Update 26 - 6/19/01
We are in Ohio, about 60 miles east of Cleveland.
Several more folks have asked to be added to our update list. Welcome, and we hope you enjoy reading about our travels.
Leaving the Adirondacks, we descended into the foothills and then to gently rolling terrain along the shore of Lake Ontario. Along the way we met Janet and Ralph, a couple touring east to Bar Harbor. We exchanged road condition and route info, which is always helpful to the touring cyclist. Also Jay and Erin, cyclists from Connecticut who are a few weeks ahead of us along the Northern Tier Route have provided very helpful route info.
Near Rochester, New York, we followed the Canalway Trail along the Erie Canal. The trail is not paved in sections. We needed tires so we bought an inexpensive ($8 each) set of wide tires for this part of the tour. Thanks again to da Vinci for equipping our bike with 26" wheels and the clearance to run wide tires. In Pittsford we stopped at the well stocked Towpath Bike Shop and purchased a good set of road tires to install when we completed our ride along the canal.
We spent a motel night in Rochester, near the University, just off the Canalway Trail. A clipped coupon got us a good rate at a moderately expensive motel. The next day we rode to Lockport and after winding our way along some quiet country roads we found the home of Chuck and Bethany. We contacted them through the Warm Showers List and they graciously agreed to host us for an evening. Their home, located in a nice part of town along a quiet creek is not only beautiful, it is very smart. Chuck installed a fully integrated computer system during construction that allows control of everything but the plants. They grow on their own.
The next day turned out to be very wet, so we accepted the invitation to spend another night. During the day Chuck helped me install new tires, brake pads and some other minor adjustments and we washed the bike. Bethany assisted Sharon with laundry and volunteered to take a small box of items we've picked up along the way to the Post Office to be mailed home. They also drove us to the mall where we purchased some supplies and replacement clothing items. After all that, they prepared an outstanding dinner! Touring by bicycle is a great way to see the country, but as almost every cycle tourist we have met says, it's the incredible people you meet along the way that make this such a life changing experience. Thank you Chuck and Bethany, someday we will find a way to return your kindness.
Leaving Lockport we rode to Niagara Falls. The Canadian side of the Niagara River is the best for viewing the falls, and for cycling. We crossed the bridge to Queenston and rode right on to the path that meanders along the river for 25 miles. The trail passes too many points of interest to see in one trip, not to mention all the beautiful homes with manicured lawns. It is a slow ride (who in their right mind would want to hurry?) and nearing the falls, riding is just about impossible. We walked along, awed by the tremendous power and beautiful of the thundering falls. It was a warm clear day and we were thankful for the cool mist from all that water pounding on the rocks nearly 200 feet below. Stopped at the falls we met Andy and Karen from Toronto. They were riding the Niagara Trail and Andy was towing their two children in a trailer behind his bike. We chatted for a while and exchanged email addresses. Encouraged by their wishes for our success, we continued south along the Trail.
We camped at a quiet, clean RV Park along the shore of the river that night. The next morning we crossed the Peace Bridge into Buffalo. After clearing customs and following incorrect and confusing instructions from the Adventure Cycling Map, we finally asked locals for directions and made our way back to the route. Construction has changed the roads and the map is now out of date.
After making our way through a nice park along the waterfront section of Buffalo we followed the route to South Park. The conditions here are very sad. A combination of factors has destroyed much of the economy and the population that remains suffers from high unemployment and all the social issues connected. The environment is better off, and we can rejoice when buying all those products from off shore suppliers at cheaper prices, but we have extracted a heavy price from the common working people of the Great Lakes region.
Leaving Buffalo, we continued along the shore of Lake Erie, making good time and miles on descent roads with moderate traffic and good shoulders. Leaving New York State we reflected on the great riding we found there, and outside the stereotypes we have all heard, the friendly, helpful people we met.
We crossed the short section of Pennsylvania, passing through the very historic town of Erie, and rode on into Ohio.
Cruising the shores of the Great Lakes,
George and Sharon Miner
Vancouver Bicycle Club, Vancouver, Washington
2000 da Vinci Global Venture towing Bob Trailer
Free as the Wind - Our one year self-supported tandem tour of the USA, Mexico and Canada
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