cyclingusa

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

July 11, Sugarcreek to Cazenovia, New York, 65 miles

Cycled route 20 east all day today. The Erie canal trail continues winding its way east but its to the north of me now. The canal trail at this point had started to become quite winding so it would not have been a very efficient option. Its redeeming feature was the fact that it was absolutely level (since water doesnt like to go uphill).

Route 20 while more direct is becoming extremely hilly. I climbed and descended all day today. A continuous process of crawling up steep hills for over a mile and then plummeting down the far side. Max speed today was 37mph. The descents are almost as much work as they demand concentration.

This part of New York is dairy country and reminds me of West Limerick funnily enough.

Stopped in Auburn at midday for food and a visit to the library where they have free internet access. Am staying in a nice hotel tonight which is quite reasonably priced - I've been camping most nights.

June 10, Holly to Sugarcreek, New York, 75 miles

Cycled along the Erie canal for most of today. The tow path is used by cyclists frequently and is easily rideable with little disruption . That said the surface is a fine gravel which, after 90 miles, has coated the bike and my gear in a fine dust. This could be an advantage when I get into the more built up areas further east as I dont want the bike to look too desireable.

The tow path skirted the south side of Rochester and is now taking me further east towards Syracuse.

Monday, July 9, 2007

July 09, Niagra Falls to Holly, New York, 72 miles

Am back in the US after having taken Ontario by force. 3 centuries in as many days.

Left Niagra Falls this morning where I stayed last night. Crossed the border at The Lewiston and Queenstown bridge which had only recently converted its pedestrian pathway into a truck lane. The Canadian side had a new sign directing cycists over the bridge. However the US department of homeland security on the other side werent impressed at seeing a bike coming across at this point.

Continued to Lockport where I ate a spot of lunch. At this point I picked up the Erie Canal which I would be riding for the next 90 miles. Its hard to believe that I'm actually in New York state- (the canal is like something from the Irish midlands complete with barges).

During the afternoon I stopped in a quiet town called Albion which would have been a thriving canal town in its day. Made for a pleasant stop. In the middle of town 2 teenage guys with skateboards approached me and handed me a leaflet. They asked me if I had 'been saved?' I asked them from what? They didnt seem to really know the answer to this other than to say that they had been saved by Jesus. Having been here for 6 weeks this doesnt seem to be remotely out of the ordinary. Jesus is everywhere. Yet in the entire time I've been here I literally havent heard a single word about more pressing issues such as climate change.