MEMORIES 2008: BIKE TOUR THROUGH THE FINGER LAKES
Seneca & Keuka
THE SPINNING DIVAS had a great bike tour of the Finger Lakes ~ Seneca & Keuka
We met Sunday afternoon at the Glenora Wine Cellars in Dundee and enjoyed a wonderful lunch. After that, we took off for our 25 mile trip north toward Geneva. All went well until about (8) miles south of our destination, The Belhurst Castle, a TORRENTIAL rain storm came through. Heavy heavy rain, winds, thunder & lightning. Some took shelter under a bus stop and others "tried" to take shelter behind an SUV parked on Rt. 14. It finally subsided a bit and we were able to get to the hotel. Again, all was well until Mary Jane hydroplaned a few hundred yards from the entrance to the hotel and completely wiped out! Little did we know we had a doctor in the group (thanks Joan!) and with some ice packs Mary Jane was better. Also, thank God for helmets!! That night we had a great dinner in the Dining Room of the Belhurst.
Monday morning after breakfast on the porch of the Belhurst (overlooking Seneca Lake) we took off for Penn Yan. Despite a few mishaps we all managed to get to the Esperanza by 5pm! Who knew Google Maps & Mapquest were not aware of recent road name changes in NY State? Who would have guessed that several of us would run over glass? How many tires did Amy change that day? And poor Sue finally got the local PoPo to help her out. A quick trip to the Mennonite bike shop a few miles away and we were all back on the road. Until of course, another MAJOR rain storm hit us unexpectedly. A few of us took shelter in an outhouse at someone's cottage on the bluff of Keuka Lake. Others found relief under a construction site. And finally, a few others were a mile or two behind and missed the entire storm! Upon arrival at the lovely Esperanza Mansion, Karen immediately suffered from "van envy" as another group of women were staying at the Inn and, needless to say, their van put Karen's Explorer to shame. Oh, well, she's sure they didn't have as much fun! After an impromptu pre dinner party in one of the rooms, we had a great dinner on the porch overlooking Keuka Lake. We then enjoyed a nightcap at their bar and Joan got more than she bargained for when the Sharpee came out and we all "autographed" her leg!
Tuesday morning we shoved off from the Esperanza for our final day of riding. Slightly overcast we managed to miss spurts of rain. We all made it up the hill to Dr. Frank's Winery and had a great tasting there. During a break from the rain we took off for Heron Hill Winery, but decided to take off as another storm was on its way. Lunch at The Village Tavern in the adorable town of Hammondsport at the bottom of Keuka Lake was wonderful. And just as we left...the sun came out and it was just beautiful. We also met a local artist, Dennis Howard, that sold several of us his print for the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition benefiting Camp Good Days & Special Times, which we had just passed on our way down the west side of the lake. Getting out of Hammondsport toward Dundee proved to be a tough one...the hill was a TOUGH one, but once completed, the scenery was breathtaking. Dinner was in Watkins Glen at The Wildflower Cafe & Crooked Rooster Brew Pub. We finished our night with a glass of local champagne (compliments of the Glenora) at the front desk with Will who worked at both the Esperanza & the Glenora. He checked us out of the Esperanza that morning and said good night to us that night!
The following morning a delicious breakfast was served in the Dining Room of the Glenora and then it was time to say good bye...our achin' quads were happy to do so! It was a fabulous trip filled with great Inns, wonderful restaurants, tasty wines, spectacular scenery and amazing women!
