Another one of my kind

Monday, May 19 (Day 3)

Distance: 62 miles

Average speed: 10.2 mph

Max speed: 23.8 mph

Total: 160 miles

I was in a really great mood as I left Gretchen's house, after being gifted with a delicious breakfast, lots more advice, and some snacks for the road. I went straight to a bike store nearby to get cycling shoes and pedals, in the hopes of not hurting my knee any more.

As I was paying, the clerk asked "so this bill's going to daddy?"

Yes, I am eternally grateful to my wonderful parents for helping me, as I couldn't have done it alone, but we have all worked very hard to get here and I got kind of peeved that he should presume such things.

At some point before I left the shop, another guy said to me "you're brave, going from east to west. You'll be fighting a headwind the whole way"

I left the shop with very low spirits, but was quickly consoled by the nature of the trail. I had a really hard time getting used to my shoes and fell six times. These aren't normal falls either, these are the kind of falls where you're stuck to your bike and so end up underneath it...

Rochester was big and scary and I was glad to be out of it!

I met a man further along who, after chatting for a bit and letting him know where I was from and what I was doing (and kinda lying about being alone), said, "you think you can make it?"

"I can definitely make it!"

"Well good job, I'm proud of you, god bless"

That was an incredible morale booster! I couldn't believe a stranger would say such kind things to me. I needed it too, because I had thirty miles to go and the risk of not arriving before the camp ground closed. 

Little did I know all thirty miles would be spent battling a ferocious headwind. I put my music on, turned my mind to happy thoughts, and fought to keep my odometer reading 10mph. 

It was tough going and I was feeling exhausted when who should pull up behind me but another touring bike! 

His name is Remi, and we ended up staying in the same camp site. It was nice and different to ride with someone else. He's from Connecticut and started 8 days ago, today he rode 108 miles! Incredible. He hadn't seen another tourer either, so when he saw me he got on his bike and raced to catch up.

I battled with the wind and I won!

This camp site is absolutely beautiful. Life is good :)