04-Pittsfield, Mass. – Schenectady N.Y. – Into New York

66.6 miles – no elevation data – Total miles: 212

From cold and rainy to very hot in 4 days – 91 degrees this afternoon in Albany. 

This morning I left Pittsfield early, rode past Hancock Shaker Village, and then climbed “the mountain” to get to the New York State line. 

Nice 2-mile downhill after the state line with a great view across the farms and more mountains. 

I followed New York’s Bike Route 5, which is a signed route on existing roads. For quite a while it was on US 20, which had a shoulder sometimes but not always. It took me onto some side roads closer to Albany, where the pavement was generally in bad condition and traffic was heavier than I would like on such narrow roads. 

I stopped in Nassau village for second breakfast and had a nice conversation with the cook/waitress there, and a man who also worked there. It’s fun for me to talk about the trip and most people seem to be interested to find out more about my plan. 

As I came closer to the bridge across the Hudson to get into Albany, I picked up some “bonus miles” due to a bridge out and detour. It turned out that the bridge that is out crosses the railroad tracks, and I got a detour route by calling the County highway department and asking them for help. The posted detour signs were no help at all. I finally got into Albany about 1:30 PM and stopped for lunch at a Japanese restaurant (at 50 miles for the day). I had reserved a room at a small place in Schenectady so I had to get back on my bike for the last 17 miles. 

The weather is supposed to be hot again tomorrow, and I have revised my plans to continue west on Bike Route 5, which should be pretty easy since it parallels the Erie Canal (on roads). The revised plan is to ride two 40 mile days Thurs and Friday, and then head NW from Utica toward the Adventure Cycling route.