Day 12. Elkins, West VirginiaFrom the clip clop of the Amish horse and buggies to hillbilly country in a day. 200 miles of some of the best motorcycle roads we've found anywhere. Spent the first hour exploring the back roads of Amish Country, and then followed the 250 into and through West Virginia. The scenery and views have been great - hilly and twisty all the way. Passed through some parts of WV which were hit by floods last week. One of the locals was say...

Day 11. Berlin, Ohio.Short but rainy travelling day today. 95 miles today brings the total for the trip close to 1000. The landscape through Ohio has been very flat and open, with huge fields of sweetcorn. We stopped off in Amish country at the famous Lehmans store to look at the Amish (non-electric) goods for sale and are tonight in Berlin. We are actually staying in a small Amish townhouse in the centre of town. Fascinating to sit on the veranda and watch the b...

Day 10. Sandusky, Ohio.A day of roller-coasters and reminiscing for Mark. Fortunately the Skyride, which he ran one summer holiday while at University, was still in operation. There were hardly any queues (not necessarily a good thing from everyone's perspective), so we went on lots of different rides (10 in total), and some more than once. Even got Mark to go on the Windseeker (rotating swings, a 100m up in the air), which he avoided the whole time he worked h...

Day 9. Sandusky, Ohio.We've made it to Sandusky! 20 odd years since Mark was here last. Been our longest day today on the road with 270 miles completed from Buffalo. Went on some nice rolling roads next to Lake Erie for the first 50 miles and then onto the interstates. Stopped for lunch in Erie at a classic diner which had excellent food and the best value so far. Going round Cleveland was a bit hairy - makes the M25 look civilised. We're now looking forward to a...

Day 8. Niagara Falls, New York.A day of giant waterfalls, plastic ponchos, and regulation sandals (Niagara Falls, Maid of the Mist, and Cave of the Winds). Then headed back to the Canalside waterfront area in Buffalo, which was a hive of activity - with country and western music and line dancing on the USS Little Rock, mass participation yoga and aerobics, and all sorts of water activities. Unfortunately there wasn't time to try the waterbikes. Finally headed ...