Day 41 - Thursday, June 19 - Rest Day in Erie, PA - 0 miles

Our rest day in Erie, PA, started out overcast with light sprinkles. We were still able to do some walking around the area. We walked about 6-8 blocks to the bay area. On our way down to the bay, we decided that it was a bit chilly for our light weight casual clothes (we have warmer cycling clothes than we do casual clothes) - so we stopped at an Army surplus store where we found long-sleeved shirts. At least five of us walked out wearing identical shirts - which I failed to get a picture of. The clerk gave us a special group price of five dollars per shirt.


Damien (Ireland) with the bay in the background.


A paddle boat at the bay wharf.


Another view of the paddle boat.


Randy (California) and Damien (Ireland) along the bay marina.


Damien in in the cute sailor's cap that he purchased at the Army surplus store. He is not wearing a shirt like several of us purchased as he already had this long-sleeved shirt with him. His shirt goes very nicely with his new cap.

Later Damien, Randy, and I rode a free tourist bus for its 45 minute route around downtown Erie which gave us an overview of the downtown and bay front area.

We then went back to the hotel, rested and made preparations for tomorrow's ride. Late afternoon, several of us went out for supper and then returned to the hotel where we divided an apple pie that one of the riders had purchased at a bakery. Later, yet, one of the riders delivered Eskimo Pies to the apple pie consumers to top the evening off. Now it's back to our normal riding routine - early to bed - early to rise.

Bye for now and thanks for the comments.

Bob

Day 40 - Wed, June 18 - Niles, OH to Erie, PA - 89 miles - 2600 feet climbing

The first half of our ride from Niles, OH, to Erie, PA, was cold and wet with a left front headwind to boot. Some decided to sag up the road to the second sag stop. We also had a section of very rough road.

Myself, Randy (CA), and Warren (TX) checking out a covered bridge which was a very short side trip off our route.


I brought along my balaclava and helmet cover which proved very useful today - warm head, warm feet. Today was the third day that they came in handy on the trip.


A turkey sandwich and root beer specialty stand that is a very popular stop on the CrossRoads tour each year. The stand was the location of our second sag stop today.


Damien (Ireland) chowing down at the turkey stand.

The rain had sort of stopped so several of the riders who had sagged put their bikes back on the road at this point.


The last segment of our ride paralleled Lake Erie, although we only caught a few glimpses of it in the distance through openings in the trees. The lake would be to our left in this photo. This last segment of our day's ride was very pleasant with sort of a left-rear tailwind. The high temperature today was around 60. The report is cool temperatures for the rest of the week.


Our 10th state line crossing of the tour.


And a Pennsyvania license plate.

Tomorrow will be a rest day in Erie - before our last eight-day ride to Boston. We are hoping for fair weather tomorrow for some sightseeing around Erie.

Bye for now and thanks for the comments.

Bob