridge on HWY 414 crosses right over Hector Falls as it cascades 165 feet into Seneca Lake. As they say in Hawaii: "The weather is beautiful, wish you were here." First rest stop at mile 15 was the Wagner Winery and Brewery. We enjoyed the last views of Seneca Lake from the outdoor patio. Lake view and Leg view. Now you know why the "pros" shave their legs.
After a nice downhill traveling east from Ovid to Cayuga Lake we arrive at the mile 30 rest stop at the Sheldrake Point Vineyard and Simply Red Bistro. Enjoying the blue sky and Cayuga Lake. After a 3 mile, 500 feet, leg-burning climb we were rewarded by Taughannock Falls - one of the highest falls east of the Rocky Mountains.
The tourist pose - one for the scrap book. Wish you were here. Our first stop in Trumansburg was a stop at the local ice cream shop for a Texas Hot Dog and a double scoop of Mint Chocolate Chip - Yumm-o! After some maneuvering through "T-burg" we checked into the Copper Beacon Inn. Laurel soon enjoyed the hospitality of Eileen and Gerry Collins. Fresh lemon-aid and ginger snap cookies in the "best room" was perfect after a long day in the saddle. Gerry also treated our tired legs by giving us a ride to and from the Trumansburg School so we could enjoy the Bar-B-Cue dinner with the rest of the riders.
There were many gardens surrounding the farmhouse, great for relaxing. Or spend your hours watching a combine harvest wheat.Or visit Eileen's Herb Shop - a special place where she packages all her organic specialties and conducts classes on cooking with herbs.
The Copper Beacon is 5 stars - no doubt!