Ride for Africycle 5.0 Day Five Part Two

The Lake Ontario State Parkway is essentially an interstate that has been let go. Paved with concrete that has cracked in many places such that it looks as if it has been forgotten or as Dave Blondel put it (when I suggested that perhaps Cormac McCarthy had passed along it and gained inspiration for his book "The Road") "this is The Road Steve"!!!

Dave (in his own blog on the Ride for Africycle experience which you can read right here) said,

"The Lake Ontario State Parkway. Wikipedia it. The most post-apocalyptic-feeling bicycle riding experience you will have (this side of the actual apocalypse)."

It's funny how scenery like this:

and this:

can almost completely take your mind off the fact that you are riding on this: (here it is without people)

(and here it is with people - truly awesome people!)

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the headwind. This was what we referred to as "our long day". 160 km approximately. When we got onto the L.O.S.P. we fought a headwind that stayed with us for much of the day. Occasionally it slanted at us from just right of centre which has its own special challenge as you push slightly into it and hope that the route doesn't turn back into its face, but for the most part it was an invisible pair of hands pushing at chest, face, helmet - anything wanting to move forward. We hugged as close to each as we could to grab some sort of draft and people were really good about taking turns at the front.

But somehow it found each person and ground us down, one-by one.

During the whole time we were on the L.O.S.P. maybe a handful of luxury cars with heavily tinted windows flew past.

The post-apocalyptic vibe was enhanced by the gathering stormclouds in front of us.

RFA 5: Riders of the Post-Apocalypse (Image courtesy of Dave Blondel)

We stopped for Lunch at Hamlin Beach where we had a superb meal and there was tons of great energy in the air which was grabbed by the Incredible Ben Voss who for a dollar took on the dare of riding a bike down a slide in the Park.

Here's the evidence provided by the awesome Ed Kwaka.

1. 2. 3. 4.

After Lunch we headed out onto The Road again - the wind was every bit the same and there was an endless false flat also to contend with. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger right?!!!

Eventually The Road came to an end and we dove off onto some small rural roads that more-or-less paralleled the Lake. We stopped for a pie (a whole pie that's right) and coffees at Burnap's Farm Market - a lovely fruit stand that has somehow become embiggened and offers all sorts of other stuff that is tasty and can be consumed immediately. A good place to stop - but we had a long way to go still. We rode through endless cattle farms and fields (the air filled with the interminable scent of manure) and really it was all so very lovely but it was such a long day and the wind had taken the edge off us but still, here we were living the dream.

We stopped in one place for Cherry Dr. Pepper and chips. Stopping in rural America for anything simple results in the richest slice of life you can possibly imagine. All is revealed!!

The bucolic scenery contains stories that could easily become novels.

But, the ride must continue and so it did as we gradually made our way in small clusters to the beautiful Four Mile Creek State Park.

Jerrett decided to try deep-frying a whole turkey - and folks he did it! It was absolutely awesome and combined with fresh beans, broccoli and beers and especially the knowledge that tomorrow was a day off riding - a "rest day", we all relaxed and I've got to tell you that I enjoyed the best sleep of the ride that night!!!

I was so looking forward to the rest day!!!

Ride for Africycle 5.0 Day Five Part One

Waking in a conference room in a fire-station in Upper New York State. Well, it's all part of the Ride for Africycle experience! Jerrett was hunkered over the stove, banging out some oatmeal and toast while the team gathered up sleeping bags, mattresses, and the various odds-and-ends that had somehow made their way around the room in the night into our respective bins which we stacked at the back entrance to the Fire-hall.

The firefighters who had worked the evening shift dropped in to say hi and make acquaintances - all of them were really welcoming and friendly! We gathered the bikes and the bus in front of the firehall and took a pile of photographs with the guys of the Northeast Joint Fire District.

Finally came the time to get back on the road. Today, a 160 km ride to 4 Mile Creek State Park along the Empire State Parkway - surely one of the strangest roads I've ever ridden on. I recall it from RFA 4.0 but that ride was done in sweltering 45 Celsius heat. This ride was way more comfortable and we were able to look around and see the Lake. It's an interesting to me feature of the ride that it was really cool - exciting even - to actually see the Lake. You'd think that after seeing it a few dozen times you'd get tired of it but I found that I was actually really glad to see it.

The weather forecast was suggesting that there was a very good chance of rain and thunderstorms. Oh boy! The longest ride of the RFA 5.0 wonder voyage and it was going to be wet all over again. But you know what? The power of positive thinking kept the clouds - which literally gathered all around us - at bay. We had a super good headwind for the whole day which made every kilometre a prize to be gathered and stored in the warehouse of trophy experiences. You know, the "I pushed through something that was bigger than me" vault.

The day had lots of flats, a couple of broken spokes but it also had sweet smooth roads. Beautiful scenery, beautiful little houses with gorgeous fairy-tale gardens and best of all, after following Rochester Rick's detailed instructions generously assembled by Rick in his spare time, we made our way through Rochester's most beautiful streets,

a little bit of her parkland and then out past a beach that I could happily paste myself to and spend days grilling on!



We made our annual stop at Sips Coffee Shop, although this was a much shorter visit as the day was a long one in terms of distance. I still managed to put away a phenomenal and giant cookie alongside an Americano.

Fueled up with sugar, carbs, and caffeine we headed out and turned towards the Lake to pass through the harbour and then cut across through the beautiful town of Greece. If you looked South you looked over little lakes.

The little cottages that sat on the shore of Lake Ontario were truly beautiful.

Eventually we came to the end of this little heaven on Earth and rode onto the Lake Ontario State Parkway. More about that in the next post!

Ride for Africycle 5.0 Day Four: Part Two

Pulling out of Oswego we were warmer, we could feel the coffee and tasty food racing through our veins, and most importantly we were for the most part much drier. It was still raining of course but we had also left behind the sketchier part of the road work.

Our next destination was the little town of Wolcott. We visited Wolcott last year for Lunch and there's a little park down the hill from the main street with a covered shelter - perfect for our needs. Wolcott has a strong sense of history about it - you can feel that as you ride in. I didn't really get a sense of that last time I was there so I took this blurry rain-soaked image of a little information board the locals have put up. (If you click twice on the image you'll eventually get a version that you can read!)



The rain was bucketing down as we glided down the steep hill into the park and the welcome sight of Ben's car and the Bus was truly awesome. Even better was the sight and smell of barbequing burgers! There's not much better than hot food when you're cold and soaked although I'd say that the smiles and good vibes from the riders and support crew was just as awesome as when we took turns standing by the barbeque to get the warm drafts from it. This was truly a day to remember. The ride really came together for me in that little town in Upper New York State. A bunch of people taking care of each other, supporting each other, and having a really good time no matter what. Oh and before I forget - here's the waterfall right next to where we ate.



Leaving the relative dryness of the shelter was a bit of a challenge but we found our pace and working together we struck out for the town of Webster where we were planning on staying in Webster Park a facility dedicated to providing shelter for campers, people passing through, cyclists and whomever else. Ben and Dave Barber and Jerrett had thrown out the option of staying indoors and we knew that Webster Park had buildings that they rented out. We learned later that apparently they had nothing of the sort available to us and that we would be obliged to camp out. Not a big deal but not the very best option.

Ben went ahead and then wandered through the town of Webster asking people if they knew of somewhere indoors where the cycling team and support crew could cook some food and sleep for the night. Somewhere along the line Ben ran into someone who suggested trying the firehall. Journeys are made of moments and this is one moment that will stay with us all for a long time. Ben and his Dad went by the Webster firehall and were welcomed in no uncertain terms to encourage the team to make their way and bed down for the evening.

We didn't know about all of this until we had found our way into Webster, a truly lovely town with that fascinating mix that so many upper New York State towns have of the beautifully maintained (or restored) clapboard house with a big old front porch and massive gardens, side-by-side with a little mall or an auto shop.



On the ride into Webster itself, the team somehow got split up into little groups but we eventually found each other and rode up somewhat curious to see what Ben had lined up for us. At first sight and thought, a firehall seems like an improbable place to spend a night. I mean would you?! But these guys were so welcoming and genuinely warm. They really respected what we had ridden through and what we were trying to achieve and it showed in the way they opened the facility up to us, encouraging us to use their showers, to help ourselves to their clean towels, to use the kitchen, and to set up our sleeping bags in their conference room.

Once we had set up our sleeping situations, Jerrett got onto the matter of dinner and of course we were really hungry and thirsty. It couldn't come fast enough!!! Our bikes were stored in a garage area of the firehall. We were given a complete and very thorough tour of the entire Hall which is an incredible state-of-the-art facility. It has everything you can imagine in terms of creature comforts which makes sense if you think about the the brave guys who head out on the trucks to face danger without really thinking of themselves.

"Sleeping quarters (Image Ed Kwaka)"]

"The Voss boys getting the tour! (Image Ed Kwaka)"

"Inside the fire-engine bays (Image Ed Kwaka)"

"Heart and soul"

After the tour we gathered around the maps for tomorrow and looked at some possible routes - a long day ahead of us - 160 km. Hopefully a lot drier!!!

Here's looking at tomorrow!

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To see more and read more of Chief Akins and the amazing guys at Webster Fire check out their webpage right here.

The generosity and kindness of the men in Northeast Joint Fire District Enderlin Station completely underscores the pride, generosity, and care that firefighters around the World are renowned for.

Thanks for taking such good care of us Boys!

Ride for Africycle 5.0 Day Four: Part One

The weather for Day Four was looking and feeling like it was going to be a whole lot wetter than we had experienced so far. For me rain puts a damper on bike riding and I know that's a cheesy line and reflects more of my inner wimp than I really should share but it's the truth. If I'm alone and it's going to pour hard and there's no reason for me to ride - then I don't. However, if I'm in the company of good people then the ride is definitely on. Push on regardless. Find the joy!

Because of the rain there are very few pictures of this day. I have a picture in my mind that I'll share with you of riding on some very smooth bike lanes and then entering a construction zone. The two lanes each way roadway narrowed to one lane each way with the side where the shoulder should be marked by orange pylons. Trucks were hissing past leaving great clouds of spray in their passing which didn't really matter in terms of getting wet because everyone was already soaked. A couple of riders flatted out and several riders noticed they were chilling down and needed to get their rain gear off the bus so we contacted Dave and Ben up ahead and arranged to meet with them at Port City Cafe - a planned stop - in the lovely little town of Oswego.

Last year when we arrived at Port City the air conditioning was a blessing. Stepping from the 45 Celsius humidex into the impossibly cool atmosphere of Port City was amazing! This year with the temperature some 20 Celsius cooler and with several riders really feeling the rain, the experience of stepping inside was a whole lot different!


Some of us decided to try the place next door. An unassuming little bagel shop named the Oswego Bagelry and Sandwich Shop. We were just about to open the front door when a guy came out and noticing our distinctive apparel, got talking to us about our ride. He said that if we needed any repairs done on our bikes that the labour would be free, just bring the bikes down to Murdock's Bicycles and Sports and he'd take care of us. He also said that the Bagelry was amazing. He was totally right! Wickedgood homemade bagels, homemade cream cheese, great coffee and most important of all - it was warm inside!!

The two guys running the place were very cool and fun and one of them showed us a "Made in Canada" tattoo on his arm because he was actually made in Canada! Scotia, Dave, Mel and Ed and I hunkered inside a booth and scarfed down a pile of truly fine food and coffee and laughed our way through a really funny table cover made up of old newspaper clippings and advertisements from the late 1800's and early 1900's. We were joined by some of the other riders shortly afterwards. It was perfect for lifting our spirits.

Then we walked the bikes down the street to Murdock's where they encouraged us to use their facilities and make ouselves at home.



They took care of some repairs for us and I bought a happy-making rain jacket and a pair of riding gloves that would see me through the rest of the day in warmth and dryness.

Everyone put on their rain gear and set out once more in a better frame of mind to continue our journey to Webster where we planned to stay at Webster Park. There was talk that Ben and Dave were going to go ahead and have a look to see if we could perhaps rent one of the shelters at Webster Park given the difficult riding conditions and general moistness of the day. I was pretty pumped for the idea of staying indoors! I'll let you know how that one all worked out with the next post!

Ride for Africycle 5.0 Day Four: Part One

The weather for Day Four was looking and feeling like it was going to be a whole lot wetter than we had experienced so far. For me rain puts a damper on bike riding and I know that's a cheesy line and reflects more of my inner wimp than I really should share but it's the truth. If I'm alone and it's going to pour hard and there's no reason for me to ride - then I don't. However, if I'm in the company of good people then the ride is definitely on. Push on regardless. Find the joy!

Because of the rain there are very few pictures of this day. I have a picture in my mind that I'll share with you of riding on some very smooth bike lanes and then entering a construction zone. The (two lanes each way) roadway narrowed to one lane each way with the side where the shoulder should be marked by orange pylons. Trucks were hissing past leaving great clouds of spray in their passing which didn't really matter in terms of getting wet because everyone was already soaked. A couple of riders flatted out and several riders noticed they were chilling down and needed to get their rain gear off the bus so we contacted Dave and Ben up ahead and arranged to meet with them at Port City Cafe - a planned stop - in the lovely little town of Oswego.

Last year when we arrived at Port City the air conditioning was a blessing. Stepping from the 45 Celsius humidex into the impossibly cool atmosphere of Port City was amazing! This year with the temperature some 20 Celsius cooler and with several riders really feeling the rain, the experience of stepping inside was a whole lot different!


Some of us decided to try the place next door. An unassuming little bagel shop named the Oswego Bagelry and Sandwich Shop. We were just about to open the front door when a guy came out and noticing our distinctive apparel, got talking to us about our ride. He said that if we needed any repairs done on our bikes that the labour would be free, just bring the bikes down to Murdock's Bicycles and Sports and he'd take care of us. He also said that the Bagelry was amazing. He was totally right! Wickedgood homemade bagels, homemade cream cheese, great coffee and most important of all - it was warm inside!!

The two guys running the place were very cool and fun and one of them showed us a "Made in Canada" tattoo on his arm because he was actually made in Canada! Scotia, Dave, Mel and Ed and I hunkered inside a booth and scarfed down a pile of truly fine food and coffee and laughed our way through a really funny table cover made up of old newspaper clippings and advertisements from the late 1800's and early 1900's. We were joined by some of the other riders shortly afterwards. It was perfect for lifting our spirits.

Then we walked the bikes down the street to Murdock's where they encouraged us to use their facilities and make ouselves at home.



They took care of some repairs for us and I bought a happy-making rain jacket and a pair of riding gloves that would see me through the rest of the day in warmth and dryness.

Everyone put on their rain gear and set out once more in a better frame of mind to continue our journey to Webster where we planned to stay at Webster Park. There was talk that Ben and Dave were going to go ahead and have a look to see if we could perhaps rent one of the shelters at Webster Park given the difficult riding conditions and general moistness of the day. I was pretty pumped for the idea of staying indoors! I'll let you know how that one all worked out with the next post!

Kingston to Selkirk Shores State Park (ii)

It's always hard to get up and get going after you've settled into a really good chocolate croissant and an americano but that's the nature of the Ride for Africycle beast. It's what separates the I'm-just-here-for-the-perks chumps from the it's-all-about-the-ride chumps. I find it takes me anywhere from five to ten kilometres of riding to get my legs going at the same pace as my heart and lungs and mind. Younger readers - be warned and prepared!!!

We set off through Cape Vincent and turned left onto NY 12E, a beautiful smooth road that traces the rolling contours of the countryside that lies about ten km back of the Lake Ontario shoreline. People who admire homes that have been abandoned will appreciate the many old houses and barns that are gradually being reclaimed by Nature and Time.

Eventually we arrived in Dexter.

The bus hadn't made it this far so several riders opted for the ice-cream pleasures that are happily dispensed at the Lickety Split ice cream hut.

(photo Ed Kwaka)

Jerrett preparing Lunch (photo Ed Kwaka)

Time was ticking though and we left this idyllic spot for another year and put the bikes back on NY 180 which melds eventually into NY 3. Riders who had ridden this stretch of road before had been talking about a "huge climb" that was coming up - and it's a good hill to be fair - but we were all surprised when it actually showed up just how not that big it actually was.

The view from the top this year was really good (last year it was entirely obscured by the humid haze that lay over everything) if you look past the dilapidated structures!!



The road conditions for cyclists in this part of New York State are amazing - super clean, smooth, and wide enough so a cyclist doesn't feel like they're squeezing cars out of their lane. We moved along at a good pace, taking turns at the front to pull until eventually we arrived at Taco Bob's Wayside Inn. An oasis that magically appears just as you feel you can go no further without refreshment!

After a quick round of cold Gennie's, all attention was shifted to the shuffleboard table where last year I had been thrashed by Michael VanDerHerberg.

Sadly - and not surprisingly - I was whipped once more by the VanDerHerberg juggernaut. Does he lose at anything?!!! Fortunately I have arrived at an age where I can accept defeat graciously - I have plenty of practice when I hang around Michael!!!

From Taco Bob's we set out for the final stretch of riding - a series of long rollers that taxes both mind and body and which you begin to believe will have no end until all of a sudden there's the right-hand turn into Selkirk Shores State Park.

The park was really quiet. Dinner was amazing once more with fresh fruit and vegetables making a welcome appearance alongside some excellent pork chops. A camper generously donated a pile of wood to us so we had a beautiful campfire before turning in for the night.

Tomorrow we ride to Webster Park.