i then packed up the bike in the room, made sure i logged off the youtube and apple apps on the tv, and left to meet my family at Five Guys. left around 10 a.m.. it's actually only 9-10 miles, but i want time for photos
Had a nice bike through Syracuse. a lot of the trail felt almost like going through a college campus. I think a lot of it was higher end office buildings.
here are some photos
Arrived at FiveGuys, it was good to see them. after an hour, maybe hour and a half. It was time to press on. I still had about 36 miles to bike to get to my camping area for the night.
unlike the Rochester end of the Erie Trail, there were very little amenities or stores when the canal trial crossed the streets in town. i wish i remember the town, but i took a half mile detour to go to a kinney drugs for snacks and more water.
definitely going to cut back on the gatorade, if i need sugar, I'll just get a caffeine free soda or something. I drank a ton of water at the hotel last night, and just got up to pee a lot overnight. Feeling far less bloated now.
I did stop again in Canastota for dinner, and even though it was a little early. 4pm i went to their bbq place in the main downtown. Definitely north country style (huge portions, spices mild to non-existent, bbq sauce a bit too thick and sweet, but it was still really good. definitely what I was craving. ate all the baked beans and coleslaw, more of the chicken than the pork. just because the pork tasted a bit more rich and fatty, and i didn't want to risk a #2 emergency on the canal trail.
also i should say there are far fewer porta pottys than Buffalo to Fairport. So, I watered many a bush along the trail today.
This is nsfw...
they were near the parking area, but out of sight if anyone drove up. It wasn't a heavily used part of the trail, no families around. I'm also guessing there aren't many safe areas for gay guys to meet up for that sort of thing in the North Country. Probably not many gay bars.
what was funny to me was seeing the guy on his knees scramble to stand up, and then the two of them shove their hands in their pockets, turn their backs to the trail as I rode by. I couldn't help it but I chuckled as I passed and said a gentle , "Naughty Naughty Boys!" in a teasing tone. They were definitely embarrassed i think. it was just funny to me. the receiving dude gave me a sheepish grin. I couldn't hear if they laughed back I had my earbuds in.
anyhoo, an hour and ten miles or so later , I'm at camp at the Lock near New London. Enjoying my ultralight chair as i type this. there are picnic tables, but their benches squish my butt the same way the bike seat does, and it needs a break. My little chair also nicely supports my lower back.
I actually forgot to dry out my tent at the hotel room last night. But luckily there was some wind and Sun here to dry things out before bedtime.
i got some non potable water from the lock office. they had a hose on the side of the building, so i got to use my microfiber rag, soap, and collapsible Sea to Summit bucket bag to give myself a sponge bath. Very glad I brought the bucket bag to carry the water. Well worth bringing. I added a snap button to my towel to help it stay in place when i change into my square cut speedo for a "shower" no one was flashed, and I got cleaner. win win. i do i have to shove my hand into the swimsuit to make sure i clean the nether bits, so I don't get saddle sores. so who am i to judge the gay dudes for their accidental public display.
the picnic table is useful for yard sale ing my gear to get things sorted and ready for dinner then bed.
it's super quiet here, here's hoping for a good nights rest.
