Little Falls, NY to Latham, NY II (8/21/2012)

Another Biking day today.  We do not seem to have any problems getting up to bike.  It was again very quiet in the hotel dining room.  The good news was they had “real” oatmeal and the waitress made me a HUGE bowl.  She got me some raisins too!  But, I could not finish it all.  But it was great.  We had 2 or 3 cups of coffee before taking off around 7:30 AM.

It was a foggy morning on the water in Little Falls, NY today.  And between the Mohawk River & the Eire Canal – there is lots of water in Little Falls.

Early morning fog leaving Little Falls, NY

We put our wind breakers on as it was only 55 degrees and damp.  In the first 10 miles, due to the hills, the jackets were off and on twice!  A good reason to stop and take pictures as well.

The countryside continues to be lush and green.  When we stopped late morning to take photos on the canal I noticed the ground was very hard and dry.  The traffic was not too bad today so we had no problem hearing the cacophony of crickets, cicadas, birds, and small animals as we rode along.   At one point a fox ran across the road in front of us.  Polly, who lives in Colorado, commented that it was a small fox; but it looked big to me.  Other than birds in the river, that was our only visual today.

Bob again chose to SAG and drove to the ABB SAG stop at 34 miles:  Karen’s Farm & Ice Cream Stand.  Nice people … the ice cream fortunately was not ready yet but Bob enjoyed a cup of coffee while we had our energy snacks.

We took off again through Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Niskayuna, and Scotia … all the towns I hear on WAMC radio.  There even is a Florida, NY.  We rode for a while on the Erie Canal way Trail and stopped at Lock 8 just as a sailboat was leaving the lock.  Polly spied another small boat downstream and asked if they would be entering the lock next.  SO we enjoyed seeing the lock empty, a boat come in, the lock fill with water and the boat exit upstream.  There are 57 locks in the 368 mile canal.

A sail boat leaves Lock #8

Boats must purchase a season pass or a 10-day pass.  The cost depends on the size of the boat.  Now that would be a fun trip!

Another thing I noticed again today is all of the Wal-Mart trucks.  Wal-Marts are everywhere and the poor little downtowns are about gone.  The small towns we rode through in just the last two days had some beautiful architecture and empty or struggling store fronts.

So, Bob & I are back home this evening wishing we had another biking day tomorrow.  But, work and appointments call.  Polly was so fun to get to know better.  She is a retired private school administrator and a huge people person.  She has a great positive attitude and can engage most folks.  I got such a kick today as I saw her waving to Budget trucks …. Our ABB Luggage vehicle (AKA “box.”)  Let the trip continue …

Liverpool, NY to Little Falls, NY II (8/20/2012)

Herkimer History … not diamonds …

Can you believe it?  We are biking again!  That is the good news … the bad news … only two days.  One of our ABB friends, Polly, had to leave 5 days before the trip ended to attend a wedding in England (Long story).  She thought she would finish her trip in October and those of us riders from the Northeast said we would support her.  Once back from the UK she decided to do the ride now … and had someone to bike with her from Latham, NY to Portsmouth, NH so we offfered to bike with her from Liverpool, NY (Syracuse) to Latham, NY.  We drove with Polly to Liverpool Sunday afternoon.  We had a fabulous Italian dinner last night at a place we found on Trip Advisor.  We then met for breakfast at 6:00 AM so we could be on the road @ 7:00 AM (of course, afternoon showers predicted.)

We deciced we misssed the hustle and bustle and all of the excited chatter that we had each day on the the bike trip.  We actually had time to lesieurley eat and drink coffee (ooops .. no coffee – the hotel machine was broken! unbelievable!)

So Polly and I headed out on our early morning commute out of the city.  It actually went very well and soon we were on quiet roads.  Polly and I biked well together (she didn’t appear to be waiting for me).  We found Bob and biked back to the car.

The area is green and lots of small farms and HUNDREDS of farmstands.  I did not feel nostalgic for home.  I know I have a refrigerator full of vegetables to eat as we picked our farm share up about one hour before we left home for New York.

So, just like August 2nd, the distance was 79.99 miles.  My average speed was just about the same as well.  How cool is that? I did not pay much attention to the time we got in  but Polly thought she deserved Ice Cream.  (Of course, we could not let her go alone.)   the city of Little Falls is friendly and “quaint” looking so we had a fun time strolling through the Historic Markers.  Back to our room to plan tomorrow’s “backward ride” (the route for the person who parks the vehicle and bikes back to meet the other riders.

I hope we have an opportunity to share tomorrow’s adventures with you as well. 

Day 50 August 6, 2012 Manchester to Atlantic Ocean

oh oh … time to wash the bikes again!

“relaxing” with ice-coffee in Exeter …

We did it! Over 3,750 miles and we arrived at the Atlantic Ocean safely with enough memories to fill volumes and a bunch of new friends.

We got up at 5:15 AM and already some of our fellow cyclists had their luggage “in line” outside theluggage truck!  Breakfast was at 6:00 AM – hotel breakfast room.  Even though I knew we were only biking 50 miles I was starving for my oatmeal – added a box of raisins and a sausage patty.  Loaded luggage @ 6:30 AM – ours went on the truck last as we were leaving from the beach.  Last breakfast … last luggage load and sign out … and off we went …

SAG stop protocol ..

We had to do a bit of climbing to get out of Manchester but we had energy to burn.  Our minds were so filled with “things to do” that until we biked by the street, we did not realize we stayed overnight in Manchester right down the road from Bob’s cousin Bruce.Once we got into the countryside, the roads quieted down.  They were tree-lined and peaceful.  I was feeling psyched to finish and ready to cry at the same time.  When Bob started singing “This Land is Your Land … ” (my travel song) I knew he was feeling the same.   Still finding it hard to believe we were actually completing this dream trip.

We meandered through back roads and small towns – stopping at Mile 29 for our last SAG stop – a bit of food and many good-bye’s.  We then biked another 10 miles to Exeter where there was a large coffee shop and more stories, memories and hugs.  Back on the bikes for the last 10 miles to the Rye Junior High School where we had group photos and met our police escort.

Pacific Ocean water mixing with the Atlantic Ocean

Thanks Dave for getting us!

Our ride leader Mike, complete with his cast, followed the police car on his bike to lead us to the ocean.  He is retiring as ride leader for America North ride after 17 years.  A difficult day for him as well.  It was an awesome sight looking at the line of 55 plus riders in our “colors”  winding our way to the beach … “slowing”  “stopping” … and then we were there  ..into the parking lot with many people cheering, calling out names and clapping.

Cousin Bruce photographed the events and Beth and Val supplied the hugs and tears!

We knew to look for Dave and cousin Val and Beth and we were so excited to spot them among other family and friends.  But,  the biggest surprise of all was seeing my friend and neighbor Kim with her sister Trish.  Wow!! Did we feel special … wanted to hug them all … get our rear wheels dipped in the Atlantic and say our final good-byes.  But we also wished our new friends could meet our old ones – controlled chaos! Bob was given the honor of pouring Pacific Ocean water we transported into the Atlantic Ocean with Melanie, the oldest female in our group.  The entire last day was really perfect.  And then … we all dispersed and each of us is left with good memories and stories and “new reality.”  I know it will take some time to process the accomplishment … in many ways it seems so unreal … ABB will be sending a CD of photos to supplement ours and we will need to refresh our memories of the places we have been …

Kim and Trish at the beach …

Again I am tired … have more to say .. so maybe tomorrow … sitting by the Atlantic Ocean ….

Day 49 August 5, 2012 Brattleboro, VT to Manchester, NH

New Hampshire … the 10th state!

OK!  We have made it through 49 days and we are so close to the Atlantic Ocean we can smell it.  Another 65 miles to go tomorrow.  Although overcast when we left Brattleboro today we missed any rain.  It was 75 at departure and became more humid as the day progressed.  fortunately the sun was not out too much and we make our own breeze. Although they changed our route from the anticipated 6,000′ gain we still climbed over 4,100′ today.  Bob & I loved it!!!  Until Mile 39 we were on Route 9 – a road we have traveled many times before.  We turned off onto 31 South and ended up traveling through the old town of Antrim, then to Bennington, then route 136 E to Greenfield, Francestown, New Boston and Goffstown.  Great back roads (although there were cracks there was little traffic).  We were up and down…it was shady and relatively quiet.  We really enjoyed the ride.  As we went through Greenfield, NH (I think it was about 11:30) one of the churches was playing some beautiful carillons.  A perfect location.

I wonder how they new what kind of frosting I liked ….

When we got to our hotel in Manchester (totally arriving by back roads!) we were greeted in the lobby by Ray (from England)!  What a surprise!  he came back from England with his wife to attend tonight’s banquet and experience the end of the ride. His shoulder is healing and his advice to his fellow riders was “never take photos while you are riding your bike!”  Bob and I then walked down to the local Dairy Queen for a last splurge.  We are wishing the weight would stay off but kind of don’t think so.  Bob has lost 20 pounds and me about 13.  The DQ was excellent and I was very good at dinner (other than the cake frosting – which was sicky sweet just how I like it!)

At the “banquet” tonight we all had a chance for a few last words.  Some folks were very eloquent, we all loved the staff, and we all will come out of this experience changed and with 50 new friends.  I need to get to sleep as we have our last 5:00AM alarm with breakfast and load by 6:30.  They are giving us plenty of time to bike to a school in Rye where we get a police escort the last 3 miles to the ocean.  Our friend Dave will meet us with our car and we will head back to reality.  Bob’s cousin Val is up from Florida to greet him as well as his sister Beth.  Bob has been given the honor, along with Melanie, to pour a bottle of Pacific Ocean water the ABB staff has transported into the Atlantic Ocean.  Another photo op!  Details tomorrow.

Day 48 August 4, 2012 Latham, NY to Brattleboro, VT

Welcome to Vermont – State # 9

Downtown Bennington, VT

We are back in the mountains!  From beginning of the day until just outside Brattleboro, VT.  Wow!  This climbs out of Latham and Troy (by RPI) were vicious.  But really it felt good.  I am totally amazed at myself.  I don’t think I am much faster than before we started 50 days ago BUT I have come to love hills (that was a good thing today – we did lost of climbing!). We crossed the Hudson River about 5 miles out from our hotel and were in busy suburban traffic until about 12 miles.  We then got a 10 mile respite from the traffic on a more back road (Route 278).  Very picturesque.  We got onto Route 7 East about mile 22 and stayed on that or Route 9 East the rest of the day.  Lots of weekend traffic so although the roads were pretty good, the traffic mad it not so fun (noisy and having to always watch for vehicles)

a moose and my bicycle! I win!!

The flowers and flags downtown added a lot of color and class to the little town.  It certainly was busy today.  Humidity was high today but when you caught the breeze it was very nice.  It is nice being back to the land of shade trees.    After leaving Bennington, we had our most challenging climb of the day into Wilmington.  It was sunny and it was hard  … BUT we did it and left ourselves some energy for the rest of the day (Wilmington was mile 55 for us.)

Vermont countryside

good friends … good food … who could ask for anything more?

And, the good news was we were able to out run that storm.   AND even better, we did not have to wash our bikes.  Some of our fellow cyclists behind us did not fare so well.  Sat out rain, then got wet and dirty because the roads were wet. It sounds like tomorrow our biggest chance for showers is the morning …we left our plastic bags on our bike packs.  Hopefully that will bring us luck.

have two pair of bike pants that make us happy.  Used up most of my quarters.  And then Karen showed up to join us for RAP and dinner.  It was fun to catch up and we know we have to ease ourselves back into our “regular lives.”  Marsha and Christy called as well … the Greenfield Triathlon is on Sunday.  Bob and I have been a part of that for many years and know it will operate very well with the great staff and volunteers.   It is a bum the swim had to be cancelled but there is a plan now in place.  We on the other had will be “sleeping in” until 6:15 as luggage does not load until 7:30 (breakfast at 7:00 AM).  Another 80 mile biking day – not so many hills and we will have a special dinner at the end to begin the celebration of our huge accomplishment.  We still cannot believe we have crossed the US on a bike … I guess I better go look at the photos again ….

Day 47 August 3, 2012 Little Falls, NY to Latham, NY

Still cannot believe it … Day 47 … we have biked over 3,500 miles since we left home …. it IS a dream …

Morning above Little Falls, NY

the valleys from above Little Falls, NY

This was a beautiful morning – upper 60’s but comfortable air.  We were in a small town, Little Falls, so leaving was easy … other than the hills out that is.  We climbed for about 10 miles.  However the climbs had breaks and flat spots so it was really very beautiful and pleasant.  Another thing that is hard to believe … I am loving the hills.  I do not think I am any faster … but I feel like I am in my element.  Give me ups and downs any day.  (Although I guess the true test is the ride tomorrow into Brattleboro, VT.)

Hudson-Mohawk Bike Trail

Joel, one of our fellow cyclists from Virginia, trashed the bearings in his bottom bracket to the point where his crank also had to be replaced.  The ABB staff drove him and his bike to Latham to a bike shop but what a disappointment to miss a few miles.  We have biked up many a hill with Joel … the most memorable being the hill to Mount Rushmore.  We saw him at supper this evening and he is ready to go tomorrow.  I hope that is the worst thing to happen this week! Tomorrow (Saturday) we bike into state # 9 (Vermont).  This will be the most altitude we have climbed since Wyoming (5,500 feet).  Looking forward to it actually.  AND Karen is coming to visit for supper … ease us back to reality.  Looking forward to sharing the adventure with you.

Day 46 August 2, 2012 Liverpool, NY to Little Falls, Ny

Little Falls, NY tunnel graffiti …

bikes and horses too?

Like Tina Turner, you might ask “What’s love got to do with it?”  Well … everything.  Back in 1972 Bob was going to motorcycle me across the country because I had never been farther than New York State.  It never happened (we only did the east coast) but here we are within four days of completing our journey …. We had a gorgeous day today.  It was mid sixties when we started shortly after 7:00 AM – but on some of the shady roads it actually felt a bit chilly.  As usual, getting out of the city is a hassle but we did it and we were on “back roads” within 10 miles.  Crossing railroad tracks still makes me incredibly nervous but they are almost always marked on our cue sheets so we have plenty of warning.

I think we go that way ….

The route popped us on and off of Bike Route 5.  I just love the back roads – even the ups and downs.  We went through Canastota, Oneida, Durhamville, Whitesboro, Utica, Schuyler and Frankfurt.  I realized I am now in WAMC listening area as many of the towns are familiar to me.

what a great spot for ice cream …

A long mellow climb after the second SAG today but tomorrow we “wake up” with a significant climb shortly after we leave here in the morning.  A reminder to self:  don’t eat too much at breakfast!  Speaking of eating, we are trying to “cut back” and get away from some bad eating habits we developed these last few weeks.  We know there is some food we just will not buy … but I can’t forget the evening Bob went for a vending machine (at MY request even) for candy bfars and the hotel had none!  He was able to convince the bartender to fnd some desserts in the closed kichen.”  Peanut butter cheesecake to die for!And a chocolate mousse cake.

Diane and Joel … two of my laundry room friends …

just to make us feel a little special …

The hotel had a wine & cheese reception for us at 5:00 PM tonight before our 6:00 PM dinner.  We missed most of the hor d’eurves because Bob had to have his right shifter cable changed and something with his brakes so we arrived a bit late.   But the dinner was good – I had a large very fresh green salad and the white fish and red potatos and broccoli/cauliflower steamed.  Very good and it was nice not to have to “go out.”

We miss our cat, Radar but we know he is getting great care and thriving on special attention.   And, every journey does have its end … More tomorrow ….

Day 45 August 1, 2012 Henrietta, NY to Liverpool, New York

Bob @ the Eire Canal Canalway Trail

Well this was actually a bike ride from Rochester, NY to Syracuse, NY (don’t let the Henrietta to Liverpool confuse you.) We have been able to bypass the “cities” beautifully.  I remember the bike trip to Niagara Falls with the Shattucks and Jeff & Shali and getting in and out of Rochester was a horror.  This trip made it easy.   It was so overcast this morning we were sure we were going to get rained on.  We did not!  Yeah!  In fact today at 9:40 it was 63 degrees while yesterday at the same time it was 90 degrees.  But, after noon the sun peeped out and it did get warm.

So we got to bike 23 miles along the canal trail until we reached Palmyra, NY.  “Palmyra is the birthplace of the Latter Day Saint movement and Mormonism. Founder Joseph Smith, Jr., whose family lived on a farm that straddled the line between Palmyra and Manchester, claimed to have been visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ in 1820, an event known as the First Vision. In 1830 the Book of Mormon was first published in the village of Palmyra by E.B. Grandin.”  I learned something new today!

We found a Wal-Mart in Newark after our first SAG stop.  Bob’s Cyclometer stopped working yesterday – it appears to be a wire malfunction so he has had to rely on me for miles.  He can read his cue sheet but I had to tell him my mileage … frustrating.  So, we stopped in and found a perfectly good cyclometer to get him through he next 5 days.  Worth the stop even though we were trailed by the sweep for a while.   We had rolling hills so I got to get my butt out of the seat some.  We are no longer having chafing issues and Bob is very happy with his seat but after 50 miles (or 3 hours) my seat is HARD and I just need to move.  I refuse to buy another seat while I am away from home and cannot return it.  And yes, our shoulder still get sore occasionally but we have learned to stretch, to move, and to know that once we stop all discomfort will be gone.

On our way into Liverpool we again were directed onto a bike path.  This one went along a lake.It was just beautiful and had many people doing different activities.  “Onondaga Lake Park is located on the eastern shore of Onondaga Lake outside of Syracuse, New York at 6790 Onondaga Lake Trail in Liverpool.  The park offers seven miles (11 km) of shoreline nooks and crannies that provide options for family picnics, including developed areas in Willow Bay and Cold Springs. It has long been the park of choice for many special events, sporting competitions and festivals and attracts over one million visitors each year.”  Although it is in the Finger Lakes region – it is not considered one of the 11 Finger Lakes.  (But,it was pretty and peaceful looking.)

Once we got to the hotel – it was another bike washing session.  We even have this down to a pattern.  Most hotels give us old towels to use and have a hose ready to use.  Bob got some “Simple green” and you cannot believe how good our chains look.  Add a little lube and oil and we are ready for tomorrow.  About 80 miles tomorrow.  The weather looks good and we are making our way to Little Falls. (Utica)  I do love learning new things ….

Day 44 July 31, 2012 Niagara Falls to Henrietta, NY

 

Hotel check-in Henrietta, New York

Well today was a good day overall.  We had breakfast late (7:00 AM) and loaded our luggage at 7:45.  Bob and I were again one of the last to leave the parking lot headed for Rochester, NY. The skies were blue, the humidity was a bit high and the sun was out. We did not have to bike too many miles to get out of the Niagara Falls traffic.  The roads are not impressive (lots of garbage in the bike lane – as well as holes and construction, etc).  So, for the first many miles our concentration was on keeping our tires out of garbage and watching bumps, holes and vehicles.  The wind this AM was intermittently in our face but not enough to be bothersome.  New York looked pretty much like the last two or three sates but there are no soybeans growing.   The farms are smaller, closer together and the buildings do not seem to be in good repair.  We went through many small towns an villages and enough ups and downs to make my butt happy.  We went through Lockport, Royalton, Byron, Bergen, Scottsville and Henrietta. We have been on Bike Route 5 some of the time but on some less busy side roads the rest of the time.  The town names seem familiar from our trip to Niagara Falls several years ago but nothing really sticks out.  I know biking to Rochester was a horror, but today we had great directions, stayed primarily on back roads and it was an easy in! The other good news was the thunderstorms waited until after we were all in before they “let loose.”  We did laundry.  Bob’s odometer stopped working this AM – he thinks a loose wire.  Jim, our mechanic had just installed his last one on anther cyclist’s bike so Bob will have to listen to me until we find a bike shop.  He thinks it is a wire break. One of our riders, Polly, leaves us after tomorrow’s ride.  She is flying to England to a niece’s wedding.  Polly is from Colorado and plans to come back in October probably to finish the trip.  Hopefully the timing will work out and Bob & I can do some biking with her or at least feed and/or house her.  I think it will be hard to say good-bye to everyone – even though our goal for this trip was not to find new friends.  It is like marathon training with someone.  So much time on the road, shared experiences (good and bad) and the accumulated days together …. But tomorrow it looks like it could be a warm but OK day … we bike to Liverpool, NY.  Gee, already we have been to London … now Liverpool.  Our ride will include pieces of the Canalway Trail (Erie Canal). We will try for more photos … 

Day 43 – Rest Day – Niagara Falls, NY/Canada

walking across borders ….

Oh no … cannot be one week left … take me back west … Tired this AM – I got up @ 8:00 AM as coffee called… Bob was down for another 3/4 of an hour. I got my bills paid and my emails answered. We had a very leisurely breakfast at the hotel .. ran into other cyclists already back from exploring and shopping adventures … ours were yet to come.  We went to the Canadian side to take the Maid of the Mist boat ride.  It was the best we had ever done.  We really felt like we WERE the falls.  AWESOME!

We just loved the boat and being “under the falls.”  My camera got kind of wet and gave it up for a few hours but seems OK now.  After the Maid of the Mist we walked down to the Skylar tower to get an overview of the rivers leading into the falls.  The water comes from 4 of the 5 Great Lakes. The power is tremendous!

No sky scrapers and huge developments.  Just the natural power is so moving, We went up in the Skylar Tower to get an overview of the water coming into the falls.  WOW!

We by-passed all the photo kiosks although every time we entered a “tourist destination” we had our photos taken as a requirement.  So we did not even look at them …

DQ sustenance for the next adventure …

We revived ourselves after the Skylar with a DQ Blizzard  (there were a lot of stairs to climb!)  Gosh it was good! Then we headed back to the USA to walk into the Cave of the Winds.  We could see folks  walking there all day long and decided that we too wanted to be that close to the falls. It was a GREAT day!  We loved feeling the power.  We loved walking around with no responsibilities.  We loved not biking AND best of all I got to pick the supper place! So I went on Trip Advisor and looked for good Italian/Pizza restaurant.  Voted #2 out of 200+ restaurants in Niagara Falls.  Only 6/10 of a mile from our hotel.  Easy choice.

Apparently all heard word of the restaurant – except us.  I had a great thin crust pizza.  And the owner, when he poured the wine, showed us where he put