So Heidi had an idea…

EDIT: On some browsers some of the images are sideways. We’re aware of it and will work to fix it… later. It’s time to rest for the ride.

A few months ago I might have opened my big mouth and said something like, “Wouldn’t it be neat if we took a multi-day family bike ride?”  If you know us than you know I should know better than to give Bruce an idea and an opportunity – especially if it involves bikes.  Thankfully I had the sense in the moment to add “But, you know, on something flat.”  Ten minutes later and the internet pointed us in the direction of the Erie Canalway Trail.

Fast forward to yesterday and we loaded up the MCC (yup, we still have it) and headed first to Allegany for a quick dinner with Bruce’s family and then up to Buffalo where we checked ourselves and the MCC in the Courtyard Marriott Canalside which is conveniently located near the trailhead.

I might make a post about the gear we are hauling later, especially after we get a sense of what works and what doesn’t.  In a nutshell, we have 4 bikes, a wee hoo (Daxton’s ride), a loaded bob trailer and 4 saddle bags.

Today Bruce took the MCC to Albany and got a one way rental back to Buffalo.  Confused?  Let’s take a look at the route.  In the pic below you can maybe see a thin green line – that’s our path for the next week.  We’ll need the MCC at the end of the ride to haul us all home, so Bruce took one for the team and drove all day while I had fun with the kids.

The boys and I spent the morning walking around Harbor Center – grabbing breakfast at Tim Horton’s and then visiting the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park.  That place is a bargain at $10 per adult and I highly recommend it.  2 ships and a submarine kept us busy for a couple of hours. We went back out again in the afternoon for some ice cream and another walk near the water.

Bruce rejoined us and we ended the evening catching part of a Buffalo Bison’s game.  The best part?  They were playing the Syracuse Chiefs – a National’s feeder team.  Go Nats!

Tomorrow?  We ride.