June 29 Massena

Woke up in the morning to pouring rain. But after a visit to the Malone library and a late breakfast we set off to Massena under better conditions. The road to Massena turns out to be a New York state designated bike route and it was wonderful! Relatively light traffic and a huge 12 foot shoulder. A biker's dream. Am told by a park guy that the designated route continues all the way to Clayton where we're headed to rendezvous with our friends (newlyweds!) John and Fran. So far, the roads in New York are much safer for cyclists than those in Vermont!

Flat tire on the way into Massena meant a couple of miles of walking to our motel. Patch kit didn't work so used my replacement tube, the only one I have! I hope for no more flat tires today or we're out of luck!

I want to say something about libraries. I'm actually appreciating the fact that I do not have a blackberry. That fact caused me to find the library in Malone and go inside and meet the wonderful folks there. The library itself was a gem, similar in look and feel to my beloved Kellogg-Hubbard (not quite that good!). I look forward to more such opportunities as I bike along. Public libraries show the best side of our communities.

Will take pictures today for tomorrow's post! Lowell

June 27, On to Malone

A "swimmingly good day" (where does that expression come from?) despite an ominous morning forecast of more rain, only a few drops fell though the bikes got quite wet where we left them right beneath the eaves of the "Cozy Corner Restaurant" on the outskirts of Plattsburgh. There we had our second breakfast. Me, oatmeal, Betsy homefries--go figure! Excellent biking on route 190--though busy with traffic, there was a nice wide shoulder. Along the way spotted huge antlered elk enclosed in a field with a 12' fence. They were friendly (curious?) and sauntered toward us as we took pictures. Later heard they are used for hunting. How absurd, to hunt such beautiful huge critters enclosed in a fence, unafraid of people.

The road from Plattsburgh to Malone is mostly uphill--gradual but unrelenting. A big issue here is wind power. Based on the signs we saw on lawns and a couple of conversations with locals there seems to be quite a divide. They certainly have the natural resource though, as we were buffeted all day by strong gusty winds that made biking and remaining on the road very challenging.

One big road scare. A huge dog, and I mean huge, came barreling across a wide lawn toward me faster than I've seen any dog run and totally focused on killing me I'm sure! I was on the far side of the road from this beast. As he charged me an 18 wheeler flew down rt. 190 in the opposite direction we were riding. I was sure he'd kill the dog. Somehow, I don't know how, the truck came between the dog and me (timing is everything!) and the dog survived though I did see him limping back toward his home. The owners were infuriated, coming out of their trailer screaming at the dog. Why do they keep such a vicious animal, untethered, so close to a busy highway?

Covered 60 miles, and as I said it was a challenge. Was it the constant uphill, the wind, or this being day two, or some combination? Vitamin I (ibuprophen) helped relieve the aches and pains. Made it to Malone about 4:00. Our motel has wireless, but no computer for patrons.

June 26, 2006

Oh my God did the rain ever come down! And if you're wondering, yes, we did start today, a little late at 6:15 a.m. from Highland Avenue. After a quick ride to Waterbury we stopped for breakfast and then on to Richmond and the Sun Rise Cafe. This is a nice little bakery/cafe that morphed from the Bread of Life(?) cafe of yore. Gene Novogrodsky and I made this place a compulsory stop on bike trips 20 years ago for cookies and coffee--a nice combination for bikers.

Yes, it rained, rained, rained. In torrents as we approached Sandbar State Park in S. Hero. No one was there, 'ceptin us and a lone park ranger. Ate a nice energy bar (thanks Amber), swatted mosquitoes and were on our way. Ferry boat ride from Grand Isle and dinner tonight at Gus' Famous Michigans. Michigans, in case you don't know, are a midwestern specialty hot dog with a special meat sauce added. All steamed. Yuck! I had the pasta and Betsy had, well, should we say "comfort food." She asked for the soup de jour and it was cheesburger. That tells you the kind of establishment we dined at. But the price was right and the atmosphere, Plattsburghian. Tonight we're in Plattsburgh after a ride of 68 miles. Feeling tired, but good about this accomplishment under most inhospitable weather conditions. Actually, though, the temperature was good and wind favorable. But the water on the road was at times over our wheel rims. Tomorrow, on to Chateaugay, a short ride compared to today.

Sorry the picture is so insipid. But at least I figured out how to upload it (thanks, Mike!). Mr. Techie had dead batteries until we reached the motel. This is a picture of our New York map drying out on the bed! Hope it dries before bedtime!

June 25, 2006

So here I am at home in Montpelier. Head held high and ready to take the plunge. Thank you to Mike (Jr.) Stridsberg for help today on uploading images to the blog site! And he promises one free consult while I'm on the road should I need it. I hope I don't, but being the slow learner tech student that I am, I may.
Thanks to all at church today for your blessings. Your thoughts and prayers for safety, strength, and sanity are very much appreciated. And thank you to all for your pledges.
Betsy and I joked about leaving tomorrow at six just when the rain should be starting after two glorious days. Timing is everything. Well, might as well deal with it and get used to all vagaries of the weather.
Tonight is packing. Strange to think about being away for 2 or 3 months and living on the road. We're headed to Thousand Islands to spend a couple of days with newly weds John and Fran. Then I get to honeymoon with them as the 3 of us (John, Fran, and Lowell) bike toward Toronto.
Next message will be from the road. Yipeeeeeee!

Pledge Form

To make a pledge for my trip and contribute to the Principal's fund use the pledge form.
Some of you know that the principal has a "discretionary" account used to help out Berlin families in times of need. It's used to buy clothing, presents, school supplies, food--whatever a family might need in tough times or an emergency. I'm asking students, colleagues, friends, and the Berlin Elementary parents to make a pledge of whatever amount of money they choose to go into this account for every state or province I succeed in biking through. My route would take me through Vermont, New York, Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and Oregon, a total of 10 states and provinces. So if a student puts up a dollar for each and I made it to the Pacific, the contribution would be $10. If the person put up $5 for each state and I only made it through Vermont, New York, and Ontario, the contribution would be $15. You get the idea. I'd love to raise a thousand dollars for Berlin families and I ask you to help me.

June 8

Rain, rain, rain. I had planned to do much more cycling than I've managed to get ready for this trip. But I've been convinced (wisely or unwisely) that beginning the trip itself will be training for the rest of it. Actually, I have managed some trips, one per weekend, in the mileage range I hope to accomplish.

I was so excited on Wednesday (the sun was actually shining!) on a quick ride to Middlesex to see so many cyclists on the road. All ages, solos and groups, chicly dressed (is that a word!?) and those attired more like myself in shorts and tee shirt--riding, waving, smiling. I must have seen 40 cyclists on a trip where I'm used to seeing 4. I hope it's a sign of a resurgence of interest in cycling for fitness and transport. It may just have been the flowering of pent up cycling fever of so many rain drenched enthusiasts. But maybe we are at the dawning of a new age of wheelmen (and women)!

Have much enjoyed visiting all the classrooms at Berlin Elementary to tell the kids about biking and my proposed trip. I think it was really engaging to the kids, though they understood it at all different levels. This afternoon I visit kindergarten with my bike and then will head home after school on the bike with all the gear packed. Guess what! It's all downhill. I think I'll make it. :) Lowell