Day 31 - 119 Mi to Amsterdam, NY

We're closing in on the ocean...but first,  another day in the saddle along the Mohawk River and a hot and humid day and again no rain.   Our route started out with 11 miles of navigating through Syracuse but after mile 12 we were in the quiet New York countryside until mile 40. After that, we basically rode route 5 east to Little Falls then cross the Mohawk River and ride on the south side until crossing back to get to Amsterdam. In this area the terrain changes from rolling farmland to small plots along the Mohawk River Valley with mountains on either side of the river carpeted with greenery.   The view from the high areas on the south side of the Mohawk are awesome.  Today Jim and I were joined my Norm from Australia and we were able to average 18 mph for the 119 miles.

Big Amish population the last week of riding

With 5 miles to go on the ride we stopped at Karen's Ice cream for our daily end of ride treat and then we would coast into the hotel.  What we did not know is we had an immediate big hill.  That was tough right after having all that ice cream.

Tonight we are staying in Amsterdam NY which was once a thriving textile center specializing in manufacture of carpets. At one time they also had interest in the small computer industry, but now everywhere you look around the motel you see storefronts that are empty and it appears the town is dying.  What is nearby though is The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) and Museum.  

End of ride Ice cream Place

The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) and Museum

(Most Photos taken by Mike Munk- Bamacyclist.com)

The Hotel welcomed us to Amsterdam, NY

We only have 2 more days of riding. Tomorrow's really hilly as we ride into VT and NH with at least 3 major climbs to contend with on our way to Keene so I had a very large pizza for dinner and a beer.

Carbing up for tomorrow's ride in VT and NH

Day 30 - 121 Mi to Liverpool, NY

Incredibly another beautiful day of sunshine and no rain.  In 30 days we have had only one day with just a small amount of rain.  The temp at the start was in the high 60's and humidity was high.  The first 80 miles of the ride was relatively flat while the last 40 miles was hilly with some long rollers which equated to 4,800 feet of climbing.  My quads were sore the last couple of days but they felt better today.

Detour I was able to walk around :)

I basically rode solo for the entire 121 miles today and finished with an average speed of 17.9 mph.  I road solo due to a road closure that I was able to get through while others took a detour.  The roads in New York have been the best we seen with very wide shoulders.  We passed by two very beautiful lakes today, Seneca Lake and Onondaga Lake and road on a very nice bike path in Onondaga Lake Park. 

Seneca Lake

It's sometime hard to believe that we have come this far in this short amount of time.  We went over 3000 miles today and all are looking forward to the last few days.  The last two days in VT, NH will be hilly ones, but the adrenalin will be running high to complete the mission and reach the Atlantic Ocean.    

Here are some more photos from today:

(Most Photos taken by Mike Munk- Bamacyclist.com)

Had to fuel up 

1st time we had to stop for a train

Armor Man

As I was taking the picture of this turtle crossing the road, a truck ran over it. 

After almost 3000 miles finally a Dunkin Donuts. 

Day 29 - 84 Mi to Batavia, NY

Recovery ride today as it was only 82 miles. We had a late breakfast and got on the road at 8:30.  It was another gorgeous day to ride, upper 60"s at the start and low 80's by the end.  I was up early and got a great panoramic photo of the sun rising over lake Erie.

It was so nice today that after lunch, I struggled to get back on the bike for the last 37 miles.  I just wanted to sit on the beach and have a beer or two.  5 miles later I was back to the task at hand and finished the day averaging 17.6 mph.  I took it easy on the hills today as my quads are a little sore and I can feel a little twinge in my right achilles tendon.  We really can see the difference riding east of the Mississippi as there are more and more city riding and more population to interact with.

Tomorrow we head toward Syracuse...Liverpool to be exact a 121 mile day. We have only 4 more days before we attack the beach and the mission will be complete.  

4 more days to go

Photos from today.

(Most Photos taken by Mike Munk- Bamacyclist.com)

More Lake Erie

The Ten Cent Millionaire Tavern near the Casino and Horse Track in Batavia, NY

Day 28 - 139 Mi to Dunkirk, NY

Today was the longest day we've had mileage wise since Kirksville, MO at 139 miles. Our route started off to the north through quiet Ohio backcountry until getting to Lake Erie where we turned northeast along the shoreline to Dunkirk, NY. We were on highway 5 for most of the afternoon, but it's bicycle friendly with nice smooth shoulders and plenty of great scenery to watch along the lake. When I started today I was struggling to keep up and I was even dropped by the group I was riding with.  I just could not get the legs working.  I recovered though within a half hour and had to scurry back to the pace line.  Jim and I usually ride alone but today with the distance and slight headwind we decided to ride in a nine man pace line to help with drafting.  By the time we got to the first SAG stop we were averaging 19.4 mph.  When we started to head east on route 5 we had a head wind and our average mph decreased.  At the end of the day we were able to salvage 18.1 mph for 140 miles and the pace line was whittled down to four.

Today was a "3 state" ride...Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. The first 60 miles of the ride today were on quiet, rural Ohio roads where the Amish influence was ever present. This being a Saturday, the traffic was almost non-existent as we left town and during the rural portions, the traffic is always light anyway. We entered Pennsylvania in the morning and New York in the afternoon.

(Most Photos taken by Mike Munk- Bamacyclist.com)

9 Man Pace line doing 20-23 mph

On the banks of Lake Erie

A warning outside a home in Ohio

Phillippe from Israel wearing my WWP shirt he won in the t-shirt swap

Panoramic View of Lake Erie from the hotel

I own this car in Black but I love the yellow one.  

Day 27 - 98 Mi to Warren, OH

Short day today, 98 miles and the weather again was great for riding.  The morning started out cool, mid 50's and foggy.  We did not see the sun until 11:00 and then it was beautiful low 80's.  We have been keeping ahead of the rain by one day and we hope we can avoid major rain for six more days.  When riding cross country you always have to deal with some sort of stuff and today I would describe the stuff as crappy roads and vicious roadkill all day.

Some of the ride today was in more urban areas, but the majority was still rural. The terrain wasn't flat either they were short and steep and they were continuous in some areas especially midday. We had it all today as far as road surface...smooth country roads, complicated urban streets, complicated construction areas, beautiful quiet bike path, but the biggest challenge with today's route was a section of rough road surface after the first SAG stop.  It might of well have been cobblestones.  Jim and I managed to average 17 mph for the day and were riding reserved for two reason, the crappy roads and tomorrow will be our longest day mile wise at 139 miles and a 3 state ride...Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Here are some photos from today:

(Most Photos taken by Mike Munk- Bamacyclist.com)

Leaving Wooster, Ohio

Jim drafting off this farming rig

The man of Iron at Niles Iron and Metal Company