Eleventh State Line and Daily Thoughts
Eleventh State Line and Daily Thoughts
Friday 21th June, 2019
Day 42
Temp: 60 - 68 F sunny
Dew point: - 59 F
Winds: 10 mph tailwind
Today we begun the final week of our adventure. We have 7 full biking days and then a 17 mile ride next Friday to Revere Beach in Boston for our ceremonial bike drip in the Atlantic Ocean, thereby completing our journey across the United States. During these last 7 full days we will be in 5 states - Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Today almost started as the prior 7 days had with clouds and rain (or fog) but the rain stopped at 5:00 AM and we had sunshine by 7:00 AM. The streets were still wet for the first hour but the sun then dried our sock and shoes.
Today was an unusually scenic ride for the first 50 miles as the road passed within 0.2 – 0.5 miles of the southeastern shore of Lake Erie. Vineyards were everywhere. The grapes are used to make wine and grape juice. Saw some signs for Welch's and numerous vineries.
Lighthouse overlooked a harbor on Lake Erie.
Friday 21th June, 2019
Day 42
Location:
Erie, PA to Hamburg, NY
Distance:
81 milesTemp: 60 - 68 F sunny
Dew point: - 59 F
Winds: 10 mph tailwind
Cumulative climbing distance: 2,418 ft
Cumulative descending distance: 2,290 ftToday we begun the final week of our adventure. We have 7 full biking days and then a 17 mile ride next Friday to Revere Beach in Boston for our ceremonial bike drip in the Atlantic Ocean, thereby completing our journey across the United States. During these last 7 full days we will be in 5 states - Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Someone asks me what I think about all day
while biking. In short, I am always
trying to occupy my mind and there are no shortage of topics:
- Enjoying the scenic beauty of America.
- Looking for wildlife – animals and flowers.
- Thinking about the serenity of the open road.
- Thinking about what I am observing in the context
of:
- US
history,
-
modern vs historical farming or industrial practices.
- Just relaxing.
- Performing calculations (either time or
mileage) regarding how far vs distance already traveled:
- to
next SAG wagon stop, point of interest or our final destination.
- Looking for photo opportunities for the daily
blog.
- Framing thoughts for the daily blog.
- Fighting the wind, especially crosswinds that
blow you into the traffic lanes.
- Keeping an eye on Judi.
Sometimes I am forcing myself to think about
anything to distract myself from my general fatigue, sore muscles, hungry,
thirst, and/or my saddle sores, a.k.a., a sore butt.
What I am
NOT thinking about is work or technical issues. This point is a major surprise to me but I
have not thought about work for even 1 second.
I am so engrossed in fully enjoying this biking experience that
work-related thoughts are being completely blocked. This is a first but ideally a sign of my
pending full retirement.
Today almost started as the prior 7 days had with clouds and rain (or fog) but the rain stopped at 5:00 AM and we had sunshine by 7:00 AM. The streets were still wet for the first hour but the sun then dried our sock and shoes.
Sunrise from our hotel window with the harbor bay in the foreground. The harbor at Erie, PA is the only natural harbor on Lake Erie. A large crescent-shaped peninsula forms a large protected bay and harbor.
Today crossed our 11th state line today and entered our 12th state – New York.
Morning SAG wagon refreshment included strawberries and banana shortcakes. The locally grown strawberries are just being picked (about 1 week later than normal due to the rainy weather).
Passed a stone masonry lighthouse build in 1827.
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