August 22 Albany to Hyde Park 66.5 miles

This morning I got up at 515 as I was on set up for breakfast and needed to take my tent down and get dressed before kitchen duties at 545.
Jan and I left camp together at about 635 under sunny skies.  It was a good morning, but we encountered more hills today than yesterday which threw everyone off. They did not expect many hills today and more down hill. We rode through beautiful country along the Hudson River valley.

At the second SAG we were treated to fresh peaches by the people who owned the food stand where Julie had stopped.  We also encountered a couple who were biking across the country by themselves starting in Seattle June 26 and going to Boston and finishing August 24th . They camped or staryed in homes under "Warm Showers". They were from Switzerland and needed to get back to start their studies in September.  Her name was Marion, a delightful person.

 By 1130 Jan and I were spent and needed to stop for more food.  The SAG stop was further out than we expected so we stopped at a restaurant to use the rest room and to have a sandwich. We needed to get out of the sun and off our saddles for a period of time.  Resting for 5-10 minutes gave us the energy needed to get to the next SAG where we got some watermelon and cold clothes.

Last night we were greeted by the Delmar Reformed Church and they had a number of signs greeting us.

Thank you Delmar church for your greeting and encouragement as well as fresh popcorn and sweets. 

 

Excitement is building for the weekend. We are reviewing the schedules and routes so people know where to meet us and where.  Many of us are ready to be done as 9 weeks is a very long time to bike and sleep in a tent.  I am ready to sleep in my own bed for a while and to have regular hot showers.  Tonight our showers were ice cold, last night we had great hot showers. The night before our showers were OK but facilities were lacking so our places vary, but we still have food to eat and have bathrooms and showers for the most part. Very different for the poor for whom we are raising funds. So we really can not complain or have great expectations.  We are not staying in luxurious places that is for sure as we do not want to spend lots of money for accommodation, that would not be in the spirit of our tour.  Life stay simple and cheap. 

We continue to raise funds and everyday cyclists report when they have received donations usually more than $100.  Thank you Lord for people's open hearts and generosity.