Verona and Sylvan Beach Bike Weekend
June 27-29, 2008

Friday, hosts Kathy M. and Bob D. led a bike tour of the area before meeting for dinner at a restaurant a short walk from the Lakeshore Motel. Huggers had rented the entire motel, a perfect setting facing Oneida Lake.

Saturday morning Bob prepared eggs to order from an electric skillet, bacon, toast, etc. outside the motel to get the gang ready for our "flat and fabulous" ride through the countryside.

En route, we were greeted by life-size male and female mannequins and deer. We had to scramble across one bridge closed to cars. Seeking shelter from a thunderstorm, we were invited into a local church, complete with air conditioning, cold water, hot coffee, and cookies. We ate our packed lunches during the brief deluge, and hit the road soon after. Most of the twenty Pedal Powered Huggers biked the whole 45 miles together in harmony and a similar pace. What a pleasure!

Later Saturday we enjoyed a picnic dinner outside the motel thanks to grill master Bob and Mark F. for surprising us with three half-gallons of ice cream. Some went for a "water walk" along the shoreline, while the majority walked to Sylvan Beach Amusement Park to re-live their childhood. Most headed to bed well before Carol and Jon were done sampling all the rides.

Sunday morning was a pleasant outdoor breakfast at a local restaurant, another shorter bike ride, and a mellow ride home
- Gail U.