Biking along the Erie Canal

Today, I became an American. Or crossed into my adult life. Or took a chance I normally never take. For the first time, I bought something on credit. I bought the only really nice bicycle I've ever had-- and it was really on the lower end of around $600. But it's perfect for me right now.

1. It's the right size for me.
2. It's not a single speed. So I can actually go up hills without dying.
3. The brakes work.
4. It's light enough that I can actually lift it.
5. It has a place to attach front panniers, so I can do touring someday.
6. It's a neutral color. Only halfway kidding on that one.


So the reason behind this splurge: I have the next 4ish days to complete my final project for my photojournalism class, which is a multimedia profile on a person or place. And I got the idea this morning to bike along the Erie Canal, stop in the little towns along the way, photograph people who live by the water, go to their barbeques, sit in their coffee shops, and just get as far as I can in about 3 days. Last time I tried to do this on my other bike, I could only keep about 7 miles an hour, got sick from working so hard, and only made it 30 miles outside of Rochester. I can easily hold 15 mph on this bike, so I'm shooting for Niagara Falls, if I don't putz around too much. Then a friend of mine is going to come and get me so I can come home and edit the project.

Tonight, I'm going over to watch Kung Pow and make dinner with a friend, relax and pack up for tomorrow. I'm debating whether I want to drive out to Brockport and start biking from there, since that's where I left off last time... we'll see.

Wish me luck, and I'll see you all on Friday.