7 Lakes Drive - 1st Ride

this morning i only had a short amount of time to ride. i had to be home by 10am as my wife had to leave around then and i had to be with the baby at home. i tried to leave around 5am so i could have a good amount of time out there by myself. 

i wasnt sure where to go by my self as it would be my first day ride by myself (not including my daily commute). i decided the night before to head up north to Bear Mountain, have breakfast, then follow 7 Lakes Drive on the way back home…..

i got a late start in the morning, about 6am. it was fairly windy and still dark. there was also a nice chill in the air. i was mildly putting my cold gear to the test. everything worked out well but i could tell that as the season gets colder, ill need more gear. specifically a heated vest, hand covers (or bark busters?), a more advanced base layer, proper socks, a better windshield, a full head balaclava (i currently have a half face), and ear plugs. it was a really noisy ride with only 15mph winds.

i stopped at the palisades state line look out point around 7am which was just when the sun started to come up. it was a clear day compared to my last visit so i took a few photos, texted my wife that i was ok since i didnt see her before i left, ate my granola bar, threw on an extra layer thermal top under my coat, and continued off to the bear mountain area.

i stopped by a little diner right before the park to grab a quick breakfast around 745am. it was the perfect stop and id go again. i snuck in a “selfie” while passing a mirror in the diner. rare i get photos of myself so why not.

i came up 202 and hopped in the park. followed 7 Lakes Drive all the way through it. for some reason my navigation tracking app stopped working at the bottom of the park but you can get an idea of my overall route for the day. the missing part was my taking 87 home back to the city.

the drive through the park was incredible. i need way more time there. such a perfect day for it too as the trees were all turning. 

i had to be home by 10am so as soon as i got out of the park i took 87 down to the palisades, stopped for a quick gas  stop and then home by 10:06 AM. 140 miles total. great day. i really wanted to be home by the time i told my wife so that i could fit in more of these early morning sunday rides in the future without her protest. im hoping to get more time in that park, it was so nice.