Maybe the final post but I don't promise

I have finally had some time to add the link to the news clip that featured the arrival into Deerfield.
I think that the burning of the religous statue on I75 ended my 15 mins of fame. Somehow thats appropriate!
Below you'll also find Jimmy Fallon's monologue where he mentions my bike trip. It is at the end, so you can fast forward through until there is about 37 seconds left.

We made it !

By now I suppose most of you know that we completed the ride on Thurs. afternoon. Along with the Goodrichs, we had a an escort from Deerfield on the last 2 days. On Wednesday Keith Streeter, in the alumni department, took us for a nice ride away from the traffic. You can't avoid the hills so we did about 5,000 ft. for the day.
The only problem was the rain which arrived for the last 2 hours of the ride. At the same time the temp. dropped significantly and so the end of the ride was pretty miserable. We ended the day in Shelborn Falls about 10 miles short. we still did 45 mi.
Thurs.,Nolan Bishop, a Sophmore on the Cycling Team, met us in Shelborn Falls to escort me into Deerfield. It was an easy ride of 15 mi. We arrived with the press waiting. Two television crews from two stations were there. It all started with the article in the Springfield (Ohio)News-Sun which apparently got picked up on the news wire. Anyway, I have have had telephone,internet and in-person interviews. Someone has even seen a story in the Minneapolis paper. I think that is the definition of a slow news day.
I am hopefully going to attach one of TV interviews. I will post more pics and update the itinerary soon. Final distance was about 865 mi.

The Sunny Day that Wasn't

Hal checked the computer radar and there wasn't a cloud in site. I wonder what state he checked for? At any rate we started off from where we left off yesterday and got 6 mi down the road when the skies opened up and the temp dropped.Meanwhile we are zipping down the hills we have been climbing up, freezing our buns off and can't see while 18 wheelers are bombing past. It might have been scary if one had time to think about it but it sure as hell was cold. When all of a sudden there appears ahead like a beacon of hope The Man from Kent Pub. If that isn't enough to make you a believer you have no faith. This place is straight out of Jolly Olde. In through the rose covered doorway and into warmth of a bar with Guiness on tap. If there was ever a medicinal quaff this was it.
The rest of the ride was pretty uneventful. We were joined by the ladies for about 5 mi. Of course that is just half of what they had to ride. We hurried to get changed and into The Clarke Museum here in Williamstown. They have (I believe) the largest collection of Renoirs. We were 2 days early for "Picasso looks at Degas". Another entertaining day with the Goodrichs.'Nite all.

On to Vermont

The Goodrichs joined today and we had a very representative ride, a little trail ,a little city, a little country highway and a dose of hills.We rode about 45 mi today starting just west of Schenectady NY and ending outside Bennington, VT. I'm thinking the Lord could use a big iron on this state to good purpose.Actually the steepest hills we encountered were on the RPI campus in Troy,NY.
We had great tour of Schenectady and spent quite a while riding past the GE Research facilities. Peg and Beth did some great driving today to catch up with us at various places throughout the day.As usual we had 3 different maps none of which quite matched. Oh well if we ever do something like this again we'll correct that.
Acouple of pics today one of Hal on a particularly pretty piece of trail in Cohoes, NY and one of both Goodriches with a plastic Moose. Well its time for bed,'nite all.
PS I have posted 2 blogs at once. don't miss the previous with pics of Sean.

Another Surprise!

Peg and Sean Planting the flag before the rain engulfs.

Saturday morning Sean flew in from San Francisco to give his old man a little riding support. Long way to come for two days riding. At least Meg got in three days. Good kids! (I told them the inheritance might not be worth this much attention)
We spent last night at a B&B called Hazelnut Farm. Is about 8 mi outside Fort Plain, NY. A lovely old farm house with big spacious rooms and a spectacular breakfast. They sent us to a restaurant about 15 mi away at The American Hotel in Sharon Springs,NY. We had a really special dinner. The food was spectacular, so was the price.
Sunday we managed to ride 35mi between big rain storms and then took Sean back to the Albany Airport. Tomorrow we meet up with the Goodrichs. They will help get me over and thru the Berkshires. That will be the final challenge - I hope. 'nite all.

"cycilists attacked by Geese"

There are more Canada geese along the Canal than are in Canada. And they all have an attitude especially when they have their brood with them. Both Peggy and I have had them jump up and fly at us. Sort shocking the first time. Now I shout on my approach. I'd hate to have anyone around to hear my conversation with the geese. 'Round the bend for sure.
The ride yesterday was punctuated by traversing both Rome and Utica NY. People seem a bit edgy in both communities. But it was a change from geese. We quit on the east side of Utica.
Day off today!!! We'll start again on Sat. for the last push. Super-domestiques, Hal and Beth Goodrich coming in to get us over the Berkshires(I hope).
The bottom picture is sort of a typical view of the canal and bike path when both are at their best.

Can you cycle to Canastota?

Well we did today. Pedaling thru Syracuse was no fun, but the bikepath on either side was fine. This gravel bikepath is good in that there are no traffic problems and no questions as to whether you are on the correct route but it limits the speed you can go and shakes the heck out of you. You're never quite sure when you are going to hit a soft patch and end up on your nose. Peg put in 24 mi. today so she is feeling chipper.
You will note a pic I have included of Johann(Peg) studying her maps to organize the attack today. Also some pics of the Old canal and the path. 'Nite all.

June 1, 2010 - Tues (I think)

To the left is one of the flags we stick in the ground to show where we stoped and where to start in the morning.

Well here we are in beautiful downtown Weedport,NY.I am here at the Days Inn while Johann(Peg)is out looking for a wash-dry. I don't think Johann did this for Lance. We need more domestiques. Not that I am lance either. Well we ran out of bike path today and were back on the highways. Good wide berms though so no problem. We took a side trip to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. We saw several bald eagles which made it worth the time.
Yesterday we rode from Spencerport to Palmyra. Pretty ride along the Canal at least until about 3:00PM at which time the heavens opened with a real frog strangler. I tried to find bridge underpasses but at that point they seemed far apart. Our B&B had no computer hook up, or TV for that matter, but the breakfast was dynamite.