May 28, 2025
Day 17 Pulaski to Fair Haven
Average Speed 11.2 mph
Another pleasant riding day.
I was up and out by 7 am from Anne’s Firehouse Inn / Airbnb. She was awake as well and working away in the kitchen. It takes me 30 minutes to pack the bags, carry them outside, get the bike outside, and put on and strap on the bags and bottles. It’s a process.
The local Pulaski breakfast and lunch diner, Arnie’s, opens at 6 am so I decided to have sit down breakfast before heading out. I joined the company of state and local cops and local workers beginning their day. It was a start to the day.
The ride was along state roads and county roads for the duration of the ride today. State roads are high speed, more traffic, wide shoulders, gradual climbs that can be long and ok scenery. Not peaceful or pleasant, but safe and not that difficult.
County roads are more scenic, less traffic, rolling hills, sometimes steep grades with some climbs, but varying shoulders from none to 3 ft, meaning you’re riding in the lane but with much less traffic and much prettier scenery. These are the roads I prefer. My mind is freer to think and observe rather than brace against the traffic.
Today was a mix of both.
It’s clear that over the past two days that I’ve moved from the Adirondacks and the deep forested roads, lake side views and large gaps between amenities, such as convenience stores, to traveling from small town to small town with modest residences and farms in between. Today was like that. I’m sure it coincides with getting closer to, and now staying on, Lake Ontario.
The weather cooperated. Temps started in the low 50s and increased into maybe the 70s. The sun was out, but learned my sunscreen lesson from two days ago. The clouds starting moving in, perhaps a harbinger of poorer weather to come.
The town of Volney was on the route and this is a town of significance relative the smaller villages on around it. It was the biggest dose of civilization since “Ti”. A smaller historic downtown with, I’m sure, an interesting past and a more modern view just down the hill with a Dunkin, Wendy’s, and a shopping plaza at an intersection. AND, a second Dunkin a mile up the road. I have not seen a two Dunkins in town probably since Lewiston, Maine.
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After Volney it was Granby Center and Sterling and finally Fair Haven, where I am now. I guess Fair Haven is a village within Sterling. It is a quaint, small town that has everything I need - a great place to stay, the Fair Haven Village Inn, a place to have dinner within walking distance, Brandon’s, a convenience store across the street, and a breakfast and lunch diner. This is all good since the forecast shows rain, and I’m going to hang here for an extra day - I’m due a rest day anyway.
I spent time cleaning the bike, lubing the chain and filling the tires (need to do this more often). Now just hanging out, watching the Red Sox lose again and getting ready for the anticipated rain day and rest tomorrow.
Today's ride: 44 miles (71 km)
Total: 672 miles (1,081 km)
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4 days ago