I traveled about 72.4 miles today.
Long ride along the Erie canal today from Rochester to Lockport. Mostly gravel trail, but very flat. Still made good time, but my bike got dusty, so I cleaned it off this evening and adjusted the brakes a little.
I really can't say enough nice things about Eric, Rachel, and Abby (who I stayed with in Rochester). They were so kind to let me stay with them, and I really hope to keep in touch with them in the future. Good luck on the D.C./Pittsburgh!
Tonight I'm staying in Lockport with Nancy. Though she doesn't bike, Nancy opens up her home to many, many cyclists in the warm showers network who are on their way to Niagara Falls. She gave me a little tour of the intricate lock system along the Erie canal (the town is called Lockport for a reason), which was absolutely fascinating. The picture is me standing in front of a working recreation of an original wooden lock gate. Each door of the gate is made of white oak and weighs 5 tons. The railing in the right of the picture is the original railing, and there are deep grooves worn in it and in some of the stone blocks from barge ropes being passed over and pulled on.
Niagara falls tomorrow!