Day 27: The Penultimate Ride

Just one day to ride, but the Catskills and Berkshires did their best to make the Big Fix riders miserable. Today's ride was about 140 miles, but also included about 6,000 feet of climbing--and most of that came in the form of steep (10% plus) hills, "straight up and straight down" in the words of Mojo. He says that, unlike other parts of the country, where roads follow the contours of the land, the early roadbuilders in the east apparently went straight no matter what topography got in the way.

The day started in Tannersville, where the Big Fix once again overwhelmed the staff at a local restaurant. Today's slow breakfast resulted in a late, 8 a.m. start.

A little later in the day, the boys hit their third road washout, forcing a detour that once again added some miles. Later in the day, the riders crossed the Hudson river.

By day's end, Ricky's bike computer told the group they had ridden 3,370 miles, with 84 to go tomorrow from Wilbraham to the final destination in Boston.