Day 60: A little bit of everything riding to Salamanca, NY

My WS host (Tom) fixed me a hearty oatmeal breakfast before he left for work and I had a couple of Starbucks Via’s as well. I took my time getting ready and when I started loading the bike I checked my rear wheel spokes to make sure everything was ok. Well, 2 or 3 were quite loose so I tightened them as best I could. It was a little troubling though… I left the house around 09:00 and it was a beautiful morning- light cross-wind, about 55 F and scattered clouds. The roads were also quite hilly, with some big, steep hills. About 6 miles into the ride I noticed a bit of wobbling when I went slowly uphill. I checked the rear wheel and it was all messed up! Bent wheel and loose spokes everywhere! I was afraid if I rode it it would get so bad it wouldn’t roll anymore so, after no luck hitch hiking for about 5 minutes I started walking the 6 miles to Jamestown. After pushing the bike for 5 miles a truck pulled over in front of me and the driver asked if I need help. He had a little pickup truck and told me to throw my bike in and he would take me to the Jamestown Cycle Shop! I was so  grateful because it was very hilly and it is no fun pushing a fully loaded 90 pound bike. He dropped me off at the bike shop but, alas, they did not have the type of wheel I needed. So after calling another bike shop, I walked my bike another 3 miles to Hollyloft Ski & Bike. The guys there were so nice and they were able to get me fixed up with a new wheel! My WS host’s (from last night) nephew worked there so I got to meet him, too- a very nice young man (on the right in the photo).  Now I can rest easy- or easier- during the last stretch of the trip. I rode out of Jamestown and encountered some HUGE hills and my legs were already tired…and then a headwind picked up… But, the scenery was pretty so I just stopped frequently, snacked frequently, drank plenty of water and enjoyed my music. Going up one particularly long, steep hill an hispanic song with accordian music came on and it was perfect! The song was Los Pantalones Blue Jeans and it must have come from Ruben Medrano’s iPod. Thank you Ruben! I stopped and recorded a brief video to share a taste of the music with you all.  So, after more pretty scenery, big hills and great music, I gratefully rolled into Salamanca. Daily mileage (pedaling and walking, but not driving): 68 miles, trip miles: 3,319

Pretty riding along Lake Chautauqua:

Wayne & Marsha picked me up and took me to the bike shop. A very kind couple:

The guys at the Hollyloft bike shop. I wish I’d had the time to take them out for beers:

The roads drop right down into the valleys (fun!) and then you have some work going up the other side:

The little towns all have flags flying along the road:

Some pretty old homes in Randolph, NY:

The song that got me up ( well, part way up) a particularly long, steep hill. Kudos to my friends Bea and Ruben Medrano for their fine and eclectic taste in music. Also, notice the custom made map case fabricated from a zip lock baggy sewed on to my front wheel bag…

​​  

Some pretty scenery along the way:

Some trees are starting to turn colors:

Crossing the Alleghany River coming into Salamanca: