Mr. Ed's Mobile Bike Repair

10/11/2026

10/11/2026

Day 6... the last day. On day 4 we were looking for a new place to ride. Using Google maps bicycle feature we found a longer trail about half way home. So off to find the Harlem Valley Rail Trail we went. Staying last night at Catamount Ski Area we were only a 12min drive from the trailhead. This 35 mile trail is mostly there to support the local communities. But its in the Berkshires so.. how bad could it be? This trail was a lot like a John Prine song. It was a whole lot of nothing to see here, followed by moments of sheer brilliance! We did 25 miles and much was in the woods. But then, all of a sudden we would pop out to a stunning view of the mountains. Alive with color, these views would stop us in our tracks! Then back into the woods we would duck. A mile or two of not so much to see and bam! An idyllic pond with geese, tall grasses, and lily pads the size of dinner plates! I was struck with the thought that this how it is when, the love of nature out weighs the love of lawn... just beautiful. This ride finished off our week with just over 100 miles of mountain biking and gravel rides. We camped, hiked, rode bikes, visited old friend, made new ones, and just breathed. We breathed an air so fresh you could taste it. So clean it smelled like memories of my youth. Of summer camp, and time fishing in my parents pond. When times were slower and life seemed like it would last forever. Now approaching my 60s, I feel that forever is coming to an end, and that somehow, if I slow down now, it will keep forever around a bit longer. Thanks for coming along on this trip. Its been fun sharing.

10/10/2026

Day 5. Ok.. I messed up... ish... we packed up at Ausable Chasm Campground... an awesome stay by the way... and headed south. The plan was to head half way home, about 3hrs, and moor up at a Harvest Host for the evening. If you own an RV and don't know Harvest Hosts Enthusiasts id say you need to! This organization let's you stay for free at a local business! And all you have to do is participate in what ever the business offers. Stay at a maple farm.. buy maple syrup. Stay at a Cidery, buy their c***r.. thats it! Easy peasy.. and a free nights stay and some stuff you will use anyway. Win, win. Tonight's stay was at Catamount Ski Area in the Berkshires. Our obligation for harvest hosting is to donate to the ski school... yep.. im in. Anyway... long story longer.. our 4 hr drive turned into 6+! After touring along the coast of Lake Champlain for what seemed like minutes... 60 miles.. actually.. we took a lunch stop at Crown Point. This pinch in the lake is a place where both the French and the English had built forts in the 1700s. First the French then the English. We opened the Airstream and made some Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches while taking in the amazing last views of our trip to the Champlain Region. I will miss this area... On a quest for fresh Vermont Maple Syrup we headed down Rt 7 reading every sign, hopefully awaiting the Sugar shack, or Maple syrup invitation! Passing many we were to late for, or to big to get in to. Finally... there it was. A small sign and a big shoulder! Much needed with a 50ft rig. Inside this hole In the wall was Maple syrup equipment, many bottles of syrup and two old coders... telling us we haven't got enough syrup... ( we had a gallon!).. lol. Gotta love Vermont. Anyway, what seemed like 18 beautiful hours later we were at our nights stay. Catamount is a beautiful spot, nestled in a valley in the Berkshires. We set up and proceed to make dinner and listen to James Taylor... Duh... we're in the Berkshires. Many hours later, here we are... several hours into 70s music, full bellies, no bike rides... ( thats tomorrow) ... and this day, This is the one we will remember! Not because we drove....... for... ever.... But because we gave into the day. We accepted what it gave us and expected nothing more. So we are here... happy, contented and so full of life we could burst! The bike brought us here... while we didn't use them today ... its the reason we are here, in this place of bliss. Tomorrow we ride!

10/09/2026

Day 4.. Today we decided to head to Burlington. I know... I know... we have ridden the Island Line Trail before... but this trail, this one! Is in the top trails in the country! Ill say its in my top 3. We took the ferry across Lake Champlain and where at our destination in just over an hour. As we rolled thru the first few miles, we passed rail roads, harbors, town squares, restaurants, museums, homeless encampments, surfing clubs, skate parks, as well as local communities that support northern Vermont. Even though this trail is only 12 miles in one direction, it seemed like minutes before we reached something other worldly. A place where water, land and bicycle meet. A 2.7 mile coseway across Lake Champlain! You are literally just feet off of a huge body of water. It looks like a short ride to your eyes... but its a long stretch to where the ferry can take you across to finish the last mile. ( unfortunately the ferry was not running this day). We stopped.. in the wind... to enjoy the view... then headed back. These 12 miles back went by in what seems like minutes. Once back at the truck, we decided to head back to camp. The Ferry cuts off close to an hour... but.. its $29 for the truck and us two. So we drove north... to the Canadian border... to cross over a bridge, back to New York. Quite literally, we could see the border of Canada. Passing the time by talking about days long ago, we were soon at camp. New neighbors had moved in to the campsite next to us so I met the matriarch.. his name was Enzo! A 12 year old Boxer. Such a beautiful soul.. as all dogs are .. Great conversation with Enzo's family and a couple of Porter House stakes later... here we are. Too tired to play guitar, to full of the week too think of ways to come up with more reasons to share, and too excited for new adventures that will come tomorrow. Cheers