I am going to wait another hour before I hit the road as the storm is going east and I'm off west to Niagara. The weather is meant to improve with highs of 75f+ and humidity around 83%. Right I'll crack on with yesterdays report. Later peeps.......
I wait till 1000 before I leave the hotel....I know so decadent and you're all working hard , its just not right is it lol. Light rain soon gives way to dry roads and the decision to leave late fully justified. Syracuse was under water at 0800 now it's all gone.
I'm able to move apace with the traffic whilst keeping a beady eye out for the local PD. They are seeing revenue dwindle themselves and are, to qoute one person "brutal". There's plenty of highway patrol about hiding in the median so careful as she goes.
The weather is still sticky but the sun comes out for a while before the sky darkens and it starts to rain again. Miles disappear fast and soon the fuel light is on. I pull into Ontario services where I grab a coffee and find wi fi access. Unfortunately no one is at home. Bugger.
Time to go....next stop Niagara. It doesnt take too long to blat along the new York thruway and as I do the weather gets better and better. After a couple of hours its around 82f and hardly a cloud in the sky. I hit the end of the thruway at the toll booths just east of Buffalo.
From here its only a few miles around the expressway that weaves its way around Buffalo. This is one of two huge bridges that span the Niagara river the second running behind the falls themselves. You can't see them yet but the mist rises way above the river.
Several people told me to skip the American Falls and go straight to the Canadian side so that's what I do. This is the Rainbow bridge that leads to the Canadian border.
Welcome to Canada. Waiting in line is hot however there are only a couple of cars ahead of me so it's not too bad. A few moments later I'm joined by another bike. Both rider and passenger were Brits and spotted my bike plate straightaway. The border check was a painless experience. The young guy in the booth just chatted away about the bike and my trip so far. Documents checked. All done.
The river and the Falls are only a minute away. Nothing really prepared me for the spectacle they deliver. They are truly magnificent. A real testament to the power of nature. There is so much spray that the road above is wet and there is a permanant plume that lines the viewing areas. Here are a few photos including Russ the freeloading giraffe...you'll be seeing more of him later.
The Canadian side known as Horseshoe Falls.
Looking down to the American Falls.
It was difficult to see the pictures or framing due to the sunlight but they didnt turn out too bad.
It's now 83 f and I am the only person amongst thousands who iswearing anything other than shorts. This strange vision of a man in bike gear standing under the plume of mist to try and keep cool is undoubtedly not what the tourists thought they'd see. After 20 minutes it's time to go. I hope to be back again later in the month.
Its another 60 miles or so to my final destination, Toronto, along the freeway. It doesn't take too long to lose the miles until about 20 miles before the city. Toronto has a population of 2.5 million and it appears they've all come out together and all want to go in the same direction as me. Coupled with roadworks its at a standstill which is further compounded by the bike going onto reserve.
You'd think that a major city would have gas stations at freeway locations but I couldnt find any. Crawling slowly toward the city sees the fuel level drop from 20 to 10 then to 5 miles only. I get off at Young St and with the help of a local biker get to a little gas station tucked away in the city....phew.
After 10 minutes to get my bearings and wondering whether I really want to do the CN Tower tomorrow I double back to Mississauga and find a hotel to crash in as it's now after 8. I find a bar round the corner with decent grub and a Marley tribute band playing so after a couple of pints and food I'm toast. Off to bed.
Here's a little vid of the Maid in the Mist. The power of the water is incredible. These boats are tough little buggers.....
Mileage today 340...
1 comments:
seems though its been a bit wet mate, hope it clears soon.
Mick
ps munter says hi !!
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