Day 30 – Ride Across America for GTG, Batavia to Syracuse, NY

Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.                                          – Pele

Congratulations Jeff!

Grief group helps me because you can talk about your feelings and meet people who are going through the same thing as you.  It has helped me so much!  Thank you!!                                                                                                  – Jenny, a GTG High School Student

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Memorial Day, 2019

I spent hours today, remembering the family, friends, teachers and others who help raise me, educate me and gave me guidance and encouragement along the way.  My memory of them is a blessing for me and I enjoyed telling the other riders about some of the people I thought about today.  The lessons I learned from these people and others I remember, still inspire me and motivate me in my life.

I hope that your Memorial Day was relaxing, rewarding and full of good memories of those who have impacted your life.

After three days off for my niece’s wedding, today was more difficult than expected.  However, with all the small towns decorated for Memorial Day Parades and people gathering to celebrate, it was easy to feel joyful and supported.  We saw several Fire Departments barbecuing chicken and beef for the crowds – it looked like 600 chickens over a very large grill for the people of Avon. We saw old fire trucks, floats and other regalia along with musicians ready to participate in the parades.

Many beautiful older homes lined the roads we biked.  More than 3 dozen homes had cupolas – see photos.  Many of the homes listed the dates of construction -some in the 1700s, but mostly in the early to mid 1800s.  Most of the farms, despite their long history, had up to date structures and equipment.  It was exciting to see the places and remember the history associated with them from school or other reading.  Syracuse and the Erie Canal, Seneca Falls and the First Woman’s Rights Convention in 1848, Waterloo and the beginning of Memorial Day Celebrations, Avon and the Finger Lakes Region of New York.  It was all very interesting and I was able to capture many photos along the way.

There was road construction on our route, so we had to follow a detour, adding about 5 miles on the day.  Also, it is becoming more common for gas stations and other businesses to refuse us the use of a bathroom – even if we buy something.  So, we often must wait longer than we want – especially Jen – to find a bathroom.

Final plans are being made for Thursday, the last day: boxing and shipping our bikes home and getting those who need a ride to the airport in Boston for the flight home.  I need to ship my bike box from the hotel on Friday.

Tomorrow, Day 31, is expected to have rain and cool temps in the 50s all day.  And a headwind.  We were informed that our group leaders do not need to ride in bad weather – they have nothing to prove!    As for us, we’ll see how it goes…………….

Please enjoy a photo heavy Relive video