JULY 24 FOLLOWING THE MOHAWK RIVER

The realization that in only a few days we will have reached the Atlantic Ocean is with us constantly. We are relaxed about the daily rides, totally unconcerned about the day's mileage, or the amount of climbing ahead, or the weather. We are just ENJOYING ourselves, enjoying the biking, and our time together. We stop often, we come in late in the afternoon; what's the hurry?

Route raps are a lot of laughs now. The "chicken" was presented to Michelle of AbB who has been the staff person who has always been there for us--every day encouraging us, looking out for us, and helping us reach our goal. We had a number of funny "honorable mentions" tonight (which I won't get into) as well. There is a much give-and-take among the group that has been together now for 7 weeks. The T-shirt exchange was also held tonight. Fun! My "Hooters" T shirt was widely coveted, and after many "take-aways" finally ended going to John (ME).

We rolled onto Route 5 in Little Falls this morning and basically followed the Mohawk River 83 miles to Troy, NY where it meets the Hudson. Initially we rode a ridge high above the river and could see for miles down into the Mohawk Valley. The bike path on Rt 5 is excellent and WIDE so we can ride in twos and talk. It was a beautiful, sunny but chilly morning that would turn cloudy later on, and then sunny again. We went through the towns of St. Johnsville, Fonda and Amsterdam; all towns I knew or had visited while growing up in Central NY. It was sad to see how these towns had regressed as the old industry mills moved or were shut down. Really, only the beauty of the River and the locks and the countryside remain, the factories and the jobs are gone.

Near Rotterdam we entered the Mohawk Bike Path trail and stayed on it almost the last 30 miles to Troy. I could see the State Capitol Building in Albany as we crossed the Hudson River into Troy. RPI, the engineering university, is located just behind our hotel and some of the boys went up on campus to have a look.

I would normally have liked the bike path, as it followed the Mohawk River and passed by several locks, functioning, as well as remnants from the old Erie Canal. BUT, it was poorly maintained and very rough riding on my poor TREK (and body). Oh well, no need to complain...we are almost THERE.

         - Bill

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