43.39 miles
3:44.36 hrs
25 mph Max
11.5 mph Avg
This morning I spent my time getting up for I knew that it was going to be a rest day and I would only go about 40 miles or so. I went down to a cheap all you can eat buffet and loaded up on food. The food was not all that great but I got plenty of it!
When I got back to the Double Tree I put on my bathing suit and headed down to the pool. I sat in the hot tub for about 20 min and then went into the dry sauna. The sauna may not have been the best idea because it may have dehydrated me but it felt great when I was in there. Of course, when I got back up to my room it was almost time to check out and I still had to pack everything up and I still had wet clothes from the previous nights bathtub laundry extravaganza! (It was really not that fun but I like to stay positive!)
As I hit the road at about 2pm, after stopping at the travelers information center for a free map that is HUGE, my knees were in near instant pain. The next 3:44 hours of riding were miserable. It was sunny, which was nice, but it was also very windy and the pain never stopped.
At the end of the day I stopped at a long beach and talked to a few people about my trip. I inquired about camping on the beach and everyone thought that it would be ok. I eventually decided against it and decided to ride towards the next camp ground (3 miles away).
The camp ground wanted $30 for the night and I would have nothing of it. I said no thanks and rode towards the next camp ground, this time looking for some people to talk to who may offer up a spot in their yard. I approached two people in a driveway, one an elder man on a bike and the other a mid age woman. I inquired about a camp ground near by that was not $30 a night or if they knew of any land where I could pitch a tent for cheap. The older gentleman, Stan, informed me that he just cut his grass and offered for me to stay in his yard for the night.
We rode side by side down the street at a pace of about 4 mph, it reminded me of one of those postcards with a father and son doing something special together. As we chatted, I talked about my trip and when I proceeded to tell him I was doing the trip for cancer research Stan stated, " I don't think much of cancer research." This threw me off guard... what do you mean you don't think much of cancer research???!!! I could tell at this moment that this conversation was going to be awkward. I did not think that it would become more awkward until I continued to talk about the trip and he interrupted me stating, "Wait, your American?" His demeanor totally changed at that point and I couldn't believe it. I then proceeded to wonder if this was a common feeling that Canadians had for Americans.
As we pulled into his house. The back yard was full of mosquitoes but I was not going to let that stop me from have a good nights sleep. As I inquired about jumping in the lake, something clicked in Stan's head and he told me that if I wanted I could go and camp out between the two houses across the street (he owned the 30'x6' strip of land between the two houses, marked off by some stakes in the ground). This spot was perfect for it would bring me closer to the water, allow a great view of the sunset and there was a breeze that kept the mosquitoes away!
The one worry in my mind was what the neighbors would say when they saw my tent on the side of their house...
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Day 12 - Monday August 24th
77.17 miles
6:14.27 hrs
21.4 mph Max
12.2 mph Avg
Niagara Falls baby! The ride into Niagara was beautiful. I met a guy on the road, Mike Bundy, who gave me $16 for my trip, it was my first sponsorship! Thanks Mike!
I stopped at a bunch of fruit stands along the road, talking to people and filling up on some great, cheap, fruit! Fruit has become a main source of nutrition for me as it has made itself very prevalent along my route. The problem is that you need to consume a lot to fill up, but it makes a great mid-ride snack.
When I got to the US side of Niagara, the town looked like it was going into the shitter! There were many signs up for "Opening Soon" and a lot of closed doors. I did not feel comfortable biking through the city and the road conditions were brutal. I am very surprised that I did not get a flat.
As I crossed the boarder into Canada things turned very upscale and beautiful. I took many pictures of the falls and the surrounding area. I don't know when I will get to post these... probably when I make it to Hudson, WI, come the second week of September. I ended up deciding to cash in my HHonors Rewards points for a free hotel room at the Double Tree on the strip. The reservation used all 30,000 points and I was a little upset about this but the room was amazing! Two queen beds.. a large shower... two cookies... a bunch of coffee and a great location with a view! I spent the night out on the town walking up and down the main streets people watching and exploring the splendor of Niagara Falls. Overall it was a very good day! I was so relieved to be out of NY State and in another country.
6:14.27 hrs
21.4 mph Max
12.2 mph Avg
Niagara Falls baby! The ride into Niagara was beautiful. I met a guy on the road, Mike Bundy, who gave me $16 for my trip, it was my first sponsorship! Thanks Mike!
I stopped at a bunch of fruit stands along the road, talking to people and filling up on some great, cheap, fruit! Fruit has become a main source of nutrition for me as it has made itself very prevalent along my route. The problem is that you need to consume a lot to fill up, but it makes a great mid-ride snack.
When I got to the US side of Niagara, the town looked like it was going into the shitter! There were many signs up for "Opening Soon" and a lot of closed doors. I did not feel comfortable biking through the city and the road conditions were brutal. I am very surprised that I did not get a flat.
As I crossed the boarder into Canada things turned very upscale and beautiful. I took many pictures of the falls and the surrounding area. I don't know when I will get to post these... probably when I make it to Hudson, WI, come the second week of September. I ended up deciding to cash in my HHonors Rewards points for a free hotel room at the Double Tree on the strip. The reservation used all 30,000 points and I was a little upset about this but the room was amazing! Two queen beds.. a large shower... two cookies... a bunch of coffee and a great location with a view! I spent the night out on the town walking up and down the main streets people watching and exploring the splendor of Niagara Falls. Overall it was a very good day! I was so relieved to be out of NY State and in another country.
Day 11 - Sunday August 23rd
85.5 miles
6:35.32 hrs
331. mph Max
12.5 mph Avg
Today was a very rough day! It rained all day, there was nothing to look at and my iPod ran out of juice so I had nothing to distract me from the dullness of the ride.
On a happy note, I did meet one gentleman who expressed that he would like to donate to the cause. This made me think of what I can do to be a little more aggressive in my campaigning for the cause. I do not have a set strategy for making my goal of 15K for the LAF. If I want to do this I am going to have to spend some extra time in a couple cities and sell some food or something. Anyone have any ideas?
6:35.32 hrs
331. mph Max
12.5 mph Avg
Today was a very rough day! It rained all day, there was nothing to look at and my iPod ran out of juice so I had nothing to distract me from the dullness of the ride.
On a happy note, I did meet one gentleman who expressed that he would like to donate to the cause. This made me think of what I can do to be a little more aggressive in my campaigning for the cause. I do not have a set strategy for making my goal of 15K for the LAF. If I want to do this I am going to have to spend some extra time in a couple cities and sell some food or something. Anyone have any ideas?
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