October 3, 2021
Niagara Falls to Waterport
In October 2021, after not seeing my family in the United States for over 2 years, I decided it was time for a visit. Living as a dual citizen in Alberta, Canada for 18 years I was able to rent a car and cross the border at Niagara Falls. My cycling friend, Gail, from Pennsylvania decided to join me on my adventure.
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Under gray skies and threats of rain, we left from our hotel about 4 miles from the falls. We had visited the falls the night before to see the lights. We cycled from through town in hope of finding a decent breakfast as the hotel offered apples and granola bars. We picked up the trial around Tonawanda Creek and Elliot Creek Park. That is where the heavy rain started and out came the rain gear. Mistake number one is never book a hotel in advance in a season when the weather can turn nasty.
We reached the town of Lockport, a place where you could have a lovely picnic along the canal. The rain was coming down in buckets when I got a flat tire. My gravel bike has thick front tires. I had never had a flat on this bike so I did not realize how difficult it could be to get the tire off the rim. I have fixed many flats before so I felt embarrassed to ask for help. The pouring rain did not help the situation. On a Sunday afternoon what are the chances that Blueline Bicycle Repairs is going to answer the phone.
Yes! Scott would be right over in his truck. He quickly began work on getting the tire off, "No tools will work on these tires, just use your hands." We purchased extra inner tubes from him as well. This is a part time job for him as he works out of his home and uses his van to go to his clients. He has helped many cyclists on the Erie trail and enjoys meeting the folks who pass through his town.
The weather continued to drizzle and it was starting to get dark when we rolled into an AirBnB for the night. We called our host and warned her that we could be getting in late. She would be picking up some food for us so we could not have to venture out.
We arrived at Bell Tower Lodge in Waterport around 6:30 ready to get out of our wet gear and into the hot shower. A woman from the local community bought this once run down church and renovated it into a lodge which sleeps up to 16 people. We were the only guests in the lodge that evening. It was fully stocked with every thing you would need.
Today's ride: 94 km (58 miles)
Total: 94 km (58 miles)
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