90% chance of rain at the start of today’s ride from Medina (that’s Meh-DYE-nah, according to the locals). The precipitation prediction turned out to be pretty accurate, as it rained for 90% of the ride. The rainiest tour day since Milwaukee in 2021 (C2C Day 35).
An early start, 6:45 am, 59 degrees with heavy humidity and wet streets from overnight rain. On the positive side, the Air Quality Index improved to 60.
As I made my way back on to the Erie Canal trail, a host of wild animals came out to provide morning greetings. A turtle, 2 brown badgers, 3 white tailed deer, and a bald eagle. The eagle was no more than 20 yards off the trail, on the ground in a freshly planted farm field. As I approached, the eagle took off and soared down the canal, gracefully swaying among the tree tops, and seemingly pointing the way for me. The experience gave me chills… or maybe it was the cool morning breeze. Appropriately, the next small town I rolled into was named Eagles Nest.
After a brief stop for hot tea and coffee in the charming small town of Albion, the rain began to make its entrance. Light at first, then increasing in intensity as the day and miles wore on.
The crushed gravel canal trail can handle quite a bit of rain. It actually absorbs the rain, meaning far less splash-back than a paved surface. And it’s so heavy packed, from 200+ years of use; ruts, dips, cracks and potholes are virtually non-existent.
New York must know I’m a sucker for historical and geographic oddities… these blue and yellow signs seem to pop up when you least expect something interesting. Here’s my favorite from today’s ride:
Alas, the gravel turned to pavement near Rochester, where the canal makes an arc around the south side of the city. The trail winds thru industrial zones, city parks, and neighborhood back yards. In the suburb of Pittsford, Jax and I enjoyed lunch under a covered pavilion with dry Adirondack chairs.
From Pittsford, we veered off the canal southward, eventually catching the Auburn rail trail, named after the Auburn & Rochester railroad. A beautiful trail with a great mural reminiscent of old rail days.
The rain became heavier, and the Auburn trail became a bit too muddy and slippery, so I found some shelter at a town park and rerouted onto some paved county roads… with a rain jacket full of back-spackle:
Finally, after 78 wet miles, a soaked bike and I made it to Canandaigua, a vacation town set on the shores of one of western New York’s “finger lakes”. Time to dry out and hope for some sunshine!
Domagala.Bike 