We started the day with breakfast at the cavernous restaurant at the Gamble Farm Inn in Jersey Shore. They were setting up for Bingo later.
Colton Valley Inn take note - this is how you do coffee. Since we were the only people eating breakfast, the waitress just set the whole giant carafe on our table.
After breakfast it's time to climb! There is no road that goes along the Susquehanna from here except US 220, which is a freeway where no bikes are allowed. So over the mountain we go. We have to ride through that gap on the right side. It's over 1000 feet of climb. The grade is mostly easy but there are a few stretches that are 7-10%.
Once you get over the top, there is about 20 miles of downhill traversing the ridge line. Three miles are unpaved, but it's not bad. We reached the Susquehanna at Watsonville.
We had a very tasty late lunch at this Italian place. It took us until noon to get over the mountain.
The last 20 miles was easy, flat riding along the west bank of the Susquehanna, with interesting scenery like roadside emus.
There was a pretty horrific bridge crossing to get back across the river to our motel in Shamokin Dam, but it wouldn't have been so bad if I had realized there is a a really nice separated bike lane on the other side of the bridge. Strava mapping let me down here.
We are staying at the super cheap Travelodge. This is because it is now a Travelodge by Wyndham. Which means is still a super cheap dive motel, with many permanent residents, but I get points.
Our room is pretty nice and recently updated.
The Travelodge is huge. There is a giant courtyard, with a pool in the middle. There are rooms on the inside and the outside.
And there is a built-in Mexican restaurant! Since our room is on the inside of the courtyard, we never had to leave the compound.
The Mexican place was a winner. Electrolytes were thoroughly replenished with the jumbo size Margarita.
This Mexican place was unique in that there were a bunch of customers who were actual Mexican and/or Central American immigrants, who were sitting at the crowded bar yelling at the TV in Spanish.
We got some room beers, which did not have twist-off caps. I am prepared for this. I've done RAGBRAI many times.
It was a tough day. 54 miles and 2150 feet of climb. But it was really nice out and we are having a great time.
Here's the Strava track: https://www.strava.com/activities/19743721394
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