As luck would have it, I found myself stuck at home all day on Wednesday, even though the high reached a gorgeous 75 degrees. We were having our chimney repaired, which meant I had to stay put to keep the dog at bay with workers constantly coming in and out. The moment they finished, I grabbed all my lights—knowing that with Daylight Saving Time officially over, this was going to be a true night ride—and jumped on the Wabash around 4:30 PM for my weekly e-bike escape.
It was still a bit warm at the start, but the heat quickly dissipated as I began the steady climb up to the Notch.
While the sheer effort of the climb kept my core warm, I could feel the sharp bite of the cold air the higher I got. I had packed my night riding jacket, but a vest, which I usually bring but in my haste to depart quickly I forgot it because it would have been the perfect choice for these shifting autumn temperatures.
Less than five miles into the ride, my battery indicator dropped one bar (about 10%). While that drop usually happens around the five-mile mark anyway, the relentless climbing definitely drained the cell faster than usual. Before I even reached the top of the Notch, a mountain biker flew past me heading in the opposite direction. What caught me completely off guard was his gear—he was wearing a full-face helmet and a ton of heavy layers. It immediately made me wonder: was he just over-prepared for a standard gravel ride, or are there hidden mountain bike trails nearby that aren't on the official maps?
Curiosity got the better of me, so I checked the Strava Heatmaps later. Sure enough, there appears to be a trail that bypasses the washed-out section of Notch Road. It looks like I've officially found my next exploration project.
I’d forgotten just how climby Wheelerville Road actually is; from the top of the Notch all the way to Brewers Corners, the road just kept tilting upward. It’s a long, beautiful 7-mile stretch of gravel, and by the time I started descending toward Route 4, the temperature plummeted so fast that I had to pull over and put on my jacket.
Once I hit Route 4, the climbing resumed. I turned onto Cream Hill and kept ascending, quickly overheating until I had to stop again to shed the layers.
A quick map check revealed a classic navigation error: I had turned too soon. I should have stayed on Route 4 for another 50 yards and taken Old Turnpike Road instead. Oh well—saving that one for next time!
I backtracked down Cream Hill and detoured onto a quick side road to scoop up some extra Wandrer points. Back on Route 4, I enjoyed a fast descent. Traffic was light, and the few drivers heading my way were incredibly courteous, giving me well over four feet of clearance.
Seeking a detour off the main road, I took the first through-street right onto Meadow Lake Drive. Since I had the extra juice of the e-bike, I decided to tackle Blue Ridge Heights for another climb. Reaching the summit rewarded me with an absolutely incredible night view of Rutland glowing in the valley below. It was so stunning that I’ve already added a daytime return trip to my bucket list.
Heading toward Pittsford, I was on the lookout for Sangamon Road but missed a cue, sending me descending in the exact opposite direction. It was a fun, fast downhill regardless, and I finally regained my bearings after turning onto Prospect Hill Road. After a brief stint on Route 7, I hung a right onto Lincoln Avenue, happily escaping the busy highway traffic and weaving my way home through the quiet Rutland neighborhoods.
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