40 Miles......I biked 40 miles today!

You come over the brow of  a hill and there it is, 

Lake Champlain in all it's glory.

Yes, I biked 40 miles today. I am very impressed with myself (32 yesterday) and even more in awe of those of you who crank out 50 or 100 at the drop of a hat.  But I will tell you  50 is mine for sure  this summer!

I did the same ride I did last week in South Hero/Grand Isle, Vermont.  I am so amazed at what a treasure these islands are and they are NOT that far- totally worth the drive -especially if you have a hot new car.

The lake isn't the only thing to look at.

I didn't take as many pics today as I had just done most of the ride but did take a few. (Surprised? Not!) I rode alone again which I actually like just fine. I like rides with my friends but I also enjoy doing things alone - at my own pace with my own agenda. It's good to be queen.  So I set off down Route 2 noticing some views of the lake I had missed last time. Then I turned off on East Shore Road which has got to be one of the nicest roads in the world for biking.  I was once again grinning from ear to ear and soaking in the pure wonderfulness of the day.  It wasn't long before a man and a woman passed me.  Eventually we stopped at the same place to take a picture. They were from Quebec. I don't think the woman spoke English or she was very unfriendly but I don't think that was the case. The man and I exclaimed over the sheer beauty of the spot we were in. Glorious.

This is the spot the bikers from Quebec and I stopped

to admire the view.

 Then I continued and started to follow the map again when I noticed that East Shore Road continued along the lake  but the road I was supposed to take did not. I studied the map and decided I couldn't get too lost so I took East Shore Road.  My Canadian friends who were also using a map went the other way so that was the last I saw of them.  This was an excellent choice as the road/views continued to be completely amazing.  Eventually I came to road construction (from the flooding) that was a bit tricky but I got by.  When I got out to Route 2 (we'll call it the Grand Isle interstate) I thought I knew which way to go but wasn't 100% sure.  An older couple (very cute) came up by me and helped me out.  I could not believe the astounding views I got even from Route 2. I took a picture but it doesn't show it well at all.

Looking from Route 2 towards New York.  The nice man 

who had given me directions stopped to tell me not to 

turn here, it was a private road. I assured him I was just 

taking a picture.

 Then I was on West Shore Road which is nice but I definitely prefer the East and the Vermont views as opposed to the New York views.

I actually took this picture for my husband who is always

interested in corn fields and how the corn is doing. Much of

the corn around Vermont doesn't look good due to all the

rain this spring. This was one of the better fields I 

have seen.

This is a section I missed last time.  

 I continued to the ferry and once again went to New York.

There is something kind of powerful about being the first

one allowed on the ferry, even before the big trucks!

I have been very lucky to get right on the ferry every time I have taken it.  Once in New York I was determined to find the right way as I totally screwed it up last week.  The road back to the ferry - about 3 miles - was all along the lake and last week I couldn't find it.

This is the section  I missed on the peninsula in New

York last time.  

 Once back on the Vermont side I also needed to not get lost again.  I did it fine but I have concluded that although nice the South Hero part could be cut out. I am trying to figure out how to make my running group happy with this ride.  (Can you imagine needing to be persuaded?) Some don't like dirt roads, some don't like to go too far, and some want to go farther. That would be me. )  I think I have figured out a route to satisfy all.  It could be shortened or extended and there will be no dirt. We already have a route for next week so I am proposing this for two weeks.

As I got back toward my car I was going to be at 37 miles. I could not be this close to 40 again and not seal the deal.  I really didn't think I had another 3 miles in me as I was pretty hot and tired by this time. BUT I DID IT.  I am feeling pretty happy with myself and my day!  This is a recent PR. The farthest I have ever gone is 43 miles but that was several years ago.

Sunday I was going to race the Stowe 8 Miler which I love. It is a loop and it is scenic. I asked my son if he wanted to run it and he said no.  Then I was looking for some August races and I discovered a race this Saturday in Isle La Motte, another Champlain island.  Well, that yelled out to me to come do it.  Jameson said yes to this one so I will be racing with my son, a new race, in a gorgeous spot. And I can do some eyeballing of some new bike routes.

And I have done some running too.  I had a great pace run on Monday and a tempo run on Wednesday with a not great at all run on Tuesday. I decided today was going to be only biking and tomorrow I will rest before my race. And Sunday I am going to run with T. We have not run together in two months!  The best part of not doing the Stowe race will be running with T.

I hope you are all having wonderful days!