Day 14 Greece to Lockport

Wednesday 2nd June
Daily mileage 63miles Average Speed 11 .2mph Ride Time 5hr36min
A wake up call at 5.30am and breakfast at 6am. We were spoilt by any choice of breakfast we requested! We said our farewells and were on the road at 7am. Thanks so much for making our evening so comfortable and enjoyable… you are both too kind.
We followed the canal path intermittently while swapping the gravel path in some places for the faster road option. After 12miles we stopped in Brockport for a restroom break only then back on the road until we had clocked up 25 miles and had well earned a subway stop at Walmart.
At which point the wind came out of nowhere and hit us straight in the face! This made our lives hell for the remainder of the day and became almost more of a relentless challenge than the never ending hills. Heads down, music on and when we had covered 40 miles we parked up on the side of the canal in Medina and slept like babies for an hour.
The sun had started to go in and the clouds had started to cover as we climbed gingerly back on the bike and covered another 5 miles to Middleport, 5miles more to Gasport then finally another 5 miles into Lockport. By which point it had started to spit. We had began asking for directions to campgrounds, knocking on the doors of B&B’s and even calling hotels but they were either to expensive or closed.
Finally the lady at the tourist info pointed us in the direction of a campground and told us about the storm expected for tonight so a quick supermarket sweep and 5 miles later in the wrong direction… we had finished for the day. Set up camp, attempted a mossie ridden shower and settled for a splash under the cold water tap outside then bed… hurting. Sorry for the lack of photo but we its been hard work today and we are too tired to snap away!
　
　

Day 13 Lyons to Greece

Tuesday 1st June
Daily mileage 54miles Average Speed 11 mph Ride Time 4hr53min
Last night we had all sorts of noises from the Fire station Siren, traffic noise to a thunder and lightening storm. I slept through petty much all of it but Kris was up half the night. We made it out the tent by 7am for breakfast and wifi then on the road by 8am which is much better for us. However, it was still raining and seemed to be getting harder.
We only made it 5miles up the road when we had to pull into a Walmart to buy a high visibility jacket just so that we could be seen better. Unfortunately they only had and XL and it come down to my knees but at least I was safer. The rain started to ease as we came across roots hair and nail salon where I decided to stop and get warm, dry, free coffee and a hair cut! It was so nice to be pampered for 5mins as I had 4inches cut off! That should make things a little easier!
We carried on through Egypt on route 31 west to Rochester where we jumped on the Eerie canal path as was suggested by Paul and Jane many moons ago. This was a great decision as the path was smooth and traffic free. The sun came out and it seemed like a different day. The path did turn to fine gravel after a while but it was still preferable to the road. We stopped to rest at the side of the canal and had lunch while airing all our wet clothes and tent across the grass.
We stopped again to rest and refill the water at Spencerport when we met Dan and Cindy who were also cycling along the canal who invited us back to their house for the night. This was overwhelmingly generous and despite being 4miles back in the direction we have just cycled we jumped at the chance. With the wind behind us we all cycled back to their amazing A frame house set in the woods which is so quirky and filled with antique treasures and Indian Heritage based collectables.
Kris had chance to ice his hurting Achilles and we did some laundry. We had a lovely home cooked roast dinner with apple pie for pudding. We enjoyed their comfy sofa and interesting conversation. Thanks so much for everything and we shall also never give up.
　
　
　
　
　

Day 12 Senaca Falls to Lyons

Monday 31st May
Daily mileage 27miles Average Speed 12.7mph Ride Time 2hr8min
Today we had an extremely lazy morning which set the pace for the rest of the day! We really took our time to get up and pack up as the tent and picnic bench were positioned in the shade and so it was tough to get going. We sat and enjoyed nutella bagels for breakfast with orange juice and grapes.
We finally got on the road about 11am and made it 5miles up the road into Seneca town where we came across the Women’s Rights Natural History Museum. This is where women set up the first Women’s convention to gain the right to vote and be seen as equal to men and was very interesting.
Outside we met a couple who were out on their recumbent cycles and after a short chat and a quick spin on their bikes we bumped into another couple Jessica and Pat who were also touring across the states and were keeping a similar route and timescale so we may bump into them again some time.
We cycled round the corner to Walmart to grab a cool drink then on the 414 north we set off until we had covered 20miles and arrived in Clyde. We stopped under a tree in the park as it was very hot for another cool drink. There was a power socket in the middle of the grass on a pole so we charged away.
The weather seemed to turn as we sat so we hopped back on and got 8 more miles west on route 31 which follows the eerie canal into Lyons. The rain started to fall as we cycled through a lightening storm when a man in a truck pulled over and opened his window to say that we could camp behind the fire station on the canal. I hope our luck doesn’t run out! We put the tent up as the rained stopped. Bob the fireman invited us in for a roast chicken dinner and chocolate pie.
As we sat watching tv in the fire house, charging everything up he bought us some hot fudge sundaes! We really need to put the foot to the metal tomorrow not only to get closer to Niagara but also to burn some calories!
　
　
　
　
　

Day 11 Cayuga Lake at Senaca Falls

Sunday 30th May
Daily mileage 29miles Average Speed 11.8mph Ride Time 2.25hrmin
We woke up at about 10am… a cheeky well deserved lay in. We were in no rush to get going today as we think we need a day off but do not want to spend another day here. We therefore decided to take a nice easy ride up the side of the lake. Its 40miles long so we can afford a second night hear just up a bit.
The guy at this site said there was a market 3miles up the road so we though we would stop there for breakfast. Unfortunately 3 miles came and went and after 9 miles we were flaking and came across an ice cream store! It was already 11.30am and another very hot day. People keep saying its July weather.
We stayed at the creamery for and hour and a half as it was air conditioned and had electric sockets and wifi not to mention ice cream! We had a burger followed by cake batter and chocolate fudge brownie flavour ice cream…yum.
We were told there was another camp site at Seneca Falls State Park at the top of the lake about 20miles further north. We decided to crack on leaving at 2pm at the hottest point of the day. We put the headphones on and actually quite enjoyed the flat ride alongside the lake with the cool breeze coming off the water and watching all the locals enjoying the private piers.
We arrived at the campsite at 3.30pm to grab the second to last site. Once paid up we could not resist but to go for a swim in the lake which was lovely. We sat by the side to dry off and got chatting to Peter and Jane a fantastic couple from Ithaca. We talked for ages and they then offered to take us up the road to Seneca town to a Walmart to buy some food for dinner and breakfast.
As we were tackling the great store they further offered to take us out to dinner so we left and went to Abigail’s restaurant which was quite posh especially for us dressed in the clothes we just swam and cycled in for the past week! They still let us in though as we had a fabulous meal. They dropped us back at our campsite and we said farewell. Thanks so much and it was a pleasure to meet you both.
　
　
　

Day 10 Owenga to Cayuga Lake

Saturday 29th May
Daily mileage 43miles Average Speed 10.91mph Ride Time 3hr57min
Stayed in the tent until 8.30am then up and packed and cycled up the road to a McDonalds to grab a coffee and use their free wifi that in the end did not work. We set off on the 96 north toward the finger lakes which everybody have told us are just beautiful and worth the ride.
We stopped after 12miles in Candor at a gas station and while making up some rolls on the forecourt we managed to sneak onto some unsecured wifi to update the blog. We chatted to a guy about our trip and 5mins after he left he came back to say his sister lived 2 miles away and we could stay at hers if we liked. That was another very kind offer but it was way too early to call it a day. Back on the road we cycled a further 18miles into Ithaca at the base of Lake Cayuga. Lots of people had told us this route was meant to be hilly but to be honest we did not even notice any up hills only some lovely long down hills! There was one that went on for 4 miles and parts of it were at 9% which is actually scarily steep especially when I replaced my own brakes on my bike recently!
Ithaca was quite built up and we passed straight through it and got on route 89 north to head up the side of the lake. We reached Taughannok Falls National Park after a further 12 miles. We found a campsite and luckily some plots are reserved for cyclists so we grabbed one and put the tent up. A quick turn around and we were off on a hike up to see the Taughannock Falls which is a 215ft waterfall. We took the north rim hike of 1.5 miles to the falls which was a steep climb and our legs were burning.
We walked back down to the start then walked all the way back again this time on the gorge route which is basically walking along the river bed which was fantastically beautiful. Wading in the ankle deep fresh water all the way to the end was bliss. Right near the end and stood in water a man just in front of us said watch out for those two snakes! We took a look and a photo and quickly stepped up onto the south rim walk for the rest of the way. We showed the photo to one of the rangers on the way back who was shocked to see it. She thought it was a black diamond which are fairly lethal apparently.
We walked to the lake edge and had some dinner before heading back to the tent to relax and plan our route for tomorrow. There are really cute chipmunks running around!
Kris input for todays blog: My legs and bum really hurt!

Day 9 Lenox to Owenga

Friday 28th May
Daily mileage 57miles Average Speed 12mph Ride Time 4hr45min

After an 6.45am wake up call we ate cheerio’s at Wendy’s house and got on the road by 8am. We had been told the road was flat today and we were hoping that was true as we were both exceedingly sore. Unfortunately we had approx 5miles left of the 106 which is the hilly road before route 11 which is the nice flat one. I had plenty to think about on this section of the ride as Ken was telling us last night about the mountain lion that his son saw up on the road 2 days ago and not to mention the big black bear that was up on the road a few weeks back.

Tackling the hills was a tough way to start the day and get the tired muscles working but we made it slowly. Route 11 was a sight for sore eyes and we embraced the flat road by clocking up another 10 miles before stopping in a gas station for breakfast. A sausage and egg muffin with a big coffee hit the spot.

Back on the road we snaked alongside the rivers edge for a further 15miles before stopping again. Talking of snakes we have seen a water snake where we were camping the other night, forgot to mention before as was side tracked with the bears. We were now making more progress as it was less hot say 71 degrees Fahrenheit and a few spits of rain in the air kept us cool and merely a incline insight there were smiles creeping across our faces. We stopped at a market in Binghamton and purchased some talc powder for our bits! Kris enjoys to stand on the bike to part his legs and air his bits while on the road.

We have seen plenty of road kill so far, lots of beaver looking creatures, a porcupine, squirrels and a massive deer. They are in various states of decay none of which smell or look particularly nice as you dodge them with the bike. As we got onto route 11 I though I was cycling with my brakes on again like the other day when my bar bag slid down and was resting on the brake cable without me realising, but today it was just a slight headwind so I ducked behind Kris to use his slip stream which made my life easier!

Through the town of Binghamton Kris had some road rage with a car that cut him up trying to leave on the slip road. Some nasty words were thrown back and throw and as Kris was bubbling with anger we had to stop at McDonalds for a McFlurry to cool down.

Both feeling shattered we put the music on as the sun came out and cycled as quick as possible the 15 miles left to Owenga as Hickory Park campsite was waiting. We made it, and although it was our longest mileage today it almost felt like a walk in the park compared to the last couple of days. Although we have been told it gets bad again on tomorrows terrain.

We arrived and put the tent up. This campground is massive with very few campers despite there only being 4 plots left apparently. Its nearly booked out as it’s a bank holiday on Monday for memorial day so everyone goes camping apparently. Our tent looks like it is sat just in front of teletubby hills. We both slept for an hour under a tree then cooked pasta for dinner and watched a movie in the tent. Think im gonna sleep well tonight.

Day 8 Wallenpaupack to Lenox

Thursday 27th May
Daily mileage 44miles Average Speed 9.9mph Ride Time 4hr25min

Camping last night was very hot, sticky, mossie country, and again I was on constant bear watch. No matter how many times various people tell me there’s nothing to worry about, when im wandering off to the loo in the dark on my own from the tent my eyes start to see bears everywhere!!! I’m sure its all in my head and it frustrates Kris but I can’t help it!

We were up quite early but could not leave til 9am which is when the office opened to be able to pay up for the campsite. The 10 miles to Honesdale were again nice riding as it was relatively flat and temperature was cool still. We took breakfast from a gas station while all users of the gas station were telling us how no matter what route we took to our destination for the evening was gonna be hilly. This is not what a girl wants to hear first thing in the morning!

We stopped at Waymart after another 10miles. This time there were hills, hills and more hills. They are long and sloping gradient but they just keep going its like torture on your legs and brain. At Waymart we stopped at a beer shop but stuck to the iced tea! We met Al Young who kindly donated $10 towards cancer research… thanks and good luck with cutting down the 2 big trees! We carried on another 5miles to Carbondale. I know your thinking only 5 miles, but these 5 miles were like hell. At some points I didn’t think my legs could turn the peddles any more. Wobbling left and right as going so slow with no energy as trucks overtaking is not so much fun. Kris is struggling too but he gets to rest at the top of each hill while he waits for me to catch up.
At Carbondale we rested for 45mins under a tree as the temperature was a mere 89 degrees Fahrenheit today. We were told that there was a thunder storm expected today and we could now see the clouds starting to form.

Back on the road we took the extremely hill 106 west to Lenox. The clouds were getting darker and we were feeling the pressure to push on and start asking people where campsites were etc. We barely made it to Clifford when we had to stop for a quick drink as it was still hot despite the wind picking up, headwind that is. This is where we met Wendy who was working in the store. She lives in Lenox and offered us her lounge to camp in and a shower which we jumped at!
Wendy gave us directions to her house so we set off to try make it before the rain came down. There were so many hills in total we climbed 4,033ft, it was a nightmare. Wendy drove home from work and asked her son to drive back to find us to ask if we wanted a lift back to her house and it was awful to have to say no thanks as I was crawling up a mountain! 10miles later we found her street just as a rain shower arrived, but it was actually quite refreshing.
Wendy and Ken took us in and gave us pizza. They made us feel so very welcome in their house, and we cannot thank you both enough! It feels so nice to sit on a sofa.




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