Revenge of the Sith

September 14, 2024

A great night stay in a cycling-themed room in Medina. What's better than that? Easy - another day of riding! We are always on the move. Have to love it when the local coffee shop opens at 6am as we're early risers and want to hit the road. Proprietors at the aptly-named Coffee Pot Cafe served up great food and conversation - our journey may have inspired future travel on two wheels for them.

No better place that the coffee pot in Medina to fuel with coffee and bagel breakfast sandwiches prior to departing Medina!

It's 60-degrees as we make our way out of Medina, each on two wheels, and onto the canal path. The sun is still low in the sky and casting golden rays onto Medina's waterfront showcasing its older industrial side and its newer marine-recreational side.

Trail was quiet this Saturday morning. Barely any vehicles at the road crossings. The loudest sound is our tires rolling over the gravel on the canal path.

Whether you look left or right at the road crossings, the streets are void of traffic this Saturday morning

Short side trip to see Holley Canal Falls in the town of, you guessed it, Holley. It's an unexpectedly scenic diversion. It required us to life and portage our bikes over the raised pedestrian bridge and then ride to the falls, but it was worth it. We were able to find an alternate route back to the canal so we wouldn't have to portage again. There were several other visitors this morning as we viewed the falls. Many came, took selfies, and left. We sat there underneath the falls just listening to its noisy roar and got lost in the experience.

We rolled into Spencerport, locked up the bikes, and went in search of lunch. Subway to the rescue! We bought a sub, walked back to the dockside, and ate it as we watched the boats motor by. After lunch, we stopped to chat with another retired couple who were very interested in our adventure so we shared details, videos, and contact information. I hope they get to ride their tour someday.

Trail turns to brick riding into this canal town

Watching the canal boats pass as we devour our Subway

On our way into Rochester we detoured off the Empire trail proper as we wanted to ride past High Falls, and very scenic waterfall in the middle of downtown. Much more scenic than the Holley Canal falls mind you (not that they weren't scenic, just the High falls, are, well, higher. The trail was going to enact its revenge as both our route and view were blocked as we came across yet another closure over the Pont de Rennes. We parallel alongside the Genesee river and after a Generally Grevious climb, we are able to view the falls. Proud we navigated our way to view two falls today. Twice the pride, double the falls.

We came south along the Genesee River Trail which enabled this view of the Genesee River Lower falls and Driving Park Ave bridge

Our view/route over Pont de Rennes is closed. Time to find a new route

We have the high ground! Don't underestimate our power!

After the falls we rolled southward to link up with the Empire Trail and a side trip to the REI. Even though we didn't get the full view of the falls from the bridge, and we skipped a portion of the Empire Trail to head through center-Rochester, I still consider we rode the full Empire Trail today. You don't have to ride 100% of the trail to consider completing it, because only a Sith deals in absolutes.

Made it to the Courtyard Brighton south of Rochester after a stop in REI (and a new bike jersey, too! Not that the Rapha T-shirt I have on is ready to be retired, but getting a new bike jersey with Adirondack theming? Priceless). Interesting stories and adventures overnight which will have to wait until tomorrow's posting.

Heart

Comment

Link

Today's ride: 55 miles (89 km)
Total: 113 miles (182 km)

Rate this entry's writing	Heart	3
Comment on this entry	Comment	0