Day 45: Henrietta, NY to Liverpool, NY - 93 miles with 1,600' of climbing

Today started out under overcast skies with the sun trying to pierce its way through the haze. The group was spread out with some eating at the hotel and some going to McDonalds. The first few miles were on a busy road where one of our riders, Ann, was "tapped" by a car. She seem to be O.K. with minor bruises but traumatic none-the-less.

The next 20 miles were on a cinder bike path alongside the Erie Canal. It was slow but scenic. Once we were off the bike path the next 70 miles or so were on lightly travelled roads that took us through the small NY villages of Pittsford, Lyons, Clyde, Savannah, Tyre, Montezuma, Port Byron, Weedsport(where we had lunch), Jordan, and into Liverpool. We rode the last 30 miles with Alison from Arkansas who never seems to be exerting any energy. She is in great shape.

Only 5 days to go. Can't believe we have come so far already. Looking forward to being back home and spending some quality time with my darling Belle who has been so understanding through this whole adventure.

Roadkill: 406
Flats: 4
Wheels: Replaced the rear due to a cracked rim
Hurts: Knees hurt strating up after a short rest but that is to be expected.

Day 44: Niagara Falls, NY to Henrietta, NY - 82 miles with 1,550' of climbing

Today was an easy day of riding except for the hot and humid conditions. Everyone seemed to be taking their time and riding at their own pace.

Not a lot to see today but we did ride past some pretty unique barns and houses on our way into Henrietta. I got in around 1:30 and then headed down to Tim Horton's to refuel before showering and checking my email. One more day down and only six to go.

Roadkills: 395

Flats: 4

Wheels: Replaced the rear

Hurts: 0

Day 43: Rest day in Niagara Falls, NY

Today started with a quick walk over to the Canadian side of the falls to checkout the tourist attractions and get a closer look at the falls. Most of the Canadian side is geared toward kids as most of the attractions are arcades, carnivals games, rides, and other Vegas like sites. Evidently you can never have too many wax museums near a beautiful natural state park. We did hike down to the side of Horseshoe Falls for a few good photos and they do have some beautiful gardens. Getting back across the bridge to the US required $.50 to get through the turnstyle but neither Tom or I had change until a kind tourist helped us out.

Thanks for visiting. Tomorrow we begin our final push to the coast.

Roadkills: 384

Flats: 4

Wheels: Had to replace the rear due to a cracked rim.

Hurts: All is good

Day 42: Brantford, ONT to Niagara Falls, NY - 72 miles with 1,400' of climbing

Tom and I started the day by riding a few miles off route to have breakfast at the America by Bike designated Best Western. As it turned out we were the only 2 riders that took the time to enjoy an excellent breakfast buffet with a great variety of fruit, omelets, pastries, cereal, sausage, bacon, french toast and pancakes.

Following breakfast we got back on the route at about 8:00 to start the 72 mile ride back to the states. Once we were within 25 miles of the Niagara Falls the horizon was filled with high tension electrical lines which I assume were fed from hydroelectric power from the falls. The route took us through few towns but the rolling shady hills made for an interesting ride before directing us to Niagara Falls and the border crossing back into the states where we were directed to "act" like a car to avoid the turnstyles that the pedestrians have to go through.

The area by the falls on both sides of the border was loaded with people, tacky souvenir shops, T-shirt shops, and over priced carnival food stands. I was going to say "Only in America" but the Canadian side wasn't any less tacky. Oh well the falls were impressive.

Roadkills: 384

Flats: 4

Hurts: All is good

Day 41: London, ONT. to Brantford, ONT. - 69 miles with 1,250' of climbing

Today many of the riders chose to wear the "Canadian" jerseys they bought at a local bike shop as we started out under cool temps and overcast skies. The traffic on today's route was very light so it was a relaxing ride through the Ontario countrside past fields of corn, tobacco, ginseng, soybean and rolling horse pastures. We rode through the small towns of Springford, Otterville, Oakland, Mt. Pleasant and the struggling to stay viable town of Brantford.

After putting 55 miles behind us many of us stopped for lunch in Mt. Pleasant just before a light rain began. The rain stopped shortly after it began and the remaining 10 miles into Brantford was on dry roads.

Roadkills: 379

Flats: 4

Hurts: All's good

Day 40: Port Horon, MI to London, Ontario - 90 miles with 1,500' of climbing

Today we all lined-up together in the hotel parking lot so we could travel across the Blue Water Bridge (traffic was held back for us to cross) and through Canadian customs in a group.

One of the riders, Jeff, took us on a short detour through a treelined parkway, a beach and a park where his Mother met us with pastries.

Along the rest of the route we rode through the villages of Sarina, Watford, Srathroy, Mt. Brydges and London. We passed several fields covered with solar panels, an old cemetary full of children from the 1860s and many farm houses that had signs posted to discourage the installation of wind turbines. We got to the hotel around 2:00 giving us plenty of time to shower, clean our chains, rehydrate, visit a bike shop and work on the internet before rap (daily meeting) at 4:45.

Roadkill: 374

Flats: 4

Hurts: N/A today

Day 39: Birch Run, MI to Port Huron, MI - 87 miles with only 800' of climbing

A cold front moved in last night making it a welcome cool morning for the ride to Port Huron. My old buddy Troy (aka the son I never wanted), who rode with me on my 2 previous coast-to-coast trips came up from Ohio with his wife, sister-in-law and 2 kids to ride with us today. He did pretty well for someone who hasn't been riding much and was able to pedal the first 62 miles of the ride before throwing in the towel. It was fun to visit with him.

We rode through the small towns of Millington, Brown City, Yale (the home of the Bologna Festival and the Bologna Museum - REALLY). We rode passed a few abandoned barns, several nice looking farm houses, Amish farms, and had lunch in Yale. We rode most of the final 25 miles with a view of the "Carribean blue" water of Lake Huron and finished near the Blue Water Bridge that links Port Huron with Ontario.

Roadkill: 368
Flats: 4
Hurts: Everything is okee dokee