Day 78: Gates to Clyde NY

Today’s Route: Canalway Trail and Route 31 through Gates, Pittsford, Macedon, Palmyra, Newark, Lyons, Clyde.

Today: 56 miles. Total miles: 3828 Riding time: 4 hrs 33 min
Elevations: Gates: 575′ Clyde: 400′
Total ascent: 1850’ Total descent: 2005’
Calories: 3136 Avg speed 12.3 mph Max speed 23 mph

Since we parked last night behind the Gates Town Hall, Gates Town Supervisor Mark Assini invited us to attend their 911 Commemorative Service at the Town Hall. Jim spoke briefly at this gathering about the recent death of Ray Payne, former NE Region Trustee for C.O.P.S. – Ray died last week from cancer (Myeloma) from his work at the Ground Zero after 9/11. If people were counting the numbers correctly, Ray would be another fatality of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. PD arranged press coverage (TV13 ABC) of the service and my departure on the bicycle with a police escort to the Canalway trail.

Today’s ride was a mixture of riding and socializing with folks along the trail who seemed genuinely interested in the purpose of the ride. While having an extended conversation with two couples who live in The Villages in Florida during the winter, another couple from Portland OR pulled up on a tandem. They seemed very happy to meet “the 70 year old geezer on a bike” whom they had been hearing about all across the country! They’re posting on a site called www.nomadsintanden.net. Met them just east of Rochester – they’re are also heading to Bar Harbor ME.

At Palmyra, I got off the bike path and hopped onto route 31 into Clyde. Heavy traffic during rush hour on 31, but it had a great shoulder. Clyde Volunteer Fire Dept. invited us to park behind their station for the night. Nice conversation with several of their members, including a sharp, young chief. They recommended Double J Pizzeria for dinner – a good suggestion.

I seem to be more tired than usual tonight. The ceremony and start today slowed things down and I didn’t get to eat a real breakfast until 1pm when I stopped in Pittsford. Found the Canalway in Rochester to be intermingled with the Greenway Trail through RIT campus – this was a bit confusing and added some extra miles to today’s trip.

Ellen Guerdat, President of Genessee Valley C.O.P.S. and Victims’ Advocate for the Gates PD, was extremely helpful during our stay in Gates. She has contacts throughout NY and has been wonderful about contacting departments in upcoming areas, including Syracuse, Rome-Utica, and Albany. Kudos to Ellen!