Day 48: Latham, NY to Brattleboro, VT - 79 miles with 5,050' of climbing

Todays ride was gorgeous. It had challenging climbs, rolling green tree covered hills, beautiful buildings, tailwinds, cool temperatures, and scenic overlooks. We are in Ben And Jerry's Country now and everyone seems to take pride in their surroundings.
We rode through the historic towns of Old Bennington, Wilmington, and on into Brattleboro. One of our riders, Rod from NH, had several daughters visit with a bunch of fresh baked cookies and muffins for us.
The climbs are getting so much easier now that we have over 3,400 miles and almost 100,000' of climbing behind us. We seem to have so many more gears "available" now when we crest a hill. If only this level could be maintained.
As good as today was I am really looking forward to getting back home and seeing my better half, Belle. Seven weeks of riding is a long time.
Just 2 days left to go.

Roadkills: 420
Flats: 4
Wheels: Replaced the rear due to a cracks in the rim
Hurts: Very fortunate, all is good.

Day 47: Little Falls, NY to Lathem, NY - 74 miles with 2,100' of climbing

Today strarted with clear skies, cool temps, light traffic, tailwinds and wide smooth shoulders. We rode on an asphalt path under a canopy of trees for much of the day so it was a very easy 74 miles. We rode through Ft. Plains, Canajoharie, Sprakers, Amsterdam, Rotterdam Junction and on into Lathem. We had lunch at Jumping Jacks Drive-In where most of us had ice cream for dessert and then the second sag stop was at a park named after the Greco Roman Wrestling Olympic gold medalist Jeff Blatnick. We also met a bunch of cyclists who were riding some crazy home-made bikes with some real scary welds in the frames. I hope they hold up for their journey to Toronto.

The final few miles to the hotel were on more trails so it was a very relaxing day of riding. Only 3 days to go.

Thanks for checking-in.

Roadkills: 418
Flats: 4
Wheels: Replaced rear due to crack in the rim
Hurts: All is good

Day:46: Liverpool, NY to Little Falls, NY - 78 miles with 1,610' of climbing

We started out today under cloudy skies and wet pavement. The clouds let go for the first 50 of 78 miles. We rode in the country for most of the day but due to heavy rains photo ops were rare. We traveled through the NY towns of Canastota, Durhamville, Whitesboro, Herkimer and Little Falls.

At about 70 miles in the skies cleared and we decided to eat at a 50s diner (Crazy Otto's Empire Diner) in Herkimer. All the employees were very friendly and the decor was very cool. They spin a numbered wheel whenever a train went by and if it lands on the number of where you were seated your meal was on the house. A few weeks earlier they had set a world record for making the biggest omelet using 41,000 eggs. Scott, the owner, asked about our travels and gave us a 2 for 1 deal on their T- shirts because he didn't want us leaving without them.

The final few miles were a breeze and once we got in we had time to do laundry for the final time, get all the road dirt off our bikes and see Jim the mechanic for some minor adjustments.

Roadkills: 412

Flats: 4

Wheels: Replaced rear due to cracked rim

Hurts: All's good.

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