Musselman Bike Course Preview


The wind was blowing mightily in the Sunday morning hours at Seneca Lake Park. Gale force winds of this ferocity only come along every other day or so between the lakes of Seneca and Cayuga. Regardless of the conditions the four brave bicyclists dared to challenge the weather and the 56 mile Musselman 1/2 Ironman bike course.

Lou, Eileen, Jan and I cruised past lakefront cottages while watching the waves crash the shore. The roads were in good shape and lightly traveled. Around 20 miles we finished a series of climbs and had a great view of much of Seneca Lake, while mistakenly thinking most of the hills were behind us. A mile long incline to Lodi, NY taught us not to underestimate the course, but the flats and downs of rt 414 were a nice reprieve.

Eventually we rode to rt 89 and Cayuga Lake, passing more great homes and cottages. This lake is definitely less crowded than Seneca, Canandaigua and Conesus. Once we headed west back to Geneva, we knew the last 9 miles into the wind would be challenging. None of us expected the series of climbs though and were quite disappointed when the downhills couldn't be enjoyed as the wind kept our speed down.

Finally we reached the park again, riding about 61.5 miles total, a p.r. distance for Lou and Eileen. It's a fair course, not anywhere near as hilly as Tupper Lake Tinman. The scenery is usually pretty interesting, wide shoulders, mostly smooth roads. I waved at all the horses, mooed at the cows and was disappointed not to see any Amish. I just hope for the actual triathlon the wind is not quite so strong!

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