Orangemen We Are

Syracuse, sweet Syracuse.  We thought we needed a rest when we came into Cleveland about a week ago...

375 miles over five days and the hills are officially upon us.  To be honest, it's been a struggle getting through these last few days on the bike.  However, we're all in good spirits and ready to tackle the last stage of our trip.  Of course, we'll enjoy the day off in Syracuse first.

Lots to update from Buffalo and Canandaigua.  We didn't get a chance to update the blog in Buffalo and the hotel in Canandaigua didn't have internet access.  So here we go.

DUNKIRK, NY to BUFFALO, NY

The ride between Dunkirk and Buffalo was a shorter one around 50 miles.  We continued to hug Lake Erie as we pulled into Buffalo.  About 10 miles outside of Buffalo you get a great view of the city right before you make the turn around the end of the lake.  The sun was out and being able to see the skyline fires you up a bit because the end is near. 

In Buffalo, we stayed with Dad's cousin Bill Bauza and his wife Marg.  We can't thank them enough for their hospitality, food, and guided tour of Buffalo.  We were also able to meet another cousin of Dad's, Bob and Cherin Bauza.  Plus, we met my Grandmother's oldest sister Erna.  She's 93 and as sharp as a tack.  Dad and I were glad that we were able to spend time with family on the bike ride.  It really meant a lot.

Unbeknownst to me, Niagara Falls is only about 15 minutes north of Buffalo, so we all took a ride up to the falls since we hadn't been there before.  Quite an amazing place and we were pretty happy to be able to see such a landmark unexpectedly on the trip.  We saw the falls from both the American and the Canadian side.  The Canucks have a better view unfortunately.  At least our football is better.  Eric and I also decided that we are going to do "MS Barrel to the Metal" next year.  Who's in?

Of course we had wings in our stay in Buffalo.  How could you not?  They started in Buffalo.  The story goes that a woman working in a bar was closing up when her son and some of his friends came in hungry for food.  All she had was some chicken wings, so she fried them up, put some hot sauce on them, and Buffalo chicken wings were born.  Voila!  We went to Duffs restaurant in Buffalo and had some of the best wings we've ever had.  They were huge and dripping in Buffalo sauce.  They had defibrillators at every table.

Thanks again to Bill and Marg for their generosity and for showing us a great time.  It was nice to be in a home instead of a hotel.  It really does help us relax more.

BUFFALO, NY to CANANDAIGUA, NY

If I would have written the blog right after finishing this day's ride, the tone would have been a little negative.  So, I am glad that I've had a couple of days to simmer down.  This ride was the hardest that we've had so far.  85 miles into the wind with the last 25 over some steep rolling hills.  We got dumped on by these massive rain storms that are hammering New York right now.  The water hasn't really bothered us too much though.  It's been cooler temperature with the rain, which is far better than the heat we had at the beginning. 

Today was the first time that Eric and I were mentally challenged to complete a day.  Each hill we had to tell ourselves to keep pedalling until we reached the top.  Easy in theory, hard in practice.  We made it and I was proud of us for toughing out the first really difficult day.

The country that we're riding through now is very scenic and wooded.  We're in the Finger Lakes area of New York and there are a lot of big lakes, small upstate New York towns, and wineries.  It looks like it might be a place that those of means in the upstate New York area vacation.  Canandaigua sits right on Lake Canadaigua (fitting), which is a big lake surrounded by lake houses sitting on hills looking over the water.

Eric and I also noticed today for the first time how big of a role food plays into our ability to ride.  The first 40 miles of today's ride were a struggle, even though the terrain was fairly flat.  Apparently Buffalo wings don't give you the energy to ride a bike 85 miles.  Who would have known?  Of course, once Marg's fantastic breakfast kicked in we were able to take on the hills for the last part of the ride.

 

CANANDAIGUA, NY TO SYRACUSE, NY

Fearing rain today, we actually had a very nice ride into Syracuse.  I think that we are getting stronger on the hills because today was fairly hilly and we had less of a struggle than yesterday.  It could also be that we are being driven by the fact that we have a day off coming up.  Again beautiful country that we are riding through.  The small towns that we pass through remind me very much of the towns around where I grew up in Northern California.  We passed through Geneva, Auburn, and Seneca Falls, NY today.  Auburn is where the fire hydrant was invented and Harriet Tubman lived the end of her life here.  Waterloo, NY claims to be the birthplace of Memorial Day.  We thought that was probably a bit of stretch, but who is going to call them on it.

FYI, the flat count is skyrocketing.  Lauren: 13, Eric: 5.  Ridiculous.

Syraucse is much larger than expected.  It sits on top of a hill (great) and is actually a very pretty town.  We had met some riders in Dunkirk coming from Boston who said that Syracuse was run down, but I don't agree.  The university is very nice and it reminds me a lot of a Big Ten town.  Our hotel is actually on campus, so we're looking forward to walking around and checking it out.  I think Rony Seikaly is meeting us for lunch.  As I thought about it, Syracuse football has put out some studs in the past: Jim Brown, Larry Csonka, Marvin Harrison, Donovan McNabb, Art Monk, and Dwight Freeney.  Not shabby.

We headed out to dinner in Armory Square last night, which is the hopping area of Syracuse.  It was raining a lot, so we headed back to a strip of restaurants by our hotel and finished our night at Faegans.  Great little bar right on campus.  Pretty packed for a Tuesday night during the summer too. 

Rest day today then off to Little Falls, NY tomorrow.  We have two radio interviews in Syracuse today, so that should be exciting.  Let's hope we can handle the fame humbly.

 

Comments

[Mom]

What a terrific time you had in Buffalo. I'm so glad you had time to spend with the family and see such wonderful sights. I love the photos. Grandma would love it that you were with her family and got to see her hometown with Dad. Full circle.

You and Eric are really looking like pro cyclists. I know the weather has been an "issue" during your riding, but you continue to meet the challenge head on. I'm so proud of you both and you should be too. Enjoy your rest in Syracuse.

XXXOOO

[Angie G.]

You guys are looking good! Hang in there and take each hill one at a time...you can do it!

[Tesciowa]

Thank you for your notes today!!!
Great history lesson and very funny way you write this.
I am really gonna miss reading your daily reports. We are very proud of you two. Enjoy your very deserved day off.
See you in Boston!!!

[Tesciowa]

Lauren, I like this picture of you on front of this Dom Polski.
Very cute !!!

[Margie]

Wow! You guys continue to amaze me each time I read these stories. I love the pictures from Niagra Falls - so pretty! Enjoy your day off.
Love and miss you lots,
Margie

[Bill and Marg]

Keep it up, guys! We miss you already.
The Bauza's B + B is always here.

[Kelly]

Wow...great photos! And those Buffalo wings! I hope you guys brought us some for Boston! I honestly beam every time I read the blog. You guys are are so awesome! Your in the homestretch and can't wait to see you soon.
Love and kisses.