Fall has been wonderful. Here are a few pictures from my bicycle adventures this season.
But the best adventure of fall happened a few weeks ago when my mom and I were able to go on a mini, three-day bike tour. We were dropped off in Rome, NY by my dad and then spent the next three days riding along the Erie Canal. It was the first bike tour my mom has been on since she and my dad rode down the Pacific coast, 34 years ago but she was an old pro. We took our time each day to wander 30-40 miles along the canal, chatting the whole way. My mom even braved cold rain on the last day just to ride with me!Ā
There are a lot of wonderful things in this world but I must say, bike touring with someone you love is right up there at the top of the list! We ended our tour happy, excited and with hopes of possibly riding the entire canal trail (360 miles) together next year.
But in the interest of complete disclosure will end this post with a confession.
Yes, fall has been splendid. But I am getting downright antsy. I don’t even think it is my fault. Not at all.
It is the fault of everyone constantly speculating about how we are going to have an early winter, a cold winter, a really snowy winter.
It is the fault of the mornings that fill my lungs with stunningly, bracing cold air.
It is the fault of the trees for beginning to lose their leaves. The barrenness is begging to filled with something.
November is almost here…why can’t there be snow?
You and your love of winter! The biggest thing I’m jealous of on THIS post is your picture of the fox. I’ve seen many of them, hear them all the time around our place, but I’ve never managed to get a picture of one!
I’ve missed your adventures! Glad you’re still around. Great post.
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I know! I see so many wild animals but they never stick around for a camera to be stuck in their face! But I snuck up on this guy and he didn’t even know I was there, after he found out he ran a safe distance away and then sat and stared at me…such a cutie š
I think I am back for good now, I have been missing everyone here but it was tough to make the move to jump back in after being absent for so long. Now I have to go find out what you have been up to!
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Yes I’ve missed your blog posts too. I find it hard to keep the posts coming. Life gets in the way!! š
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It sure does! I hope you are having a wonderful fall š
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I’d like you to have snow soon…but since we are not too far apart geographically, I can’t really root for it. Sorry. Glad to see you’re still biking.
As for biking on a road bike on those rough roads…you’re brave….and you’re ready for cycle cross.
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Thank you for being honest, Anthony, now I know whose fault it is if we don’t have snow soon š
Cycle cross looks super cool…except for the getting off your bike and running part, running really annoys me…
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Just so you know….it snowed this evening in Aurora Ontario.
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Yeah, we got snow today too, I rode in it for about an hour… and then it turned to rain and suddenly all the snow was gone š¦
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LOL! Snow?! At least wait till November, eh?!
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Okay, I guess I can wait until November but believe me, I will be counting down the days!
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š
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Three of us are planning to ride the Erie Canal in June. Maybe our paths will cross.
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That would be awesome!
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I spent some time in Rome and their library using their computers, back in June. Nice town. I received my certificate for being an End-To-Ender of the Erie Canal. Great post here. Hope all is well…and swell.
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Thanks, Eric, all is very well indeed š That is so cool that you are an official End-to-Ender, what was your favourite section?
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I like Lockport, but I met some great bikers in Ft. Plain camping out at that lock. I biked along with a boat through many locks named Sea Trek. I have a Trek, so that was fun. Never met the people, but we’d wave from a distance each time we saw each other. Fun
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It is so fun interacting with the boats, the people onboard seem almost as cool as cyclists š
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Welcome back! Hope you have adjusted to the real world without too much difficulty. Let it SNOW! (Up yonder. Not here. PLEASE!)
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No worries, I would never wish snow on any locale other than my own, I am selfish like that! It has been a bit hard coming back but I feel like I finally have my head on straight again. My normal life is going through a major change right now and I think that is helping me to be more present and not so wistful about far off mountains š
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So good to see a post from you!! (Not that I have room to talk though.) š Love that picture of the fox!!
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Thanks! He really surprised me, but I think my bike and I surprised him even more š It is good to hear from you, I hope your fall has been fun!
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Hi Bri! It was really good to see your post appear. I’ve been wondering how your world is. And it seems like you’ve been enjoying some very pleasant riding. Your tour with your Mum sounds quite special. Settling in some way I’m guessing. And as for the upcoming winter… may the snow fall and may you ride with delight through it š
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Thank you, Gail š
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Phew… i was thinking you got a car. Loved the Little Falls pictures. The people are great in there, the mayor even stops by to say hello on the FANY ride., Sam, the bar tender at the Elks club is pretty awesome too, and their roast beef dinner is great.
I don’t know if you could tell, but we all missed you.
I am all ready thinking about next year, I may do Chicago to Highland again, but this time turn right, and head to Pittsburgh, ride the GAP and C@O canal, and turn left at DC and head north.
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I missed you all too…that is why I had to come back! Did you really think I would buy a car, though? š
That sounds like a great tour those trail should be awesome, I spend time every day thinking about my next tour, no solid plans yet, but I have lots of ideas.
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What part of the canel did you ride i have done parts of it along Rochester and Buffalo and by Albany
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We went from Rome to St. Johnsonville and then back. But Noah and I rode from Lyons to Buffalo on the trail this spring. Did you get lost in Rochester because the trail was super confusing to me in that section!
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Excellent Bri to ride with your Mom. She’ll remember that forever!
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It was great fun š
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Great post Bri and lovely photo’s.
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Thank you, Martin! How are things with you and your family?
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I’m well thanks. I have borrowed a road bike from a friend at work and it has opened up a whole new world of cycling. Family are well thank you.
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What a lovely adventure! I love the fact that you got some pretty adventures with your bike and with your Mom..such a bonding!
Cycle whatever the weather–It’s my mantra too!
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Thanks, Christina š Riding with the people we love is always extra special!
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Did you get your snow yet? Hope you are doing well and staying safe! Your posts are always a blessing.
We are getting our first snow on Thursday they say. However today was in the high 70’s and tomorrow will be the same but only have a high of 46 on Thursday.
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Did you get a White christmas ? We have 35 deg c… Spending Christmas in Western Australia…
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Oh my! That is very hot indeed! Visiting Australia makes it worthwhile though š There is lots of snow here, we had a beautiful white Christmas.
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I have a question for you, that is probably pretty basic, but I know that you’ll know the answer. Our wind chills are getting above 0 for the first time in days, so I haven’t been on my bike at all primarily due to not having a facial covering. Do you wear your goggles over your balaclava or right up against your skin with the balaclava wrapped around the goggles? Also, since I’ve have never done downhill skiing (my knees are not that good), what should I look for in a pair of ski goggles to use for riding in winter? Thanks!
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Yeah, my face would freeze off without my trusty goggles and balaclava! I put my balaclava on first and then pull my goggles on over it. Here is a link to the goggles I have…I think the main thing you wanna look for is goggles with decent ventilation, these do the trick quite nicely https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0038ZYRGC/ref=twister_B01MR37HS3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Have fun out there š
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Thanks!
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We need to hear from you!!! To motivate us, spread your peace and joy and just make our day better. Hope all is well, send a flare if help is needed.
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Has your brother been cycling to raise money for charity related for world hunger….?
Just googled “bike like crazy” Cos you hadn’t posted for awhile and I was wondering if I’d missed something… And instead I got a newspaper article about a teenager on a bike called Noah… If it is him did he get back ok from Portland and did he have a Google time ?
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Thats a good time… Sorry got autocorrected !
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I’ve missed reading your posts! I hope all is well with you š
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Bri: Are you still riding? I basically took the past 2 years off. Getting ready to get back into it. Buying a new mountain bike in the coming days.
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Hi Ray! I sure am, glad to hear you are getting back into cycling…have you already bought your new bike?
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Been missing your posts. Hope you’re doing fine.
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And I have missed posting them! Thank you for stopping by even though I stopped writing for such a long time. I just finally uploaded a new post š
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I know. I started reading it. I’m glad your back and looking forward to reading more.
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