Empire State AIDS Ride #5 gets on the road soon...

[MM_QFC!]

Mary, I live 1 hour south of Rochester area, and I see that one of the nights you will be staying in the Rochester area. (I am assuming probably the first night out). I have a wide variance as to where to go and cheer on, I prefer more rural to country as I am sure you won't be going right thru the heart of the city. When I did the 100 miler for diabetes not too long ago, there was only 1 lone cheerleader along the whole route, and it was so refreshing and would like to return the support. I am not sure if you will be going towards the Syracuse area after Rochester or towards Canandagua area after Rochester. BUT all of the Rochester area isnt far, Syracuse is a little haul, Canandagua isn't that far either..Both 1 hour or so away, and it would be such a great thing..(my vacation consists of staying home and bike riding ).

Thanks, as we'll head directly East from Niagara Falls on Sunday, 8/12 and I remember that we were mainly on the Seaway Trail, all of the time (ride director said that a pretty good landmark for us to keep in mind was that "since we're traveling East, then Lake Ontario should be on your left all day!")...and had these stops (haven't rec'd final confirmation yet that all remains the same this year):
- AM rest stop: Wilson-Tuscarora State Park
- Lunch: Golden Hill State Park
- P.M. rest stop: Hamlin Beach State Park
- Camp: Robach Community Ctr/Bathhouse, Charlotte/Rochester, NY

on Monday morning, we head south/southeast through Penfield, so we'll be closer to Canandaigua, but will stay northeast of it, and not go thru it, and we won't go east toward Syracuse at all. These were last year's stops in that area:
- AM rest stop: Town of Penfield Athletic Field (next to Town Hall)
- Lunch: John Brown Memorial Park, Clifton Springs
- PM rest stop: Lakefront Park gazebo, Geneva, NY
- Camp: Sampson State Park, Romulus

I think that's about as close as we get to you...that help?

[short cut sally]

THANK YOU so much Mary, that did help..I am just deciding which day to choose now..I am probably leaning more towards Mondays schedule..I am getting excited for you...thanks again..

[MM_QFC!]

Just heard from the ride director again today, teasing me that she'll find hills for me on the flat, long day 1 ride...everyone else cuts off 6 miles and takes the Lake Ontario State pwy from Hamlin park/afternoon rest stop to camp (the comm ctr/bath house at Ontario Beach park). I will be eagerly pedaling into camp on day 1, as some local friends of my gf are picking us up, and we're going to enjoy showers and dinner at their home. My cousin lives in Interlaken, close by overnight #2, so he'll do the same that night.

At any rate, the route will be marked on the day of, so you may spot the signs with arrows on roadside telephone poles and such; they can be followed to the rest areas too.

As Trek noted, ride directors always have the request - for safety purposes - that supporters do not startle the riders by yelling or honking at us from vehicles, but I'd sure welcome the opportunity to stop and say 'hi' to you if you spot us, so flag us down somehow - we're a friendly group! There won't be more than 100 riders and our ride vehicles will have the 'lady liberty head with rider logo' stencil signs on the back or side of the car, so yell out my name and, more than likely, someone will know where I am...tailwinds!
Mary

[Trek420]

Shellyj, we want pictures! Tailwinds.

[MM_QFC!]

I'll be taking plenty o' pics and it'd be great to get a pic with Shellyj to share with y'all too...we'll see.
Trek, thanks for your supportive auto-signature - cool beans!
Tailwinds for all!
Mary

[maryellen]

Hey Mary, having done this ride in 2005, I share your amazement in discovering just how many hills/mountains there are in NYS. As Marty told us, there's no way to cross the Hudson without going over some serious hills.

[MM_QFC!]

Hey, Maryellen - sure wish you were doing it again this year and yeah, Marty's a real comedian; whenever I get flip with her (which is constantly), she tells me that she can easily make a special route detour just for me - thru the Adirondacks too!