I struggled to wake up despite some excitement about the day and week ahead. I got into Jamestown pretty late the night before. I still had to finish getting Upstate ready for the ride.
I got a shower before loading Upstate with all my gear. I ate breakfast and said my goodbyes shortly before 10. And then I was off.
I had ridden the first ten or so miles prior to this on random outings on the bike. It was an easy start.I stopped very early into the ride for some groceries and a snack. I didn't really feel like eating but knew I needed to eat anyway. I was anticipating the loss of appetite. My last excursion left me without appetite for nearly a week. I am not entirely sure why it occurs.Maybe my body just needs time to adjust. Maybe it is the heat. Whatever it was that was stealing my appetite, I didn't like it.
I buzzed through Randolph which was having some sort of community days. I would have investigated if I hadn't started so late. Shortly after that I encountered one the larger hills on my anticipated journey.I had an awesome tailwind pushing me up the hill but the hill was still winning. It wasn't just winning. It was kicking my ass.I took it slow and was unafraid to stop and breathe.
I took a break in the shade outside of Salamanca and talked to a nice guy named Johnny. He showed me pictures of his brother and all the celebrities his brother met as he crossed the country in his wheel chair.He was friendly and I enjoyed the chat. I was happy to see my travel personality was instantly back. Its amazing how personable I become when I roll into some place with a fully loaded bike.
The scenery was lovely and green. I may have actually been taking it for granted. The hills with green trees and rolling heights cut with fields and meadows were what I grew up seeing every day. It was still beautiful but I found myself more amused by the random things I would see. I saw a man in a chicken suit outside of a reservation smoke shop.I saw a fellow touring cyclist traveling West. He and I waved and smiled. I wish I had talked to him. Nevertheless, seeing a fellow cyclist made me really happy. I was almost overcome with emotion for a moment. Despite all the hardships the cycling can be and cause, I truly love it. When I am bike touring I can be whoever I want to be. On the road I am brave. I am not a coward. I am self-sufficient.I am strong. Out here, I can do anything, be anything. I was at home on the road and closer to myself than any other time. I think that is the only part of my adventures that would qualify as being brave. It takes a certain amount of bravery to be alone with yourself day after day. I knew I would be spending the next few days looking inward.
I had a rough idea of where I would end up. When I rolled into Olean I didn't bother looking for campgrounds. Instead my plan was to find an out of the way church and set up my tent. I managed this easily. The church had a big yard and was mostly secluded. I pitched my tent at dusk. I was tired and sunburned and passed out quickly despite the sound of a nearby party. I would wake early in the morning and head out before the church goers arrived.
No comments:
Post a Comment