S2S Does Saratoga Springs

Kim and I, took an impromptu trip recently to the beautiful town of Saratoga Springs, NY.  We had gone up the summer before to check out the riding and some of the town's more popular sites.  Before we left, we promised our 518 Chapter Representative, Just Whitt, that we would return the following year after the horse racing season to get a better glimpse of the area minus all the tourists.  Despite the weekend being far too short, we maximized the shit out of our visit.

Friday night we roll into our motel which is located a mile from Just's house.  Even though the sign clearly read Robin Hood Motel, Kim makes the executive decision to rename it the Throbbing Wood Hotel.  Which, in hindsight, was very appropriate.  Our room housed the largest porn mirror next to the bed that I had ever seen.

First thing we do Saturday morning is to find the local diner for a hot, greasy breakfast.  Any town worth it's salt has one of these.  While I'm enjoying my meat packed omelet, Kim gets up from the bar and approaches the one and only, Santa Claus, who came in to enjoy a meal of his own.  He was very gracious.  And, even though he turned down Kim's request for a pony, he did give him a business card.  Come to find out, Santa is sponsored.

With enough food in our bellies to winter an adult male bear, we head back to the Throbbing Wood to begin our day on bikes.

First and foremost, we hit the truck show going on a mile from our motel.  While I was digging the old trucks, I couldn't help but notice that our server from the diner was the same dude in this poster.  I can say with all honesty that hipsters are alive and well in Saratoga.

After checking out some wicked trucks we moseyed down to the rail trail and hunkered down on Turtle Rock to adjust our goofy boots.  We had a long day of debauchery planned and it was time to get prepped!

However, the drinking and the shenanigans did not commence immediately.  It was a sunny; warm, beautiful day and we were going to milk it for everything it was worth.  Next up, Lakeside Farms!  Even though I'm not a huge donut fan, I ate the shit out of that hot, delicious treat.  Not much interest in lingering when there was no alcohol on the premises so we bounced out.  Onto bigger and better!

I can't speak for anyone else but, my favorite part about riding is the crazy things you see along the way.  For instance, this guy.  Someone welded a bunch of scrap metal together to come up with this little scenario.  I can't fathom why someone would do that but I'm thankful they did!  

 

Next up, Stella's!
Cute, quaint and over priced is what I would call it.  On a scale of 1-to-5 , I'd give it a 3.  Unfortunately,  these pricey beverages only left us thirsty.  The noon hour had already passed and we still had many miles to travel.

Back on the wheel, it wasn't long until we rolled upon this sight.  It gave me a powerful thirst!

High Rock Distillary hit the spot!  After our liquid lunch, we noticed the temperatures were dropping.  At this point we needed to decide to push on or head back to the Throbbing Wood Motel.  We were losing daylight and no one was equipped to ride in the dark.  

 

So, we did what any sane person would do and headed out to The Saratoga Winery 

& Tasting Room.  We did not taste, though.  Like the true gluttons we are, we procured a bottle of wine and proceeded to polish it off.

By the way, this place was awesome!

We'd fooled around enough.  It was getting dark and cold, and I was powerful hungry.  We hustled back to town to prepare for dinner.  Just was taking us to one of his favorite watering holes, Nanola's.  I don't even remember what I had but the beer was so good.  When I had finished that tap, I tried another and lo and behold, that one was good as well!

We decided to hang out a little longer when this band, Funk Evolution, started to play.  I will admit that I haven't had this much fun in a very long time!  This band is fucking awesome!  I laughed; I drank, I danced with a chubby old cowboy and had the time of my life.  Granted, I paid for it the next day.    

I really have to thank Just Whitt for the guided tour.  Saratoga Springs is a gorgeous area to ride.  On the 1-to-5 scale I would have to give it an 11!  Next year, I'd like to go back with a posse of friends!  

Carpe Diem

Believe it or not, I am capable of being introspective.  At the age of 20, during one of those times, I realized that I was half-the-way to 40.  I went on with the math and discovered 40 was half-way to dead.  Perhaps, it's my Irish heritage that's to blame for making me a wee bit morbid but I've always had a good grasp on time and it's value.  If you know me at all, you know my biggest pet peeve is other people wasting my time.

At the age of 40 or half-way to dead, if you will, I thought to myself, if I were to die today what would my regrets be?   My answer was, I would regret all the things I would have missed because I was afraid.  Afraid of failure; afraid of rejection, afraid of the consequences, etc.  And, from that day forward, I looked fear in the face and told it to fuck off.  Right; wrong or indifferent, I was going to seize the day.

To be truly present in a moment, is the greatest gift you can give yourself in my opinion.  To, stop and savor an experience is a difficult thing to do, however.  Saturday, a posse of us like minded individuals seized the shit out of the day. We had one hell of an adventure on bikes around Keuka Lake.  For your entertainment, I have assembled a picture montage.  Sit back and enjoy the show.

At 11 a.m. a gaggle of idiots formed to experience the delightful Keuka Lake Wine Trail.  Nipping on spirits is perfectly acceptable after 11 a.m.

After a long, arduous climb uphill, our first winery beckoned like a beacon.  And, it did not disappoint.

There may have been a wee more climbing but I don't really remember.  I was busy enjoying the view and the heavy scent of grapes.

In a word?  Fucking awesome!

Yates Cellar was a God send!  The hill leading up to it?  Not so much.  Still worth the stop.

Lunch view at Top Of The Hill.  You can see the bluff from our table.  After a delightful lunch we needed to lay down some miles.  We were only 22 miles into the ride.

Found this along the way at Ole Camp Good Times.

47 miles later, we parked our asses in Maloney's Pub for a last beverage together.  I will not lie, I felt at home here.  We reminisced.  We laughed.  Kim and I, watched our friends leave.  And, then we went skinny dipping in the lake.  I'll never forget this ride.  Carpe Diem, after all!

2015- The Year of Fucky

Fucky Is:

The coldest winter on record.

A spring that never sprung.

A bride walking down the aisle on her wedding day spewing f-bombs like it was her job.

The State Fair.

Three weeks of summer.

The inability to follow through.

Unfucky Is:

Best friends on your birthday.

Last Rush concert series with great friends.

Unadilla with cool friends.

Living a childhood dream with a long time friend.

A long beautiful fall season.

The never ending support of a spouse.

And, true friends on bikes.