We weave our way out of Erie to Alt 5 which is also bike route 17. The mostly gentle rolling hills increase the entertainment of the ride. The variable shifting, slow easy climbs and then the downhill payoffs are fun and a great diversion to the mass of miles that we must roll over today. More than that the rolling hills increase the texture and views of the landscape. The smoky grey hillside silhouettes in the distance to our right or the wide expanses of Lake Erie to our left are the borders that surround the acres of vineyards we pedal past. Many of these vineyards are coop supplies to nearby Welch's plant and processing. They combine to create a beautiful backdrop for a ride. Our breaks work out better today, at least for Brian since he is not spending them wrenching on his bicycle. Our first stop is relatively early at a roadside fruit and vegetable stand where we munch on a juicy Pennsylvania peach. They certainly give the famous Georgia peaches a run for their money. At the stand we meet Kathleen and Barbara who are incredibly friendly and helpful. They ask a lot of questions on why we are so crazy as to ride bikes all day long. Barbara notes that several cross-stop by this stand during the year. We explain that the ride helps raise awareness and money for AFI and Kathleen generously donates to the cause. We are pooling these "roadside" donations that have been acquired. We enjoyed our morning break and chat.
Just down the road we take another quick break where a young girl who had a roadside lemonade stand for 10 cents a glass. Worth it and she earned a tip.
We eat a full late breakfast just a few miles from NY and then cross into the Empire State, our third State in three days. Our afternoon and lunch break time out perfectly as we stop near marinas or on elevated cliffs near a lighthouse overlooking Lake Erie. Relaxing and rewarding.
Tandem riding is paying off for both of us as we share time pulling so the other person can draft behind. The drafting reduced the workloads or effort by 20% or so. Brian is 6ft 3in tall and has always broken the wind effectively when I draft. I am 5 inches shorter and a relative light weight, so I create quite as wide of a crease in the wind. However, he comments that with my luggage racks I am finally pulling my weight, in more than one way. Brian is riding a road bike and panniers do not attach to the speed machine. So he has a seat post trunks and other bags on the bike. His main hauling device is a backpack, which adds to his challenge. For me, however, it adds to the wind break and when I am in second position, I can hear the angels sing. It is glorious. Tomorrow we are on to Canada to see the falls.
Moose search: zilch, but getting closer to moose country again.
Song in my head: Frank Sinatra; New York, New York. That's Life.
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