Day 31 – July 17th

My ride today started off a few minutes before 7 am, and all was going well. I was back on the machine that I have come to love over the last 30 days, and I must say it felt terrific to be reunited with my close carbon friend. She performed beautifully today; no creaking and the shifting was smooth as silk. It’s a glorious and beautiful experience to have a piece of equipment operating flawlessly as you give it all the power your legs can muster while pushing through a hill. It’s truly beauty incarnate.

The first 20 miles disappeared in a flurry of pedal strokes, but soon the strokes came to a standstill as we flowed into the bottle neck of rush hour traffic in Utica, NY. Luckily our trusty Tour Director was nearby and got us onto much more biker friendly highways. Though it cost an hour of downtime as we worked our way through the clustered urban sprawl, it was soon history and I was back on the crank and making great progress once again. Not long after a shortcut was discovered and I left Highway 5 behind to partake in the clodding roads of Stone Arabia. Confronted with a series of steep, yet short, climbs as I rolled onto the nearly abandoned highway, I realized I was in for a surprised treat of climbing. Smiling at my good fortune, I soon was in sync with the road and my Trek and took full advantage of the situation. Sweat pouring off my brow, knees groaning with self induced pressure, I kept up a healthy pace and pushed through the spires of earth. As I did so I was rewarded with a glimpse into a simpler time. A few miles into Stone Arabia, I realized I was in the heart of Amish country. Encountering horse and buggies sharing the roadway, in addition to viewing a young man hard at work with a plow and attached equestrian, I was amazed at their technology tenacity. They are a prime example of human endurance and will power; casting stereotypes and societies commonalities to the winds. Watching children at play, attired in their cultural garb, I couldn’t help but think that the differences in their culture and the one I grew up in really is not that different; kids still just want to play and enjoy life regardless of where they are. But what would it be like as an adult in their community? Would the differences be as gross as they appear from the outside looking in? My guess is no. I am sure their culture has many of the same stresses and daily issues that we all experience, for in the end we are all human.

The scenery on this route included more than just the Amish built houses though; the rolling ridge line I was pedaling over contained a kaleidoscope of scenes. At times it reminded me of Oregon, with the trees, ridges, and waterways, yet it has a beauty all of its own. Many times people talk of the beauty of New York and I would immediately think of the cement sprawl that is NYC; but these last couple of days of wheeling through the countryside has shown me the flaw in that perception. I now understand why people would want to live here; it’s full of ‘aha’ moments. Scenes that make you stop, if only for a second, and think to yourself “This is why I am alive, for moments like these.” This cycling tour has proven to be amassed with such moments. Fortune has smiled its kindly face upon me for the last 31 days.

The one other picture etched into my gray matter deals with an abandoned bridge. Standing stoic above the waters below, the chalky white stone, stained with years of exposure, it regally spanned the banks. Long cast aside by man in his quest for superior support, the bridge has slowly begun to lose the echo of foot and hoof traffic. Today, it serves as a resting place for foliage and the occasional fauna. Though it has long been in disrepair, you feel the need to respect its ability to survive, and the wisdom of the community in its decision to not tear it down. While it can no longer sufficiency function in a day of gasoline powered steel, the history that winds its away around the eroding arches can not be ignored. Out of respect for a life well spent, and a time well honored, it was left to continue its original job; to connect the east and west bank. Its perseverance is inspiring.

I wrapped up today’s ride up in Latham, NY and now have but two days remaining in my quest. Two days and this adventure will come to its climatic ending. Yet, I already realize its not the summit I am concerned with, but the journey to get here. A journey of self awareness and perseverance; a journey well worth the price demanded. I am both excited and saddened by the idea of concluding this crazy biking lifestyle that I have lived for the last month.

Day 30 – July 16th

During the course of this trip, I have often found myself confronted with an internal battle of addiction. Over the last few years I have had a harder and harder time dealing with it; I’d hoped that cycling away the majority of my day would equate to less time to think about it and thus less time to succumb to it. I am proud to say that during this entire journey the temptation has only proven too strong once. However, that does not mean the constant attack upon my will power has gone away or remained hidden; quite the contrary in fact. Often times the only thing that keeps me in the saddle when confronted with my drug of choice is the support of Gary. Many of my friends and family may know of it already, but some of you may be unfamiliar with this powerful narcotic-like substance I am always battling.

Well two days ago was one of the toughest bouts I have ever had in dealing with it; I actually came across a sign advertising for it! Early into the ride, cranking on the pedals, feeling light yet strong, I was really getting into the days ride when I saw a billboard that nearly knocked me off my bike. I could not believe the inconsiderate bastards would promote a direct confrontation to my senses. The sign read “Antique Store: Over 40,000 books”. How could they? While I am well into the seven steps of the recovery program, being smacked with 40,000 used books is more than one man should have to face. Had it not been for Gary screaming at me from behind to keep moving, I know without a doubt I would have been in there, nose deep in books, looking for some old classics. Wow, I was close to a total and complete regression of my hard earned progress. Thanks Gary for helping me stay strong!!!!

As you can imagine, this morning I had to suffer another test: Glen’s Rare and Used Books beckoned and this was only a few miles after starting out. I really wasn’t prepared, but still managed to resist. Seriously though, someone should have done a better job of plotting this course so that I could better focus my efforts on cycling than avoiding books. Ahh well, like so many other pains on this great adventure, I will just have to deal with it.

The ride, aside from the books, was going great today. I was feeling strong on the bike, and the right knee, which has been tight the last couple days, was finally starting to loosen up. The only issue I was really having was the annoying ‘creaking’ sound that was being produced by my tone deaf bike. And old faithful had been making the same bloody ear music for the last couple of days. There was definitely something going on with the crank, bottom bracket, chain, or rear cassette. Finally, after 180 miles of dealing with the grinding, I came to the nerve fried conclusion that I needed to get it into a bike shop; today. After stopping for a quick bite to eat at a small family diner, Larry had a shop picked out and we were setup to get it taken in. While Gary and I took care of business on the road, Larry did the same with my malfunctioning machine. My initial thought was that the bottom bracket had water in it, and thus the bearings were making the awful sound. The mechanic Larry brought it too thought the same thing and soon had the bottom bracket cleaned out and re-greased. Yet the sound remained. Over the next several hours this master wrench put my bike through the ringer; switching out cranks, pedals, the big ring, cassette and finally the entire rear wheel. After doing a remarkable job in diagnosing the problem, which was the housing of the rear hub, he sent Larry and the bike to a local Trek dealer to have the problem resolved. The Trek dealer was able to get the housing replaced, and all appears well. He did inform Larry that this is a known problem and should it recur to bring it to another dealer and they will switch the entire rear wheel out; he would have switched it out versus just the housing but did not have the wheel on hand. None the less, after hours of patience on Larry’s part and some pretty astounding wrench work, my bike is back and will be with me as I set out tomorrow for another day of riding in New York. While I am very thankful to have had Gary’s other bike available for the final 40 miles of today’s ride, I missed the geometry and feel of my own bike terrible. After 3,000 miles in 30 days, we’ve formed quite a strong bond.

The day ended with us in Oneida, NY fully geared up and anxious for the next three days. Mr. Adams joined us again for our traditional post ride salute.

Day 29 – July 15th

Waking up way too early, according to me not Friedman, I glanced at the clock and saw it was time to start prepping for today’s ride. Pushing myself out of bed, I glanced down and couldn’t help but give a slight chuckle when a looked at my hand. I realized I was at the point in my ride where I could count the days remaining on a single hand; wow, crazy realization to wake up to! Who would have thought it’d be here already? Five days to go and then I would be standing on those sandy shores gazing into that ocean and inwardly smiling with the knowledge that I had made it. But, there are those five days of pedaling, so I had better focus on today and deal with Saturday when it gets here.

Rolling out onto the cycling paradise that the roads of New York are turning out to be, Gary and I set to work early and were off and flying. Rolling over the terrain, I couldn’t help the constant glances I cast over my shoulder to the gargantuan body of water Lake Erie is. Every time I topped a small rise, or came through a clearing of trees, the silent watcher was within view and I couldn’t resist another quick peak. I was definitely enjoying my time in the Great Lakes presence.

Stopping for a quick bite about 30 miles in, we saw Larry talking to another cyclist; the same cyclist he’d run across the day before. Gill (pronounced Jill, but short for Gillian. Great name by the way), is a Scottish cyclist currently biking across America to raise awareness of arthritis; a disease that has been a plight to her mother. After stopping at Larry’s cycling shop for a refuel, we got back on the road and soon found ourselves pedaling along side Gill. She was a great conversationalist; as eager for human conversation as I was. I learned that she is not only a cycling nut, but a librarian; how cool! She works for Scotland’s equivalent of the Library of Congress; sounds like a career that I would enjoy. We lunched with Gill, and then went our separate ways. She was a strong cyclist, a very bright individual, and I am sure will have no problems making her final destination in Maine within the next two weeks. Best of luck Gill!!

The day was starting to get late, after taking a long lunch and spending some quality time chatting with Gill on the bikes, so with nearly 80 miles to go after our break at Applebee’s we started to knock it up a notch. But the speeds were not to remain consistent, as we encountered multiple hills on our route today. I have noticed over the last several days that we have definitely left the plains behind and wheeled into the hill country again. No worries. Hills are much preferable to mountains!

Gary and I made good speed over the remaining miles, and with about 20 miles to go Friedman put in a Superman pull. With a nice breeze to our benefit, he knocked it up to 26 mph and more; it was great. Not to be outdone, I took over after he put in a long pull and did a fair share of pulling as well. It was a trip to push the bike in excess of 30 mph and to be able to switch off the lead like that. After that, we rolled through a few miles, as then entered some small towns, with about 5 miles to go I hit another climb and I figured with the legs still feeling fresh I mine as well burn em up. So I let the Goat loose and we climbed the hill as fast as I could push her and then kept the pace going till Lima. The legs were screaming at a few points, trying to remind me that there were still 4 more days to go, but after passing a sign stating Lima had been established in 1788, I figured if it could last since damn near the signing of our Constitution I certainly could hold the pace another couple miles.

The ride wrapped up at the American hotel, a 150 year old antique of a hotel that has more history than some countries. I also loved the fact that the hotel had a bar with some local micro brews on tap; it was calling my name as soon as I dismounted. It was another great reward to a great ride. Cheers!

Day 28 – July 14th

Today’s ride started out similar to the last several days, not with rain but with my legs feeling uncanny and fresh; they seemed to be aching to ride. Well there wish was soon granted as I climbed upon the rough trodden Trek and pushed on towards the goal for the day; New York.

56 miles into the ride, as I peaked one of the few climbs of the route, I thought I caught a glimpse of a massive expanse of black hiding just behind an extensive line of trees. Was that Lake Erie? I asked myself. Not knowing for sure, I continued on in hopes of getting a more up close and friendly view of it. A couple dozen miles later, all doubts were banished. Standing on the pedals to quell another hilly foe, I heard Gary shout from behind “I bet we can see it from up there.” There was no need to define ‘it’ as he could mean but one thing: the Great Lake Erie. Picking up the tempo I crested the hill and with soft green vineyards sprawling on both sides of the highway, I cast a brief glance over my left shoulder and finally beheld ‘it’ in all its massive glory. The waters near the shoreline far below showed a mixture of faint blues with patches of jade. Farther out, the lake deepened to a liquid black pearl with crests of white upon it. For as far as I could see the lake just went onward. It was astonishing in its sheer size. The description Great Lake is not apt to express the vastness of this body of water. Land-locked Ocean comes much closer to touching upon the truth.

As I crossed over the century mark for the day, I entered into the Empire State: New York. By doing so, both Ohio and Pennsylvania had been left behind and I was a couple of states closer to that great beckon of riders, the Atlantic. But recently, it is New York that has been on my mind. Having never been to this state, I was really excited about finally setting foot and wheel on its soils. As I pedaled into its borders, a strange excitement took hold of me and melted away the fatigue, limb weariness, and total body exhaustion as if they were nothing more than small lumps of wax. Casting a smile back at Larry, as he snapped a picture of this momentous occasion, my legs went into overdrive. Soon I was pounding out at 27+ mph. For the next ten miles I kept the pace up as Gary and I flew to our stopping point for the day: Westfield, NY. Even after I had climbed off the bike and begun our post ride routine (unpack the car, clean the bikes, get laundry going, drink a beer etc) my legs still wanted more. The pace into town was just a teaser and they wanted to know how much faster and how much longer could they maintain? 5 days is my quick response. Just 5 days more…