Day 3
Slept in a bit. 6:00am rise. Looking ahead, today was going to be passing through a few small trail towns that go all out to welcome the cyclist on this tour.
On my way to stop one, I passed over Ganargua Creek. Locally called “Mud Creek" the appearance reminded me of the Monongahela River but even more muddy.
Onto the fist trail town: Newark, New York (not New Jersey). Their chamber of commerce provided headbands, reflective shoelaces, SPF chapstick, a bottle opener, snacks, water, and locally grown apples.
A few miles later in Lyons, New York we were greeted by locals and offered snacks, water, and locally made candy from the Peppermint museum.
Then, the final stop, Clyde, New York. A planned stop with tour provided refreshments, but the town also had a lot provided.
Leaving Clyde was a 15 mile stretch along back and state roads as a detour from the trail. Hilly and a headwind most of the time. A tough end to the day. Dinner on our own in Seneca Falls.
Day 2
First, I posted too early last night. Failed to mention dinner and the band that played at the campsite. Dinner was fantastic, great to refuel, and the tunes were jamming.
Up again at 5:00am to start day two. Took down camp, grabbed breakfast, and was on the trail by just after 6:30am.
A couple of pictures from the farm lined portion of the canal for the fist half of today.
Then, some pictures heading into Rochester, NY.
Finally, some pictures from Fairport, NY, our host city for tonight.
If all goes according to plan, today was the longest day.
Day 1
5:00 am came early, but I woke up well rested and ready to go. A quick shower, then breakfast at Tim Hortons.
At the starting point by 6am to drop off luggage and attend a daily briefing to go over route details and planned rest stops.
Grabed some pictures heading along the Niagara River heading out of Buffalo.
Twenty-three miles in was the AM rest stop, Uncle G's Ice Cream. Filled up water and grabbed a power bar.
A fast seven miles later was the real lunch stop in Lockport. Grabbed an Italian sausage with peppers and onions.
Checked out the visitor center, and watched some tour boats go through the canal locks.
Twelve or so miles later another water fill up and snack break in Middleport.
Finally, at just under 49 miles in on the day I arrived at our tent city for the night. Tomorrow is the longest planned day, we'll see how I'm feeling in the morning when it's time to get going.
A New Adventure Begins: Across New York
After a successful journey from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. last fall, I was eager to plan my next cycling trip. It wasn't a day or two after my return that I started searching for what would come next.
What looked perfect was Cycle The Erie Canal Annual Bike Tour. In its 25th year running, the tour starts in Buffalo, NY and over eight days the riders make their way across the state to Albany, NY.
There are some differences from my last ride that come with being a part of such a large group ride:
Campsites are all taken care of. Knowing where I'll need to get to and that reservations are taken care of is a relief on planning.
Breakfast and dinner most days. Lunch is on my own, but every day (minus two dinners) breakfast and dinner are provided at the campsite.
Luggage transportation. Yes, I still have to pedal every bit of the way, but this really lightens the load considering I had to have all my gear loaded on the bike for my last trip.
The weather is looking OK for the start of the ride. A bit of rain expected morning one, but clear for the next few days. It's the second half of the trip that has me a bit anxious. I'm hoping things end up better than what is forecasted, but that's just part of the adventure.
I'm all checked in, fueling up and hydrating, then getting a good night's sleep. It'll be an early start tomorrow.
