1500 Miles 'til the Erie Canal

The post title has a tune, since it's based on a song about the Erie Canal.  That mis hermanos and I sang a lot when we were younger (Mother taught us), but I sometimes remember not everyone knows. :)  Anyway, it's a great one.

I've got a mule, her name is Sal
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal
She's a good old worker and a good old pal
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.

We've hauled some barges in our day
Filled with lumber, coal, and hay
And we know every inch of the way 

 From Albany to Buffalo

Chorus:
Low bridge, everybody down
Low bridge cause we're coming to a town
And you'll always know your neighbor
And you'll always know your pal
If you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal

So I am planning to bike the Erie Canal trail next summer.  I decided this in the dark, nasty winter--last January or February.  The family history research I've been doing is all in New York towns/counties that border the canal, and I'm sure it was a big part of my families's lives (because it was a big part of every New York State person's life in the 1800s).  So it has a double purpose for me--to connect to my families and to get in shape/take care of my body.

So I decided I was going to do it, but it was well over a year away.  I was busy getting in shape, just in general, and haven't done much about the Canal specifically (except think about it and try to decide if I want to get a new bike for it, or not).  But at Youth Conference last week one of the speakers encouraged the youth to do hard things of all sorts, to prepare for missions, and one of his examples was do a 50 mile bike ride.  And that made me remember that I have less than a year now and I should start making a specific plan and working on it.  (Big, big factor is to make sure I know what I'm doing to stay in shape through this next winter.)

This week I sat down and worked on it some.  I still have undecideds (like the winter--multiple options: join a gym and do the bike there, buy a stationary bike for my house, buy rollers, buy a stand, etc.).  But what I have decided is that I'm going to bike 1500 miles before the Erie Canal.   A lot of that will be in 2.5 mile segments to and from work (2.5 each way, 5 miles a day) and 5 mile days in the winter.  But it will include some long rides this summer/fall and next spring. 

I'm really excited.  Excited for the 1500 miles.  Excited for the Canal next summer.  Hopefully you'll hear more about it as I plan!  :)

One other thing right now:  If anyone is interested in joining me, I would love a buddy or two.  I still haven't decided exactly when or how I'll do it (there's a commercial venture I might join, or I might do it alone).  But if anyone is interested---let me know! 

1500 miles 'til the Erie Canal!!