The scene at the inaugural Bike the Barns ride is pastoral calm. The
registration tent at Mace Chasm Farm in Keeseville, New York is bookended a
dozen movable chicken coops. It’s September 24 and a friend and I push off,
heading southeast on a lollipop bike tour. Distracted by views of grazing
sheep, apple orchards, and cornfields, I forget to count miles. We stop for
apple cider then run into a punchy climb. Cherry, maple, and ash leaves
blur into a green tunnel on the descent. Catching the pack no longer
matters.