The Indian name "Cayuga" means "boat landing." Many people identify with Cayuga Lake because of the line "Far Above Cayuga’s Waters" in the Cornell University song.

Cayuga Lake, the longest of the Finger Lakes, is just under 40 miles long, is 3 1/2 miles wide at the widest point, and has an average width of 1 3/4 miles. It is 435 feet deep at the deepest point off King Ferry (second only to Seneca Lake in depth) and at 384 feet above sea level is the lowest of the Finger Lakes.

Saturday's (7/9) Cayuga Lake Ride......We awoke Saturday morning to the annual downpour that is Cheryl's fault..........now keep in mind, that Cayuga can be one NASTY ride on a hot windy day......you sissy Huggers really dropped the ball on this one...

Robbie H., Bernie C., Chuck (350) H., the Dennis K., Stu and Cheryl headed out from Cayuga Lake State Park on damp roads........rode up to the top of the lake, then down the East side with a really pleasant tail wind. With two "Newbies" and the rest Veterans of the lake rides it was hardly necessary to take a break.......but we did when we encountered sprinkles at 25 miles......the shower passed South of us......and soon we were "Riding the Wind" the rest of the way to Ithaca.

Bernie and Robbie rode on ahead to Ithaca and hooked up with Charlie W. for a lunch fit for a king at one of Charlie's favorite local spots. The rest of us didn't seem to get invited (Bernie), so we dined on Power Bars and fresh water at the Visitor's Center. Dennis kept nagging and nagging to hurry up and ride up some hill that was driving him insane with worry.......it must've SEEMED a lot smaller when he reached the top.....we never heard a WORD about this HUGE HILL again.

In Ithaca, Chuck (350) pointed out how much better suited his mountain bike tires were for use in the park to Stu. At the same time, Stu noticed that Chuck's rear tire was really....really..soft and decided not to mention it until until the top. At the park we decided to change Chuck's better suited tire, but unfortunately Cheryl got the Ice Cream Attack she is noted for........and took off with Dennis for the next nearest parlor. Back at the Park, a well fed Bernie, Robbie, and Charlie showed up in time to watch Re-Inflation of a now much better suited tire...... and we departed before all the ice cream would be eaten by you-know-who.

This is the amazing part.....it rained for a few minutes while we all were eating ice cream...then stopped......I mean EVERYTHING........no WIND..I know all you lake veterans out there remember the LONG LONG treks back up the lake in the blistering heat fighting that headwind......NONE OF THAT.....we took it easy and cruised back to the post party in the park. I warned the two "Former NEWBIES" that they should not expect such an easy ride next year.........YA JUST NEVER KNOW......
- Stu