Windy Expectations - Laurie
Wind. One word explanation of the past week’s physical riding experience. Yeah, we know we’re riding the “wrong way”😊
Last week we were excited to pick up the Erie Canal trail, a flat bike trail that’s approximately 87 miles long, transecting several darling towns including Brockport and Lockport. I was expecting to kind of “zone out”, as much as that’s possible cycling, not having to worry about traffic, crummy roads, the kids being bunched up, etc. What we didn’t anticipate was the cruel wind tunnel the Erie Canal Trail produced. We did a pace line which helped for a while. Even the kids said they preferred hills to that trail.
All of the kids are now really strong. Typically Mike or Greg lead and the other one is at the back . All the boys are clumped right behind the leader. We rode into Niagara Falls and were tourists for a day on June 21.
Exiting Niagara Falls was a breeze compared to coming in. We had multiple bike trails ( and no massive headwind!) to Buffalo NY. We stopped by Allentown in Buffalo and fulfilled one of Graham’s desires fir the trip: eating Buffalo wings in Buffalo. It was a stop off talking with a gentleman at a Frank Lloyd Wright designed boathouse that led us to this “hole in the wall” with amazing food a couple of miles away.
We ended our time in New York camping Beyond Buffalo at Evangola State Park. Then onward to Pennsylvania to camp in Erie, PA for one night.
Here we met up with Elizabeth with whom Mike rode the Transamerica Cycle route with 20 years ago. It was fun to meet a veteran cyclist and I know Mike really enjoyed seeing Elizabeth and her adorable kids. There is a cycling bond, and our crew is forming their own.
Roads are getting flatter but winds continue. We rode out of Pennsylvania into Ohio and headed towards Cleveland. We had our longest day of 71 miles last week.
A friend asked if I’m feeling good about our trip or am like , “what have we done”? This is a layered question but for now, I’m really glad we are doing this trip and are able to do it. It is not “ dreamy” very often, and it’s hard, sweaty, hot, and can be painful, but it’s a new adventure each day. And we’re together. I’m so grateful for the prayers and support of old friends, and new people we meet along the way. Signing off- Laurie
All of the kids are now really strong. Typically Mike or Greg lead and the other one is at the back . All the boys are clumped right behind the leader. We rode into Niagara Falls and were tourists for a day on June 21.
Exiting Niagara Falls was a breeze compared to coming in. We had multiple bike trails ( and no massive headwind!) to Buffalo NY. We stopped by Allentown in Buffalo and fulfilled one of Graham’s desires fir the trip: eating Buffalo wings in Buffalo. It was a stop off talking with a gentleman at a Frank Lloyd Wright designed boathouse that led us to this “hole in the wall” with amazing food a couple of miles away.
We ended our time in New York camping Beyond Buffalo at Evangola State Park. Then onward to Pennsylvania to camp in Erie, PA for one night.
Here we met up with Elizabeth with whom Mike rode the Transamerica Cycle route with 20 years ago. It was fun to meet a veteran cyclist and I know Mike really enjoyed seeing Elizabeth and her adorable kids. There is a cycling bond, and our crew is forming their own.
Roads are getting flatter but winds continue. We rode out of Pennsylvania into Ohio and headed towards Cleveland. We had our longest day of 71 miles last week.
A friend asked if I’m feeling good about our trip or am like , “what have we done”? This is a layered question but for now, I’m really glad we are doing this trip and are able to do it. It is not “ dreamy” very often, and it’s hard, sweaty, hot, and can be painful, but it’s a new adventure each day. And we’re together. I’m so grateful for the prayers and support of old friends, and new people we meet along the way. Signing off- Laurie
"dreamy" Ha... No, bicycle touring is not a feet up with a cold drink beachside vacation experience. It was amazing for me to dip into your challenging adventure just for a day. My kids' mileage limitations mean I get to stop and smell the roses a lot - but your kids' strength enables long hard days! I'd love to know where you ended up staying in Cleveland!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth- so much fun to meet you and your kids. We ended up at a hotel in Cleveland. Tomorrow night we get to stay at a church.on their frisbee golf course!
DeleteLegs must feel like mush
ReplyDelete