Day 66 - Erie, PA to Hamburg, NY

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 Stats: 

Today's miles: 99.0 miles
Today's feet of elevation gain: 2,812 feet
Total miles traveled: 3,011.7 miles
Total feet climbed: 79,525 feet


‘No hoof, no horse’ is an old cowboy saying... pretty self-explanatory.


The analog for biking is all about wheels. I had only gone about 5 mi on Tues morning when the rear wheel got that squishy feeling. Sure enough, another flat!! (the last was two days earlier 10mi coming into Erie). This flat was bad, not just a simple puncture, the tire was cut with a half dozen cords cut. While I could change the tube, it would simply rub against the damaged area of the tire and quickly fail. I don’t carry a spare tire! I put a patch over the damaged area to hopefully buy some time/distance to get to a bike shop.


Fifty miles later, just outside Dunkirk, the rear tire blew out completely. Oh sh##! I was out of options and planned on spending most of the afternoon walking to the nearest bike shop (7 mi). I called Fredonia Cycling to make sure they had the tire & tubes I needed. I was surprised, when after explaining my situation, Lucas (the owner) offered to drive out and pick me up and make repairs back at the shop. Wow, what a lifesaver!! Needless to say, I left with a new rear tire and a spare in my bag.

Unfortunately between both episodes I had lost over three hours and the 30 miles to Hamburg meant that I’d be rolling in after dark (7:40 actual). A long day, but it was good to put tire issues behind me.


Miles and miles of concord grapes. It was cool riding between Erie and Buffalo. This area produces tons of grapes. The smell of grapes was so intense and extended on for miles.




 
Location: Hamburg, NY 14075, USA

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