Stuff of fairy tales

Sunday, May 18 (Day 2)

Distance: 54 miles

Average speed: 9.1 mph

Max speed: 22.9 mph

Total: 97 miles

I set off this morning at 8, with the campground only beginning to stir. It still feels strange to just get on a bike and go, I feel as though I need a seatbelt or an ignition to make it real.

The first three hours were bliss. I took a road that paralleled Seneca lake and saw very few cars. I kept thinking how magical it was, how strange that no one else should be there to appreciate it, even though there were countless houses. The colors were brilliant due to early morning rain and the distance was a bit misty. I could only look around and try to think of words to describe it: fantastic, incredible, a bit of heaven...

I kept forgetting to eat, and so had to remind myself that it's important and force food and water into myself.

After my lakeside jaunt, I joined up with the Erie Canal and took the Erie Canal Heritage Trail. This is where I started seeing lots of people and bicyclists, though no touring bikes yet. 

I stopped for lunch, although I still wasn't hungry, and received monstrous portions! I couldn't eat it all, although the ice cream was quite good. Believe it or not, this was the "kiddie" size.

I am now spending the night with a very nice woman I found on warmshowers.org, a site for touring cyclists. She told me about her countless ventures and gave me lots of good advice. She also fed me (Fresh bread!) and gave me a warm bed to sleep in :) 

I think I started with too many miles, as my right knee is heartily protesting any movement. It's so nice though, I don't want to stop...

I could get used to this.