New York
 | First crossing into a new state
- New York! |
Day 5: Friday, July 9.
Great breakfast in diner in Pittsfield. Crossed into NY state around
10:45 AM - rain for about the first 1/3 of ride - but not bad. Stayed in
motel just west of Albany. 52 miles.
 | The fire service has that right!!!
We needed that advice on day two! |
Day 6: Saturday, July 10.
Shorter day - to sightsee at Howe Caverns. Massive underground cave -
lots of fun. Hide-a-way campsite - pretty but on top of hill - ouch!
33 miles.
Day 7: Sunday, July 11.
Gorgeous day of riding - feared hills really didn't materialize - but
Catharine's knees beginning to hurt. Stayed in campground 1 mile no of
Bridgewater on Rte 20. 52 miles.
Lunch interludes along the way
 | Riding at sunrise in rural New York State |
Day 8: Monday, July 12.
To Green Lake State Park just SE of Syracuse: first 10
miles all down hill - a gift! - decided to go north onto Rte 8 to avoid
hills on Rte 20 - Cath's knees really hurting - en route she bought knee
braces - feels better. 56 miles.
 | View from tent
overlooking Lake Ontario |
Day 9: Tuesday, July 13.
To Idlewild-by-the-Lake campground just West of Sodus
Point on Lake Ontario. Very early start through Syracuse, caught breakfast
at a diner just West of city. Longest day so far, great weather, great
views. Lake Ontario is massive, and our campgroud is literally on its edge,
95' above lake. 70 miles.
 | A mini-explosion of cook-stove
blistered Liz's forehead,
which rubbed on the bike helmet
- hence a bandaid to go with the smile |
Day 10: Wednesday, July 14.
To back yard of Sherry Head (friendly stranger who
invited us to camp in her yard - in Henrietta (suburb of Rochester, NY).
Bikes south from Lake Ontario to Palmyra (where Book of Mormon was
transcribed by Joseph Smith) and began riding the "Canalway" - a multi-use
bikeway 70 miles along the banks of the Erie Canal. Watched canal barges
use the locks. Met Sherry - avid cyclist and elementary school teacher who
saw our gear, joined us for a chat and invited us to camp in her yard.
Pizza supper. 55 miles.
 | At a lock in the Erie Canal
along the 70 miles of bikeway by the canal |
 | Catharine on Canalway,
a bike path along Erie Canal
which you can ride it for 70 miles!) |
 | Watching a tug and barge
on the Erie Canal |
Day 11: Thursday, July 15.
To Dollinger's motel in Albion, NY. We had a slow start
along the canal - frittered away the morning having fun on the canal - found
ourselves with 30 miles to go with a fierce "reverse tail wind" as my
traveling companions call the prevailing air currents. Finally decided to
call a halt, and popped into a motel. Unfortunately, alarms and staff angst
went off when we unplugged phone line to use modem, so couldn't go on line.
44.9 miles.
 | Crossing the bridge into Canada
to check out Niagara Falls |
Day 12: Friday, July 16.
To Niagara Glen View Tent & Trailer Park, on Canadian side
of Niagara Falls. Got early start and made up time - crossed into Canada ,
camped and spent the afternoon at the Falls - a chunk of time in the IMAX
theatre watching a movie about the falls and enjoying the air conditioning!
52 miles.
At the Falls
Day 13: Saturday, July 17.
To Evangola State Campgrounds on Lake Erie. Beautiful
ride along Niagara Highway, crossed back into the USA on the Peace Bridge,
and rode along Lake Shore Road - easy riding. 57.7 miles.
 | Catharine as happy biker
on shore of Lake Erie |
Day 14: Sunday, July 18.
To Lakeview RV Park in NY state but yards from the PA line.
Another easy ride - rolling hills, lots of lake views. Still warm and
muggy - wandered out on a long pier in Dunkirk and chatted with local
fisherman/school bus driver about tales of the lake. Great lunch of fresh
tomatoes, melon and raspberries at a farm stand. Refreshing swim in Lake
Erie and sunset at lake's edge. 48.7 miles.
10/22/99
