Finger Lakes

Saturday June 20th, Hamburg NY to Canandaigua NY, 94 miles

Today the distance and climbing (about 4500 feet) combined for a challenging day.  Fortunately the weather (sunny and warm, but not hot, temperatures) provided a gorgeous backdrop for our efforts. We traveled thru a number of small western New York towns (Clinton, Alden and Avon among them) towards our ultimate destination of Cananadaigua.  The highways provided a number of rollers, some long and relatively steep.   As we traveled south of Rochester we entered the Finger Lakes Region (eleven narrow north-south lakes).  We ended very close to Lake Canadaigua.  Several "alumni" from prior years' rides have been meeting us at some of the SAG stops, an indication of the profound effect that completing the Tour has had on many of its participants.

My neighbor and cycling friend, Craig Stout, joined me at the hotel late this afternoon.  He plans to ride with us for part of tomorrow.  Craig has a daughter, Katie, presently living in nearby Rochester, and was able to combine a visit with her with the ride.  We all had a buffet dinner at a Wegman's (upscale grocery store chain) across the street from the hotel .

Above:  Lake Canadaigua

Above:  With neighbor and cycling friend, Craig Stout, in the hotel before dinner

I'm in a (Western) New York State of Mind

Friday June 19th, Erie PA to Hamburg NY, 79 miles

This morning we left a dreary Erie (chilly, windy and misty) and proceeded east/northeast along Lake Erie into New York (about the 20 mile mark of the ride), our 12th state.  Even with overcast skies the ride still proved to be scenic.   We saw a number of wineries on both sides of the PA/NY line,and occasionally beautiful vistas of the Lake.

We are staying tonight in Hamburg, a town of about 60,000, about 10-15 miles south of Buffalo.

Above:  Vineyard overlooking Lake Erie on the PA side of the state line (overcast skies blend somewhat with the Lake).

Above:  Our 12th State

 Lighthouse in Barcelona NY

Above:  Looking for the perfect lawn ornament? You may want to visit this store in Sunset NY.

Off Day in Erie, PA

Thursday June 18th, Erie PA , Rest Day

Today was a much needed rest day in Erie after nearly 400 miles of riding in the past four days.  This is my first visit to Erie and I didn't realize it was a city with a population of over 100,000 with a metro area of 200,000.  It is also a bit of a summer vacation destination with Lake Erie and its amenities, however, the winters are evidently very difficult.   I saw many well maintained older neighborhoods on the way in.

Sheraton Bayfront, Erie PA

Lake Erie

Wednesday June 17th, Niles OH to Erie PA, 89 miles

Today was a welcome relief with cool temperatures and relatively flat terrain.  The scenic ride from Niles to Erie was primarily due north up the extreme eastern Ohio border before crossing into Pennsylvania about 60 miles into the ride.  One of our highlights was stopping at a Root beer stand on the Ohio side of the border where I loaded up with Nathan's hot dogs and root beer.

We will be spending our rest day tomorrow at a beautiful Sheraton in Erie, which has views of the Bay and Lake Erie.

Above:  In NE Ohio south of Conneaut

Above:  Ohio Amish community

Above:  Pennsylvania state line (the lowest budget State welcome sign we have encountered on the trip, obviously the money saved is going into repaving)

Above:  Lake Erie waterfront

A Day In The Life

Tuesday June 16th Wooster OH to Niles OH, 93 miles

Woke up, fell out of bed, dragged a comb across my head.  Found my way downstairs and drank a cup, and looking up I noticed I was late......(Lennon & McCartney, A Day In The Life).

I've received some questions regarding what constitutes a typical day on Tour so I thought I'd try and give a bit of  flavor as to my "routine".

I wake at 5:20 am to get ready to start riding at 7 am.  During that period I have breakfast in the hotel, get dressed, apply sunscreen and chamois cream, repack my bags, prepared my Camelbak (hydration pack) and bottles with Gatorade and water, take my bike (which is with me in the room) and luggage out to the front of the hotel, inflate my tires, and get my game face on.

Generally we ride at our own individual paces, however riders of a similar pace will often ride together.  During the course of a typical day we  have two organized SAG stops to eat snacks, fruits, other goodies and restock on liquids.  On a 90 mile ride day those stops might be around the 30 mile and 60 mile marks.  The Tour has two vans that are utilized for the stops which more or less operate as a roving tailgate.  The riders are also free to stop at stores along the way as they see fit.  Some days riders may stop and have a "real lunch" though the SAG stops often have sandwiches and enough calories to sustain us.

On a normal day I  reach the hotel by around 2-3 pm (although I've been as late as 5:30 pm).  After checking in I usually have a two or three hours to do whatever personal things may need doing- finding recovery drinks, bike maintenance, shopping, laundry, email, blog, phone calls, etc.  There is always something to do!

At 5:45 pm we have a  mandatory "route rap " meeting in the hotel where we go over the cue sheet for the next day's ride.  Immediately following we then go to dinner- usually a restaurant within walking distance of the hotel.  Given the size of our dining party (nearly 20 usually ) it can take quite a while for everyone to get fed.  Usually I am back to the hotel by 7:30-7:45 pm where I  lay out things for the coming day and  hopefully have some down time.  I go to sleep around 9:00-9:30 pm (no issues getting to sleep!) and wake up and do it all again the next day.

Regarding today's ride it was very humid which culminated in an hour long thunderstorm that soaked me.  My legs definitely felt the efforts of the previous two long days.  There was also a good deal of climbing.  All in all a slog of a day for me.  Looking forward to the upcoming off day in Erie.

Another delicious hotel breakfast.

Rider's bags ready to be loaded in the Crossroads van in the morning before the start of the ride

Robin and Janel, two of the Crossroads staff that, among other things, drive the vans and prepare the SAG food

Before the first SAG stop

Tracy, owner and operator of Crossroads Cycling Adventures, at the first SAG stop

Crossroads staff member Jan, at the second SAG stop

Hotel room awaiting me at the end of a day

My new playful friend I met today at the second SAG stop.

In Ohio

O-"HILL"-O

Monday June 15th, Marysville OH to Wooster OH, 98 miles

So much for Ohio being a flat Midwestern state, at least approaching Wooster in the North Central portion.  We encountered some of the steepest hills of the Tour (12-13% grades at some places).  With nearly 5,000 feet of climbing over a distance of 98 miles it was a challenging day.  We were helped again by a modest tailwind for most of the ride.  Although it was very humid we benefited from a thin cloud layer that kept temps from being really oppressive.  Still a day to stay carefully hydrated.  The countryside was pretty farmland and smaller towns- we have avoided the more industrial sections of the state so far.

We had probably our best meal of the Tour at an Italian restaurant in Wooster tonight.

Above:  In the vicinity of Chesterville OH

Above:  One of a series of steep hills approaching Wooster from the west

A Buckeye Century

Sunday June 14th, Richmond IN to Marysville OH, 104 miles

Today was the first of four days of long distance rides before a day off in Erie PA.  Fortunately the winds were favorable and the temperatures, although quite warm, were not excessive.  As such we made pretty good time.  We quickly passed from Richmond IN into Ohio, our 10th state.  We are crossing Ohio roughly from southwest to northeast over the next few days.  The small towns are now less far apart than before and a bit larger with more services (i.e. places to get a drink or something to eat).  This is making us less dependent on the SAG stops to remain adequately hydrated.  My riding partners and I found a small local walk-up (no seating) joint on the way in with great smoothies.

We are staying at a Hampton Inn in Marysville tonight.  Marysville has a population of 22,000 and looks to be about 25 miles northwest of Columbus.




Above:  Entering State #10

Above:  It was tempting but I didn't take a swing

Above:  Small town of St. Paris, OH