Category Archives: Uncategorized

Syracuse to Lyons NY. Monday April 26, 2021 I knew I would have to pay the piper. Cutting yesterday short meant having to cycle 56 miles into a bitter headwind today to make up for lost time. I left my sinfully sumptuous hotel by 8 AM, and was a bit startled to find myself inContinue reading “Rough start, great finish”

Canastota to Syracuse, New York Sunday, April 25, 2021 It was raining in the morning, and I had to Loctite all 44 screws on my Ortlieb panniers, so I didn’t get out of the motel until noon. A number of friends have told me I shouldn’t focus on the goal so much, just enjoy theContinue reading “Follow the yellow brick road”

Little Falls to Canastota, New York Saturday, April 24, 2021 This is from the Springsteen version of the old Erie Canal song. And today, Spring had finally arrived! Sunny, highs in the upper 60s, and only a 13 mph headwind! Like Bruce, I felt sprung from cages. The Mohawk had broken free from the gorgeContinue reading “Get up mule, here comes a lock / We’ll make Rome ’bout six o’clock”

Amsterdam to Little Falls, New York Friday, April 23, 2021 Well I needn’t have worried. It was cold but the sun was shining, and my gear was adequate to keep me fairly warm. I was delighted to make 10 mph, which doesn’t sound like much on a flat surface, but the headwind was significant, mitigatedContinue reading “It’s always something”

Amsterdam, New York. Wednesday and Thursday, April 21-22, 2021 The weather only worsened after yesterday’s chilly encounter with a headwind. The WNW winds increased to 20-30 mph with gusts up to 50, a couple of inches of snow were predicted, with temperatures in the low 30s and wind chills in the low 20s. This wouldn’tContinue reading “Taking a zero (or two)”

Troy to Amsterdam, New York. Tuesday, April 20, 2021 Up till now, I have been heading south, to get to Ground Zero. Now it’s time to head west, hopefully all the way to the Pacific. And what better way to start that on the legendary Erie Canal? It’s hard to overstate the importance of theContinue reading “Low bridge, everybody down”

South Glens Falls to Troy, New York Monday, April 19, 2021 You ever have a day like this? One that couldn’t be finer? Waking up in a trail angel’s comfortable home, fortified with a turkey sausage omelette beyond expectations, more great conversation with the angel, then out into a bluebird day with the happy knowledgeContinue reading “One of those blue ribbon days”

Ticonderoga to South Glens Falls, New York. Sunday, April 18, 2021 Ticonderoga and Whitehall are two very historic towns. Fort Ticonderoga has been called the Keystone to the Continent, a key part of the British invasion route in their attempt to divide the colonies and win the revolutionary war. Whitehall is considered the birthplace ofContinue reading “Rocket fuel, or the lack thereof”

Williston, Vermont to Ticonderoga, New York. Saturday, April 17, 2021 Now the trip begins in earnest. Fully vaccinated, reasonably prepared, a rough plan in place, it’s time to hit the road. Jane organized a great send off, brought together family, friends, and neighbors for a little ceremony in our driveway, complete with gold streamers, aContinue reading “And we’re off”

Day one, Friday July 24, 2020 For this “sea to summit” shakedown cruise, then, the first step is to get to the ocean. No easy feat, since I live on the wrong side of the Appalachians. They form a wall which has stymied travelers since the beginning, typically an impediment to westward migration, or inContinue reading “Proud Mary”