Jim

Jim
Let the Adventure Begin

About Me

Las Vegas, NV, United States
This is my 2008 grand adventure...riding a bicycle with 35 international bikers across Europe, following the Danube River along the Orent Express route through eleven countries. The ride is 4000km over 50 days of which 39 are ride days with camping and 11 are rest days in hotels. Our tour group, TourdAfrique, provides a tour leader that provides directions and transposts our luggage, a mechanic, and a chef who promises gourmet local cuisines. We start out in Paris on June 1 and travel through France to Germany, where we pick up the Danube river. We then follow the Danube through Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Then we ride cross country through Romania, Bulgaria, and finally Turkey, where we finish in Istanbul on July 20.

Jun 22, 2007

June 22 Day 36 Erie to Hamburg, NY



















We cruised into NY today, our 11th state crossing. What a fabulous day! The sun was shining, it was cool and the route was all along Lake Erie. We had a brisk crossing head wind, but managed to push through it. The lake shore looked a lot like the Northern California coast line with trees, cliffs, and lots to vineyards (no corn)...quite spectacular. The locals say we picked a good day because it is often overcast and wet.

For lunch we got off the beaten path and stopped at Sunset Beach, which could pass for any ocean side beach park. The beach was full of college kids soaking up the sun and playing ball...not many in the cold water. For a little excitement, Terry decided to show the construction workers and college kids how his bike handles over soft beach sand. He crashed in front of a big crowd, all of which were thoroughly entertained after they determined only his pride was hurt. How embarrassing! I had the restaurant speciality, a seaweed steak sandwich and a regular coke...great! It powered us the 20 miles into town.

On a sad note, my friend Frank gave up the ride today. He was the one that hurt his knee on the cattle guard, had a root canal, and then saddle sores. He had not been riding the past week because of acute saddle sores...no skin. His back side wouldn't heal, so he decided to head home. Frank was a great guy and a strong rider. We'll miss him.

Tomorrow we have a hard day going 93 miles and climbing 3200' to Canandaigua.

Stats: 82 miles, 1600' climbing, 15.6 mph avg, 10 - 20 mph crossing head winds, 54 - 66 deg temps.

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