Day Five: Skaneateles Loop

Distance: 66 miles; lots of hills and one difficult climb
Weather: blue skies and sunshine. praise God!
Favorite part of today: ALL of it!

When I got off my bike yesterday, I was wet and exhausted. I had no desire to get back on it anytime soon. Thankfully today was a brand new day. I woke up to see the sun sparkling on the lake. blue skies and sunshine all day. Thank you God!

Today was my favorite day of riding. beautiful weather, lots of hills, beautiful scenery. I enjoyed it all. I knew it was going to be a good day when the ride started out with some good hills. The first 15 miles was full of hills and a scenic view of the lake.

Mile 15 we had a decision to make. Would we attempt for a signature climb on the route that locals include in their "Giro d'Otisco Lake" challenge ride? There were a few different route options for the day. I of course could not turn down the climb. I tried not to focus on the little fears I had of whether I could make it up the climb. It was about a mile climb and I think the most difficult one I have done. I very slowly pedaled up the first section... you know it's steep when you find yourself weaving side to side just to make it up the hill. I could not let myself think about the possibility that the entire mile of climbing was this difficult. I could see a knoll ahead and I just slowly kept pedaling and finally made it to the knoll. After that it was more climbing but it was more steady and gradual. The worst was really at the beginning.  After the mile of climbing, it felt like such an accomplishment to finally make it all the way to the top.

I'm sure there are so many life lessons tied into that climb. Don't let your fears hold you back. Just focus on the section that you are on- don't get overwhelmed by all of it. Perservance. Overcoming with God's power the challenges that you face.

We had to head back down the hill after we climbed it and it actually wasn't fun. It curved and twisted and the very steep part on the bottom scared me.

The rest of the ride was rolling hillside. I followed a couple people for a while and then rode on my own. After a quick lunch stop of pb&j (my favorite!) I got back onto my bike. I had been steadily climbing uphill before lunch so I now was approaching a nice downhill. I somehow missed a turn and I ended up going down the steep scary hill from this morning. The good news was that I wasn't lost. I then did the first 15 miles from this morning in reverse which I loved. More pretty views of the lake. More hill climbing. I was happy.

The longer route option ended up having a bridge out. I still ended with 66 miles though with the additional hill climb and my route change at the end.

I am so grateful that today was such an amazing ride with great weather. What a wonderful change from yesterday. Thankful that each day is a brand new day, you never know what the day has in store.