A few days prior to this attempt, I’d tried ascending Mill St. in Binghamton. I’m still not too sure how close to the top I got, but at the first switchback, I’d already stopped several times to catch my breath, and my legs were burning beyond description. After letting my body recuperate a little, I decided to try something a little less steep, but still a real climb.


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The climb at Stratmill is a “pleasant” one as it goes up a bit, levels off, goes up a little more, levels off, etc., etc. Then, once you’ve climbed, you have any number of fast fun descents to pick from. I prefer Nowlan Rd., as it levels off and runs a while before coming to a stop sign. Old State Rd. is fun too, except for the abrupt end at a red light on a local highway.