Date:
12.05.2018
Altitude:
1916.0 ft (584 m)
Distance:
68.49 mi (110.22 km)
Total
Altitude: 29806.4 ft (9085 m)
Total
Distance: 773.53 mi (1244.86 km)
I
have been in the US now for two weeks and today was my last day in
New York. After 9 days in New York I entered Pennsylvania, today. And
this time I have seen the state sign and could take a picture of it.
I seem to getting better, in spotting the signs.
This
morning started out without a real breakfast, since the motel didn't
offer any. So the day started with some granola bars, not the best
way to start into the day. The weather wasn't really any better, it
was cloudy with some light rain. As the day progressed the weather
just got worse. After an hour or two into the trip the rain just
started pouring down and it was getting colder. It continued pouring
for almost the rest of the day, with some short dry patches. Because
of the rain, my GPS stopped working after a while, I guess it was
just too much water. The
temperatures stayed in the low to mid 40's (5-7°C). I was freezing,
because I was soaked and the temperatures were so low. After I got of
the bike, I really needed a hot shower. The worst were my hands, I
could hardly open my panniers or due anything else. During the day I
warmed up a bit during a stop at a road side dinner in Barcelona,NY.
Besides
the weather the day had to offer quite a bit of positive impressions.
I stayed for most of the day on state route 5 today. State route 5
runs right besides Lake Erie until Erie,PA. Just like yesterday,
although the route went right along the lake, there were only a few
spots were I could actually see the lake or access it. Nonetheless
the scenery today was quite beautiful, I saw the lake every ones in a
while and cycled by some vineyards. Although as always, it would have
been a lot better with some sun. Right at the beginning I could get a
glimpse of the lake, when it wasn't pouring down yet. At the same
spot a truck driver stopped to get a look at the lake, so we got
talking a bit. He told me he is from Tennessee and that every time
he is up here he stops to take a look at the lake, because it is just
so impressive. I have to agree with him there, Lake Erie is just as
impressive as Lake Ontario. A while later that day I met the first
other touring cyclist, after twelve days on the road. He was going
into the opposite direction and when we saw each other we stopped and
talked for a while. I was also the first other touring cyclist he has
met on his trip, so far. He was cycling on the Underground Railroad
Route and started his trip in Alabama and was going to finish in
Niagara Falls, so he was almost done with his trip. We were talking a
bit about my route, since he has been doing the Northern Tier last
year and he was a bit surprised that I went up to Ticonderoga from
Boston. He told me I could just have gone straight across to Albany and
followed the Canalway trail from there and saved a few miles. But I
wanted to go through the Adirondacks. We took a picture of each other
and went on our ways, just as it started to pour down. After about
two thirds of the route, I had another really pleasant encounter on
the road. The rain was pouring down again and in the distance there
was a bit of lightning, a guy in his pickup pulled up next to me and
offered me a ride. He was concerned about me, because the rain was
coming down so hard and there was lightning. I was thankful about the
offer, but decided to keep going even though I was freezing. But I
managed to get to Erie by myself.
The
best part of the day was, when I arrived in Erie. Today I didn't stay
at a motel, I got to stay with “family”. I stayed with my host
sister (from the time I was an exchange student in Minnesota) Brenda
and her family. It was great seeing them again and spending the
evening with them. I got treated to a great dinner, was able to do
some laundry and in the evening we drove to Presque Isle. Since the
weather has gotten better, I got a great view at the lake. A perfect
end to a day where I didn't get treated too kindly by the weather.
Conclusion
for the day:
The
small encounters along the way, are what make this trip so great.
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