I’ve been staying most of this week in Saratoga Springs, New York. It is only 24 miles from Cambridge, where the Battenkill course starts. Cambridge is a super nice town, but kind of small. Saratoga Springs on the other hand is just about the right size. Nice restaurants, coffee shops and other places to hang. I’ve been mainly riding over in Cambridge. I think I have the course down. I don’t feel near as good riding as I did last week. I’m not sure what that is all about. I guess allergies. It is super high here. But, it’s supposed to rain the next two days and only be in the 40’s on Sunday. That should be nice for allergies. But, the forecast is for rain and snow for the 200km on Sunday. This might be really ugly.

This town is full of these huge mansions. Mob money I guess.

Biggest cone on Earth for $3 from The Ice Cream Man on Hwy 29 on the way back from Cambridge.

The Uncommon Grounds Coffeshop in Saratoga Springs might be the best coffee I've had in recent memory.

Famous dairy on the Battenkill course. Can you believe the date? Pre Revolutionary War.

I haven't called the number, but does this mean it best to kill doctors?

Local beer on tap at the Cambridge Hotel. Special race brew.

Looks like it is going to be wet and cold at Battenkill. I like those conditions normally. But, I’m not looking forward to doing 200 km in them. I guess it makes you harder. Maybe I’ll look at it like doing 6 cyclo-x races back to back. Actually, that isn’t a good way to think of it. I don’t mind riding in the rain. I mind getting ready in the rain. I hate standing around in the rain waiting to start a race. And I don’t hate riding with wet shoes and shorts, I hate the time period when they go from dry to wet. It should be interesting no matter what. But, I am second guessing my decision to not be at The Sea Otter this weekend.

This maple syrup farm is on the first loop. The owner invited me to come back for a ice cream sundae. He says it's the biggest maple syrup farm in the world.

Covered bridge early on the course.