Starting to Ride The Erie Canal

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.

We made it through the streets of Buffalo and to the path. What a pleasant sight!

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.

Along the Niagara River. On the upper left is Canada.

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.

The western end of the Erie Canal.

Look at the size of that rock used as a counterweight to lift the bridge for tall boats.

I knew that many traveled from New York to settle in Southeast Michigan.

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.

Our first rest stop. We had one morning stop and one afternoon stop.

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.  

Impressive!

Take precautions to keep healthy. No social distancing any more.

Along this part of the canal are many murals.

In Lockport we saw a stairstep of locks due to the elevation change.

A canal boat ride into the new lock was provided.

Our first stop was at a middle school. We ate outside and in the cafeteria. This is the after dinner entertainment.

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.

Some people choose to sleep inside.

Day 1 is done and I was tired.