On my tour last summer, I didn't always know where I'd be staying night to night, so I didn't call the hotels -- just rolled in with the loaded bike. Most hotel staff were just fascinated with the bike and didn't blink an eye about me keeping it in my room.

When we race, we always bring our bikes in the hotel rooms. I've never had anyone question it.

Have a blast. I rode a few little bits of the Erie Canal last summer on my tour.