Category: 2010

Well, it’s 4am the night (morning?) before I leave. I think I’ve just about wrapped up all the loose ends, save sleep. All that remains is for me to undo my attempts at self-barbery with a healthy application of electric clippersThe good news is my trepidations about starting a tour solo for the first time have been eased – I’ll be escorted by a dream team of Randolph Michalecs: Chris, Austin, and Collin shall accompany me for the first leg.

Ahhhh….now I remember what ohio is like in august. We’re taking a break from the drinkable air in a sweet little resturant where I’m about to find out what 7 layer pie is! And….omg picture a girl scout samoa cookie in pie form! Yes, ’tis awesome.

Austin approves of the pie

Oof. Note to all bicyclists – remember to sanify google maps directions. We made several wrong turns today, and they all seemed to involve hills. We also seemed to be routed away from all civilization, making it seem more like the middle of kansas than NE Ohio. But other than that and the heat and the crazy high humidity, it was a pretty good ride. We found some pretty aweet bike paths, and it was very cool for my brother and nephews to ride with me. Big ups to them for completing their first 60 miler with someone who can’t navigate in extreme heat! Also, we ended the ride in a town called Champion! This message has been sent using the picture and Video service from Verizon Wireless!

Things seem to have cooled down a bit since I hit the lake, but it’s still plenty hot. The 40 mile bike path was pretty sweet, but I spent the morning riding through a hot fog. Took a swim in the lake yesterday, and it was awesome. Camped on the beach outside of Erie last night. So far everything’s going great, except I’m having some insomnia issues, which has never happened before…

The weather cooled off a bit. Maybe cuz I took a dip into canada to ride to niagra falls, which were awesome, but very crowded. I finished the ride rolling into Lockport, which I was expecting to be a tiny town, but it was HOPPING. There were a ton of people out for the summer concert. So, just now as I’m unrolling my sleeping bag just outside of town, I start listening and realize I recognize the song….cuz the band is Tears for Fears! Not a bad lullaby.

Tatonka at Horseshoe Falls

I’ve been taking it easy hanging out with Marni and Barkley in Rochester. Since I got here Saturday afternoon, we’ve:

• Had delicious ice cream and even better chocolate milk from Pittman Dairy
• Eaten vegetarian BBQ
• Made an awesome breakfast with all local foods, including eggs from her neighbor’s chickens
• Swam in Lake Ontario
• Visited Rochester’s answer to Jungle Jim’s
• Eaten frozen custard at Don’s Original – “Where Quality Predominates”
• Watched the entire first season of Weeds
• Lost two pairs of socks – and found them again

Not bad. Marni definitely know how to show a good time. Alas, I can’t live on Shindleman Cruises forever, so I’ll be taking off this afternoon back on the road.

Today turned out to be a great day. There was a thunderstorm last night, and the temperature and humidity dropped to make it great riding weather, plus I has a bit of a tail wind. Most of the riding today was along little country roads through fruit orchards. Now I’m camping in a swampy bit of woods surrounded by mosquitos…but they can’t get in my awesome tent!

Today turned out to be a great day. There was a thunderstorm last night, and the temperature and humidity dropped to make it great riding weather, plus I has a bit of a tail wind. Most of the riding today was along little country roads through fruit orchards. Now I’m camping in a swampy bit of woods surrounded by mosquitos…but they can’t get in my awesome tent!

Not much to report. Another day of good riding. I’m leaving the great lakes behind and starting to head into the Adirondacks (so I may be out of service for a bit). Oh – I can tell you that the Tea Party is alive and well in upstate new york. I haven’t seen so many ‘Don’t tread on me’ flags since I watched that John Adams miniseries…