Tour Changes.... Again.

Brandon is taking a job in Austin, Texas and will be leaving on June 1st.   That puts a really bad kink in the summer tour that were were to embark upon on July 12th.  I don't enjoy riding alone and figure if I'm doing something for fun, like bike touring, I should enjoy it.   With that in mind, I'll be looking at other things.

Even though the original ride around Lake Ontario and Upstate NY is not out of the question, I am leaning heavily toward a fully supported group tour of the Erie Canal.   Big groups are ok and Brandon and I rode a while with the Erie Canal gang in 08.     I did do a group tour last year and left them after two days.  I didn't like it at all because of the route, and too many of the regulars, who tour every year with Rails to Trails, were very demanding and annoying.   I felt bad for the organizers and workers for the gruff they took. The Erie Canal parallels bike rt 5, which makes it easy to ride alongside the tour but not with them, if that strikes your fancy.


June 4th is my last day of working, so I have no issues with dates.  That's a nice feeling.

Final Preparation

This past week offered some really good riding weather. Unfortunately, this rider came down with a nasty cold that kept me off the bike for a week. I never felt that bad but the illness took away all my energy. It was a chore to walk a mile never mind riding.

I finally got back on the bike today and have two pair of shoes in the car. Naturally when I got ready I put on one of each. One black leather and the other a brown sneaker type.

I was running late and pushed to make up the time. Wouldn't you know I got held up by a freight train. That put me back on the original ten minute behind schedule. There was still enough time to clean up, don my work clothes and be on time for the change of shift hand off.

After work I did take a detour through the old Paul Dever school. A few new photos was the result.




Number three son is still up in the air about joining me on the tour next week. He got some cortisone injections for his bad shoulder which provided a good dose of pain relief and allowed a huge gain in mobility.



Healthy Day

Bikes and Books

Got the bike ready, put the riding clothes out on the bed in the spare room.   Work clothes were folded and ready to put into the backpack.  I set the alarm for 5:30 and was ready to do the first bike commute in months.  At twent past five, the dogs wanted to go out.  When they returned, I shut off the alarm and went back to bed.



It's the third time this has happened in the past few weeks.  I am working the weekend and am determined to get up early and ride the 10 miles to work on Sunday. With the temps forcast for the high 50's, the ride promises to be a nice one.  Changing the clocks will make it a little more difficult, but I know once I start dressing, everything else will fall into place mentally.

 

I usually have a book at work and one at home to read.   However, I am into one that follows me everywhere. 

The Historian ".  A very different novel about Vlad the Impaler, better know as Dracula. It's a very different take from that of Bram Stoker. If you are one who enjoys reading,  put this one on your short list.   

I'm starting to get the riding fever since I got my confirmation for the bike tour this July.  A couple of friends have been discussing day rides and maybe even an overnighter.  We call them S24O.   Sub 24 hr. overnights.   That's when we ride out on a Friday evening after work, set up  and camp out.   Rise early in the morning and ride back home. They are usually twent to thirty mile rides.   We pick  some good food and there is also a package store with a good sized wine selection close to the campground in Plymouth  Ma.    The Cape Cod Canal and Cape Cod Canal Rail Trail are two other great riding places for both day and S24Os.

Summer Tour

I have been baiting friends and family to do a bike tour this summer. Two years ago, wifey and I did Austria Last year #3 son joined me on the Erie Canal. Now however, I can't get anyone to commit or even ask the dates, which could be construded as a possibility.

I came across a group ride sponsored by The Rails to Trails Conservancy, and decided to take the plunge. The Greenway Sojurn, is a four day tour beginning in Williamsport, PA, riding an average of fifty miles a day, ending in Wellsboro, PA.

The route of the Greenway Sojourn will focus on the 64-mile Pine Creek Rail Trail, which parallels the creek through the heart of the Pine Creek Gorge. The rail-trail follows the path of a 19th century railroad that hauled lumber out from the valley.

A 2001 article in USA Today named the Pine Creek Rail Trail one of "10 great places to take a bike tour" in the world. Now in 2009, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy offers you and your family the opportunity to join us on a four-day adventure through this amazing natural area.



The Pine Creek Valley
Pine Creek itself is 82 miles of spring-fed, trout-laden water, the largest tributary of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. The creek path meanders through a beautiful valley with mountains rising more than 1,000 feet on either side. Because of this extreme geographic setting, the valley is nicknamed "the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania," a part of which is designated a National Natural Landmark and PA Scenic River. The waters of Pine Creek have been rated at High or Exceptional Value by the Department of Environmental Protection.

I may take in a visit to Susquehanna Hat Company


The tour is limited to 250 riders and I'm hoping my application was received in time to get me registered.

Erie Canal Tour

Crazyguyonabike.com is out of commission, or at least I can't get there from this computer.

A 6 hr drive got us to the Amtrak station in Utica N.Y. Boxing the bikes when smoothly bu repacking the panniers in the parking lot was tough with the humidity.

We boarded the train just as last call was being announced for dinner. We did manage our freebee food but paid the price later. We traveled in a tiny little sleeper car becase all the seats were sold out. There was just enough room for us and our bags.

A 12:30 arrival in Buffalo left us stranded in an industrial area where the owners of the cheap motel we had planned on spending the night, refused to answer the bell. Consequently we had to pay $140 for a night in the Days Inn at the airport. We finally got to our room around 2:30AM.

Day 1.

It's 10:30 and Brandon is still lollygaging. He is off to McDonalds for breakfast and after that we will take the shuttle back to the train station, retrieve and reassemble our bikes, and begin the 350 mile ride back to Utical via the Erie Canal.
We are looking into a side trip to Niagra Falls today then ride to Lockport this afternoon or this evening.

It's hot outside, but we are both very excited.

On Tour

Brandon and I are touring the Erie Canal. I will be posting on Neil Grutton"s web site Crazy guy on a bike Search "John Sullivan"

Claudio Reyna has retired. It certainly was a treat watching him both and college the and the professional levels. His national team play was spotty, but he was still a great player. We'll miss him.

The Revs put two on the MLS all star first 11. Reise and Parkhurst. Well done to both.

See youse next week.