“Give all power to the many, they will oppress the few. Give all power to the few, they will oppress the many.”

Excerpt From: Chernow, Ron. “Alexander Hamilton.”

Climbed out of Meyersdale and back to trail where it continued the railroad grade of 1-1.5% grade upward. Had to keep reminding Jeanne we were climbing as it certainly seemed flat. Reached the top and a underpass stating eastern continental divide separating Potomac and Mississippi rivers. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. 2392 feet (792meters)

Began the downward. Descent barely peddling for 20 miles (30 k) stopping for good beers and bad food at the college town of Frostburg. Great views out over the rolling hills extending seemingly forever. Crossed the Mason-Dixon Line and we were in southern United States, although description stated it was more a property settlement in the 1700,s than a slavery location line.

Then along the tracks of scenic railway Western Maryland into Cumberland Maryland, the largest town since Pittsburgh at about 30,000 people. A delightful meal with new friends and the GAP trail was done,onto the C & O towpath. (Great Allegheny passage and the Chesapeake & Ohio)

We had been hearing stories of the mud and disrepair on the C & O. It is a national historic trail maintained by the National Park service which is drastically underfunded. The GAP is run primarily by volunteers. I stopped at park headquarters for update and reassured that only two major sections were out – deep mud for 2 miles (1.6 k) at mile 88 and a bridge out at mile 55, both a few days away. But warned to ride through puddles as edges tended to be slippery and people fell in. The past months have been very rainy year here.

One section is tunnel cut for the canal. Interesting riding as dark and sides are a bit curved so orientation is a bit off. 3018 feet (.91 kilometer) long paw paw tunnel.

On to Little Orleans where directions were ride to mile 140 cross bridge to 15 mile creek, go under tunnel then eat at bills before calling for a ride to B & B. We arrived 15 mile creek but not mile 140. Luckily the app map showed instead of crossing 15 mile creek just turned left, went under tunnel and ate at bills. Apparently 6 miles to B&B and shuttle encouraged as “very steep hill and only 3 out of 800 bikers made it last year” I chose to ride and it was a wonderful ride although 9 miles added to the 42 of day. Through the forest hills then out into farmland and again a climb but not bad. I did sweat profusely as although temperature only about 75 (25c)humidity near 90%. A delightful B &B where 60% of occupancy is by bikers.

Great times and adventures. One never knows what you will find unless you try.

Happiness is not a destination

It is a way of life.

(Saying written on hotel wall)

a couple of easy days with barely 30 miles (50k) a day, passing towns which developed because of the railroad and coal. Now they are slowly going away or trying desperately to adapt, and some meet with a bit of success, others not do much.

Ohiopyle is one town which the citizens realized was falling down. With great effort they developed a state park, now listed as one of the best in country. They cleaned the river of sewage and mining gunk, reintroduced otters, and now the Youghiogheny is the most floated river on the east coast. Frank lloyd Wright house “falling water” is a booming industry for visitors. The GAP trail is booming with hundreds of through travelers every day. Would have liked to stay and visit, but b&b’s were booked, no motels hotels so our current reservations were in Confluence 12 miles (19 k) up the trail.

Thus we arrived in Confluence, population about 750, where the Casselman, Youghiogheny, and Laurel Creek all come together. The b & b owner told us she would not be at home until 6 due to the pumpkin festival. We arrived in town just in time to grab some food at one of many fair vendors, before the parade started. The middle school band and twirlers, fire trucks from numerous surrounding towns, tractor trucks, Republican Party encouraging voting for a “giant red wave” in November and “make America great”. There were no opposing views. Apparently about 13,000 people show up for the 3 day festival.

But starting to get dark and we left for B&B 2 miles out of town. A farm house built in 1840.

Today, a mellow day just riding into Rockwood just to see first thing is a bar which a bunch of “old folks” sitting out front smoking and drinking light beer at 11 am. Was a bit weird going in and looking for batteries amongst the cigarettes in my Lycra biking stuff. All but one cafe was closed and we moved on, numerous bikers remained at one for lunch.

Arrived Meyersdale which looked promising, arrived at Dong’s drive inn and motel. Cheapest motel yet $65. 3 of 6 restaurants closed on Monday (today) others a fast food two others pizza and one a bar Janet to for beer and was not impressed. Walked about town noticing a confederate flag flying above a store which turned out to be our pizza place. Hmm.

All in all another nice couple days on the bike.

One day you will wake up

And there won’t be any more time

To do the things you’ve always wanted

Do it now

Paulo Coelho

Ok a great week visiting friends in New England. Rented a car and we drove about visiting old friends and reminiscing. But a week in the car, still eating out. Ready for some bike time. Perhaps not the high adventure kind but literally a ride in the park.

Arrived Pittsburgh and returned car to 5th floor of bus station parking, grabbed our gear onto the elevator, packed, and off we rode into downtown Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh definitely impressed us with its bike friendliness. We rode about a mile and were in the heart of it with separate bike lanes and cars were not overly intimidating.

Arrived at start of Great Allegheny Trail next to river confused by all the bridges, seeming to go everywhere. Somewhere we read Pittsburgh has more bridges than anywhere else in the world, with two big rivers there. The Allegheny and the Monongahela joining to form the Ohio River.

Finally on our way stopping at the waterfront of the town of Homestead for lunch. Quite the development and way too much lunch, but the beer was good.

Interesting developments though. Guide Book said reservations for hotels were recommended, but not my style. I prefer to wing it and have somehow convinced Jeanne it can be fun to see what happens. In this case we started looking and options were limited. Only one b&b located 30 miles along and when called it was totally booked. Uh oh closest next place is 5 miles (7 k) further along. A regular hotel which turns out is next to interstate highway. And 2 miles up the hill from bike path. Turns out we got its last room. We arrived and started calling along the trail. No motels but b & b’s and not spaced the 30-40 miles (40-65 k) we like. Today’s ride was 22 miles (35 k) as is tomorrow’s, but discovered places are booked as numerous places already full. We are now booked nightly for the next 9 days, whether we like it or not.

The riding is great though, as it seems to usually be, on a bike. After leaving Pittsburgh, again met our old friend the crushed stone dirt surface which is great. Cannot help but compare last weeks Erie Canal ride with this one and first noticed lots of bikers and many through riders. On the Erie Canal only saw maybe 5-6 the entire 380 mila(680 kilometer). Here we easily see that many in an hour.

As noted by the bike shop mechanic on Erie Canal it is not advertised much and not a huge amount goes into its development. No restrooms or water or camping facilities. Motels are along the way, certainly not specifically for bikers, but spaced about. But a great trail along a very historic canal system.

Here, have not met a single person who does not know of the trail. The gas station attendant miles before Pittsburgh questioned, why this time of year, but knew the trail.

This trail apparently was only completely done in 2013. It began in the 1970’s when the P&LE railroad, which had run since the late 1800’s, quit due to declining coal production. This has become a theme on this trip, every rural town appeared dying and every one said it was thriving in the 70’s.

Jeanne mentioned today it seems here people have had to rally for a living. And the bike trail obviously helps. There are little shops along the way. Towns have built bike paths through town and campgrounds are plentiful.

And so it goes another day on the bike and wondrous riding. A rails to trail, so grade is flat, although we are riding supposedly up a 1.5% grade. Whew.

nice to just cruise along but realize I have become afraid to step off trail into brush or grass as keep hearing about ticks and Lyme disease. One person noted it is now routine for anyone living in the east to check daily for ticks. Give me bears and moose. Whatever I am having a grand time

“real generosity to the future lies in giving all to the present.”

Albert Camus

Made it through the past three days. After Rome which we had high hopes for, due to the name, but seemed just a busy road of malls. Rained all day, but have good gear so not bad. The wind was blowing gusting to an occasional 20 and it hit an advertising flag blowing it sideways into my path on sidewalk. I was on sidewalk due to no road shoulder, a curb and busy traffic. Seems most of the accidents I have had were on a sidewalk. But I hit the flag and it ripped my handlebars sideways and I went down fast and hard, hitting left side hip, shoulder, and banged the helmet. But other than sore seemed ok, except a headache all day unrelieved by usual remedies, fluids, coffee, aspirin. Gone the next day but still cannot lay on left side.

Seems a common theme as we talk with locals that the small towns are dying. Used to have an industry but in the 70’s it moved to bigger city. These are towns of less than 10000 population. Why? My theory is globalization and was cheaper in a more centralized place. Not bad, just a changing world.

For the most part the Erie Canal trail was great. There are sections which are on road but mostly beautiful trail through incredibly delightful temperate forests of a variety of trees. Since we left Buffalo the colors have not started. A few reds, and hints of colors starting but green.

Found a good motel near finish and a great bar with Cajun food nearby. Delightful end. Now a week off visiting friends in the area, then on to the next trip.

Dalai Lama

He said, “ There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.”

A much better day although distance was a mile farther but within 25 seconds of same time bicycling. (Ok, I admit I am a bit of a nerd and keep track of this stuff).

The guide book listed Syracuse as a bit of trouble getting through due to roads with difficult intersections and the like. Was not bad, bike lanes, although not separate, were good.

Stopped at museum of the Erie Canal, in downtown Syracuse, which was very good. Engineering, as a profession had not been invented, and everyone had to learn as they went along. The canal and locks are all gravity fed and powered, hence require a constant supply and flow of water. Some areas were designed with one inch of vertical drop per mile.

After Syracuse we cruised stopping for lunch in Chittenango established in 1812 and the birthplace of Al Frank Baum, the author of the wizard of Oz.

After lunch we fired off to the next motel in Rome, which turned out 35 miles away (56 kilometer). Arrived Rome with a headwind and not a good feel for town, roads not bicycle friendly, and town seemed not clean and kept up. Maybe we were just tired.

“We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The work is the same.”

Carlos Castaneda

Not such a good day yesterday. Just did not feel it. Tried figuring out why but nothing made sense. Started day with blaring FOX news at nite breakfast. Do not see that much,but what obvious bias.

The trail left the canal roads and farmland of which we missed turns. The list of problems continued but nothing made sense as to why I was not with it.

Then I thought it feels like day 21. I have noticed over several trips and talked with others who had same problem. Often the third week gets one. But this is day 4. Makes no sense, then I realized we have been gone 20 days from Anchorage. Ok I will accept that answer. Now to work it through.

We made it to the little town of Port Byron (no port or canal in sight) and Jeanne says let’s stop for lunch. Great diner and felt a bit better. Always interesting to see the local hangout on a Sunday morning.

After a huge lunch the route joins the old canal disused since 1917, but maintained as a trail with our friendly surface “stone dust”. Great riding.

Made it to Camillus a suburb of Syracuse, and a great modern motel. Ordered a part for Jeanne’s bike and hopefully today will be better.

Stop worrying about potholes in the road and celebrate the journey.

Fitzhugh Mullan

Finally just a day of riding. Awesome just cruising along mile after mile on a great bike path. And I think it was because temperatures were very good for riding it added to enjoyment 55-75f (15-23C). There were numerous people out and boats on canal. Jeanne said it was because it was Saturday, or we were approaching city of Rochester. I think it was the temperature.

One interesting town Fairport the trail goes through a side street of small markets and people out walking enjoying the sunshine, but it appeared 95% were looking at cell phones, even little kids -zombie land- enough so that I really noticed.

Then came across the outdoor store REI next to trail so popped in to see if he had a brake for Jeanne’s bike. Viola, he did not have any but had just finished replacing someone else’s brakes which the rear was bad (not same problem) and was going to throw away the front brake. Wow a freebie. I was going to install it out with the sidewalk sale, but Jeanne said it was fine now. She did not want to risk the same problem, of a sticking brake. On we rode.

Junction of Genesee river and Erie Canal (hint- the Erie Canal is route in middle) (bike bridge across out of sight on left. I90 to right)

Stopped and watched locks in action. Lock operation never ceases to fascinate me

After a whopping 16 foot descent (5 meters) we cruised on to Palmyra. Reading about the area apparently in the 1820’s and 1830’s it was a hotbed of evangelical churches, religious fervor, and sprouting of new sects. The founder of the Mormons was from here (Joseph Smith) when the angel Moroni visiting him with a bunch of gold tablets explaining it all. Apparently seventh day Adventist’s also came about here at about same time. I was careful to not get or drink any water from area.

On to Newark meeting some Canadian lads out for a weekend ride. Only motel in town was right next to trail. Great. Dinner was a choice between a place advertising “bud light” and one advertising craft beers. We chose the latter and an excellent dinner.

Back at motel and excite as Jeanne gets a new brake.. alas, not to be. The brake lever is integrated with shifter so need that assembly, a very specialized part. She says she is doing fine

Don’t listen to others listen to yourself

Whew what a day, up somewhat early as fell asleep very early due to tiredness. Hoped to catch up to whatever schedule we have (maybe 40 mile days) Rochester is 56 miles away (90kilometer) and our goal. Learning the small towns do not necessarily have tourist facilities, hence must plan around those availability.

Jeanne’s bike has been giving her grief. Checked out perfect in anchorage but sat on back of car for nearly 3 weeks, and now the front brake is sticking. Every time I look at it, it rubs a bit, I adjust the little one can on hydraulic brakes and the wheel rolls but not great. Then today it barely rolls. She rode yesterday 33 miles and today 13 miles saying this is ridiculous I should not have to work this hard. Finally in frustration (to add to hers) I just removed the front brake. Brakes just slow you down. It seemed to be true as our pace doubled literally doubled. And we are back to usual of me barely keeping up with her.

And to add to our speed we stopped at post office and shipped 14 lbs (6 kilos) of stuff deemed extra, I had a hoodie in case it got cold, an extra bike jersey, and the iPad. Jeanne had extra lock, tools, cloths book and stuff. Away it went. Much easier. Like I said our speed literally doubled although it was now 1 pm and we had gone 13.5 miles since our 9 am departure.

The riding was then great. Although it turned hot 100 degrees at one point (39c) whew basically uninhabitable by humans in my humble experience, with this humidity. Sane people were inside, while we rode the sunny side of canal.

The surface is great, what they call stone dust. A hard very rideable surface perfect for our 1.75 tires or even road bike tires.

Riding along and this old building says bike shop so pulled in. Sign says at house working and call so we did and he came over. I had been through several theories and finally found on web that avid juicy brakes tend to get dirty and the pistons stick, not retracting leaving them to rub. One advice said buy a new one (of better quality) another said do not just throw away as easily fixed by taking apart calipers soaking in brake fluid and reveled. Not something I particularly want to do in field or a motel room.

The mechanic and propriator confirmed this, tried cleaning without taking apart, but without success. Basically buy a new brake. Probably occurred driving down with dirt from back of car. Ok nice. He had no brakes for us.

But again getting tired still 26 miles (41 kilometer to Rochester and now 3:30. And it is now 100 degrees (39C). 90 in the shade. Ridiculous. I check and potential motel in Brockport only 13 miles (20 k), said same about Medina yesterday but was not true. The web can lie.

Mechanic said a decent motel and also said good beer in Brockport and that was it. We flew on with a tailwind pushing us.

Interesting as he also said it seemed ridership is diminishing on the Erie Canal. Not sure why but he thinks no one is pushing it and it does not have the amenities other trails have ( mileposts, distance markers, signs of available lodging food in towns. I confess in this heat I am not going very far in a wild search for something interesting.

Did see a turtle resting on road, lots of herons, kingfisher, and some unknown furry creature (about size of cat but badger like)

Interesting have seen only one boat moving on canal. Did hear some people last night talking about spending summer on east coast and now taking their boat back to Michigan. But have not seen boat movement. Or bikers although did see two groups of two for short rides. Interesting

Made it to Brockport and riding the 1.5 mile ride to motel and saw another bike shop. Stopped in and the fellow came out all excited to fix the brake but in the end confirmed get a new one. But he would love to have a look as unusual problem. But could not in reasonable time and probably break some seals which would do no good. Alas, but said several good places for beer. Ok we have been told twice now so forget motel and get a beer.

Numerous choices finally. Recently has often been bad light beer, light beer, or what they call a dark beer called corona. This place had maybe 30 on draft ipa, ambers, Pilsner, spice, from local breweries or other places. Excellent.

Decided on dinner too to alleviate return into town. Then on bikes to motel uphill or what passes as a hill here. Halfway there my gos gives me an alert “severe thunderstorm alert” before I have a chance to even look around or up it is a downpour”. We ride the couple hundred yards (meters) to a motel and I walk in dripping all over but the sky is clearing and beautiful out. I just put myself and clothes on shower to wash the severe stink out. Must have sweated at least a gallon and only took in 1/2 that. (Before the beer).

Yet another day. Made me think though, what the bike shop guy said, people do not want to figure it out themselves. They want it delivered. For me half the adventure is figuring it out what is out there. (I did stop a fellow on a tractor to ask what the field was growing- soybeans)

Whatever everyone is different, and the adventure continues

When in the wilds, we must not carry our problems with us or the joy is lost. Sigurd Olson

Finally the day has arrived and we start biking. One plans, thinks, imagines what it will be, then the day arrives and reality comes to fruition.

Crossed back into America through long line on Rainbow bridge over the Niagara River just below the falls. Lucky I knew by heart the license of our car for customs agent. They always scare me with so much power. Somehow I have never been able to think of them as good guys.

But walked the American side of falls which is also incredibly impressive. I felt for both sides, given the number of visitors they have developed it nicely. One can view it quite freely, but the opportunities to spend money are there, but not totally in your face. The falls are impressive just because of the volume of water , 100,000 cfs we did spend $1.25 each and took the elevator to bottom which is always interesting looking up at falls

Delightful to walk about, having walked about 10 miles (16 kilometers) in past two days. Then on into Buffalo and found a car storage place in a big warehouse.

Drove downtown to check out start of the ride, then plugged in the address to the night motel, seeing the bar where the original buffalo wings came about. (Chicken wings in barbecues sauce) or so they say.

Unfortunately I put in the street address correctly but thought the motel was in Buffalo, but it was back in Town of Niagara Falls 20 miles back, but we had a good drive about town amongst the neighborhoods. Funny being back in developments after two weeks of country.

finally arrived at motel and began sorting gear for biking. Excitement. What to take? What will we actually need? What to leave behind? This is a credit card trip, so no camping, just bike gear and evening attire.

Thus it is this morning. Getting dressed, will drive Jeanne to the start, drop her, the bikes, and gear, then I drive to warehouse dropping the car and Uber it back to the start. Yahoo. Finally I get to ride my bicycle.