WOW's, June 29

This amazing group of women accomplished something they will never forget and can also be very proud to have participated in. I am amazed at the riding these women were able to do day after day and love it. This was an opportunity to see the the US up close and personal which most people do not take or have the time to do. As you can see, our day was very foggy and cold as we rode through town to the water. I think there were only two who had ridden the first of this last year, from Anacortes, Washington to Fargo, North Dakota. Others had ridden parts from last year and this year. Of course the Wows are ready to do the first part now or maybe after a rest and to save up some money. Our dinner last night was fantastic and of course we had Maine lobster, clam chowder and toasted with champayne. The riders who joined the group in Cleveland sang a song with words appropriately written by Kathryn to the tune of You are my Sunshine, we sang happy birthday to Rosie, from Australia, shared gifts with special meaning from special riders and said our goodbyes and gave hugs to those who came with big decisions to make about their lives. We have repacked our suitcases and hope they don't weigh too much, taken our bikes to be mailed home, gotten special gifts and congratulations from special people and now just look forward to sitting on an airplane for 10 hours instead of a bicycle seat. Thanks for being interested in this trip and sending your notes, they really cheered me on each day. Back to my golf and feral cat and especially to my friends and family. Brakin Bev
Sent from Bev's iPad

Blue Skies and Tailwinds

Here's the statistics: 42 days, 12 states, 37 motels, 104 beers, 35 peanut butter sandwiches and a total on my bike computer of 2478.2 miles. Whew! It seems like only yesterday we left on a windy day out of Fargo and here we are on a foggy day in Bar Harbor.
Today's ride was a treat in that at least half of the 46 miles were on freshly paved roads. What a treat! Made up for the 4000 pot holes the day before. We rode back roads through green pine forests with minimum traffic except the two areas where there was major construction. Bad winter weather makes for bad roads so the few months they have to fix them are now. We have been through lots of construction sites in the past few weeks.
We now have to take our bikes to the Bar Harbor Bike Shop to have them disassembled and sent to our respective cities. They got some good business today!
Tradition is that you dip your front wheel in The Atlantic when you finish the ride. We all rode single file through the town( people were staring!) and rode to the beach where we all followed tradition.
We then went to our motel to pack for the journey home. The WOWS were very lucky in that our good friends Pat T and Jan B sent us a congratulation present-some beers and wine which we shared with some of our friends as we packed.
Dinner tonight was a Maine lobster feast! We all donned our bibs and chowed down. We toasted each other with champagne then said our farewells. Sadly I will probably never see most of these ladies again. We lived, rode, cocktailed, shared stories, and ate together for 6 weeks so we became " cycle sisters". There will be a lot of memories we all will take home. We all agree that our bodies need a rest. Knees are starting to ache, saddle sores are not healing, backs are aching, and we are getting tired of the same clothes.
If I had the opportunity to do a ride like this again I would do it in a heartbeat! To spend days just riding your bike and not having a care in the world, somebody making your meals, making your bed, enjoying mother nature at her best and her worst, enjoying new friendships, and knowing your retirement check is in the mail for next month's bills is the way to go. But it is time to get back to the real world.
Thank you for listening to all my ramblings and your wonderful support. To know your friends and family were behind you on this adventure meant a lot to me.
I am looking forward to being home and taking it easy for awhile. Until I see you again I wish YOU - blue skies and tailwinds .
Signing off............Donna

Sent from Donna's iPad

Bucksport

Suspension Bridge in Bucksport

WOW's June 28

This is the view from one of the many bridges crossed on our ride to Bucksport. We started the morning riding over a very large and busy bridge. The entire riding day was noisy with 18 wheelers and traffic. I did not feel threatened with the traffic but the noise. We had a wide shoulder for riding and other than some road and pavement issues not bad. My riding partner and I wanted to do our 40 plus miles but could not make good enough time so sagged to the van before our cook, Sue had to leave for Bucksport. I appreciated the quietness of the van for sure. We did stop at a cute restaurant for a lobster roll that was delicious. Lots of lobster and looking forward to the final dinner and Maine lobster. We will all try to get to Bar Harbor at the same time for the ceremonial dipping of tires in the Atlantic as we have some riders who were on the first part of this trip and started in Anacortes, Washington last year. It was a history day as we passed through Rockport -shoes, Fort Knox, many rivers, and bridges. One bridge I was not expecting was the big suspension bridge over the Penascot River and can view from our hotel.  I had a chance to walk through the town, shop, get money, take more pictures, and have a beer with Bev P and Jeanette, the first riders in on the 86 mile ride.  Have 46 miles left and a few more hills to ride or walk depending on the steepness. I get to see more when I walk that is for sure. Brakin Bev

Lunch in Camden

Lobster Roll yum

Blue Skies and Tailwinds, June 28

We crossed the Kennebec River on a beautiful sunshiny day. No jackets, no shower caps and looking forward to our last long day. There was a fishy and saltwater smell in the air. We were exhilerated!! It could not have ended sooner. The route was on a busy highway- route 1. If you stayed on it you would end up in Florida!  Busy and full of construction work.  It is definitely vacation time.  Lots of campers, Winabegos, and cars with canoes and bikes on the top passed us much too close and much too fast.  This is a good time for the tour to end.  We have been so lucky with the traffic and the weather that it is time to leave the roads to the rest of America. We had our turn and it was a good one. 
 We did see some Maine countryside with lakes full of sailboats and dense green forests. There were many artsy places to visit-paintings, hand made quilts, pottery places, all kinds of galleries. Of course we didn't have time to visit them- we had to finish our 86 miles- and it was a hard 86. My legs are telling me that it is time to give them a good rest. They are tired!  They have about 46 miles left in them which they will complete tomorrow as we ride into Bar Harbor.
 We did have time today to stop in Camden- a neat little town on the water. We all wanted to have a lobster roll- which we did and it was delicious!  To get there we rode through Rockport- the town where those shoes are made. After our great lunch on the water, we finished the rest of our journey.
  We entered the town of Buckport over a beautiful suspension bridge. It is one of two bridges like it in the USA .The other is in Boston.  Our motel faces Fort Knox -another historical landmark in the New England area.
 We found statues of a bear and a moose today and took pictures by each. Tomorrow our goal is to find a lobster to pose by.  If we find one you will know.

June 28 Blue Skies and Tailwinds

Cemetery in Bath

On the water

History of Pass

Steep hill

Just before an unbelievable climb

Blue Skies and Tailwinds

Today we put away our rain gear, our cold weather clothes, and our shower caps and we changed to sunscreen and bug repellent. The weather was fantastic!! We started the day on roads that were cool and green and shady. Maine may not get the reward for having the most pot holes but it will win for having the biggest and deepest! Riding in the shade you had to be really careful you didn't fall into one! It is like skiing a slalom course and at the same time watching out for cars.
The Maine countryside invites you to swim in a lake, throw out a line, row a boat, hike a green trail, or get on a bike and ride some beautiful rolling scenic hills. It looks like a perfect place to vacation but I wouldn't want to live here in the winter! Many homes have little shacks where the kids wait for the school bus so they don't freeze to death! Lakes are all around and I'm sure they are frozen over in the winter.
We rode by some rivers-the Androscoggen, which had a bike path which we pedaled and the Kinnebec, which our motel overlooks.
School is out finally and you can tell by the noises coming out of the yards and the swimming areas on the lakes that are full of happy kids. The water must be freezing!
Maine is a beautiful state and I still can't believe we are here. Tomorrow we ride 86 miles into Buckport. It will be our last long challenging day. Our final day is a short one into Bar Harbor.
I am starting to dream of my own bed, not living out of a suit case, sleeping in, eating breakfast sitting down, and seeing my dear friends back home. It has been a long journey but a most fantastic one. I will have some wonderful stories to share about the people I have met and the places I have seen. I'm also looking forward to not having to pound on my iPad keys every night and just go to sleep! I do hope you have been enjoying hearing about my adventure as much as I have enjoyed riding it.
Must go to sleep now-86 miles tomorrow.
No flats today......Donna

Sent from Donna's iPad

WOW's June 27

This was the view as we started the bike path along the Androscoggin River. I had a good day with no flats but a few shifting issues. I managed to survive so will just have to be aware tomorrow. We had two of then steepest hills ever today. One was right after a bridge and lake and the other was after the railroad tracks. That hill was hard to walk let along pedal. The view as we turned to our hotel was terrific as we are on the river and there was a harbor and the big bridge that we ride across in the am. Tomorrow is an 89 day so we will see how far Bev gets. That number is not in my plan. Riders are thinking about the trip home and the arrangements that ned to be made, and the fun they have had. This is a special group and not because we are here but because of the congeniality of all on the trip. Several have mentioned that aspect to us, hopefully we can keep in touch and may e even have a reunion. Two more days and our planes will return us to San Jose.
Brakin Bev
Sent from Bev's iPad

A stop on way to Bridgton

Riding along the river

White Mountain Forest road to the top

I made it to the top.

Donna forgot to smile

WOW's, June 26

Yes I climbed the pass and mostly on the bike. The last half mile was the most difficult and I don't care how many gears My bike has, there are not enough. I really need a motor. We had a great downhill and I road in the rain long enough to have sand in my socks and even in my ears. I was riding as fast as I could to get to Maine and hopefully out of the rain and boom. My back tire blew so there I was waiting for the sag. She picked me up and we drove to the next sag stop and then changed the tire. I missed the Maine sign, darn. We had two more blowouts before Patty got there and booted the tire as it had a cut all the way through. Ready now I set out to finish the ride and the next few hills were steeper than climbing the pass so lots of walking until I had a slow leak in the front tire but just kept going until the sag came and I sagged in with 48 mile for the day. Our Motel is very nice and we had visitors just before dinner, a friend of another friend who lives here in Bridgton. So much for this expensive day but there are more pictures on the blog to share Brakin Bev
Sent from Bev's iPad

Blue Skies and Tailwinds

12 states, 2275 miles so far and we have finally reached Maine. So hard to believe we are almost to the Atlantic Ocean.
After so many riders not riding yesterday, Bettye said she was going to lock the van! They must have believed her because everybody rode today and we started the day with a 12 mile hill. We climbed Kancamagus Pass. A long climb through White Mountain Forest with a rocky, running stream paralleling the road. Beautiful! What goes up.....we then had a most exhilarating down hill for miles! Our day was almost half over at the bottom.
We had a sag stop and as soon as we left it started raining. As soon as it started raining I had a flat tire. After fixing it we went up the road and there was Pat with a flat tire. A bit further down the road there was Bev J with a blow-out! 3 flats within 3 miles-yuk. As soon as we entered Maine-it stopped raining and we saw sun the rest of the day. Bev saw 2 more flats!
The rest of the day was challenge along some hard up and down roads. We rode by Highland Lake and Highland Golf Course and wished we could have been in the water or on the tee rather than fight the hills!
We are staying at a really neat motel. We had our last Margaritas this eve and while eating dinner we got rained on to end a perfect day.
Off to Bath, Maine tomorrow. Lots of hills we were told. I thought Maine was flat!
Bye for now........Donna
Sent from Donna's iPad

Old bridge

Blue Skies and Tailwinds

Here we are getting ready for Saturday's ride from White River Junction ,Vermont to Lincoln, New Hampshire. Rain was predicted so we are all decked out in our cold and rainy weather gear. It never rained! We spent the day peeling off layer after layer as we sweated and sweated with too many clothes on!! It was a great ride along the Connecticut River in the am and then we crossed a bridge and entered NH. The state line was in the middle of the bridge.
We rode along a washed out road open only to bicycles and then crossed through an old covered bridge. There have been a few of them here in New England. The scenery was large farms with lush green fields, horse stables, happy cows, and a few sheep. I noticed the corn was higher here than in Minnesota but then I realized it was 5 weeks ago I was in Minnesota and corn does grow!
Sadly only 10 of us rode yesterday, the others did not want to get their hair wet in the rain. They missed a great ride and a few were upset they hadn't braved the elements.
Tomorrow we leave NH and enter Maine.
This is a day late in getting to you- the wi- fi did not cooperate with my iPad.
Later. Donna

Sent from Donna's iPad

Relaxing after a great ride, June 25

Rainbow house in Lincoln

WOW's June 25

We are in this very nice motel at the base of a long, steep hill that we have to climb on our way to Maine our last state. The last two days the weather has been interesting and the riders have been either under dressed or over dressed for the ride. The country is just beautiful and the roads are as usual, good to no shoulder and good to bad pavement. This town of Lincoln is full of visitors ready for summer vacation. We can now tell that summer has started and school is out. We had guests for dinner last night as our cook, Sue is from this area and her husbands family live here or very close. Yesterday we had covered bridges and roads closed to cars but okay for bicycles and beautiful farms and the hills are covered with trees that must be just breathtaking in the fall colors. Our wifi is weak so Donna is not being successful with her emails so we have to hope that the next place will be better and she will send two updates. Until our next stop. Brakin Bev
Sent from Bev's iPa

My view from the van.

Oldest covered bridge

Waterfall in town

Wet streets in Middlebury

Breakfast at the Inn

WOW's June 24

This is how it looked this am as the riders started out. The climb was tough but everyone was at the top and off down the other side very quickly. Donna and her college friends said goodbye and the ride started. It was cold and rainy the first of the ride and then the downpours came. It was miserable most of the day and that is too bad because the scenery was beautiful. We bought shirts with the slogan Vermont isnt flat and that is the truth. I got to see everyone ride to the sag stop and change to warm dry clothes all day because I was having a van tour today. Unfortunately the weather report is for more of the same tomorrow so not  sure that will work for my riding on the bike.  I got my cold weather clothing out for dinner tonight and some riders said they had sent their clothing home yesterday not a good idea.

Sent from Bev's iPad

Grey Skies and Rain

After spending a wonderful day yesterday with Bobsey and Karen, my college buddies, it was back on the road again today. While in Middlebury we shopped, visited a pewter shop, did some tasting at Otter Creek Brewery,played tourist, and had a great dinner. It was good to give the legs a rest. No golf this time- the weather was not the greatest .
We got about a mile out of town this am and it started raining. It rained on and off for the next 7 hours! It was a very scenic ride along the White River in the Green Mountains but it was hard to stop too long to take in the view or snap a picture because of the cool temps. We climbed a nasty hill to a ski area-down-then up again-all in the cold wind and rain-not fun. We stopped for hot drinks to dry out and warm up in a little country store. We saw t- shirts that said" Vermont Ain't Flat" and almost cleaned out her inventory. We all have one! Katheryn even bought socks to replace her soaking wet ones! After a hot chocolate and a warm up we left to fight the rain again. The store made more money in one hour than it does in a week!!
Despite the weather it was a beautiful ride through green Vermont. Rough roads with many pot holes was again the theme of the day. We did have some screaming downhills which is always a reward after a long climb. We did not see any wildlife today- they were smart enough to stay out of the rain!
We rode for 67 miles with mile 68 a straight uphill to the motel. I was so tempted to walk but talked my legs into getting home to a well deserved cold beer. After a delicious lasagna dinner we are all ready to face the rain again tomorrow for a 62 miler into New Hampshire-Margaritas!!
Have a great weekend.......DQ

Sent from Donna's iPad

WOW's June 23

What do you do on a very rainy lay over day? Shop, walk around the town, and visit the specialty shops. We waited until the first downpour was over and then walked down to the town. Bettye bought something in every store I think, then we took pictures of the waterfall in town from all levels and back to the Inn. Donna's college friends had a car so we drove to the Pewter place and watched as special wine goblets were turned on a special lathe and then to the brewery to taste  beer.  We had the sampler and put our city and state on the map and planned for a special dinner. Cocktails and dinner were great and then we got ready for the next day. Weather report was for rain and I had requested a van tour for the day. The picture is of a special double covered bridge that we drove through and then took many pictures. At that time at least the rain had stopped so the touring was pleasant. I will share more about the van tour in the next email. Brakin Bev

Sent from Bev's iPad

Black Skies and Downpour, June 23

We are in Middlebury Vermont sitting in our motel room and glad we are not riding.  It is pouring!!  It is supposed to be the same tomorrow so we are all praying.  
  Yesterday was a scenic end to NY and a wet beginning to Vermont.  We got on a Ferry in Ft. Ticonderoga, after visiting the fort and the battle grounds. It is the oldest ferry in the U.S. As soon as we started across it started raining and hasn't stopped since!  We have not been able to see much due to drops in our eyes!
 Middlebury is a wonderful little town with a beautiful College campus. Lots of neat little shops. I had to buy a new duffle bag yesterday-my zipper broke in Schroon Lake.  Met with my college friends-Bobsey and Karen and had a great big hug reunion. Haven't seen them in years. We had a great dinner and lots of memories were shared. Today we are going to brave the rain and go on a local brewery tour.
 Picture is Brakin' Bev and I crossing Lake Champlain on the ferry- before it started raining.  Lucky for us all the sag vechicle was on the ferry with us so we could all grab our rain gear.
 Later.    Wet Donna

Sent from Donna's  iPad

WOW's June 22

We crossed another state line and of course, margaritas were in order with our dinner of stew and fresh fruit pies. The first part of today's ride was very fun, with another screaming downhill. One person got 51 mph just a little fast for me on those skinny tires. We visited the Ticonderoga  Fort right on Lake Champlain and then two of us just barely made the Ferry for Vermont. It started to rain we crossed the lake and the rest of the day it rained but not hard. I tried to ride in a rain jacket and it was way too hot so just got a little wet. The description for the riding was rollers well let me tell you those rollers were steeper than I have ever tried so another rider and I did a lot of walking. Pedal the downhill as fast as you can to get enough speed and then shift and shift and then off and walking. The road was narrow, no shoulder, and very rough. The traffic was also more than usual and very fast. As you can see I am still smiling in the picture. The campus is beautiful and there were interesting buildings that we viewed from the road.  We road through town to the Middlebury Inn. Donna's friends drove by me as I was about to get to the top of a hill so I knew that the minute I arrived that we would be off for a beer and a little lunch. We changed our clothes and headed down the street in the rain. Yes it rained very hard for the rest of the evening and night. We have rain forecast for the next three days. Oh darn. A day off for a little shopping and visits with Donna's college friends. Brenda will be here today and I used to teach with Brenda so it will be fun to catch up. Later, Brakin Bev

Sent from Bev's iPad

Blue Skies andTailwinds

This is me!! As you can see I have lost weight! I knew if I cut down on the beers and second helpings I could do it!! Really- I am sitting by the Adirondack Museum which Bettye and I visited.
I thought yesterday was the hardest day so far. Well, it lost it's ranking- today takes the cake!
Hills, lakes, more hills, bugs, mosquitos, hills, beautiful long downhills, more uphills, bugs, big honking potholes, but.....a very scenic, breathtaking viewing of the Adirondacks. We thought we'd never get to the motel here in Schroon Lake. After all this complaining-it was a great ride.
Trees, lakes, ponds, the Hudson River, small mountain cabins, large mountain homes, the stars and stripes flying everywhere, woodpeckers tapping, crows cawing, lonely rural roads- a few in need of repair!, and 23 cyclists oohing and aweing at the beautiful country side. This is what it is all about. It was a long 86.2 miles today and 1/2 of the riders needed sags at one time. But even doing 45 miles of the ride was an accomplishment. The temps are cooperating so far. Hot but not too hot.
We had a great dinner of Mac and cheese made from Hellava Good Cheese from NY. It was delicious. A lot of us said it was just like Mother used to make!
Tomorrow we leave New York on a ferry over Lake Champlain to Vermont. We will leave from Ticonderoga and head to Middlebury. I am getting excited to be there because I will be connecting with three of my college friends that I haven't seen in years- too many years! It will be our last lay-over day. The days after will be the last of our journey. My total miles so far reads-2039! Even I find that hard to believe. My bottom believes it though.
If you have time and would like to hear other rider's thoughts and pictures on the ride you can go to Womantours.com and click on tour blog. Rhonda, Rita, Sue,and Sara have some interesting stories to tell also and some good pictures with good captions. Enjoy.
Time for bed to rest my weary body and to look forward to another day.
'Till tomorrow , Donna

Sent from Donna's iPad

WOW's June 21

Our view from our room this morning was beautiful as the sun was coming up and we also had two deer who wanted to come in for breakfast and then they found their friends and were running around chasing each other as we left on our bikes. Our ride started around the lake and was very fun ups and downs. I had one thought that is would have been nice if the ups had been shorter and the downs longer. This was a shop as we turned away from the lake and headed toward more ups and downs. These were steeper and more traffic. One up was so steep I walked a part, got back on to ride and then here comes the trucks doing the striping so off again. I must say that the downhill was a screamer and I had 38 mph. We are in Schroon Lake and I was hoping that the motel would be open because we passed by so many closed motels. Another sign of our economy. Tomorrow we may have rain but hope not as so far your wishes have certainly worked. We will take a ferry across Lake Champlain on our way to Middleberry, Vermont and guess what ? Another state means, margaritas for cocktail hour. Donna has college friends meeting her as we have a lay over day and I know she is really looking forward to the reunion. I think it will be good to have a day off the bikes also. Talk to you in the next state Vermont but I can say that New York Adironacks are beautiful.
Sent from Bev's iPad

Windmill Store in Old Forge

Fulton Lake - view from our room

WOW's views in the Adirondacks

WOW's to Old Forge

Blue Skies and Tailwinds

Hi everybody,
No Wifi last night so this is a quickie this am before we leave on our 84 mile trek through the Adirondacks. We rode 78 yesterday and my legs are a bit tired today. It is so beautiful here I'm not sure I can describe it to you all. You have to be here to see the trees, Moose River so clear you can see the fish, blue skies, long rolling hills (some not so rolling but UP!) , many animals and birds, clear lakes, and very little traffic.
We went through Amish country yesterday. Saw some buggies ,straw hatted farmers , and bonneted ladies. Road kill is changing from deer and raccoons to turtles and possums. Even saw a big dead porcupine!
Yesterday was definitely our hardest day due to the climbing and today is supposed to be the same. Weather is cooperating so far- not too hot but we're expecting rain this eve.
As I write this, 2 deer are looking in my motel door. They're probably looking for some coffee-so am I.
Will catch you up with more tonight.
Pic is the road leading you to the start of the Adirondacks. Beeeeeeutiful upstate New York!!
DQ

Sent from Donna's iPad

WOW's June 20

What a day of beauty. We climbed a lot of hills and for me walking hills but the scenery was breath taking. This is only one of the views we had as we turned toward Old Forge. The mileage was long but many of the riders completed the day and were in to the hotel before dinner which is at 6. The view from our room is of the Fulton Lake and a beautiful harbor. The town is a typical tourist town with cute shops and unique displays. We leave tomorrow, riding around the lake for another breath taking, hilly, ride of 88 miles. Some riders including me will choose the number of miles we want to ride and then go the rest of the way with the van. Of course that does mean that you have other responsibilities- bell hop. Taking the luggage out of the van. Our wifi was not strong enough to do this last night so this is an early morning activity. We had two white tailed deer visit our window looking for a handout.
Sent from Bev's iPad

Blue Skies and Tailwinds

Today we did something different. We climbed HILLS! This has been a relatively flat ride up to now. It was definitely my most favorite day so far. The morn was cool, no traffic, we rode close to Lake Ontario, the hills were not too steep and at the top we had the most glorious downhills- our rewards! The breezes were coming off the lake and kept the air cool and fresh. We passed through many upstate NY towns with many fruit stands to go with the many fields and orchards of fresh produce. Asparagus, rhubarb, cherries, strawberries, and our cook purchased some for our dinner. Yum! Lots of trains still pass through rural areas- long ones with many cars. As you can see Bettye and Bev got caught behind one. A good reason to take a butt break!
Yesterday we passed near Palmyra which is the place where the Mormon religion got its start. We also passed the cemetery where Susan B. Anthony was buried- Rochester.
The drivers aren't getting any better. They pass us much too fast and a few motorcyclists got way too close to me! We have gone from "Minnesota Nice" to "NY Nasty".
Every thing is so green here. Yards, fields, golf courses, trees. It's amazing what a little rain will do. I wish we could stay this green in CA.
We drool when we pass the golf courses. They are so wide and so empty! Where are the people? We just don't have the time to stop and play a hole or two.
Tomorrow we start our trek to the Adirondacks. It will be more hilly than today but I'm sure very scenic. It will be a 78 mile day. With hills it will be a hard,long day. Hopefully I will survive so I can write something tomorrow eve!
I can't believe we are on week 5!! Time goes fast when you are having a good time!
Love to all. Donna

Sent from Donna's iPad

WOW's June 19

Here are three riders on their way to Pulaski, not too far from Lake Ontario. They were having a great ride today as you can see by their smiles with lots of ups and downs. Weather was perfect and the downs were great. We had a great dinner in the parking lot again and got our directions for tomorrow. Hills and altitude gain. We are heading into the mountain area. I hope I can get to the motel before dark or may just have to sag. We have a van and a sag car(support and gear) for those who do not know the lingo. I ride what I can and want to ride and then enjoy the rest of the scenery leisurely. Our mileage has a typo, I hate that, and instead of 69 it is 79. Three days of riding before our rest day so must get some rest and I will let you know about my ride tomorrow.
Sent from Bev's iPad

Blue Skies and Tailwinds, June18

The WOWs had a fantastic day!!  We left Brockport on another perfect NY morn.  I had the honor of leading the group through the college campus and out the streets of the village to our next  destination- Sodus Point.  It was a fantastic morning ride through rural roads and along the Erie Canal. We rode for at least 40 miles either on the Erie Canalway Trail or on a road that paralleled the canal. We crossed the canal numerous times- sort of reminded me of our many crossings of the Mississippi. Many cyclists were on the trail along with many kayakers on the water.  The bike trail was beautiful. We felt like we were in the redwoods. Many animals passed our way-deer, chipmunks, rabbits and of course the constant singing of the birds kept us entertained.   We rode on the trail into the city of Rochester where we had a brunch with the Woman Tours company.  Best part was the New York bagels! Yum!  We met one of the owners of the company, had a group picture taken then left for our destination. 

 We did fine until the village of Fairport where we got quite mixed up in our directions.  After a few bad turns and some local advice we got back on our route. Even our sag driver got lost here!  After a few miles we left the canal and headed north to Lake Ontario- the smallest of the Great Lakes. We rode along the lake for 20 or so miles until we hit Sodus Point- 79 miles later.
 We all agree that NY drivers are not as courteous as the mid-west drivers.  We have had a few scary moments. They seem to be less patient, more in a hurry, and beep as us more.  They don't like us as much!!  We miss Minnesota!  Could be because there are so many more people and drivers here!!
  We are staying B&Bs here in Sodus. Cute little rooms but I don't care how cute. They have a soft bed and I'm tired!  Only 61 tomorrow. Only thing that could be problem is the heat- it is warming up. 
  Happy Sunday.       DQ

WOW's June 18

This is our setting for tonight. We are in Sodus Point on Lake Ontario after a ride from Brockport with a stop at Woman Tours headquarters.  We rode many miles on the Canal Way along the Erie Canal and then when we left the canal, we were in the country with rollers like California rollers. We rode through farmlands and small communities as well as horse farms. It was a warm day but when we got to the lake the temperature went down which I liked. At Woman Tours we met the owners, Jackie, Michelle, and Jennifer, who had a great brunch for us. Their office has every kind of bicycle displayed on the walls and on their desks so guess they are in to bikes. Great dinner with fresh local strawberries and chocolate mousse and then to bed in our cute room, bed and breakfast. Until tomorrow.

Sent from Bev's iPad