- Trust Mike, the canal stays on the right
- Bike vs. motorcycle -- motorcycle is going to win
- Bike vs. duck -- duck is going to win
- Not all motorists have road rage
It was an interesting day, good and bad. It started early with a 6:00 load. There were three choices for breakfast this morning. Two required a short ride back into town. I chose to eat at the motel in order to get on the road as early as possible. Temperatures were predicted to be in the 90's today, so wanted to get as many miles in this morning as possible (my favorite time to ride anyway). All was quiet and calm when I left the motel.
The route was scheduled as 90 miles, but Mike Munk (ride leader) re-directed us to the Canal Trail (i.e. Erie Canal) which added about 5 miles. We were able to enter the trail around mile 6 and follow it to mile 25 in Palmyra. The trail was a combination of pavement and crushed limestone. It was a great change of pace. Since these changes weren't on the printed route sheet, Mike re-iterated many times during route rap Tuesday night to keep the canal on the right.
It was an incredible ride going through Pittford and Fairport, but it's an uneasy feeling when you don't see anyone from the group. I was at mile 20 before any of the lead riders caught up, something that's really unusual. I just kept telling myself to remember to keep the canal on the right.
I learned at the first SAG what the delay had been for the other riders. Someone from our group was struck by a motorcycle as the bicyclist was making the left turn from the motel parking lot this morning. Fortunately, neither biker nor motorcyclist were seriously injured, but both required medical treatment.
It made it an extremely difficult day for everyone. Staff were committed to making sure the injured were taken care of. While the two SAG stops were staffed, I didn't see a mechanic all day. It also spreads the riders out more than normal, and on a 90 mile day the spread can be pretty significant anyway.
There was quite a bit of wildlife on the trail this morning, including dozens of ducks. I quickly learned the ducks are very tame and always have the right of way. The trail was very busy even early this morning. I expect that's how the ducks become so tame and don't feel any urgency to move out of the way of any cyclist. I'm happy to report neither the duck nor I were injured in our encounter, but save it to say the duck won our little game of "chicken."
Due to mileage, today had two SAG stops. Once off the trail, the route was fairly rural. We spent a good share of the day on Hwy 31. It had a nice wide, paved shoulder. The route took us through many towns and villages including Macedon, Lyons, Clyde, Savannah, Tyre, Montezuma, Port Byron, Jordan and into Liverpool (which appears to be close to Syracuse).
We're still seeing quite a bit of corn and soybeans, and also saw potatoes today. I've also noticed that green equipment seems to be the most prevalent here, although I think I've only seen one implement dealership in the past week and half.
Shortly after leaving the second SAG today I had a motorist encounter. When a car speeds by then pulls in front on the shoulder and stops, it usually can't mean good things for the bicyclist. The passenger exited the vehicle and started toward me, and I realized it was Dave O'Dell, one of the riders who finished his quest to complete the cross country ride in Niagara Falls. Dave is from Syracuse and had come out to greet the riders at the second SAG.
Dave and I have ridden together different times during the past two years. He had already completed this portion of the trip a few years ago. It was great to see him and his wife, Jill, one more time.
It was an eventful day. After this morning's accident, you felt your only responsibility was to get yourself into the motel safely and without support. I think most everyone was successful. Tomorrow's route is a bit shorter, but we're supposed to see mid-90's so everyone will have to stay focused and keep moving.
~ Lisa
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