Trip up Johnson, whip past Charlton, around Ballston Lake, home by standard Ashdown Blue Barns Balltown Rd.

This morning was a perfect time for a trip up Johnson, whip past the village of Charlton, around the far end of Ballston Lake, then return home by the standard route from those parts: once out of the low-altitudes about the lake, up the hill Lake Rd. then Schauber Rd. past the Scribner house, to Ashdown,  Blue Barns, then Balltown Rd. south across the Rexford Bridge, up the trail,  through the residential area. . . home. Passing the Lake Farms apple stand, serving cider and apple cider doughnuts. Tempting.

Bright sunny day, even though it started out a bit cool at 60+ F, wind from the west carrying with it promised short-duration showers and ick. The weather map looked a bit threatening but most of the green and yellow was moving off to the north. The spots headed our way were moving west, steaming along, having us mildly worried. 

I was out in the yard tending to some mulching and putting down some composted matter from last year on this year's vegetable patch, when my cell buzzed and vibrated. "Starbucks is burning!" it read. "Need citizen volunteers. You qualified?" This had to be one of my riding buddies trying to get me off the land and into the saddle . . . SelleItalia, to be precise. We usually meet at the St. James Square Starbucks. Any excuse is good. I wasn't convinced that the store was actually on fire. 


I was up for it. T-bone wasn't up yet, so we'd travel light and fast. 

I was there at 10:30 am and we left soon after a quick route discussion. 

The route says it all. 1,000 fit climb after 15 or 20 km to get out to the base of the hill. Johnson can be daunting. Just as you turn off Route 5, the climb starts. Down shift to the middle chain ring in front. Click through the smaller to larger sprockets in back. I stay in the saddle and just climb the best I can. I'm doing OK until the third or fourth little ramp up and Ti man loses me. I try to keep up and only limit my time upright in the pedals to one stretch. Not bad! 


We crest in front of the house on the right, then start downhill for the flying turns (45 mph!!) that leave us breathless at the 'T' junction with W. Glenville. Left toward the corner with the church and fire station in the village. We rip down North Rd. and come to Rte 147 almost surprised. 'Where did this come from?' 


Jog right, then left, onto Charlton Rd. The westerly wind is now at our backs and on flat terrain I am cranking along at 30 mph! Not for long. The hills outside of town force me down a couple of gears and Ti man catches up and we take up a conversation from earlier. We agree to go on over to Outlet Rd on the north end of Ballston Lake, and take some route back. We are sailing and I'm getting a burn in the thighs from the pulls. We share and keep moving fast . . . 


We wrap it up by going past the lake's Rail Trail and taking Lake Rd. then Schauber up to the intersection with Round Lake Rd. near the apple cider/doughnut stand. Lakeview Farms or something. The sign says 'Doughnuts' 'Slab Bacon' I can't think of any combination of foods so revolting, even though I am beginning to get hungry. 


The return is familiar from here; it's a favorite at noon time with the group at work. But we go off trail into the residential area at St. Joseph and River Rd. 


Great ride. My legs feel 'worked' and we say good bye.