Author: wo895432ss

Met two bikers on the winderful Ohio to Erie trail yesterday on my way to Mt. Vernon. Joey is headed from California to NYC and Almaz from Oregon to Washington DC. Joey said he will ride back West after catching up with people in New York.

Again, so many helpful people here in central Ohio. Harvey who owns Fredericksburg Outdoor couldn’t have been kinder supplying me with water and Pepsi. And then a conversation with Vernon, young James, Junior and Mener. Lots of empty Ohio back roads and trails. About 67 miles. Went to the wrong hotel but …

Started the day with an incredibly yummy breakfast; blueberry pancakes, meat like sausage patties (inside joke), yogurt, coffee, and peaches with Fritz and Jo Anne. Pedaled through Akron and other towns to reach my home stay in Dalton. Along the way I met some wonderful young people who provided navigational help and wonderful conversation. Derek and Holly, pictured, from Dalton but who I met at an trail head shop. So genuinely easy to talk to. Derek recently did. 50 miles trail run. Ok, no more feeling sorry for myself after a 50 mile bike day. Jason and his wife who showed me a work around of a trail detour. Young Ernie of Ernies Bike Shop in Massillon. Camping out at my hosts Lois and Larry’s house. Larry was a wealth of knowledge and support. Looking forward to keeping in touch with him.

Long stretches today on the Case Western Trail and the Portage Bike and Hike trails. 70 miles or so through beautiful countryside. Heros of the day are Tim B with my Warm Showers hosts Fritz ans Jo Anne. Arriving here at the end of a long day was really really nice. Such a uniquely, beautiful space. Amost forgot the 2 trail volunteers, Mark and Thomas. And another hero! Bruce who I met at the bottom of his plno who gave me his number in case I goiyt into a pickle.

Host family, Fritz and Jo Anne’s beautiful back yard and porch.

Returned my rental car after unpacking my bike and bags. Then jumped back on the bike and pedaled to Ohio. Tomorrow Kent and Sunday I turn westward. Lots of wildlife. The last 6 of the 48 miles where on the Case Western Path. Really nice. I’ll be on that first thing tomorrow for 25 of the 75 miles scheduled. Other paths as well. Total paths is well over 50%. Hot and dry.

Sounds impressive, am I right?! But not so much when you learn that I Ubered from my really wonderful Warm Showers stay with hosts Mike and Natalie near North East, PA to the Erie airport, 22 miles. Drove the big suv back to the host house, loaded my bike and gear in, and drove to Cleveland. Spent laat night at my cousin Kerry’s and husband Tom’s house. Will again tonight. Tomorrow, Friday, I’ll drive back to Erie, drop the car, load my bike and ride 60 miles.

The actual ride from Buffalo to the stay was 80 miles roughly. Had my first flat about 55 miles into the ride. Super hot. But all went well. Yummy supper prepped by Mike and wind conversation. What I discovered along the way, or what was really reinforced is the fact that intersections are inherently very dangerous places to those on bicycles. Lesson learned.

The flat was caused by a big rust screw that required needle nosed pliers for removal. Knicked up the rim tape but didn’t seem damage much. Today I was hoping to find a sympathetic bike shop willing to fix the tape, check the breaks,etc. I wan’t optimistic. But Marty of Marty’s Cycle shop did it with open arms. Sounds cliche but really true. Super grateful.

You would think that I would have posted by now since I’ve had all the time in the world to do so. Naw.

Let me lead with my unsung heros, Ryan and his friend. I arrived in Buffalo last evening (seems so long ago), dehydrated and turned around by many detour signs.

I asked Ryan and friend for help. Had no clue whete I was. Ryan and partner were incredible. So kind. I followed Ryan and made it!

Earlier in the day I chatted it up with my friend Ed. More goodness than not in the world.

Another hot day but I managed to get out the door before 7:00. Spent some time trying to get past the Buffalo traffic. I did eventually and made it to PA! Staying with a really delightful Warm Showers host family; Natalie, Mike, Alex and Isacc. Their openness and hospitality was just what I needed. Rode along Lake Erie fo a long time. Of the 72 miles I did, 60 were along the lake. And I didn’t run out of lake! I think of lake effect snow in the winter, now I can easily envision lake effect thunderstorms.

Passed into PA late in the ride. And had my first flat at about mile 60. Rear tire of course. So unload the bike. Panniers some oiff, bike flipped upside down, and then tire wrestling.

Renting a car tomorrow and driving into Cleveland to visit my Aunt and her daughters. They are so nice to welcome me in especially after I gave them no notice. I’ll get back on the road Friday afternoon.

Thanks for all your support!!

Today was flat for the most part with brief climbs to start leaving Weedport, a friendly small town. Visited the little town of Lyons, the peppermint capital of the world (see photo), and had an ice cream stop in Fairpoint. Starting to see more touring cyclists, like Ben and spouse home visiting family from their new home in Portland, OR. Ben gave me some good insight into crossing the Rockies, (see photo). And I was thinking between singing to myself for 7 hours, how many different varieties of green that I’ve seen over the last 3 days. Beautiful, total immersion.

Tomorrow I complete the collective first leg of my journey arriving south of Buffalo. 100 miles with the map promising little change in altitude. Super hot though. But no smoke today!

I failed to mention that I was wishing I had another book when lo and behold there was a free library little structure. I one book in it had the title, “There’s no place like home”.

Yesterday was 109 miles daythat was really trying. I got turned around in Syracuse for a bit because of a trail closure and fatigue. But made it to wherever I am. Today I’m headed to Rochester, NY.

The path yesterday took me along the old Erie Canal for a stretch (70 miles?). Saw more turtles than people by a ratio of 50 to 1. Beautiful place, NY along the canal. Lots of camping and rv opportunities at many of the locks and marinas. Miss everyone in a pretty big way right now. Any connections for places to stay would be welcomed.

Wow, the bike trail network from Albany to Buffalo is, in a word, fantastic. Of the 89 miles I rode, 85 were off-road. Paved through beautiful countryside. And along the incredibly beautiful, incredibly interesting Erie Canal system.

In Schenectady,NY, I stopped at Peccera’s Italian Bakery and loved to talk with the staff and family. Mary was too shy for a photo so the sign is there in Mary’s place. Her insistence. And where i am staying for the night is affordableclean, has a laundromat and pool. And it has the team of Theresa and Lynn at the front desk. So nice!! Lynn actually went to the store and bought me bananas to address my leg cramps. Good day despite the wildfire smoke (nasty) and some heat. Tomorrow more Erie Canal Trail. And my first 100 mile day!!

Peccera’s , the Erie Canal Lock 8and and another canal photo, and other trail images.