On a tour your day follows the sunrise and sunset.  I realized that the sunsets are about 40 minutes earlier than what I am used to because I am hundreds of miles further east in the eastern time zone.  By 9:00 PM I will be in my tent.

Before I go to bed there are several tasks to take care of in order to get going faster in the morning.  I will get my clothes out: top, shorts, socks.  I will have a long sleeve out for any morning chill.  My bags will be set to close up.  Medicine is out for the morning.  Check the weather to have an idea of what to expect tomorrow.

In the morning I will take the medicine, pack the sleeping bag and take the backpack to the luggage truck; remember the truck number.  The roll duffel I will do after breakfast.  I will take a cup of coffee for me to enjoy later. Top off the tire pressure; look over the bike.

Biking through urban areas is stressful.  With this part we were traveling early Sunday morning.  I felt the safety of numbers.  Cars would see us.  They gave a lenient pass through any changing street lights.  Our route was marked with paint along the way.  I also had downloaded the route on Ride GPS, which would announce turns.

The Niagara River connects Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.  It reminded me of the St. Clair River and the Detroit River  near me in Michigan.  These are rivers which come off a Great Lake.  All of these places have a lot of wind.   I felt at home and I was happy when we turned inland.

I knew that many of the towns near me had corresponding names to New York cities.  I lived in Rochester, Michigan and we had Troy and Utica right next door.  This was exciting for me to be here knowing how this canal impacted  my state.

This stop also had an ice cream shop.  I must've waited  20 minutes to get my chocolate shake.  These stops were well stocked.  The Hertz truck carried all of our nourishment.  

When I arrived in camp I would find the area to recharge my bike battery.  Attendants would monitor the batteries while we did other things.  That was nice.  The school had showers , but there was also a shower truck.  After a dusty trail our bikes needed a shower.  I also cleaned the chain to be ready for the next day.

Day 1 is done and I was tired.

From  Sunday, July 9 through the next eight days I took part in the bike tour traveling along the  Erie Canal.

I have been looking forward to this for a complete year.  When I returned from the MUP tour I had an email that mentioned that they had just completed the tour.  Tour registration did not open for months and this provided me time to read the information from the website.  https;//www.ptny.org/cycle-the-erie-canal/itinerary

In 8 days of cycling they say you will cover 400 miles.  Our days ranged 40-60 miles.  The website accurately described the trip.  I found no surprises.

On my earlier tours I will bring my own tent.  This year I decided to try the tent service.  This tour uses Comfy Camper.  They were responsible for the set up and tear down of the tent.  An aero bed mattress, towel and chair were provided.  I am now spoiled and will look to use a tent service again.  My advice, set your reservation early. Only so many spots are available.

This arrangement allowed me to have a good night's sleep.  That is so important on a tour.  Each day you would need to tear down your tent and move on.  I also did not have the worry about dealing with set up and tear down in the rain.  If you get rid of some worries that is a big help. 

The tour provided options for long-term parking at both ends.  A shuttle for the rider and bike were also available.

My wheeled duffel from REI was new.  My roll bag last year broke a wheel.  The terrain can be rough and  they are being handled by others.  The ebag in the chair held all my riding clothes and as the week went on the dirty ride clothes.  Backpack straps made it easy to carry.  Last year I used a shoulder strap duffel.  I am sticking with this set up.

This ride has been on my list of places to ride this summer. This an attractive town in southwest  Michigan along Interstate 94.  I can drive there in less than a half hour.  I decided to park in a town park.  I had the convenience of a porta-john before and after the ride.  Since I was right in town I had the choice of many food options and services.

I was not sure where I would ride I just took off.  I was just looking for quiet streets and roads to ride to take in the sights.

The city park where I started was connected to the local hospital.  The complex is nicely nestled into the woods and it is not visible from the main roads.  Three medical buildings are near by and the woodland roads provide a nice settling.  I passed several walkers getting some exercise during their break time.  The road led me into a senior residential development within walking distance to the  doctor offices.  I crossed the main road and took the photo above.

Michigan has many lakes and they are very attractive for development.  I moved into the subdivision and toured the residential streets. It is very easy for me to pedal my touring pace.

This led me to a dirt road (gravel) that I would like to look at  for a later ride.  Today I wanted to stay on pavement.

Just past the overpass of the Interstate was a local road that paralleled the freeway. This was a quiet road which serviced small commercial buildings.

As I went through several residential subs I happened upon the Border to Border trail of Washtenaw County.  I had never been on this section.  It does not reach Dexter and I just went to the end.  I did not feel like riding on the highway.

Funny, I never heard they were missing.  I am glad that I found them, but not as big as I expected.  These were the foundational base for the water tower for the steam railroad  engine.

I followed the track all the way to the station in Chelsea, just off main street.

Chelsea is the home of the Jiffy baking mix company.  These track are used by the Amtrak that runs between Chicago and Detroit.  The clock tower is impressive.