Monday, October 8, 2012

Boston!

Well, so much for writing about the rest of my ride from D.C. To South Bend. Work, traveling for Motocross and life got busy. I'll try and incorporate some stories into future posts, but for now I better talk about where I am now and what I am doing.

I am sitting in a diner in East Greenbush, New York, about 12 miles from the start of The Erie Canal. Yes! Another adventure. My ride a couple months ago was meant to be a test ride for a longer ride starting in October. I had planned to ride from Canada to Mexico but I had been advised that the weather along the Pacific West Coast would be very rainy. So, after long consideration, I decided to fly my bike out to Boston and ride back towards home. My plan is to make it as far as I can by Thanksgiving. If I can pound out a lot of miles, it is possible I can make it home. If not, I'll catch a plane back. This one is about just touring and having fun. I'm always faced with the decision of whether or not to stop and look at something or to keep going so I get in enough miles. I've never regretted stopping but having some goal is good or else I would stop for EVERYTHING. So, that's the plan.

My route is Boston to Albany, where I will ride along the Erie Canal to Niagra Falls. Then Chicago via Canada and then follow Route 66 to Santa Monica. I am excited to see the Illinois section of the Mother Road as I missed this on my run because I didn't go up to Chicago. As far as I am concerned, as long as I get to St Louis, I'll be happy. Anything after that is extra. so, I'll play it by ear and just have fun. For me that is huge!

Of course there is one thing that could get me to end even sooner.... Bella! That's an issue that I'll have to explain in another post. Right now, I've gotta ride.

Paul

2 comments:

Markus said...

Hello Paul!

What a great journey!
I met you in Rochester on
the Clinton River Trail!
Good luck!
Markus, Germany

Paul Both said...

Hey Markus!
It was a pleasure meeting you. I have a bit of bad news. Unfortunately, on October 25th about 60 miles south of Chicago, I was hit from behind by a Ford Ranger pickup truck going about 60 mph. I suffered a broken ankle, broken rib and 9 broken vertebra. Luckily, I had no internal injuries or spinal cord damage. I will fully recover. I am thanking God. Anyway, that is why I didn't get back to you sooner. Be careful out there! It's safer on those trails :)
Paul