Day 41:
Biking across the U.S. for 3,600 miles wouldn't seem so difficult if one could control the environment. I would do just fine if everyday was sunny, 70 degrees and offered a slight tailwind. Add to this order of perfect weather slightly rolling terrain, excellent roads and only an occasional car on the road, and then everyday would be a breeze. It's all of nature's uncontrollable elements that make the daily rides seem so challenging. Our group was in agreement yesterday that it was the strong headwinds that made yesterday's ride so difficult. Riding in strong headwinds is like riding uphill all day, and knowing that there isn't a nice descent at the end.
Today the winds weren't as strong, showing that good things often follow bad things. The morning was chilly enough that we all started out in jackets. We kept a slower pace even though the winds weren't very forceful. The scenery was full of rich farm fields and beautiful homes, often brick with flowerbeds and many trees. This area of Canada is called the banana belt due to its mild climate. They grow many crops in the area including corn, oat, wheat (now being harvested), tobacco, ginseng (the best in the world according to one local farmer) and many different vegetables.
We stopped at one roadside stand and bought some corn. A very nice lady working at the Holiday Inn's housekeeping department let me use a microwave oven in their laundry room to cook the corn. It was sweet and delicious. Tonight's dinner, lasagna, chicken, and salad, was also very good. Lots of good herbs were used. Maybe the French culture influences the food here.
Day 42: I had never been to Niagara Falls before. It was one of the highlights on this cross-country tour. We arrived in almost perfect summer day conditions, and the falls looked magnificent. The area is crowded with tourist from all over the world. It is easy to see why it is on the list of places you must see when visiting the U.S.
Today's ride had a couple of highlights. When our team of six chose to have lunch at Tina's Country kitchen, we found that Tina's Country Kitchen was a one-woman show. She took our orders and cooked. She didn't even panic when more bikers joined us. She just took their orders and returned to the kitchen.
Before long she returned with delicious meals for all of us. The other event the day offered was a road closure. A bridge was under construction. Rather than risk an unknown detour, we climbed down on a gravel surface and crossed the river on some loose 2x6 planks, then climbed up the other side.
After our meeting tonight my friends Sue and Barbara arrived. It is great to have then here as riding partners for our last week.
Day 43: With the great luxury of a car that Barbara had rented in Ohio, Sue, Julie, Wilson and I went to see the falls again. Another day of beautiful weather made the sight spectacular. We arrived at the falls early before most other tourist. We took the boat trip to see the Maid of the Mist. We all dressed in the blue plastic raingear provided by the tour because the boat took us very close to the falls. It was like being in a rainstorm. Afterwards we went to The Needle, a restaurant that has a big viewing area as well as food. We were treated to another view of the falls from our lunch cafeteria. My newcomer friends got a little insight into our eating habits today, when at 10:00am Julie and I were suffering from hunger pains and complaining about the morning's light continental breakfast.
We then walked around the falls area on the U.S. side. It was very different but still enjoyable. We listened to the roar from the massive amount of water flowing while enjoying a rainbow and being sprayed by the mist.
This afternoon there is a meeting for the ten new and returning riders. Connie arrived so now I have a roommate. I watched a summary of the Tour de France today. Lance Armstrong is incredible. I hope this third victory gives him the credit he so deserves, especially from the media.
Day 44: Today's 77-mile ride was a piece of cake. It was a great beginning for my friends Sue, Barbara and Connie. They are strong riders and I may find that I will be the one having trouble keeping up. We rode together, along with Julie and Wilson.
One thing that surprises me is how little food they need to eat. They aren't consuming nearly as much as Julie and me. I suppose that they have a lot more glycogen stored away then we do at this time. I can't remember when I last ate so little food. Tonight's dinner is at the Old Country Buffet. I'm sure we'll be making more than one trip to the buffet.
/Gunnel