Erie Canal Flooding

My friend Kent and I are just one week away from our 400mi Erie Canal ride. He sent me a link to this notice:

Canalway Trail Advisory
A segment of the of the Erie Canalway Trail in the Fort Hunter area in eastern New York is closed due to impacts of flooding caused by tropical storm Irene. It is uncertain when this segment will reopen. The adjacent roadway, Route 5S, is also closed. Long distance trail users should consider alternate routes around this area, such as Route 5 on the north side of the Erie Canal from Fonda to Amsterdam. Please exercise caution if cycling the eastern portion of the canal corridor.

One thing you notice right away — look at the excellent map — there are maps for almost every inch of this route. And the guide book is printed on water-resistant paper, too. Each map comes with references to nearby hotels, museums and bike shops; we have to find the great restaurants ourselves.

Does this damaged roadway discourage? Kent says, “it looks like we have a bit of bushwhacking to do — it will just add to the memories.”

We’ve both done so much planning and preparation; it’s hard to stop. Kent, again, “I’m sitting here thinking about a coast of Maine ride next summer and grazing bike sites as I countdown to next week.” Of course, neither one of us has done anything this ambitious before; we both think we’ll like it.

One site he forwarded, Rivendell’s Tips for Happy Riding. Here’s a sample:

Don’t always shop by price and never ask for discounts at your local bike shop. Every time you go into a bike shop, spend at least $2, and if you ask a question and get good advice, spend $5.

Words to live by.

I shipped my panniers ahead today. Why ship 16 lbs of gear and not fly with it? I didn’t want TSA pinching my pocket knife and pliers and I wouldn’t check luggage for a bike ride that starts the day after I arrive — too many lost/late suitcases in the past year, 5 times in 2010. Besides, it’s fun to sit here at my desk tracking UPS several times a day. I check the weather about 5 times a day, too.

The bike arrived today — Campus Wheelworks in Buffalo does a steady business receiving bikes from all over and re-assembling them for the ride — my bike will be ready for pickup by the 14th. Still have to find someone to ship it back in Albany, but I’ll have all week to research that.