Day Forty-seven

Mon Dieu! Sommes-nous en Provence??

Our first look at the Erie Canal. We are going to see a lot of it tomorrow but maybe in the rain?

Fond memories of rowing at the IRA's back during the time of wooden boats and iron men.

Hey Madeleine remember this...home sweet home.

With Phil and John Hurley. The current owner, Jim Farrell offered to take the photo.

The lunchtime crowd is out the door but the service is quick at Heid's.

I know what you're thinking but this really is a photo of the delicious tangerine italian ice and softserve at Antonio's in Liverpool.

Rick and Linda made everyone welcome at their home.

Tony & Wade are wondering why they forgot their bathing suits.

Locomotive John, Steve (new guy from Winchester), and Sweet Sue.

How many glasses is that George?

Thank you Rick and Linda!

Sky Pilot

Today is a gift to my virtual rider, Dave Lyons. Robb introduced us. I’ve only ridden with him a couple times but I will never forget the first time we rode together at the Tri-State Century and he stayed with me over the last 15 ugly miles when I was having a difficult time holding it together. Thanks again Dave. I wish you could have joined us for real today.

Because it was AWESOME!

Everything was in place for a perfect day with slightly cooler temps, blue sky, sweet tailwind, short mileage over a relatively flat and scenic course. We’re also moving into Robb’s old stomping grounds so he occasionally adds some local color as we spin along.

We got out early again and I like setting the morning pace…kind of like the pace car at the races…I’m there to warm them up and then quickly get out of the way. We had a large group clipping along Route 5 in the low twenties and soon had George in our sights. We closed that gap and went by him on a downhill so fast that we must have been a blur. Soon we were gunning for Kiwi but by mile 10 I just didn’t think I could quite do it so I slipped back into Robb’s draft.

Robb and Phil moved the tempo up just enough that we started to bring Kiwi in and with about 100 yards separation I asked for a little more acceleration but the response was just slow enough that he slipped through a traffic light. Now we had to start over but there was no doubt about the eventual outcome. I think we were entering Geneva so the traffic was coming from all directions and Robb wisely kept it in check but Phil could smell blood and went for the kill. I stayed with him off the front. Phil is super cautious and I sensed him hesitate as cars were closing. Suddenly an SUV pulled directly in front and I urged him to take the “no fear” route and draft the vehicle. Within seconds he grabbed the SUV bumper and gathered up Kiwi Rick.

A few miles later I looked up a long straight away to see a blinking red light…”Bikers UP”. After some discussion we decided it was probably Freddy, Carolyn, and Cindy who had left early this morning. Phil was still on the front and had learned his traffic light lesson well. He didn’t miss a green and we were on top of them in no time by dowtown Seneca Falls.

After that we all rode together nicely just enjoying the scenery until the first SAG at 30 miles. I don’t like to spend much more than 10 minutes at a SAG. Just long enough to gobble some food (really it’s not pretty), fill the water bottles, and maybe hit the head. I left with Robb, Phil, and John Hurley and we had a nice easy pedal until the approach to Liverpool where we really slowed to enjoy the scenery visiting the Syracuse Boathouse, the park along Onondaga Lake, Robb and Madeleine’s first house, and finally into Heid’s for lunch.

Heid’s of Liverpool refers to itself as a drive-in I guess because they have picnic tables outside but there’s also an inside dining room and they’re open year around. They have a very limited menu and their specialty is franks (we call them hot dogs) but they also have something they call a coney (also called a snappy). It looks like a frank (hot dog) but it’s white and is made with veal, pork and “stuff” by Hoffman Sausage Co. of Syracuse. Definitely spicier than a hot dog and a good choice if you make the pilgrimage. They also offer their fries with gravy like the Canadians. Not my normal bike riding lunch but we were only a few miles from the hotel.

Tonight we were treated to a special evening at Rick and Linda Ahlquist’s. They graciously served us to a fantastic dinner that included Dinosaur BBQ, grilled swordfish, pasta, assorted salads, fresh fruit, and bread with REAL BUTTER. Of course desert included many flavors of ice cream, cookies, fudgy fudgy brownies, and the BEST PIE EVER. Water things down with great wine and beer and you’ve got one huge HAPPY group of bikers. THANK YOU RICK & LINDA! Tomorrow’s miles will be easier because of you.

Today’s ratings: (the higher the better or easier)

Scenery: 7

Road conditions: 8 (lots of glass)

Grunt factor: 9

SPECIAL NOTE: We've had a problem with the Garmin site the past couple nights but will come back and post the routes soon.