May 31, 2025
Day 20 Palmyra to Brockport
Average Speed: 10 mph (what? It was flat the entire ride!)
It was a big change today. For the entire ride, I road the Erie Canalway Trail. Flat the entire route (but still 700 ft in elevation, which was surprising). It was a big change - no climbs, no traffic, constant cadence with no downhills (which explains the lower than expected average speed). The path was predominantly gravel, which is a little extra work, especially when wet.
And it was wet. I got a relatively late start, 7:45 out of Palmyra, taking my time for a cup of coffee at the Airbnb. The weather showed rain coming but not here yet, so I made the most rain-free progress I could. But, at about 10 miles in, the light rain started, rain coat went on. Soon light rain became moderate rain. The heaviest rain so far on the trip, but still at a spring shower level, not the downpours of summer which I’ve had in the past. However, the only difference is how quickly you get completely soaked.
The temps were in the mid-40s, but the body heat was sufficient to keep me decently warm. By mile 15 I was completely soaked but was still moving. Then at mile 20ish I came to a local coffee shop right on the path. A great spot, filled with people on a Saturday morning, and warm and dry. I hung out there for awhile - not sure how long but at least 30 minutes, maybe more. I dried out a bit, then got back on the saddle.
But when I started again, it was still raining and COLD. The body heat from biking was gone and I felt it. Within a hundred yards I stopped under a bridge and added leg warmers and a couple more core layers. I even thought of the winter gloves I bought in Rochester, Vermont, but did not go there. That made a big difference. If you’re cold, all you’re thinking of is being cold, rather than anything else.
From there it was just pumping away. I thought I was moving at a good clip, but the stats don’t lie. No coasting and no downhills, just constant pedaling.
The Canal, in addition to its functional aspects, is a source of recreation. There were several adults and kids fishing along the banks, and many of the homes that were to the right of the path have private docks and some boats moored along the Canal. I doubt people swim in it, but who knows.
I also passed several bikers, packed to the hilt like me. Some were waiting out the rain under bridges and others just riding it, like me. After the rain stopped, at about mile 30, I met two women heading the opposite direction. They were seasoned bicycle tourists riding the Canalway all the way to Albany. We exchanged notes on our rides and then each on our way.
The path runs on the southern edge of Rochester, so did not see much of the city. I wanted to get a shot of RIT, where my friend Pete Bryant went to school, but it was too far off the path. On the edge of the city there was a pretty big REI, and I decided to stop and get my fifth bike mirror of the trip. Two have been lost, one didn't work at all, and one is the old style Take-a-Look which only attaches to glasses and is not really good. REI had the newer version of the Take-a-Look and I already the helmet attachment on my helmet, so I bought it ($20!!). I’ll give it a go tomorrow, but this time instead of relying on a force fit, I added an extra cable tie to keep it on the helmet.
Riding the path frees up a lot of mental space. This is especially true because of the lack of traffic you experience on some of the state roads. You do get used to the traffic, but still somewhat “brace” for each car whizzing past. This mental ease frees up more time to think about whatever, Ad, the kids, the Red Sox, Jordon and Bill….
After mile 35 I was ready to land. The downside of a path is the scenery may not be as interesting as roads, so once you’ve sorted out your thoughts, you’re just looking at the path (which was muddy at this stage making it harder to pedal). But, despite this, it was a very good break from the road routes up until now.
Tomorrow onto Lockport - the entire route on the Canalway. Yeah!!
Today's ride: 46 miles (74 km)
Total: 768 miles (1,236 km)
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Hope sun will be headed your way!
2 days ago