Lake Ontario

Well, we slept in 'till 7:30 and went to breakie downstairs..waffles, bagels, coffee. Off we go toward Lake Ontario. A nice cool, sunny morning, with a downhill into Lockport and a bigger one into the valley to about 300' elevation. Ridge road was very nice..just a rolling road through many little 'burgs & over to Fort Niagara Lake Park. The old fort has been rebuilt & it is a lovely park, including a lighthouse & re-enactors located throughout the park. "Could you please move your bike?"..well, no. Back on the road to ride along the lake for many miles (45). A stop for lunch at the Parkside Cafe in Olcott Beach. It was recommended by a couple of locals, but they said "watch out for the owner!" Anyway, it pretty good, and the chilli was great! Back along the lake and a lighthouse or two , and we finally turn south heading back to Lockport. It was a very long day, but not much climb...110 miles & 1700'. over 7 1/2 hours in the saddle, but a great day and fabulous views of the countryside. Even saw the skyline of Toronto across the massive lake...and what else? a camel. Tomorrow? some tough climbs around Seneca Lake. Now we have to load up and drive to Bath, NY for our lovely Super 8 & two nights in one place! We get there about 9:00, check in and go to eat at the Pizza Hut. What a day!

Tough Climbs!

OK, up at 7am and pack up our stuff as we will not be back in time to check out at the roof. Into town and breakie at Phil & Cindy's, where they have great pancakes! (and huge!) we can't even finish our two. Back to the route and northerly we go into a pretty heavy fog and 65 degrees. Lots of climbing and 2500' by lunchtime in Panama and 55 miles so far. The food is great at the "Rowdy Rooster" and as we leave the sun is out, so re-apply the sunscreen. The ride was listed as 3400' of climb today but with 3 more massive hills into Jamestown, we go by the total real quick. As we get close to our motel, I suggest we stop at "Big Don's " ice cream stand for a treat, and it was! Load up the bikes, change clothes, and head out for Lock Port , NY. Some closed roads, downed bridges & detours caused us some problems, but we perservered and made it to our Comfort Inn by 7:30. A nice shower and off to supper at Cannoli's..great pasta!...(leave the gun, take the cannoli.) A really tough day with 83 miles and 4500' of climb...ouch! Did I say we saw a Zebra? along with a few lamas..pretty wierd. Free wifi here and a cont'l breakie tomorrow..see ya later.

Western New York

Kirkwood comes by to pick me up for our bike trip to NY at 8:00am. A good breakie at Pamela's in Mt Lebo and on the road to NY. A few wrong turns, detours, gas, money, yadda, yadda & we get to our motel..a Red Roof in Falconer, NY by 1:00 but a torrential downpour greets us. Then as we unload the bikes, mine won't unlock from the roof rack, so off to a bike shop where they have to drill the lock, but at least we're able to ride. Finally at 3:30 we head out on our planned 50 mile ride around lake Chautauqua. A very nice route, with great views of the Lake, resorts & great homes. We make it back before dark, with 50 miles and 1700 feet of climb. Quite a bit of traffic to start the ride but the lake will always have this much I suppose. Shower and off to supper at a Mexican restaurant that is a sponsor of the local Cycling team! (El Matador).

Western PA

We're in Pitsburgh! well, actually, McMurray, staying with our friend Joan Clark. I hav eto go get an oil change and see about getting a new tail-light for the Van...the red plastic cover just vanished! Back to Joan's and suit up for a ride on the trail & out thru Peterswood park..lots of traffic on Bebout road, but a nice 30 mile ride and back to Joan's for a "date" with some pasta at Armstrong's, with the Turks and all of us Eggs & Joan. Carbo loading ya know.

Indiana

Up at the motel and a great breakie! Then we drive to Centerville, In & Webb's Antique Mall, where the girls shop for a couple of hours and I go out on old rt 40 to ride a bit. They have lunch at Webb's first and I hit the road westerly into a pretty strong wind...sandwich at Subway in Cambridge and back to the van where the girls have just finished. 25 miles and 600' of climb. My month avg is now just below 40 per day.

On to Pittsburgh & NY

The pedaling across America continues! This time not quite so extensive. I left home on the bike this morning, August 8th, headed for Chandler, OK. KK & Cami were coming along in the van to get me & then we would be headed east for Pittsburgh, PA. I made it in just over two hours-38 miles-and the girls showed up about 5 minutes later. Load up the bike & head off to the turnpike and eastbound. The first day will end in Terre Haute , IN, and then on to Pitt, where I will hook up with an old biking buddy, Don Kirkwood and we will go to upstate New York for a few days of riding in the Buffalo area & the Finger Lakes. 38 miles today & 1200' of climb.

Epiloge

OK, we rode a lot of miles:2220 for me & KK rode 625, but we drove the van 7800 miles! Two oil changes and stayed in the camper 41 nights, with 1 motel & two nights of driving. The camping consisted of 25 nights in KOA's, 8 in RV parks, & 8 in campgrounds. The best KOA's were in Great Falls, MT; Pomeroy, WA; Owana, IA & Bismarck, ND. The best RV park was Bob's in Gettysburg, SD & Fairway Park, Walla Walla, WA. The best camgrounds were Lewis & Clark State Park, IA, Downstream Campground, Ft Peck, MT. ,Powell Nat'l Park, ID & Cross Creek State park, MT..thanks again for visiting the site and "going" along with us...mike & KK