Data: 122 miles Riding time 7:15 (16.6 mph avg)
Another perfect day, including warm weather, and we got to ride along the Erie Canal most of the way! I hope to be going the other direction along the canal in a boat in a year or two, so it was special to see it.
After 25 miles, we got to a long section of the original 1825 canal. Notice how it is only 40 ft wide, and has the tow path. Course, that tree would not have been there blocking the tow lines in 1825!
Much of the first 60 miles today were on country roads with the familiar rolling hills that I enjoy. The tour leader got a shot of me cruising along alone.
Then I came upon something that you'd only discover on a bike ride across the U.S. -- "The World's Smallest Church". As you can see, it was right in the middle of a pond, and a scummy one at that! There was a little power boat at the side to take you out, unless you want to get married in winter and you can just walk out there yourself. Stuff like this cracks me up.
Eventually we got back out on Hwy 5, the one we've been on for much of NY State. The highway normally isn't as scenic as country roads, but today we were along the "canal". It actually is the Mohawk River, but serves as the waterway that replaced the original Erie Canal. It wasn't until we got to Amsterdam that I found a lock, and it had just finished raising two boats (locking them up). I took this photo after the boats were back on their merry way, and this one is a Kadey Krogan trawler much like the one I hope to buy for the Great Loop cruise.
I then went right up to the actual lock and spoke with the lock master about how it all works. While I was speaking to him, he got a call from a boat about a mile away, saying he'd be there soon. The lock master then turned a valve and the water started rushing out of the lock. When it had all gone out and was level with the downstream river, the boat came into view and he opened the gates to prepare for its arrival. I didn't wait for it to arrive, but the whole thing was interesting.
The photo here shows the lock with the water emptied and ready for the gates to open for the oncoming boat. You also can see the dam in the background (the river locks are associated with dams to maintain deep water levels where rapids or falls would normally be).
Along the road today, we came upon another Amish area. This time, a young man was "riding" a small wooden wagon down the shoulder of the highway (pushing with one leg). As before, I felt I should take the photo from my bike from behind. When I then passed him, he gave me a hearty "How are you doing?" He had a full red beard, glasses, and had a pipe in his mouth! Whether he was actually smoking the pipe I don't know, but I sure wish I could have taken a picture of him from the front instead of this one from behind.
I've passed numerous historical markers over the past few days, far too many to stop at each one. Most are about a tavern or home (or other building) that was originally on a site, or an event from the Revolutionary War. Luckily, most were short and in large type, so I could slow down and read the whole thing as I passed by. I stopped three times at historic museum sites, but all were closed today. Every village sign says when it was settled, and the oldest today was 1723, older than yesterday's 1789 towns. As we get farther east, the dates on the markers get older, as you'd expect.
I'm pretty tired tonight because three times today I "hammered" for many miles, usually to catch up to groups way ahead of me. While doing this I usually average about 21 mph.
Since Kasper is from Amsterdam in Holland, we've all been making jokes about his being in his hometown tonight. He was particularly wanting to "win the sprint" to the Amsterdam city sign, but his riding buddies ganged up on him and he was beaten. This requires a little background: Ever since about day 7, his little group of six ("the Dutch Masters) has fun seeing who can be the first person to a city sign. It's similar to intermediate sprints (for points) they do in famous stage races like the Tour de France. Today, Logan started his effort a full mile from the city sign. Kasper finally decided he'd better chase him down, but Brian and Bill Phillipi went right behind him, getting his draft. When Kasper caught Logan, Brian then broke away and Kasper had to chase him down, with Bill in tow. That finally allowed Bill to be fresh enough to win the final sprint! They all got a huge laugh out of it. They then had to turn around and ride back to the city sign for photos with Kasper.
Once I got in and showered, I walked around the town a bit and here was the rushing river tumbling to the Mohawk River below.
Gosh, only two rides left. They should be very scenic. I'm sad it'll be over. I wish I could keep riding all the way back to Los Angeles. And see more signs across America that would be like this one here in Amsterdam, NY.
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