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The Schwinn - preparing to depart from Clyde

Gondola Joe leaving Brockport

Saturday AM, I left Pittsford and headed out.  I was very thirsty all day.  The weather was very nice and every time I reached for my water bottle, it had fallen off somewhere.  aaaahh

Went to Tom Wahls for lunch  in Newark... a couple of small burgers (with hot sauce) and a home made root beer gave me the energy to make it to Clyde, NY.  Six hours on the cruiser with the small 26" wheels and wide tires  - she's a pretty bike but definitely not built for speed.  I probably should not have had that extra burger ...

Escaping the rain under a bridge

An unintentional detour... I don't think this is the bike path!

Back on the road 1:30 ish.  Somewhere in Greece, NY, I missed the turn to cross a bridge to the other side of the canal.  I continued straight for at least another 2 miles as the path kept getting narrower and bumpier.     I back-tracked and found the path again.  At this point I was resigned to the fact that it was going to rain all day.  Squish squish as the water poured out of my shoes ...

The Genesee Valley Park area is really beautiful.  I look forward to rowing thru there in the future.  I would love to row up to Corn Hill and have Tai food.  But alas, must press on to Pittsford and a friends house.  I finally reached Pittsford at 6:00 PM. Totally wet - my rain pants leaked, I had been drinking rain water off my jacket since I had dropped my water bottle somewhere ...  I parked my cruiser in Soren and Collette's driveway.  I showered, put on dry clothes and had a glass of red wine AAAAAHHHHHH.   Collette asked me:  "Free range roast beef and new potatoes with gravy OK ? "   ah YAH

Needless to say, the day ended amazingly - thank you Collette and Soren !

Due to continued inclement weather including daily rain showers, steadily decreasing temperatures and the biggest factor, high winds, there has been a change in the trip format.  Although this decision was difficult to make, since it follows weeks of preparation and training, the concern is that the gondola could be damaged.   It is difficult to control a gondola while standing on a narrow slippery, wet deck for hours in heavy wind gusts.  While  fighting to keep on course, the boat could easily be swept to shore and damaged on the rocks lining the canal.

The Schwinn Beach Cruiser: Gondola Model

Enjoyed some coffee at the Shirt Factory Café then showered at the marina.  Before departing I was interviewed by The Daily News (Batavia NY). The article can be viewed here.

I departed at 10:00 am with the photographer snapping my picture. In rain and high winds, I rowed to Albion and stopped at the town wall. Took a break and considered spending the night, but decided to push on to Holley.

Arrived at Holley at 5:30pm, the lift bridge operator had left for the day. I was able to drive my boat under the bridge with inches to spare - not unlike what they do daily in Venice. This is where I tied up for the night. There were a number of times during the day where conditions reminded me of “The Deadliest Catch.” It has me wondering if I can continue safely.

Monday morning before rain

I made it to Medina, NY and am tied near the lift bridge.  My tent is under a nearby tree.  Today, it is raining and the wind is gusting up to 50mph per the weather report.  The wind and rain is expected until midnight.  After much agonizing I made the decision to stay in Medina at least for the morning.

We'll see what what the afternoon brings ...  One problem is that the lift bridges and locks cease operation @ 5:00 pm.  If I leave this afternoon  I could potentially get stuck 10-15 miles from a town tied to a wall near a bridge. 

Shirt Factory Cafe in Medina NY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Weedsport Man to Row Authentic Venetian Gondola from Buffalo to Syracuse on Erie Canal

Weedsport, NY – September 23, 2009 - On September 27, 2009, Joe Deverell, a Weedsport, NY native, will be departing Gateway Park in Tonawanda, NY in a Venetian Gondola and rowing solo [150 miles on the Erie Canal] to Syracuse, NY. His final destination is Lock #24 in Baldwinsville, NY, stopping at numerous Western New York towns along the way. In the evenings, he will be camping out, enjoying the local cuisine and sights.

The intent of this journey is to raise awareness for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease”), promote Eco-Friendly NYS Canal Tourism and infuse enthusiasm for the artistic and romantic elements of the Venetian Gondola.

Gondolas are artistic wonders - 36 feet long, built by hand from 26 different woods, fitted with carvings, bronzes, Persian rugs and wondrous iron work on both ends. They weigh approximately 1500 lbs and are rowed with one 14 foot long oar as the only means of propulsion. Using a Venetian Gondola to travel long distances is very unusual. It can become quite a handful out of its natural elements which are narrow canals, protected from wind and waves.

This trip is a tribute to Joe’s mother, Valerie, who passed away in February 2004 of ALS. Valerie Angelini Deverell was born in 1937 in Rochester, NY. She lived in Scottsville and then Gates. She was a graduate of Nazareth College in Pittsford, NY with a BS degree in Nursing.

Joe Deverell (aka “Gondola Joe”) is an engineer who sells environmental liquid filtration and heat exchanger systems for the Buffalo-based R.P. Adams Co. He is one of a few fortunate Americans who have the honor to have been trained to row in Venice, Italy by authentic Gondoliers.

To learn more about Joe and his Gondola Odyssey for Valerie and to make a donation, please visit www.gondolajoe.com. The direct donation link to the ALS Association is: http://web.alsa.org/goto/gondola_4_valerie_deverell.

Contact:

Joe Deverell
www.gondolajoe.com
gypsygondolier  [AT]  gmail [DOT] com

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