Breaking Wind – A Bike to Medina

An absurd Dutch tradition is the weather-dependent annual Headwind Cycling Championship, held during a storm with winds of 30mph or higher. The winner is whomever can charge up the 5 mile course directly into the eye of the storm the quickest. I mention this because, well, nevermind... we'll get to it later.

Ginnie and I had planned a 50 mile bike out to Medina (Meh-dīn-ah), New York as a combined early birthday, early anniversary, late celebration of the end of winter. Gin had taken the day off work and we set out nice and early at 9:40 with our bags packed to nearly a PJP level of preparedness. Everything was ready; books, clothes, water bottles, chargers, a tin of market cherry tomatoes.

One of the treats of the canal path is the towns strung every 10-15 miles along it. Fairport, Spencerport, Brockport, Albion, Medina were the highlights on the way out. That meant that Brockport, a college town wrapping up the semester, was our midway spot. We found a lovely diner and refueled.

Once we were back on the trail, the wind picked up, and up. A malevolent force trying to prevent us from reaching our goal. Heads down, our lips flapping, we shouldered aside the wind and recreated our own Dutch Tegenwindfietsen.

The goal was worth it. Medina's a charming town full of charming architecture.

And our hosts were even more gracious. 83 year old Pat, who runs the Garden View Bed and Breakfast, greeted us with congratulations and commiseration about the wind. Exactly the right thing to say.

A mile walk to Fitzgibbons Public House for dinner was the best way to loosen the muscles and continue our awe at the beautiful homes.

We tottered our way back through the neighborhoods, glad to see the cheery Garden View waiting for us. Our rosy room at the top of the stairs, waited for our weary selves with open arms and a soft, comfy bed.

I think we'll be back. After all, we're more than half-way to Buffalo from here...