Saturday, August 05, 2006
Day 48 - Brattleboro, VT - August 5th 2006
Weather: Sunny, mid 80s - GREAT WEATHER!Location: Brattleboro, VT (from Troy, NY)
Miles per day: 84.7
Average miles per hour: 12.03
Elevation climb:
Blizzards/Ice Cream to date: 31
Flat Tires to date: 1
Spectacular day! For a cyclist, nothing can be better than sunny weather combined with fresh cool air and that's exactly what we had today. Overall, I would rate this as one of the best days of the trip.
Vermont welcomed us with some hills! We have been on a hiatus from hills since the Black Hills. Although we were warned of a potentially difficult day, it turned out to be 'a storm in a teacup'....
Yes, the hills were 6% but perhaps with a bit of a tailwind, I did not feel them. We were distracted by the beautiful scenery of Vermont, rolling hills with farms and small quaint towns. 
We stopped to tour the Bennington Battle Monument where in 1777, the local New Englanders (General Stark and Col' Warner ) successfully beat off the British forces. We had lunch in the small town of Wilmington at the Old Red Mill on Jerry's Deck. With the fresh air, the time passed quickly.
My brother and his wife (John and Maureen) along with my brother Thomas met me for dinner. It was a great surprise. And as many on this trip will tell you, after nearly 50 days, you really do miss family and friends. Thanks for all your emails! See you soon. Annie 
Friday, August 04, 2006
Day 47 - Troy New York - August 4th 2006
Weather: 82. Early showers, afternoon sunshineLocation: Troy, NY (from Little Falls, NY)
Miles per day: 83.7
Average miles per hour: 14.21
Elevation climb: nearly flat... last easy day!
Blizzards/Ice Cream to date: 31 (missing my DQs!)
Flat Tires to date: 1
Today was the last of the easy days and we enjoyed it thoroughly. We cruised the Hudson-Mohawk bike trail for about 30 miles - a great flat bike trail along the Mohawk River with spectacular views.Tomorrow we head into Vermont and climb through the Green Mountains.
As usual, the 'Final Four' found an original excuse for being late --- We were stopped dead in our tracks by railroad freight cars! Not just once but twice!
Footnote: Yesterday, we were reminded the hardest lesson: 'Life is just not fair' - on or off the bike..... One of my favourite riders (Kent - the Diesel, so named for his strength and skill of riding) had a nasty fall breaking his collar bone. What makes this terribly tragic is not that Kent made it 46 days and had to drop out but the fact this was Kent's second attempt. Last year, on the first day, he fell and broke his collar bone. Kent was an inspiration to me - always kind and cheery words throughout my long days. We will miss him.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Day 46 - Little Falls, NY - August 3rd 2006
Weather: Overcast, light rain 
Location: Little Falls, NY (from Liverpool, NY)
Miles per day: 79.8
Average miles per hour: 15.87
Elevation climb: Very little
Blizzards/Ice Cream to date: 31
Flat Tires to date: 1
Following yesterday's long day and the anticipation of some tough climbing days ahead, I was focussed on finishing early today. The weather was very co-operative, with clouds and light rain, we kept cool. Scenery is not too exciting, typical suburbs of middle-class America with little opportunity for photos. We rolled into Little Falls just after noon.
In its heyday, along the Erie Canal, Little Falls (with power generation of the water falls) was a major textile manufacturer (particualalry knitting mills). It also was the largest cheese producer at one time. Today, like so many small towns in America today, its economically challenged!
Location: Little Falls, NY (from Liverpool, NY)
Miles per day: 79.8
Average miles per hour: 15.87
Elevation climb: Very little
Blizzards/Ice Cream to date: 31
Flat Tires to date: 1
Following yesterday's long day and the anticipation of some tough climbing days ahead, I was focussed on finishing early today. The weather was very co-operative, with clouds and light rain, we kept cool. Scenery is not too exciting, typical suburbs of middle-class America with little opportunity for photos. We rolled into Little Falls just after noon.
In its heyday, along the Erie Canal, Little Falls (with power generation of the water falls) was a major textile manufacturer (particualalry knitting mills). It also was the largest cheese producer at one time. Today, like so many small towns in America today, its economically challenged!
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Day 45 - Liverpool, NY - August 2nd 2006
Weather: Sunny AM, very Humid, Afternoon thunderstormsLocation: Liverpool, NY (from Henrietta, NY)
Miles per day: Planned 88, Actual 97.6
Average miles per hour: 13.81
Elevation climb: Very little
Blizzards/Ice Cream to date: 31 (no more DQs!)
Flat Tires to date: 1
An unexpectedly long but great day! With the completion of our trip imminent, we are savouring every minute of everyday. There is not only natural beauty but so many works of original and intriguing art displays along the way. This mural brightened up a run down town and my spirits as I could not help but hang out with these fellas.We started with some mayhem consisting of detours and road construction. After yesterday's excursion, I was adamant that I was not budging an inch in the wrong direction. So I watched several of the 'fast' riders head in a direction I was not so sure about. As they were the 'fast' riders, my strategy was simple: let them go (over the hill),
turn around and come back. If they weren't back in 10 minutes, I would know they were right. It all worked according to plan. Sure enough, they came barrelling back past me. I saved myself a wrong turn today!Our route was along the historic and beautiful Erie Canal. The Erie Canal was the brainstorm of a jailed convict in the 1807. Construction of the 363 mile canal began in 1817, was completed in 1925 and within 10 years, had over 3000 boats in service. It connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Great Lakes (via Albany to Buffalo). A six week trip of travel was slashed to just 10 days!
To fully appreciate the Eric Canal, we took the optional bike path, which was gravel, a bit rough riding but well worth the 14 miles of tranquil and beautiful scenery. It slowed us down quite a bit and took some extra energy (with extra mileage)but I was well pleased we had the Erie Canal experience. At one point, we watched a boat
navigate through the Canal System. Interestingly, to encourage more tourist, the Canal Locks are free for leisure use. Looks like it could be a fun vacation.This part of New York also is the source of much American religious history. In the Palmyra, Joseph Smith founded the Mormon Church as well as it is now the site of the only street corner in America that has a church on every corner. Each of the towns are very pretty, almost village like. A few have suffered economic tragedy such as Port Byron.
The weather turned on us at about the 67 mile mark in the town of Port Byron. We took cover in an abandoned building in the
centre of town (see photo - Stu waits it out) and ended up falling asleep while the thunder clouds passed. Following that, we pumped out another 30 miles to arrive in Liverpool on the outskirts of Syracuse, NY.Patriotism has been running high across America. The flag can be found in the most unusual places - on mailboxes, farm call boxes, gas tanks - you name it. This one really was an outstanding piece of work (in the rural parts of New York with very little nearby).
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Day 44 - Henrietta, NY - August 1st 2006
Weather: 100 F, feels like 112 with humidityLocation: Henrietta, NY (from Niagara Falls, NY)
Miles per day: 80.1 plus additional 11
Average miles per hour: 14.34
Elevation climb: Very little
Blizzards/Ice Cream to date: 31 (sadly there may be no more DQs... may lose weight just yet!)
Flat Tires to date: 1
Some days are better than others.... This was no 'some day' but rather an 'other day'. We had a great start and were head of the pack at 9:30 with 30 miles completed. With a complicated cue sheet (lots of streets) and with one wrong turn, we were lost for 11 miles and back of the pack for the rest of the day. Initially, my mental state was completely depleted on realising my mistake. The heart sinks and one who makes such a mistake can only dig deep, accept and suck it up. There is no easy fix. Rather the only answer is to take a deep breath and pedal onward. That is what I did. We pumped out the additional 11 in very hot humid conditions. In the end, we came in about 3pm with a good average miles per day, despite the extra miles.
Jim N, a local (from Rochester) and friend of Abe's joined us for the day. He was an excellent rider and was fairly successful at coaxing us to ride above our average speed. He sadly advised me that there were no DQs in Henrietta so we opted for the Famous Tim Horton's (one of Canada's famous (but shortlived) hockey players.
Now that we are in NY, traffic has really picked up. We are managing to attract the rowdies and reckless. With just 6 riding days, our focus is to be safe and that is getting harder. Helmets are firmly on the head and we are as far to the right as possible. Keep your fingers crossed for us.
On reflection and apart from the unexpected extra miles, it was an enjoyable day. Following a day off, I felt pretty strong. Add in a tailwind and relatively flat terrain (yet again), I can't complain too much.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Day 43 - Niagara Falls, NY - July 31st - Rest Day
Weather: Sunny, 90s HumidLocation: Niagara Falls
Miles per day: N/A
Average miles per hour: N/A
Elevation climb: N/A
Blizzards/Ice Cream to date: 31 (Oreo Cheesecake 7/10)
Flat Tires to date: 1
A wonderful day of rest and relaxation! Conditioned to wake up early, I was out for a walk on Goat Island at 6:30 AM. Goat Island is so named for the sole goat that survived a severe winter in the 1800s. On the American side, its great viewing for the American Falls/Bridal Falls (176 feet tall, brink 1060) and the Horseshoe Falls (167 Feet and Brink 2600 feet) as you can get very close and feel the power of the water. Although, the most scenic views are from Canada.
A group went on the Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds tour. I figured I have biked in rain quite a few times on this trip, I didn't need to get any closer !
The big surprise of the day came when Larry , a self-supported rider rode up right in front of us at the falls. We had met him originally in Manitowac, WI taking the ferry to Luddington. 
Many spent the day sight seeing, viewing our progress to date, catching up on laundry and even window decorating!Sunday, July 30, 2006
Day 42 - Niagara Falls, NY - July 30th 2006
Weather: Sunny 90
Location: Niagara Falls, NY (from Brantford, Canada)
Miles per day: 71.9
Average miles per hour:
Elevation climb:
Blizzards/Ice Cream to date: 30
Flat Tires to date: 1
With the anticipation of a well needed rest day and seeing Niagara Falls, we set off early and pedaled hard to get to our destination. Of course, as usual, interesting sites during the day slowed us down. Below is the 'Comfort Maple', which is believed to be the oldest and finest maple tree in Canada (located in the Town of Pelham) and estimated to be 500 years old. Terrain was once again flat, although there was a 12% hill to remind us that Vermont Hills will be coming soon. Canada farms shifted to growing Pears, Apples and Tomatoes. Compared to USA standards (especially Michigan), the farms look very wealthy.
Throughout the trip, we are often amused and left mulling for hours by quotes we see (often in the middle of nowhere).
As we came along Fallsview Boulevard, there was no doubt as to what we were looking at... A breathtaking sight, especially having pedaled over 3000 miles to see them. With just one week to go on this trip, emotions are growing strong (and weak) - seeing such sights can really move one to
tears!After 'valeting' our bikes, we then ducked in for Lunch at TGI Friday's Niagara Falls. For our herculean efforts of cycling, we were treated to team shirts (proudly worn below). We then made a run for the border to New York!
