Day 18 - Utica to Rome - Alex Bikes (Portsmouth to Syracuse) 2023

June 3, 2023

Day 18 - Utica to Rome

I’m writing this a few days after the fact:

Today I woke up from the hotel well-rested but lethargic. Once I got my legs moving however, it was easy going. The weather had broken a bit last night and today was a full 15degrees cooler than the last few.

I’d be staying with family in Syracuse and made the decision to make that the end-point of the trip. Knowing that I only had 80 miles to cover in the next two days contributed to the relaxing feel of the day.

Aside from a stretch through Rome - which I used for a grocery stop - this section of the trail is very quiet. It stays away from main roads and is generally along the quiet, shady old canal. 10/10 riding. Saw four turtles today too.

I weighed pedaling on to Green Lakes State Park, but a few cyclists had recommended Lock 21 as a nice camp spot. I got there early and read in my hammock for a while before setting up my tent.

Fellow campers included a couple of guys bringing a sailboat from Connecticut to Ithaca and a bike tourer named Mason who rolled in late and high off of a 100 mile day. We chatted for a while about bikes, music, and his epic touring plans which he hopes will bring him from Maine to Alaska to Argentina.

Full moon tonight and comfortably chilly sleep too.

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