5 Sept........Oneonta to Margaretville,NY ..... 94km in 4.5 hrs.

How about the elderly gent in Nick's Diner who says to Hans:

"When I was your age,I also cycled across the States."

"Oh",says Hans,"When were you born?"

"1938"

Hans is dumbfounded...finally retorts:"Me ,too." End of conversation as the guy sheepishly turns to his buddies at the counter.

Lawn sales,garden sales,garage sales.....hawkers & gaukers...seems like Labor Day sunday sends folk wheeling around to see what treasure can be found in other folk's junk.

Countryside is a cyclist's dream...quiet,curvy roads,past farms & meadows...we stop to chat with the "Garlic Girls",mother & daughter Pat & Sabrina Brown at their roadside stand.Beautifully braided garlic strands hang from rafters.

"Homegrown...14 years in the business.We plant it ,harvest it ,& trek to N.Y.City's top restaurants",Pat says,"They'll pay anything for our stuff."

At a banana break in the lovely village of Stamford,an elderly gent corrals Hans,dragging him by the arm to see his ancient tandem.

"Any idea who made this old specimen?"he asks."Been offered $1000 for it".

Hans:"Why didn't you take it"?

The old boy scratches his head,"Those guys don't have that kind of money".

Serious rollers on NY23 has us "en danceuse" when suddenly a smartly clad Lance lookalike cuts across the road to meet us.

"Have I got a deal you can't refuse"he says."Here's the keys to my house...I'm headed 50 miles up to the cottage to meet my wife...so make yourselves at home for the night".Seems Brian Berry had met Will a few miles ahead,believed our West Point credentials,was impressed by our x-country jaunt & trusted us.I sadly declined the offer...would have added extra 40 miles.But famous Woodstock,NY sure sounded tempting.