I've thrown down about 700 miles so far on Bike Trip. I didn't think I was really ready for this - mentally or physically - but turns out things have been going alright.

My first day I made about 115 miles, which was 20 short of my goal. But at least I got to test out my rain gear as a string of thunderstorms rambled through and the Google took me on unnecessary dirt roads. Paul picked me up by sundown, however, and I got to eat glorious tacos and rhubarb bake (shoutout to Tiffany).

The next day I hit Ann Arbor, a 40 mile jaunt, for some Zingerman's and Wednesday saw me finish the last 40 miles to Detroit. It was fun meeting up with a bunch of folks in the Detroit Metro area before the rest of the trip began and chowing down on copious amounts of food.

Friday evening I started off with Nate toward Buffalo. We made it to Algonac, MI, by 11:30 pm after a flat tire and we were only a ferry ride from Canada.

Saturday morning we boated across the river and met Ciaran Carter, a UDM XC and Track alum working the border, which was a fun surprise. Another fun surprise was when I realized I lost my debit card somewhere in Algonac (RIP). Nate and I did a solid 110 and slept in a field in Port Burwell. And we met a fellow tourer named Hans. He was good at selfies.

Sunday brought a delightful fireman's breakfast buffet and three hours of rain. We slept on a soccer field in Dunnville. Monday we finally made it to New York, saw Niagara Falls, and ate dozens of cookies at the Campbell's. Nate left for Detroit again at midnight.

Tuesday I followed the Erie Canal for 110 miles. It was really crazy. There's this waterway winding through farm after farm, intermittenly interrupted by a tiny town. It reminded me of those irrigation channels off the Colorado in the southwest. Neat.

Wednesday brought the wind. I wasn't happy. But I did get to visit Alex Case, my YMCA of the Rockies roommate, in Penn Yan. We went for a boat ride on Keuka Lake. Then I went back to the headwind and hated life.

I ended up spending the night in campground in Ithaca, and in the morning I met Adrian and her stepdaughter Electra, who gave me delightful egg sandwiches and tea. It was a good start to the day, which quickly turned sour. It didn't stop raining for more than a few minutes, plus the hills were brutal. I slept under a pavilion.

This set the stage for yesterday, Friday. I only needed another 40 miles to get to Cooperstown, and I braved the rain and hills and rolled in around 1:00 pm. After the jumbo burger at the local diner, I headed to the Hall of Fame by 3:00 pm. It was finally sunny. I left my bike outside.

Six hours later (where did the time go? I didn't even see everything!) it was pouring again and pitch dark. I hadn't thought of where to sleep so I walked around the town for an hour before I decided to sleep on a park bench that was partially covered by trees. I was fairly discouraged.

But I made it through the night, and here I am 50 miles later. I've decided to post up for a bit. There's a Flag Day parade and a chicken dinner after, and then a Father's Day breakfast up the road a few miles tomorrow. Not going to miss that.

180 miles to the airport. Got to be there Wednesday. Here we go.