Day 44: I Love New York!

Tuesday, July 30, 2013: Niagara Falls, NY to Rochester, NY, 87 miles with 1,550 feet of climbing

The title of today’s post is taken from the Frank Sinatra song of the same name. If you would ask any of the 35 cyclists who are completing this cross-country journey, they would all agree that, thus far, New York is near the top of the list of favorite states that we have visited. The weather has been ideal, the rolling hills have been manageable, and even the food has been first-rate.

Our team shoved off at 7:00 and finished the 87 miles by 12:40. Our average speed was 17.3 mph. At one point, two of the staff members from ABB cycled past us and the chase was on! Gary, now our close companion, (who by the way is 70 years old) actually caught and passed them. For this amazing feat, he was recognized during tonight’s RAP session. You should have seen him beaming with pride. Needless to say, that chase will be one of the highlights of his trip.

The setting was bucolic as we cycled through one small town after another. Seeing charming houses and picturesque farms was the norm. We are close to the Finger Lakes area where the land is fertile and crops grow easily. Everything is green and lush.  

Nine cyclists arrived at our hotel at the same time. Since our rooms weren’t ready, we all had lunch together at a nearby restaurant. Philippe, a cyclist from Israel, was in a festive mood because his daughter delivered his eleventh grandchild today. He bought lunch for everyone and ordered three cakes to be shared at RAP. 

The entire group has become our extended family. We have shared many joys and endured many hardships together. We have folded one another’s laundry, and we have learned all about children and grandchildren. There is talk of reunions and future trips together. As to whether that will happen is yet to be seen. If nothing else, we will have wonderful memories of how 35 strangers united on this incredible journey.