Cycle Across America – Day 92

Baldwinsville to Canastota

41miles / 820ft climb

We have learned to expect that we need only wear t-shirt and shorts to cycle in. It has almost invariably been hotter than is comfortable so it was a surprise to find it a little chilly when we set out on our ride today. Along the route, over the past few days we have noticed evidence that summer is drawing to a close and autumn is waiting in the wings to take its place.

A few trees are taking on their autumnal colours and we are beginning to see mounds of recently fallen leaves. We are taken aback that summer is already beginning to draw to a close and yet, we should not be surprised as we have been cycling for 92 days. Throughout the challenge we seem to have lost touch with time. I rarely know what day of the week it is, let alone the date. Time is of little consequence unless we are looking for a restaurant that is still open in the evening when we arrive at our destination!

Today’s ride was predominantly along Onendaga Lake, the Erie Canal Trail and the Empire State Trail. It was picturesque and wonderfully tranquil.

It felt like a holiday cycle, something we might have chosen to do on a day like this, not something we were compelled to do.

Breakfast at our hotel had a 100% processed and 80% sugar content, so we had earmarked a stop en route for something marginally healthier for a late morning brunch. The cafe was on the outskirts of Syracuse and as is the case whenever we come off the bike trail, there are many stop / starts, twists and turns and the cycling becomes a little more demanding. Today this was just as my Parkinson’s medication stopped working. My balance was instantly problematic. I suddenly could no longer start or stop cycling easily. My spacial awareness all but disappeared and I could hardly get off my bike when we did eventually reach the cafe. I was slow, unsteady and looked like I was just learning to cycle! A dose of medication, a long cold drink and a rest and within half an hour I could weave my way back along the same route I had just struggled with no problems at all. Such I’d the unpredictable nature of Parkinson’s. I am thankful that this sudden ‘off’ time hasn’t happened too often of late nor lasted too long.

The rest of our ride was relaxing and easy paced. We spotted lots of small turtles catching what little sunshine there was from their resting place on logs along the canal.

Our accommodation is very basic tonight. Our only neighbours, a McDonalds, so John cycled into town to pick up some food from a supermarket and we sat in the hotel foyer playing cards and refuelling. Missing our cycling and card playing companions, Caroline and Paul who have met up with their son, Mark and his wife, Megan. They are currently cycling over the mountains before they reach the Atlantic in the next few days. Good luck guys!