Benjamin Sandberg

I’ve had some time to recover from Traverse Tompkins 2023, and the main feeling I continue to experience is one of incredible gratitude. I can’t express my personal appreciation or the thanks of the whole History Center family enough for the many different ways that folks expressed their support and enthusiasm this year.

The ride was both incredible, and an enormous physical and mental challenge. Each time I have embarked on a Traverse Tompkins effort, I have set out with grand ambitions to stop regularly and provide some video updates throughout the ride. Inevitably, however, I only get to one or two videos/posts, and then realize that I have to buckle down. That doesn’t mean I wasn’t thinking about the many folks who love The History Center, supported the different riders and runners this year, and the well-wishes that were ever flowing through out the ride.

Unfortunately, I did not finish the planned ride this year – instead, I was derailed in the 11th hour (or rather the 23rd hour!) by a flat tire and some mechanical problems. Even if I had smooth sailing the entire way, I wouldn’t have reached the 270-mile threshold. It became evident at about midnight that my miles/hour awake rate was not going to be fast enough. I recalibrated, and wanted to get to Hollenbeck’s Cider Mill at the 255-mile mark and call it a successful ride. Only 10 miles out from this new end destination (and personal record of miles travelled in 24 hours) I fell short and ran out of time. The 245-mark left me 5 miles short of last year, but still proud of a monstrous undertaking.

Even more important was the critical support generated for The History Center. While I’m always thrilled to get out onto the landscape and explore local history, I was most proud of everyone else who joined me this year. Whether it was someone running 5 miles, biking 30, or biking 245, it was exciting to see others push themselves all while exploring our incredible history in Upstate New York. If you didn’t get the opportunity to walk, run, bike, or paddle this year, I hope you’ll join the growing community next year for Traverse Tompkins 2024.

We have one final little thank you being printed and mailed out to everyone who was part of Traverse Tompkins this year. Consider it a memento of our exploration of bridges, and an expression of our entire team’s profound gratitude. We are truly lucky to count such a wonderful community part of our local history family. As always, I look forward to seeing you on Tompkins County roads!

On the whole trip, I took a single photo, and couldn't even figure out how to flip the text! Location somewhere along the northwest end of Seneca Lake, and early enough in the ride that the hallucinations were still many hours away.

Just updating mileage totals - more info come! Thanks to all you supported!

A flat derailed the ride in the final hour - but 245 (ish) miles were traversed and Im back safe!

I need to sleep, eat, and sleep again. Thank you to everyone who supported The History Center and I’ll see you in Tompkins County roads next year.

115 miles down and 14 hours to go!

Ben has traversed the full length of Seneca Lake and just passed through Newark New York! He's now headed through the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge before a long circle around Oneida Lake! Let's cheer him on, he has 51 miles to before his halfway point! (Updates from The History Center office).