Recent PostsOver the River CXI
July 18, 2026
Highlights and lowlights from my 111th two-wheeled trek to the Great State of New York:
1. While waiting at Niagara College for the second of two Falls-bound Niagara Transit buses, each of the other eight people at the stop had their head down, engrossed with their phones. I still don’t get it. And I’m proud of that.
2. Also at Niagara College, I found a quarter on the ground. A little fare reduction for putting up with having my ride “simplified.” Yes, I remain bitter.
3. These signs were plastered all over Niagara Falls (Canada). I’m sorry for the bird and its owner, but does he/she really expect us to try to lure it with treats?
4. On the inbound #77 bus to Buffalo, someone cracked open a Pepsi before devouring a couple of Reese’s peanut butter cups. The breakfast of champions.
5. I spotted many DWAMs™ on the day, though it was potentially understandable given the air quality situation. This guy, however, doesn’t deserve a free pass since he only put his dipshit mask on just before boarding ahead of me near the Niagara USA Visitor Center.
6. Seated nearby was a black guy with a large Ziploc bag full of glazed donuts.
7. No, it’s not “free,” it’s paid for by taxpayers . . .
8. Approaching Main Street near the Utica station, a black guy seated on a bench said to me, “Be careful!”
9. Two of the characters at the Remedy House. Big Hair Woman had a trinket on her purse with the slogan “No ICE.”
10. Seated next to me was a pair of middle-aged women, one of whom smelled like she had just shit herself. “She believes in some kind of spiritual power,” said Shit Lady. “She doesn’t know if it’s there, but if there is, she wants to know about it.” Later, Shit Lady’s companion talked about a friend of hers who lives in Kenmore and was going to Nova Scotia for two weeks. “It’s a lot of money,” she said.
11. The doors to the crowded patio were left wide open during my entire time there, and many flies took advantage of the invitation to join the guests.
12. While I was waiting for the Falls-bound #77 at the MTC, a chubby guy wearing a Tops uniform said, “F--- myself. I hate these buses.”
13. As another cyclist had boarded ahead of me on the #77, the rack was full even before we left the MTC. Which left the cyclists on North Division Street and Niagara Street hoping to get the #77 having to wait for the next bus.
14. One of the passengers on the #77 was looking to cross the Rainbow Bridge, so he was asking the driver and another passenger which stop to get off in Niagara Falls. What they didn’t tell him, however, was that there’s a dedicated pedestrian walkway on the south side of the bridge, as I later spotted him walking toward the toll booth, passing by two separate “No Pedestrians Past This Point” signs. Only after two CBP officers on the other side of the fence stopped him did he turn around. In fairness, though, there needs to be better signage directing pedestrians. He’s not the only one I’ve seen making the same mistake.
15. Boarding the #12 GO bus at the Niagara Falls (Canada) Bus Terminal was a young woman with rolls of fat oozing out from all sides of her. What struck me was how someone that young could get that fat.
16. After I disembarked at Fairview Mall, someone boarded the GO bus, but not before asking the driver if he was going to Burlington. No trip is complete without such an occurrence.
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