April 1, a Monday
We leave home (Benson, NY) on fully loaded bikes, not sure if the adventure will be 2 months long or a little more.
Some time after Fort Plain we meet Skip who gives us the $2 historical tour as we ride along the Erie Canal bike path to Little Falls.
The weather was decent and we hoped to get out ahead of the impending snow storm.
My plan was to take one memorable picture each day. I missed two opportunities on Monday: the brightly feathered peacock sitting guard over a junkyard from the top of a chain link fence and one at dusk of Mike and Skip pedaling through the tunnel, reflective strips on their gear flashing in the twilight.
Tuesday
I get right to my picture of the day as we leave Little Falls in the early morning.
Another tough day for me. Right out of the gate with little riding in so far this year, I realize I’m basically leg pressing 2/3 of my body weight as I pedal up hills.
My plan had been to ride several days of 50 miles each to start, but the forecast had gone south and camping was off the table. To make it to motels we had to start with two 62-mile days and that is a push for me.
My mistake is putting lightweight polypro bottoms over my chamois shorts to stay dry. Bad move that causes a painful saddle sore. Every mile on the cinder dust bike path is excruciating. And the rain…fortunately our gear keeps us dry and warm…..and the snow will start soon.
Trail Angel of the day: the young woman in the convenience market in Canastota who offers to take our bag of goodies to the hotel for me- that paper bag would’ve been a nightmare in the rain on my bike!
Another missed picture: the Trail Angel!
Wednesday – Layover Day
Two nights at the Days Inn in Canastota. We need to time our departure to avoid the 5-8” of snow predicted. Turns out the 45 mph wind gusts are reason enough for a layover day…..along with everyone along the street telling us to get to the hotel and stay put.
We plot and strategize and think about modifying our original plan.
THE ORIGINAL PLAN was to bike the Erie Canal Trail, pick up the Trillium section and then the Hellbender section of The Eastern Divide Trail, and then drop off that as we approach Virginia. From there we’d pedal back roads to arrive in Harrisonburg to ride The RockStar Trail Race on April 20. I’ve registered to race; Mike may race it, or he may ride it instead of registering….to be determined!
The plan is to be ready for the 270- mile RockStar after riding 850 miles of the Eastern Divide Trail. My slow start and the weather is forcing us to consider other options.
Missed picture of the day: downed power lines whipping around the roadside as we venture across the street for food!
Thursday
Finally, a 50-mile day will put us in a hotel, this one in Weedsport. We depart Canastota at 8 am, after the hard rain but before the snow. Our timing helps but rain, snow and sleet find us anyway. The Canal trail winds through downtown Syracuse, along the river-walk which is under water in places as the creek rushes over the bank, through the gate of the State Fairgrounds and across a long causeway around the edge of the lake.
Highlights of the day: warm knee warmers for me when we stop at a bike shop and a fried chicken dinner at Cook’s Diner.
Video of the day :
A few more pics around Syracuse:
Friday
Now we have a revised plan. Weedsport to Geneva today, then to Fairport on Saturday.
Off to Geneva we ride where we have a wonderful visit with a fellow TATR rider and his family. We talk all things bikepacking and ponder why some riders are so drawn to these types of rides.
Good weather- more pictures!
Saturday
In the morning, Mike E. rides out with us, heading north to get back to the Canal Trail. No snow, no rain, just gusty headwinds.
From there we continue to Fairport for a phenomenal visit with our son, Matt, and soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Karin.
Sunday
The revised plan is to rent a minivan so we can hop, skip and jump over the rest of the Trillium section. Flooding could wreak havoc over the rugged sections in western Pennsylvania and we don’t have time to spare.
So we drive the bikes to Cumberland, Maryland and in the morning we’ll start riding The Hellbender section.
We’ll be on remote trails for some days so I’ll post an update once amenities permit.
Spot Tracker Link
Tracker link if you’d like to follow our route:
https://maps.findmespot.com/s/GPF6/7F
April 8, a Monday & an eclipse
Here’s a link that shows the Hellbender route we’ll be getting on in Cumberland today!
https://bikepacking.com/routes/edt5/
Bikepacking 