Rocket fuel, or the lack thereof

Ticonderoga to South Glens Falls, New York. Sunday, April 18, 2021

Ticonderoga and Whitehall are two very historic towns. Fort Ticonderoga has been called the Keystone to the Continent, a key part of the British invasion route in their attempt to divide the colonies and win the revolutionary war. Whitehall is considered the birthplace of the US Navy.

There are some big hills in between. I know them well, have done them five prior times. This time, however, it was different. I found myself slowing to a crawl, and on one occasion had to get off and walk the bike. It’s just wasn’t like me. Sure, it was the first big bike ride of the season, and that year of inactivity has left me in particularly couch worthy shape. But this was ridiculous. Have I really gotten that old?

Then it hit me. No caffeine. I resolved eight years ago to get off the stuff, it was giving me heartburn and Lord knows I am hyper enough. Stopped cold turkey, I had a hellish week of withdrawal, but I have been “sober” since. OK, who could resist the one-euro cafe con leches on the Camino, but otherwise, I was clean. I would only indulge on big bike rides.

I was trying to be good this trip, just a 3/4 decaf in the motel that morning, but as I almost fell asleep on a picnic table I realized, I need my rocket fuel. After a quick mocha frappechino in Whitehall, I was good to go.

The rest of the route followed the Champlain canal, and was much easier. Still a gentle tailwind, it was a bit warmer, things were looking up. Used the warmshowers.org website for the first time, and was treated to a delightful evening with Pam and Steve in South Glens Falls. What a generous thing to do for the bike touring community, I’ll look forward to paying it forward when I get back home.

Distance 53.5 miles, 111 total. Time 8 hours with stops. Elevation gain 2,557 feet