Normally on this tour we go to bed about 20.00-20.30,but as Elizabeth was under the weather she crawled into bed at 19.45.At 23.15 there was an enormous amount of chatter in the corridor as,what sounded like,a number of teenage girls with some adults came along talking,for all the world,as if they were at home.Some entered the room next door to us and others just across the way.The loud chatter continued.Eventually I rang the front desk-no reply,so we rang the room next door and asked politely if they could reduce the volume.They said sorry but it made no difference on and on they chattered.Eventually somebody came along and the volume decreased.Just as it was nearly settled a lady came banging on their doors and telling them to settle from the corridor.That was just too much and I opened our door and told her to be quiet-almost politely.So a poor nights sleep and another example of how American youth behaves.
Despite it all Elizabeth was keen to cycle this morning.Another cool morning,more sunshine and again a light breeze.30 miles to the first stop,pretty flat to start.Once more largely residential areas,but attractive with lots of lawn,some lovely houses and small towns with a bit of life.One of the things I wish I had done from the start was to collect the different denominations that I have seen.Lutheran,first Lutheran,german Lutheran,plain Lutheran,Community,First Baptist,Southern Baptist,GospelBaptist,FreeBaptist,Episcopalian,Presbyterian,Catholic,Methodist,Mennonite,traditional Mennonite,Gospel church,the list goes on and on and what little differences they encourage I have no idea,but it does seem rather sad.Quite a few give the impression of being wealthy,and they all have large car parks!
Back to the ride,we arrived at the first stop after some lovely new road surfaces and to a beautiful view,as the sto was right by one of the Finger lakes.
There was a lovely breeze blowing,cakes and excellent grapes to eat and the view to take in .Gorgeous.
Elizabeth was keen to carry on riding,so off we set 25 miles to the next stop.The first part was very flat and fast,but after about 10 miles the scenery became more agricultural ,the hills returned and the sun steadily warmer.A road closure arrived but Paula was there to assure us we could ride straight on.A bit of rough surface followed by some newly laid surface and we were at the second stop.This one was at an ice cream shop,which was open.So a burger each for us,a milk shake for Elizabeth,a lemon sorbet and coke for me.Elizabeth decided that was enough riding for today and she would do the last 31 miles in the car.I wondered what I should do? Stay with someone -who? and in the end decided just to ride at my pace on my own.Oddly I missed Elizabeth even though I now had the benefit of moving a little faster.
I liked the shape of this tree on the left,again the trees are near the house.
Passed over this raging river ,making a magnificent noise and onto the Eyrie Canal.
The canal originally ran from where Albany meets the Hudson river(New York) to where Buffalo meets Lake Eyrie,thus connecting New York,the Atlantic and the great lakes.It was 363 miles long,opened in 1825 and purportedly cut transport costs from East to West by 95%,giving the port of New York a huge boost and ushered in the political and cultural ascendency of New York.It also gave a large surge to the population of western New York,and is now designated as the 'Eyrie canal national heritage corridor'.There was a lovely bridge just along from the photo above.
But my photo does not do it credit.A few turns into the wind and a few more hills meant I did not arrive at the hotel until 1.35 ,but with time to have a jacuzzi whilst Elizabeth slept.Woke her up to eat an orange ,and in a weeks time we will be back in the UK-strange thought.
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