Bicycling New England, the
Erie Canal, & around Lake Ontario 2005
Batavia to Orchard Park NY

August 5, 2005
Distance 40.6 Miles

Scott and Barbara's alarm went off at 5:30am, but the radio played only static. Somehow, Barbara heard it and woke Scott up to start the day. We were up and packed by the time we went down to breakfast. The elevator was not working, so we carried all of our bags down the stairs. When we arrived downstairs, we saw our bikes were still safely locked in the mini conference room. The reason the bikes were still locked up is the counter guy couldn't find the room key. We watched him try keys probably 20 different times while we ate breakfast. He made several phone calls and tried keys again, but wasn't having any luck getting our bicycle room unlocked. Finally, the guy found the right key, inserted it correctly into the lock and we were back in the game!! After a bagel, chocolate doughnut, bowl of Lucky Charms and 2 cups of coffee, we got on the road at about 7:15am.

We pedaled back toward the restaurant we ate dinner at to get through town and back on track on Hwy 33 west. We rode about 10 miles this morning before stopping at a gas station, on the left, which we all know is the wrong side of the road when you are pedaling. The only bathroom available to us was a port-a-potty, so it was a quick stop. We saw signs along the road advertising a farmer's fruit and vegetable stand, so we stopped, only to be disappointed with the selection, so we bought nothing. About 8-10 miles later, we found another gas station. Jim was really tired by now, so we really needed to stop and rest. We all sat, had a snack and drink and rested for a little while. We got back on our bikes and pedaled further down the road. We rode past the Erie County jail, infirmary and nursing home, which were recognizable by the signs and razor wire. As we pedaled, we got closer to the city and the traffic got busier. We stopped at another gas station and met a doctor and 2 interns. The doctor was interested in our tandem recumbents. We discussed different options available on different bikes and the merits of independent pedaling/coasting. We watched a guy come in and buy bait from the vending machine we had the bikes rested against. Jim laughed when he told him that when Jim gets to be his age, Jim will find fishing more enjoyable. It was obvious the older man buying the bait didn't know Jim very well.

We kept on pedaling and decided to stop for a snack at a Subway sandwich shop. Because it wasn't quite lunchtime yet, we all split 2 6" tuna sandwiches. It was a very tasty snack and just enough to keep us going for the rest of the ride. We rode through town, cut across traffic, made left turns and arrived at Bruce and Amber's house completely intact and in pretty good spirits. Bruce and Dexter were on their way home from work and Amber was home when we arrived. Scott decided he wanted to ride on the back seat of the recumbent. So, with Jim as the captain, the 2 guys headed out of the driveway, down to a parking lot for a turn around and back to the house. Then, Jim and Scott switched pedals from one bike to the other and they drove the Rans. Scott and Barbara switched the pedals again and took the Rans out over the same small practice route. The Rans is an entirely different riding tandem than the Bike Friday. Amber cooked us a fantastic dinner of blue cheese burgers and portabella mushroom burgers, for Mary Kay. Then, she made an awesome double layer pumpkin pie for dessert. We are now planning tomorrow's activities and folding tonight's laundry. Our last day of bicycling was another sunny and fun day.

Submitted by Barb