Lakeshore Limited Caught by Slug; Rider Rep Sags

Overnight rain cleared by dawn so we left Erie, PA under cool, mostly sunny skies, with a SW tailwind for our 78 mile ride to Hamburg, NY.  We mostly followed US Route 5 between Interstate 90 and the SE shore of Lake Erie.  Generally, the shoulder in both states was wide and smooth.  But there was an unfortunate exception in the Township of Northeast, PA.  There was a lip and groove between the concrete slabs of the travel lane and the shoulder.  Apparently, Paula Farmer of CA caught a tire at that rough transition and went down hard, banging her hip and helmet.  She went to the hospital, but has been discharged with abrasions ("road rash" to cyclists) and no fractures.  There's no good time for a crash, but it seems a special shame to crash in the last week of the tour.  We all hope she can ride again soon.  Except for Paula's misfortune, most folks had a good ride.  The weather was fair, with wonderful views of vineyards and of Lake Erie.  About 19 miles into the ride, we crossed the stateline into New York.  It feels great to be in my home state and nearing the goal toward which we've ridden for six weeks.  About 40 miles into the ride, my rear tire went flat.  The tire had a two inch jagged slit in it, probably inevitable after nearly 3,000 miles of wear.  I laid the bike in the roadside grass as we worked on the replacing the tire and tube.  When the bike was reassembled and ready to roll, I found a slug on the front wheel.  Perhaps NYS slugs are fast, or maybe the mileage is slowing me down.  In any event, I found it amusing that I was overtaken by a slug.  Tomorrow, our ride to Canandaigua is our last 90+ mile ride of the tour.  I expect to meet some friends on bikes for the second half of that ride and to meet my mother and three sisters for dinner.

Comments

[Mary B]

Good news! Your brother-in-law Paul will also be joining us for dinner in Canandaigua. See ya t'morrow afternoon. xxx