Radio Bob’s Bike Trip Take Three (day 1)

I know this is getting pretty repetitive, but… yes, I’m attempting my third bicycle trip from my home in North Russell, to the wilds of Eastern Massachusetts (Cape Cod!)

But why?  I honestly don’t know the answer for this.  If I was looking for a challenge, I could simply stay home and try to get all my work done (challenge aplenty!).  Am I looking for adventure?  If so I could become a Peace Corps volunteer and try to save the world instead of wasting a week of my life!  Am I trying to become a “role model” for other 60’s+ people, showing that its never too late to “get physical”?

I think that its just because I did the same trip for the last two years and I find repeating familiar tasks somehow comforting.

OK, here’s the basic outline:  My Fuji “touring” bike and myself are planning to ride the 500 miles or so to Cape Cod in 7 (or so) days… we carry no tents, just personal belongings and a credit card… so its motels etc every night.

Day !: North Russell to Lowville 64 miles (Saturday).  Had a “cross” wind most of the day… cross winds don’t hold you back, they just try to knock you over!

Stopped in at Croghan to visit the Railroad Society of Northern New York’s Museum, they had a lot of great old stuff there to look at, even a rare “Shay” steam locomotive.  This engine actually has gears in the drivetrain and was used especially in the logging railroads of the North Country.

I learned something about dogs today: as you know, a few weeks ago,  several of my canine friends decided to gang up on me… one of them bit my leg, and eventually had to go to doggy heaven because of this.  Anyway, a pair of large generic black dogs started approaching my bike and were just about to get thier jaws around my same injured ankle, when I decided to scream a few expletives at them!  What I learned is that even if a stranger screams at a dog… they listen!  They just walked away, as if I were they’re owner.  Speaking of owners, today I heard a guy yell at his dog (who was barking at me) “Don’t you remember what I’ve told you, about not barking?”

Whatever you might think of wind power, you’ve got to admit that seeing all those turbines on the Tug Hill as you cruise down hi-way 812 is dramatic!

Anyway, I really liked Lowville… I stayed at a very pleaant B&B The “Butterscotch” House… wonderful rooms, great breakfast, good James Bond Movie on the TV, who could ask for more!

Had some great fish tacos at Jeb’s, bought some Gatorade for tommorrow’s trip at the Dollar Store, but I still don’t know why I’m doing this… guess I’ll try one more day.