Day four, part of the Utica club

I left my hosts still asleep for a lovely day of constant rain but flat earth. After all the climbing of yesterday I was able to coast down to the Erie canal, which has a bike way that runs along much of it. I popped in for coffee at the High Wheeler coffee shop then Began cranking out the miles to Utica. It wasn’t too cold so the rain was only a slight bother, sometimes making seeing a challenge. Saddle sores have visited me after 250 miles on the road. This is the part that can’t be prepared for. I pretty much biked straight through the rain without even eating lunch before getting to Mike and Arlene’s house (sister’s in-laws). They met me with open arms and Utica Club beer. We chatted and had a scrumptious dinner. They even stocked my room with all kinds of athletic drinks and bars. What great people!