Another Day on the Journey

29 June 2012

 

Stats for the day:

Depart Weedsport, NY 8:00 a.m., arrive Pittsford, NY 5:30 p.m.

Trip mileage – 556.9 miles

Today’s mileage – 63.1 miles

Time on bike –5:30:04

Average Speed – 11.4 mph

Max speed – 27.5 mph

 

We pedaled out of Weedsport under bright blue skies, after experiencing a wonderful lightning show last night, with only limited rain.  We even managed to get up, hit the bathrooms and get back into the tent before the rain came in.  Our luck has been holding out for us.

The trip today was an interesting one as we followed the Google directions and came across a "Bridge Closed Ahead" sign.  Always an interesting turn of events when this happens, but we stopped and asked a couple of men working nearby if we could get through.  The answer was "yes" as you can't drive on it, but you can bicycle.  That would have been true had the cement barricades not been placed so as preclude any kind of traffic, at least on the end of the bridge where we were.  With some creative geometry and plenty of "umph" we managed to get the bike and trailer over the barricades without unhitching anything.  Our celebratory mood was quickly dampened when we crossed the bridge and found nothing more than an overgrown cow path; well actually it was an overgrown car path but either way, it didn't look good.  The sign we found said it was a nature preserve, one that seemed like it was barely used.

We persevered, and pushed on up over hill and dale, field and stream until we reached a paved road.  It was even numbered so we could almost figure out where we were.  Needless to say, Rick was getting a little cranky by now.  As we continued on we found more hills, as we were on some back county roads, and managed to stop and rest at the top of one of them where we were greeted with a warm smile and the offer of help, water, or whatever by the women there.  We took them up on their offer and had a wonderful conversation about biking, and the Marine Corps as these ladies had a family member serving overseas.  After filling up on water, and getting some direction on how to avoid the hill facing us, we struck out to continue our journey.  

 

Being back in civilization, that is on NY Route 31which is also NY Bike Route 5, we stopped in at the town center of Clyde, NY.  A very quaint little town common with a gazebo and plenty of benches under large shade trees. A nice rest with bagels and cheese, and bagels and Goober's (peanut butter and jelly together) gave us the energy we needed to push on.  

 

The first real highlight of the day was getting to the Payless store so Nola could replace the shoes she needed for biking.  Don't they look spiffy?  The best part is that they work for her!  After the shoe store, we moseyed over to the nearby WalMart to replenish our supply of Goober's.  There are certain necessities for biking, and that is one of them. While Rick ran to get the Goober's, Nola picked up a Subway sandwich for lunch, which we squirreled away in the pack and rode on down the road.  

Getting back on the Erie Trail was nice, because it got us away from the traffic and noise of Route 31, but after stopping to have our sandwich Rick found yet another broken spoke on the real wheel.  If anyone wants a stock tip, buy spoke stock because we are using them up as fast as they can make them.  It was just one spoke so we rode on it to get into Fairport to the bike shop, RV&E Bike Shop.  They were so efficient, that Nola didn't get a chance to finish her ice cream and Rick had to take his dark roast coffee to go.  Additionally, we picked up a gel-seat cover for Rick and a detailed map of the Erie Canal Trail in order to help get us from Rochester to Buffalo.  We figure it won't hurt to have all the help we can muster.

The last few miles to our final destination was done at a meandering pace along the canal, and then a few residential streets to Jarret and Barbara's house.  A wonderful welcome with cool water, snacks, and conversation allowed us to cool off before showering and starting a load of stinky laundry.  We were treated to a lovely dinner, resplendent with a home-grown green salad topped with the first fresh tomatoes of the season.  YUM.  To top it all off, chocolate frozen yogurt hit the spot on a warm summer evening.  We can't thank our friends enough for their hospitality and friendship as we make our way to Indiana.  

Tomorrow is another day of cycling, so check back to see what other mischief is in store for us.