Thanks

Thanks to everybody who helped me be successful on this trip:

•  To my best friend in the world (and also my wife), Marcia, thanks for being you and always taking good care of me.
• To Tricia at World Gym, thanks for pushing me in spinning and getting me flexible in yoga. Without those classes I would never have tried this. I was one out-of-shape retiree in January 2012.
• To my daughter, Katie, who encouraged me to do this blog
• To my daughter Anna, who shared her encouragement from afar.
• To Sal Page, who put up with me and got me back home again
• To everybody who commented on my posts, as inane as they sometimes seemed to me.
• To the ride organizers, the SAGs, and all the volunteers, I salute you.
• To the people I met, I hope our paths will cross again someday.

Post-Ride Decompression

It's great to be home, but at the same time, I'm kind of sad. 

I've read that soldiers feel glad to be home, but can actually miss the exhilaration of being on a mission. I guess I was on a mission, too.

I just realized that after a couple days, I found my rhythm and and embraced the structure of early up, pack it up, eat and ride, grab your bags, set it up, get a shower and eat... sleep!

Then do it all over again.

The sights were great. The organization of the ride was terrific. I met some good people. 

I hope I get to see some of them again.

I learned about a world of bike rides that I never knew existed.

I liked it. 

I think I'll do this again.

Tom

Pedal Easy - A Song for the Canal

Pedal Easy
by Tom Nemmer (with apologies)

To the tune of "Take it Easy" 

by the Eagles 

Well, I've been cruisin' down the trail

Over rocks and broken shale

I got one tube in my bag

If I get a major puncture

At this upcoming juncture

I'm gonna have to call the SAG

Chorus:

Pedal easy, Pedal easy

Don't let the riders on your left, drive you crazy

You will lose if you go fast

So many sights you will have past

So clip 'em in and just relax

And pedal easy

Well I been pedaling all day

Eatin' dust and dirty clay

I've got a cool shower on my mind

It's the hottest that I've felt

I think I'm gonna melt

A puddle's all they're gonna find

Chorus:

Pedal easy, Pedal easy

Don't let the tandems on your left, drive you crazy

You will lose if you go fast

So many sights you will have past

So clip 'em in and just relax

And pedal easy

Well I've been riding down the trail, 

got no news and no mail, 

I've got Albany in my sight

Headed in to Scotia,

I kinda' got a notion,

I'm really gonna sleep tonight

Chorus:

Pedal easy, Pedal easy

Though recumbents on your left, drive you crazy

You will lose if you go fast

So many sights you will have past

So clip 'em in and just relax

And pedal easy

Canal Week in Pictures

Sunday, July 8, 2012. Sal and Tom ready to hit the road.

Approximately 100 tents were set up daily by the Comfy Camper crew. These tents were rented by folks who chose "glamping" (glamor camping - lol). They could also rent daily dry towels, chairs, and have a morning cup of coffee ready when they awoke.

Lockport, NY, passing under the widest bridge in the world - 290 feet. Above is a street and parking space.

Culvert Road

Here is an example of a boat being lifted by a lock. The total lift on this lock is 16 feet.

Above are two pictures showing the restored and re-watered aqueduct at Camillus on the expanded canal. This short stretch of water is a fine example of how a wooden trough was placed into a stonework frame to carry the canal over a local waterway

Sal greets the morning of the ride from Rome to Canajoharie. Will Friday the 13th bring him good or bad luck?

Leaving Rome, a large bridge offered this vantage point for a great shot of Lock 17

I've seen this control dam many times as I drove down the Thruway. Today, I got to stand next to it. these dams are primarily at lock locations and control river/canal flow so that proper flow is maintained in the adjacent lock.

Cohoes Falls, also called The Great Falls of the Mohawk, were regarded as the second most beautiful cataract in New York State after Niagara. Thirteen thousand years ago, this point drained the entire Great Lakes region. Most of the water is now diverted for power generation; some is diverted for the Cohoes water supply. During the summer, the falls are virtually dry, revealing shale rock formations that have their own distinctive beauty.

The Green over the Red Signal Light

The Irish played a major role in building the canal. Many of them settled in the Tipperary Hill area of Syracuse. This signal at Tompkins St. and Milton Ave. is reputed to be the only signal light in the world with the green on the top. 

Once, it was replaced for safety reasons. Local lads kept breaking the light with stones until the city relented and returned the green -over-red light. Even now, a bar near the corner is called "Stone Throwers Cafe".

Oh, the Places We've Been!

View Cycling the Erie Canal 2012 - The Route in a larger map
This map shows the intermediate locations where we camped as we biked across the state.
Click on a balloon for more info.

Get 'em up Move 'em out!

When we arrived in Albany we were faced with a luggage pile that was not the orderly stacks we were used to. The truck drivers played a little mischief and jumbled things a bit!

Honeycombs

Fellow rider, Anne, is a beekeeper. Her friend Jefferey is also a beekeeper whose home backs up on the canal trail. On Sunday, we stopped by and I got a "bee briefing". I even got to see a queen bee released into a hive. (She inadvertently got out for a quick flight, but quickly returned to the hive like a homing pigeon).

My Partner - Sal

Sal is ready to make the final ride.

Tent City Comes to Life

The rental campers begin to rise and take their coffee in their chairs.

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The Final Detenting

5:45 AM Sunday, July 15 taken just before the final packing. Today's ride is a mere 35 miles into Albany for goodbyes, handshakes and the obligatory certificate of achievement.

Champs de Albany

Tomorrow we ride the last 30+ miles into Albany. We will have ridden a total of @ 400 miles across New York state. In the course of doing so, I saw some great sights, met some new people, and challenged myself to do something I wouldn't have considered possible a year ago.

Riding a bike offers the same disincentives to touring as does a car namely, you have to watch where you are going. However, on a bike, its somehow easier to make a quick, unplanned stop to get that photo that would otherwise not be taken. Also, on a bike, things aren't flying by at 65 mph.

It sure beats a tent

Marcia, here is an enticement to do the canal tour next year. Its a castle home in Amsterdam, NY. Now its a Bed and Breakfast. Maybe we could stay here!

Dina and her Dad

Dina and her dad, Andrew, have biked the Canal Trail on their blue Burley tandem bike. They passed me multiple times each day. Dina will be a 5th grade student in the fall in Boston, MA. If you visit Boston, Dina recommends you visit Quincy Market

Control Dam - Lock 9

I've seen these many times while driving down the NYS Thruway. Today I got an closer look from river level. The view was spectacular.

Thought for the Day

Here's Anne expressing how most of us felt as we approached the end of a 67 mile day that ended with a killer hill up to our school campground.
In celebration, Canajoharie is holding a chicken BBQ and there's a blues band playing in the town square. It's all good after a long, hot, satisfying day!

Utica Harbor Lock

Here I am on the Utica Harbor Lock. This is the only lock that the trail travels directly across.

Sunrise over Fort Stanwix

Fort Stanwix was constructed during the French and Indian War to protect the headwaters of the Mohawk River.

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Thursday July 12

Today we covered 48 miles between Syracuse and Rome, NY. Leaving Syracuse was a little hairy as we traveled out of town on a busy four lane highway with poor shoulders. So, we stayed in groups and achieved critical mass to cause the cars to respect our presence. Once on the trail, things were better (save for the aforementioned dust.) We traveled along sections of the expanded, but now abandoned canal. The weather was HOT, @90.

Dry Dock

Here is an example of a standard dry dock.

Chittenango

Chittenango was a thriving repair center for canal boats. Both shallow and deeper dry docks were avaiable to service both empty and loaded boats.

Dusty!

Most parts of the canal trail are made from fine crushed stone. With the lack of rain all across New York, that stone is very dusty. Today seemed especially bad evertbody's bike ( and legs) seem coated with a fine grey powder.

Wednesday July 11

Today we travelled from Seneca Falls to Syracuse, a short day, only 46 miles. We can see the terrain getting hillier, nothing major, just some long grades. It felt good to get set up in camp by 2:00PM an just doze in a chair for awhile. The Labatts I was offerd on arrival was the best tasting lager I've had in some time! Tomorrow, on to Rome.

Aqueduct Ruins

At various places along the canal it was necessary for the canal to cross over an existing creek. Thus, an aqueduct was constructed. This consisted of a wooden trough (for the canal) and a series of stone arches supporting this structure over the creek. This ruins is a Weedsport. I'll try to get a better picture of a reconstructed version at Camillus.

A Long Day

The weather was super again to day, high in he mid-80's. However, we covered 60 miles before getting here at Seneca Falls HS.

As we passed through an Amish section we stopped for a home made chocolate chip oatmeal cookie. Yum. Several places kids were out selling lemonade. I stopped twice.

Shuttle busses took us downtown for dinner. Sal and I found a little Italian place, Antonina's. After dinner we had home made ice cream ( I had Seneca Falls Salt Caramel).

And then back to camp. Everyone is tired today. Tomorrow - Syracuse.

Facilities en route

At the risk of descending to more toilet humor, I couldn't help but marvel at this outhouse along the trail.

A Golden Road

The path out of Pittsford travels directly alongside the canal channel and passes through a forest canopy that lets through mottled sunshine. It's a glorious morning to ride.

Rain!

12:45  AM Tuesday: What is this ruining my sleep? How can the pristine silence of Monday transition into this? Luckily, radar says it won't last long. Good thing I tucked the groundcloth under the tent

But then horror strikes! What if I have to pee before it stops???

Monday July 9

Today we traveled from Medina to Pittsford, a total of 55 miles. As a rookie camper, I was amazed at the heavy dew on everything at 5:30 as I started to tear down the tent. The air was cool and sunny at 7:30 as we headed out. Leaving Medina there are two rare canal features. At one point a local creek flows under the canal. At a second location, the canal goes over a road - the only place this happens.

As we got close to Rochester, we passed the junction of the canal and the Genesee River - just like an auto intersection - the mingling of Lake Erie water with the Genesee!

My friend Sal brought some Labatts and I shared one with Jack, a retired Albany Firefighter. It sure went down smooth after a long day. Tomorrow, on to Seneca Falls, 60 mile day.

Biking in Style

Marcia, this is the epitome of a retired guys bike. Reclining in a recumbent bike. I took it for a short spin. This is the Cadillac... Only $4000! Put it on my Christmas list. Lol

The Erie Barge Canal

Yes, they still do push actual commercial barges on the Canal.

Podunk

So, you thought Podunk was a fictional location!

The coolest rig on the Canal

Here are Huck, Eric (Dad), Gus, and Shanna (mom). Each parent bike has a trailer attached that the kids can also pedal. Great way to let the kids be part of it but provide a supported ride.

Renate aus Deutchland

Renate traveled from Germany (Baden-Wurttemberg) to take part in this ride. Sie spricht nur ein bischen English! (She speaks only a little English.)

Commerce and Pleasure

Two ships passing on the canal.

A splendid day one!

Today we rode 50 miles from Buffalo to Medina. The weather could not have been better. We scooted out ahead of the main group so as to not get caught up in the mob.

I saw one crash today. I felt like I was in the Tour de France!

A gathering of bikesfor lunch and the Lockport canal boat ride

Bikers and Boaters - The multi-use Erie Canal

Approaching the locks at Lockport.
No pumps, all lock activity is done by gravity



Closing the gates. I felt a little claustrophobic




Bikers from several countries are here.




COngressman Brian Higgins was on hand to announce a $5 million dollar
grant to extend the paved portion of the bike path from Amherst to Lockport.



Going under the widest bridge in the world
298 feet

A portion of the old mule tow path, hewn out of rock.
The manual labor done to create this canal is amazing.



Headed for the rest stop! I'm ready for a break!



2012-07-07 CTEC Setup & Orientation - Buffalo

500 people are arriving from all over - 36 US states, and four countries - Australia, Great Britain, Germany, and Canada. 

• 52% are male, 48% female. 
• The average age is 51 years. 
• 55 participants are 13 or younger. 
• The oldest, an 88 year-old gentleman!

Tent City - The regular people

Tent City - The upper side of town - for those with the rental tents

Great ice-breaker. Good wine and cheese and veggies. These two gents are from Toronto

Dinner was served in the Nichols school dining hall. One person said it reminded them of the hall in Harry Potter.

After dinner everyone gathered in the auditorium for rules, info, and a general briefing.

Red Sky at night - the promise of a great start on Sunday morning!

Here's the the SAG wagon emblem - I hope I have no need of this!