While visiting with Jeff, his mother lent me a book about biking along the Erie Canal Trail. It looked like a great book, but unfortunately I was way too tired last night do more than just skim through it. I did learn a few interesting tidbits - the canal was completed in 1825 and was quite the engineering marvel for that time period. I also found it particularly interesting that Orleans County, just outside of Lockport, has no locks as the engineers found perfectly level land to run the canal through.
After a late start of 10:30, we didn't make it more than 15 miles when Marc's back wheel had another broken spoke. It was probably a blessing in disguise as about 10 minutes after we stopped, the rain came in. It was one of the heaviest downpours that we've been through yet! It was coming down so hard that we had a lot of company under the awning of the grocery store. No one dared to even venture out to their cars as the rain would drench you in seconds. It finally let up after about 45 minutes and we were able to get back on the road.
We ran into a pair of older women bike touring from Winona, MN to Vermont. I have to admit that I felt guilty seeing their bikes all loaded up with gear, as now I am only carrying a handlebar bar and Marc's carrying everything else.
Aside from the rain, the ride today seemed fairly easy and we were able to keep a quick pace at 16-17 mph average. New York has great biking routes and roads. Our route today was along Highway 31 with a nice wide shoulder. When we reached Rochester, we hopped on a paved bike trail that led us along the Erie Canal. The trail was beautiful - too bad it started raining right about the time we hit the trail. It's hard to enjoy the scenery when you have to focus on the slippery wet pavement.
With the rain and Marc's broken spokes (yes he had two today!), we ended up arriving at our friend Ric's house at 6:30. Ric lives on his family's farm in the town of Farmington, NY. He told Marc that his house would be easy to find as its the only farm on the road. Ric's family has been farming this same land since the mid-1800's and slowly the urban sprawl has surrounded their farm with residential homes.
So tonight we are staying in Ric's house which was originally built by his great-grandparents in 1880. Its a beautiful home with a large front porch and the original woodwork and hardwood floors inside. Tomorrow we are going to enjoy a rest day and a tour of the farm. Marc wants to drive the combine! I promise to take some pictures of that!
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