Friday, April 4, 2014

Single speed overnight

I started off my ride from my apartment in Hackensack to meet a friend at rei in Paramus where we work for a pre adventure breakfast. 
We got some sandwiches from our favorite breakfast spot, and ate them behind a Dairy Queen which wasn't open yet. We discussed our aspirations for adventure before I set off. 
I was a bit nervous of completing the ride with just a backpack because in the past I've always used racks and such to your with. I have a race coming up in two weeks and I thought it would be a cool way to train to ride my racing bike with a heavy pack to get ready for it. 
I took a few brief breaks along the way to sloatsburg New York along the saddlebrook greenway. Not too many though, and before you know it I was entering New York State. The Ramapo mountains looked beautiful this time of year!  
I pushed on until I got to Rhodes tavern on 17A and got some lunch. Rhodes is just up the highway from the Harriman state forest, where the real adventure begins. 
I rode roughly 4 miles into the woods where I got to my favorite spring camping spot at an elevated lake. Even though there was not much snow left in the area, the lake still had a sheet of ice over it. 
I had run over a big piece of broken glass as I entered the woods, but my Stan's tire sealent fixed it right up with only pumping more air in it!  Lifesaver right there!  I set up my eno hammock shelter before dark and collected some firewood for a relaxing evening. 
After a good night of sleep I packed my things back up and set out back home. The weather was beautiful! 
I had a great time, trained my endurance for my race, and got to spend some quality time in nature. I absolutely would do it again!