newark, new york

RV&E Bike & Skate in Fairport, New York

 This will probably be a quick blog post. I am so tired and I may fall asleep doing this. Maybe it's because I just had a great supper at the SnackWagon. I don't know, but somethings has me ready for some major sleep. ZZZZZZZZ.

We pedaled 54.77 miles from Brockport, New York to Newark, New York. (Not New Jersey!) All of our pedaling was, once again, on the Erie Canalway Trail. For most of the ride we were right next to the Canal so we had a flat ride with headwind again. The surface was asphalt for a small part of the way. The rest was on crushed limestone but wasn't bad at all.

It seems like every other town along the canalway ends with the word port. We stayed in Brockport, pedaled through Spenceport, Lockport, and Rockport. I'm sure there are more and I'm also sure they were, in the past, and maybe still are, ports along the canal where goods are shipped in and out.

We stopped in Spenceport to watch a lift bridge in action. A boat coming through the canal signals the bridge-keeper with three toots of the horn and then the bridge-keeper, who stays at the bridge all day, raises the bridge so the boat can pass under and then lowers the bridge for vehicle traffic. On the canal, we saw some good size boats, a barge, some small boats and kayaks, and two rowing teams out for some time of practice. Ducks and geese are in abundance by the canal, beside the canal, and on the trail path. We did have several detours as we pedaled today but they were well-marked and easy to pedal.

In Fairport, we ate lunch in the SnackWagon. We also visited RV&E Bike & Skate, a very good bike shop near the trail. The guys there were very friendly and helpful. Phil's front wheel on the bike he was riding today was way out of alignment and crooked. The guys at the shop repaired his wheel and replaced a broken part on his derailleur. They did all that while we ate lunch. Back at the shop we bought some needed items and talked with Ian and Phil (shop guys) about our ride from coast to coast. Of course, they both said they would like to do the cross-country ride sometime. It was a good visit at a great bike shop and if I lived in Fairport it would, for sure, be my bike shop: neat shop, great service, friendly staff, and good prices, based on Phil's service and the prices of items we purchased.

I'm going to quit this blog right now and head to bed. Tomorrow's got some questions about what we'll be doing. I'm sure we'll work them out before we depart, hopefully early in the morning. What comes to my mind at this time is the invitation from Jesus in Matthew 11:28, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." I'm accepting that invitation and going to bed. I've had a good day and am now 54 miles closer to Maine. Tomorrow, Lord willing, we'll do away with another eighty miles. To do that, I'm going to bed an hour earlier than usual. (Need my beauty sleep.)

See ya in the morning. Rested and ready to pedal.

"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8)

Day 51 - 3,110.04/approximately 604 miles to go