Working my way across New York. I crossed back into the US at Niagara Falls and followed the Eire Canal for a good portion of the day. I am now hunting some books on the Oneida Community. I will be stopping in Oneida, New York probibly tomorrow. It would be good to have some background before I get there.
The canal path has been nice, very level 
I tought that I would make it back into the US today. As it turns out, I think that I am within sight of it, but still in Canada. This is a bad thing because today is the start of a long weekend in Canada. So, the room rates are very, very high. Life goes on.
Once I am back in the US, I will have about 488 miles left in the trip. I really can’t beleive the end is so close.
I plan to spend some time at the falls. Then, I am told that there is an Eire Canal bike trail. I will try to find it and ride it.
I am just going to take it easy and enjoy the last few days of the ride.
« Older EntriesSo, I made it to Paris. The tour does not end here, but I was wearing the yellow jersey.
I passed through Woodstock today. Well, Woodstock, Onterio. I don’t make it to New York until tomorrow. I think I will stay around Niagara Falls. It would be cool to stay at the falls, but I am sure they will want an arm or a leg. I am using all mine at the moment.
The ride is going very well. I am only days away from finishing. So, I am starting to reflect.
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Yesterday, Phil headed south and I headed east.
I went to the Dow Gardens and took some cool pictures.
So far, I have covered 2750 miles. I have less than 1000 to go. I expect to be done in about 14 days.
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Yesterday I rode 64 miles. It rained for most of the morning, but after that it was a very pleasant day for a bike ride. I passed through Ocean Spray’s CO-OP farms and saw lots of cranberry fields. Most of the day was spent in wetlands. I took some cool panoramas and pictures of water lilies.
A strange transformation has occurred in my mind. I am now a cyclist. I ride the bike and it is easy now. When I started the trip, I was unsure I would be able to complete it. Now, I have no doubt. It is only a matter of time.
Now, I am looking for the next challenge. I have been watching Le Tour de France. I am getting some ideas. I am now in good shape. Funny how riding a bike packed with 75 or so pounds of gear for 8 to 10 hrs a day can do that. Anyway, in today’s stage the riders were averaging about 25 miles per hour. Good pace. On my 165 mile day I had an average of 16.7 miles per hour.
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Ok. I know that I have not been writing as often as I should, (an excuse follows) but I have really had very little to say. OK, I hear the laughing in the back there. Ron with nothing to say; they gasp!
So, I blew through Minnesota. Day before yesterday (Monday) I rode 163.2 miles. Finally broke the 150 mile day.
I have been taking pictures. I think I got a great one of a frog.
Today, I have been riding through cranberry fields all day. It has been a very nice ride.
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Finally made it to Minnesota!
The first picture if of the sun setting on South Dakota. The next is the sun rising on Minnesota. We camped right on the boarder, the Minnesota side of course.
We passed a wind farm on the way this morning. Very cool, the turbine blades were along the road. I think they were installing some new turbines.
Tylor, has a cool old school. It reminds me of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
Trying to make an 80 mile day today. Should make it to Sleepy Eye. Seems like a great place to sleep.
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A little update… I should leave South Dakota today!!!! Nothing against the state, it is beautiful and in a car I am sure I would have had a lot more fun. However, on a bike in July it is not that much fun.
I have had several people asking about the bike I am riding. I finally had someone to take my picture while I was riding it. I have uploaded the picture. I am thinking of taking the training wheels off in about a week. Should have the hang of it by then. The basket on the front of the bike has been a real lifesaver. I use it to hold my Kool-Aid and bologna sandwiches in my Power Rangers lunch box. A big thanks to my mom for packing Twinkies in my lunch yesterday.
Ok, back to the story. I am in Brookings, South Dakota today. Yesterday, I ran into Phil again. We will probably ride together for a while. So, we stopped at the Sioux River Bicycles and Fitness shop today to get a tune up and service. I have a picture of Mark from the shop. He hooked us up. Phil got a whole new wheel. The spokes started to go in the old one (that happened to me about 200 miles into my ride). The new wheel looks a lot better. By the way, Mark is a really friendly guy. I must just have a bad picture of him.
Then, we went and ate a Nicks Hamburgers. Everyone raved about them all over town. So, we could not leave with out trying them out. Small, but tasty. You know that you have found a great place when at 11 am the place is packed with locals and you have to wait for a seat. That is Phil sitting beside me. Note my new hair cut. It is the Lance Armstrong deluxe. It seems to be working for him I thought I would give it a try.
Minnesota is next, I will keep you posted.
« Older EntriesI spent the day in the city park. They have a nice covered patio that let the wind blow through and kept the sun at bay, but it was hot anyway. The person having dinner behind me said it was 106 in the shade. Ouch!!!
I slept on a table in the shelter for most of the day. I wet my jersey and tried to keep cool. I was not the only one hiding in the shade today. There was a rabbit under the marry go round. I watched him dig a hole and lay in it.
I love listening to the people around me at meals. Day before yesterday I listened to some guys talk about drilling for oil. Tonight, it is the Faith city auction. Tractors, land, shop equipment, and then of course the weather and hay making.
« Older EntriesIt is Hot!!!!
All the people in town are talking about the heat. It is well over 100 degrees. I watched the news last night and there is a cold front moving through late Sunday evening. The highs for the days after the cold front are in the mid 80′s nice. Hopefully, the winds will change too.
It has been a challenging last 4 days. It has been very hot, the wind is blowing west instead of east, and there are hills everywhere. It is not that they are tall, just steep. There are about 3 hills per mile. So, I feel like I am frying in the sun while peddling up hill into the wind. Not fun.
I have been contemplating my options. I could head north to Fargo, ND. That would be cool, but it is out of the way. I could also set off into the heat and stop in the next town, but they are having a rodeo today. So, there will be no where to stay.
I think that I am going to hang around town for a while. There is a pool and a park here. I will make the best of it, and wait for conditions to improve. I have been needing a rest anyway.
Interesting note: I am 18 miles from half way done with the trip.
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