I started off my ride from my apartment in Hackensack to meet a friend at rei in Paramus where we work for a pre adventure breakfast.
We got some sandwiches from our favorite breakfast spot, and ate them behind a Dairy Queen which wasn't open yet. We discussed our aspirations for adventure before I set off.
I was a bit nervous of completing the ride with just a backpack because in the past I've always used racks and such to your with. I have a race coming up in two weeks and I thought it would be a cool way to train to ride my racing bike with a heavy pack to get ready for it.
I took a few brief breaks along the way to sloatsburg New York along the saddlebrook greenway. Not too many though, and before you know it I was entering New York State. The Ramapo mountains looked beautiful this time of year!
I pushed on until I got to Rhodes tavern on 17A and got some lunch. Rhodes is just up the highway from the Harriman state forest, where the real adventure begins.
I rode roughly 4 miles into the woods where I got to my favorite spring camping spot at an elevated lake. Even though there was not much snow left in the area, the lake still had a sheet of ice over it.
I had run over a big piece of broken glass as I entered the woods, but my Stan's tire sealent fixed it right up with only pumping more air in it! Lifesaver right there! I set up my eno hammock shelter before dark and collected some firewood for a relaxing evening.
After a good night of sleep I packed my things back up and set out back home. The weather was beautiful!
I had a great time, trained my endurance for my race, and got to spend some quality time in nature. I absolutely would do it again!