Today’s Route: Old Erie Canal Bike Trail, Route 5

Today: 84 miles. Total miles: 3972  Riding time: 7 hrs 10 min
Elevations: Fayetteville: 535′   St. Johnsville: 328′
Total ascent: 2694’  Total descent: 3176’
Calories: 4312    Avg speed 11.7  mph   Max speed 28 mph

Note: will do a separate blog entry in a day or so re the details and pics of today’s receptions in Syracuse-Green Lakes and Utica-Rome.

Town of Manlius PD Officer Jeremy Reynolds provided a motorcycle escort from our Rolling Hills campsite 124 out to the Green Lakes State Park entrance where eight more officers from four agencies were waiting to greet me! Great way to start today’s ride!

Rode Erie Canalway bike path from Fayetteville to Lock 20 Canal State Park. Riding on the dirt path reduces average speed considerably. In some places, the path was along the Old Canal which is pretty much stagnant water. Left Lock 20 on River Road and got on Route 5 for rest of today’s ride with good shoulder and moderate traffic all the way.

Had another warm reception at Lock 20 Canal State Park near Utica where I met family members of Oneida County Deputy Kurt Wyman, EOW 6-7-2011 and New Hartford Police Officer Joseph Corr, EOW 2-27-2006, along with officers from four agencies and Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. Mr. Picente presented me with a Proclamation making this C.O.P.S. Day in Oneida County and Chief Michael Inserra, New Hartford NY PD, presented me with a beautiful plaque expressing their appreciation for Bicycling Across America for C.O.P.S. This area also lost Utica PD Officer Tom Lindsey, EOW 4-12-2007.

Today’s ride was pleasantly delayed both at Green Lakes and at Lock 20 . As a result I ran out of daylight around mile 80 as I got into areas with no shoulders in a couple small towns. Felt uncomfortable and will try to avoid this situation again. My small blinking red rear strobe was visible at least a half-mile away, according to Jeanne. Small light = small comfort on a small shoulder!! Also rode for approx. ten miles today on “grooved pavement” that was extremely annoying – the entire road was grooved in preparation for re-paving.

Camped at St. Johnsville Marina Campsite on the canal where the host, a retired police officer, comped our fee for the night!

Motorcycle Officer Jeremy Reynolds escorting me from our Green Lakes campsite!

Green Lakes send-off!

Beautiful park!

Arriving at Lock 20 Canal State Park

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr presenting me with the Proclamation!

Receiving plaque from Chief Michael Inserra, New Hartford PD

Utica-Rome survivors of New Hartford Officer Joseph Corr and Oneida County Deputy Kurt Wyman - will add names later!

Along the Old Canal

A lock!

Quote for the Day: “Shared laughter and shared tears create a bond of friendships. When people laugh and cry together, they cease to be young and old, teacher and pupils, worker and boss. They become a single group of human beings.” W. Lee Grant  (Jeanne added  ”shared tears” and “cry”!)