Sunny. 27C. 54km

Up and down. A lot.

Bike feels very heavy.

Lots of short very steep uphills: 12-16+%

So walking.

Pretty countryside.

Picnic lunch stop at Tivoli, pretty little place, lay down on my mat.

Must get on. So back on the bike wondering if I'd make it to Kingston.

Round the corner found a cafe; much restored by iced latte. Phew.

And just as well. After Bard College the most awful ride up and over the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge.

A narrow bike lane narrowed more by horrible deep drainage grates. And plenty of road detritus.

The views over the river probably would have been fantastic if it had been safe to stop.

No barrier to fast heavy traffic on our side.

Pfb blasted by a horn as he overtook me as I crawled too slowly up the hill to the crest of the bridge - maybe 6% but it felt like more.

At last off the bridge but still a big road with lots of speeding traffic.

Finally made to the exceptionally dreary, old, tired, run down Best Western in Kingston. But a good shower and bed, after a quick dinner at the bar.

Cherries

Apples and cherries on the roadside