Day 38, Bradford, PA to Corning, NY

Today I rode 101.77 miles with 4,642 ft. of elevation gain.

Check out the Model T Inn fan page. It is located in Derrick City, PA. I passed by it early this morning. As you can see, the fog has still not burned off entirely.

Ceres is a hamlet on Route 417 at the Oswayo Creek near the Pennsylvania border, so part of the community is in that state. I entered NewYork, my 13th state of the journey today at Ceres. I have called New York home ever since I arrived in U.S.A. in 1988. It was a very warm feeling I experienced, almost sort of a “I am home” feeling. The fact is I am merely passing through NY on my way to Portland, Maine. I still have 3 more states to travel through including Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

Autumn leaf color is a phenomenon that affects the normally green leaves of many deciduous trees and shrubs by which they take on, during a few weeks in the autumn season, various shades of red, yellow, purple, and brown. The phenomenon is commonly called autumn colors or autumn foliage in British English and fall colors, fall foliage, or simply foliage in American English. Learn all about why and how the leaves change color here.

The Trek Travel guide team has worked hard relentlessly to make the journey enjoyable for all the clients like myself. As a token of my gratitude, I invited the team for a dinner at an Indian restaurant called “Thali of India”. From L to R are Linda Lynch, myself, Dave Edwards, Amy Davison, Scott Heather and Michael Moreland.

Day 37, Meadville, PA to Bradford, PA

Today I rode 101.92 miles with 5,282 ft. of elevation gain burning 6,291 calories in the process. I left Meadville and reached Bradford, both in PA. On Tuesday, I will enter my home state of New York and will travel through it for 4 days spending one night each in Corning, Cazenovia, Lake Pleasant and Ticonderoga.

Large murals and colorful sculptures made from official Pennsylvania road signs by Allegheny college students and state dept. of transportation employees. The highway department art display, fed by an apparently limitless supply of old metal reflective signs, continues to add more sculptures, making return visits to Meadville rewarding.

The Allegheny National Forest is a National Forest located in northwestern Pennsylvania. The forest covers 513,175 acres (801.8 sq. mi; 2,076.7 km2) of land. Within the forest is Kinzua Dam, which impounds the Allegheny River to form Allegheny Reservoir.

The Kinzua Dam, on the Allegheny River in Warren County, Pennsylvania, is one of the largest dams in the United States east of the Mississippi River. It is located within the Allegheny National Forest.

The Allegheny Reservoir is a man-made lake created along the Allegheny River with the construction of the Kinzua Dam in 1965. The lake and the dam are operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The construction of the lake and dam cost $108 million and destroyed the towns of Kinzua and Corydon, led to the dissolution of the town of Elko, and flooded some of the lands of the Seneca Nation. The residents in these areas were forced to move.

Totally surrounded by forest, Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir are the heart of one of the largest and most popular outdoor recreation complexes in the northeastern United States. The Allegheny Reservoir spans the border between Pennsylvania and New York. In Pennsylvania, the reservoir is completely surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest; and in New York by Allegany State Park and the Allegany Indian Reservation of the Seneca Nation.

Today’s ride was very enjoyable. The vibrant fall colors were visible on the mountain slopes. The smell of burning wood in the camps along the route triggered some very fond memories of camping with my family.

If anyone wants to join me on my ride through New York, contact me at 315-778-3859 for details. You may ride with me the entire day or any part of it you like. On Tuesday, the ride is from Bradford, PA to Corning, NY. On Wednesday, the ride is from Corning to Cazenovia, NY. On Thursday, the ride is from Cazenovia to Lake Pleasant, NY and on Friday, the ride is from Lake Pleasant to Ticonderoga, NY. Then we move on to Vermont for a night, to New Hampshire for a night and wrap up the journey in Maine on Monday.

Day 36, Cleveland, OH to Meadville, PA

Today I rode 106.65 miles from Cleveland, OH to Meadville, PA. The 3,863 feet of elevation gain made the distance seem more than it was. I was exhausted at the end of the day and was barely able to stay awake to down my dinner at Chovy’s, an upscale Italian restaurant in Meadville. That is also the reason for the late updates for the last two days.

Family members of riders have joined them from time to time to make the journey a little easier. A common thread that binds us all together is the feeling of “homesickness”. All of you reading this blog please tell my wife Sheree that she too should make it a point to come and be with me for a part of the journey. The memories with my fellow riders are truly precious but if Sheree were to share some of the journey with me, those memories would be indelible. Seen in this picture are Maryann Guthrie, Nicole Mazza’s grandmother and Katerina, Nicole Mazza’s younger sister who is a Registered Nurse and works in the L.A. area.

Our ride out of Cleveland this morning took us right past Cleveland Clinic on Euclid Avenue. This brought back memories of the week in 2007 when Sheree and I had come here for her Mitral Valvuloplasty done by Dr.Samir Kapadia. This place works medical miracles every day. This certainly reinforces my belief and faith in the Allopathic branch of medicine that I represent. 

The Holden Arboretum, in Kirtland, Ohio, USA, is one of the largest arboretums and botanical gardens in the United States, with more than 3,600 acres (1 456 ha), 600 acres (243 ha) of which are devoted to collections and gardens. Diverse natural areas and ecologically sensitive habitats make up the rest of the holdings. Holden's collection includes 9,400 different kinds of woody plants, representing 79 plant families.

The border between Ohio and Pennsylvania runs through Pymatuning Lake.

Pymatuning State Park is a Pennsylvania state park covering 21,122 acres (8,548 ha) in Conneaut, North Shenango, Pine, Sadsbury, South Shenango, West Fallowfield and West Shenango Townships, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Pymatuning State Park is the largest state park in Pennsylvania and contains the 17,088 acres (6,915 ha) of Pymatuning Lake, three-quarters of which is in Pennsylvania and one-quarter of which is in Ohio.

“Where the ducks walk on the fish”. Read all about the Pymatuning Spillway here. This attraction does not advertise, yet it draws over 300,000 bread hurlers a year. The Spillway is the second most popular tourist destination in all of Pennsylvania, trailing only the Liberty Bell.

Here is the team of 4 that rode together most of today. We are celebrating with high-fives and thanking Randy Kohlhase for taking this photo. A satisfying end to a challenging day.

Day 35, Rest Day, Cleveland, OH

Today was our final rest day. We are now on the home stretch. There are only 9 more riding days to Portland, Maine. We have started to have separation anxiety. The group has become one large family. We have now covered 3/4^th of the distance.

I visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Read more about it here. I called my wife Sheree to tell her that I missed her and would come back to Cleveland with her as she would really love this place. She loves music and had she chosen a different career path, I am sure that she could have made it in this Hall of Fame herself.

East 4^th Street in Cleveland is like a food alley. I enjoyed a nice Mexican dinner at a restaurant called Zocalo.

Day 34, Rossford, OH to Cleveland, OH

 Today I rode 130.68 miles between Rossford, OH and Cleveland, OH.

I want to recognize one of the guides Scott Heather. The titanium frame for my photochromatic glasses broke a couple of days ago. This could have been metal fatigue after repeated bending and straightening for nearly 3 years. Scott very deftly has rigged up a skeleton frame to hold my glasses. This has made a big difference in my ability to see where I am riding. I commend Scott on his remarkable engineering skills and remain indebted to him.

We had a delayed start today because of very thick fog reducing visibility and increasing risk. Part of the way this morning, we had Officer Mitchell escort us in a Sheriff’s Department vehicle with lights flashing holding other vehicles back to allow us safe passage. We felt that that was a very thoughtful gesture which did not go unappreciated. Our lead guide Dave gave us a brief talk before the start on how to minimize risk of injury in these road conditions. Every nerve fiber in my body today morning was on high alert until the fog burned up. Learn more about fog here. The water droplets condensed over our helmets and poured down on to the glasses which already were fogging up from the high moisture content in the air. I was glad for the warm temperature which kept us all from becoming hypothermic.

A duck crossing is either a designated place for ducks to cross a road or an informal route based on the creatures' instincts.

And finally, after a demanding 130-mile ride, I entered downtown Cleveland. 

We rode on Valley Parkway through Rocky River Reservation. Today we rode around 40 miles on dedicated bicycle paths including the North Coast Inland Trail which were such a relief as against battling motorized traffic on the usual roads.

A fitting end to such a wonderful day was a stroll along the Erie Lakefront. 

Day 33, Marshall, MI to Rossford, OH

Today I rode 118.82 miles. It was a grueling ride with a stiff headwind from the East. And I rode solo most of today. 

We started at daybreak and again rode into the rising Sun and thick fog.

I believe this is a soybean farm. This was what the scenery looked like most of today.

Harvesting of the latest crop is picking up steam. It was quite the experience watching the process in progress.

Lunch today was at Randy’s Bar-B-Que. My riding friend Randy Kohlhase, M.D. was quite thrilled with this. Michael Moreland, one of my guides had a Tofurkey sandwich for me. My vegetarian diet has been accommodated quite well during this trip. I have not lacked for good, healthy and nourishing food.

Here I am seen expressing my thrill as I crossed over from Michigan to Ohio. Ohio is the Eleventh state on my journey with 5 more remaining: Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and finally Maine. I want to thank Janis who took this picture with her iPhone.

Seen in this photo with me are Vincent and Nicole Mazza. Nicole is a fellow rider and Vincent has joined Nicole for a few days to share some of the experience.

Tomorrow is another big day. Almost 130 miles to get to Cleveland. I am very tired today. It is not even 9 p.m. and I am falling asleep as I create this blog. I wonder if I will have any energy left in me after the ride tomorrow to jot down my day’s thoughts in my blog. The mystery will unravel in 24 hours. Stay tuned.

Day 32, Holland, MI to Marshall, MI

Today I rode 91.05 miles from Holland, MI to Marshall, MI.

We started yet another day riding into the blinding sun. My friend J. B. Smith got side-swiped by a car again this morning partly due to the blinding sun impairing the vision of drivers coming up upon us from the back. It shook him up a bit but he is fine and is going to be okay.

The route today was dotted with small ponds and lakes.

On a 90-acre historic campus midway between Detroit and Chicago is the Gilmore Car Museum. Here, visitors shoot the breeze in an old-fashioned gas station. Children stand inches from a 1930 Rolls-Royce that is from a Disney movie. Grandparents share stories about a ’57 Chevy, as their smiles are reflected in the car’s chrome. Walk right up to an amazing collection of over 300 vintage automobiles, motorcycles, and memories. It’s America’s Signature Collection. And the ultimate experience for everyone in your family.

The roadside displays in people’s yards never cease to amaze me. For me the journey has been so much more enjoyable as I take in the sights and smells. I try my best to capture the view through a camera lens. I hope someone will invent a way to capture the smells as well. In my later years, I will delight in ruminating over these memories I am creating now. The collection of stories keeps getting bigger each year. I have memories of my grandfather telling us some of the most fascinating stories, mostly fictional about princes, princesses, dragons, treasures in caves and cobras guarding the caves. My stories will be a narration of the places I have seen, the people I have met, the experiences I have had, the life of adventure I have lived, not one dull moment. I will also have the collection of photos and videos to help jog my memory a bit in my senile years.

My daughter Shamaa volunteered in the Residential Health Care Facility at the Lewis County General Hospital. She came home each day with wonderful stories of her interaction with the residents of the first floor. These are people that suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Some of those stories made me laugh, some made me cry. If you ever want to consider volunteering your precious time for a good cause, may I suggest helping some elderly person? Old age catches up with everyone. Someday it will be my turn. Will the CNA/LPN caring for me want to know what my life was like when I was young and able? Will she even believe me if I told her of the things I did in my life? Will she care? 

Let me end on a lighter note. My rear end is not looking forward to the next two days. We have two long riding days coming up. Tomorrow it is 121 miles from Marshall, MI to Rossford, OH near Toledo. Day after tomorrow it is 127 miles from Rossford to Cleveland. So, if you do not see a blog from me, understand that my brain was willing and able but my butt refused.

Day 31, Milwaukee, WI to Holland, WI

Today, I rode 3 miles from the Iron Horse Hotel, Milwaukee to the Ferry Terminal and then another 36.19 miles from Muskegon to Holland, MI. I am now in state number 10 of 16 that I will cross on this journey. The city of Holland, MI is perhaps best known for its Dutch heritage, which serves not only as a part of the city's cultural identity, but the local economy as well: the Tulip Time Festival in May and various Dutch-themed attractions augment the nearby Lake Michigan shoreline in attracting thousands of tourists annually.

We had a couple of hours to while away in Milwaukee. I managed to play a few games of pool at the Iron Horse Hotel with my friends Larry, Jacob and Scott. Here I am seen with Larry Oaks of Houston, TX.

Established in 1928, Ben's Cycle & Fitness has been family owned and operated in the same southern Milwaukee neighborhood for over 80 years. Ben Hanoski started the business in 1928, passed on to son Larry, and now 3 generations later is owned and operated by Ben's grandson, Vince.

Lake Express began service on June 1, 2004, linking the states of Wisconsin and Michigan with terminals in Milwaukee and Muskegon.

The high-speed Lake Michigan crossing takes just two and one-half hours, saving passengers a lengthy drive through heavily congested Chicago.

Lake Express is a fun, fast and easy transportation solution. You save time, avoid traffic hassles, and can enjoy your time during the voyage however you like.

To view a 3 minute video of the Lake Express Ferry, click here.

The ride from Muskegon to Holland was uneventful. With the time change and cumulative fatigue, I was very tired and sleepy. This is the reason for the one day's delay in posting this blog.

Day 30, Madison, WI to Milwaukee, WI

Today I rode 87.64 miles from Madison to Milwaukee, WI. A lot of the riding was on dedicated bicycle paths which made for some stress-free and enjoyable riding. I rode solo until lunch and then hooked up with my riding partners Randy and Janis for the rest of the day. At this stage, riding 80 to 90 miles seems effortless.

I am pictured here with Tania Burke, the president of TrekTravel. Besides being an accomplished business woman, she is also a very strong rider. She accompanied us until lunch and then returned home to Madison. I suggested to her to consider India as a possible Trek Travel Destination.

My ride today took me through Jefferson County in Wisconsin. There is a Watertown in Jefferson County in Wisconsin. 

We got to ride the Hank Aaron State Trail. We passed very close to Miller Park.

What to do when you are in Milwaukee and have a few hours only? Visit the Harley Davidson Museum, of course.

What is a bowling pin doing in the Harley Davidson Museum you ask? Well, AMF owned Harley Davidson between 1969 and 1981. Makes me wonder that if AMF would have been successful in running the business, we in Lowville, NY could have been making motorcycles as well as bowling pins.

The next time I go riding across the country on a set of wheels, it is going to be like this.

Today, I hope for continued development and progress of Lewis County, NY. I am thinking of Eric Virkler, the Director of EconomicDevelopment and Planning of Lewis County who does such a tremendous job of promoting business development.