Day Fourteen: April 23, 2004
Crossing the BorderFrom: Mile 478: Buffalo New York
To: Mile 570: Hamilton, Ontario CANADA
Total Distance: 92 miles (or 155.2km)
Topography: Flat and straight, but neverending.
Weather: Cold, windy, and sunny. The day started off with rain in Buffalo but cleared up as we crossed the border, as wind off the river became a constant. Once we had passed Niagara Falls area and were heading west towards Hamilton, Ontario strong gusts of wind hit us hard directly in the face.
Major Landmarks: Peace Bridge, US/Canada Border; Niagara Falls, The Rainbow Bridge, flat empty farm land all the way to Hamilton.
The Ride:
Start: 830am Front Park, Peace Bridge, Buffalo, NYEnd: 6pm Woodward Park, Hamilton, Ont, Canada
Total: 5hrs Riders: 18, including 5 Riders from Toronto Tibetan Youth Congress, who joined us to complete the long stretch from the Rainbow Bridge to Hamilton, Ont.
Casualties: Sonam Wangdu, Rabten Jamtso, and Tenam: Having yet to receive the proper paperwork and travel documents from the US Government, three extremely important members of our family of Riders and support team had to say goodbye to us in Buffalo, as they were unable to complete the journey. WE MISS YOU ALL!
Rinpo Tenzin and Rabka Rabka, at Immigration: Improper Visa documentation sent them back to Buffalo with Larry on a mad dash to get proper papers by 11am at US Border Security, US Immigration, and finally Canadian Consulate. When the dust cleared all were riding by lunchtime in Canada, but we were only a minute away from losing our 2 strongest Lead Riders a day before the conclusion of the ride.
Standouts: Gendin Gyatso: After being informed that he can cross into Canada for the remainder of the ride, but will experience severe difficulty at US Immigration upon his return without his pending Travel Documents, Gendin blazed the route, and led the whole way.
Douglas Herman (Tour Coordinator/Photographer): Initially only intending to ride across to photograph the Riders on the Peace Bridge, the commotion at the Border made it possible to continue on the Ride near the front of the pack, leg cramps and all.
Toronto Riders: Sonam, Lobsang, Jangchup, and Jigmey Thanks for finally finding us and Riding the long way to Hamilton in the wind. Also many thanks in advance for all the work you have done to ensure tomorrowšs demonstration at the Chinese Embassy in downtown Toronto is a success.
Rating: The longest straightaway EVER!
Host Family: Unitarian Church of Hamilton: Hamilton, Ontario
Meal: Rinpo Renzin has assumed the duties as Team Chef. Nice Dahl man.
Wake Up Time: 5am; Last push from Hamilton to downtown Toronto. On the doorstep and knocking.
Quote of the Day: Cell Phone call from Jigme to Larry back in Buffalo at Immigration. "You gotta get over to the PeaceBridge asapGendin got kicked out of Canada!!!" Several Hours Later After meeting back up with the group in an empty van. "What happenedWherešs Rinpo and Rabka?" "Didnšt make it man, didnšt make it" LOTS of Gullible people on this tour. It started with the Larry King Live interview and never ended.
