The bike is good project began life in 2011 as a transcontinental bicycle adventure. As we pedalled from Seattle to Boston it grew into something even bigger. Life from the bike became life as we knew it, a way of engaging with the world that was much richer and honest than we had previously known. On our return to Australia we have tried to continue in the b.i.g. spirit, still happiest pedalling!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Day 100 Middleport to Rochester 85km

Wow! One hundred days on the road! It feels like a milestone, and we celebrate with a really fantastic day of riding. The motivation of this milestone is needed this morning when we wake up in really cold conditions, the locals tell us it is 40F (4C). No wonder we are eager to hop on the bikes and start pedaling, anything to defrost the fingers and toes. We have the luxury of spending the entire day on the Erie Canal trail, which at this early hour we share only with the beavers, geese and fishermen.


The sun pops in and out of the clouds and when it is shining the conditions are perfect. And although the skies often threaten rain we stay dry all day. We tootle past the charming towns of Medina, Albion and Holley and even pass a random apple sculpture.


But we HAVE to stop in Brockport, where they have a welcome centre for those using the canal, be they boaters, hikers or bikers. With free wifi, a bathroom, even a hot shower available for travelers, we couldn't ask for better but we get it anyway! Today the welcome centre is staffed by the volunteers, Ed and Jonnie, a couple in their early eighties. With whom we have a sit down and good chat. They share with us stories of the times they lived in Melbourne as well as some local lore and how they came to Brockport, from Rhode Island and Mississippi respectively. We leave with big smiles and warm feelings, hoping that we can grow into such people as we get older. The trail takes us all the way into the big city of Rochester, where we are both quite relieved that there are no campgrounds and we will be "forced" to stay in a hotel. Especially as the forecast predicts another cold one tonight. The hotel is the most luxurious of the whole trip, and it comes at a time when we can really appreciate it. We exclaim constantly over the nice smelling toiletries, the beautifully comfy bed, the soft fresh linen, the complimentary ride to the supermarket and fall asleep soothed by the knowledge that we will be warm all night. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

3 comments:

  1. FrancesSeptember 18, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    Wow, Day 100 and you are in New York State so you are ahead of schedule.
    All well here, just on Skype to Ro and Al and they asked us what hens Louise had - Barneveldas, which sent Ro into a spin as he had to spell it to google the breed!! Tash got into the goat paddock - well she has been used to have her daily run there - and was stunned when Mummy goat took a stand off stance to her. Luckily I rescued Tash before she got bumped. She has her run in the back paddocks now. Keep well. Great pics.

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  2. KimSeptember 19, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    100 Days on the road! Congrats! i hope that this celebration included a wonderful east coast wine or some other adult beverage! I am surprised indian summer has not warmed things up for you a bit. The temps you are experiencing sound more like those that we are having here in Alaska!
    (Speaking of which, today would have been a perfect day for riding here in the way far north....)
    I hope as you go south a bit more, you will find the warmth for the end of your trip....
    Hugs to you both!

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  3. Josey and KatSeptember 19, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    Congratulations on this amazing milestone ladies....I have stopped trying to imagine what it must feel like to ride day after day...the cold alone would break me!
    I have to say, looking forward to seeing you for christmas!
    Stay safe
    xx

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