CANAJOHARIE, N.Y. -- What would posses somebody to do a 400-mile bike ride?

Ray Whetten of Ballston Lake said, "I'll tell you, it's the weirdest answer you've ever had I'm sure."

Whatever brings these riders out, one thing is for sure -- you'd better like biking if you're going to take this trip.

Andrew Shaw of Virginia said, "There have been a couple of hills, but other than that rides been pretty easy."

Erie Canal Bike Tour

Hundreds of bikers are making their way through the Mohawk Valley as part of the 10th annual Erie Canal Bike Tour. Our Mark Repasky took off to find out what it takes to get ready for a 400-mile trip.

Joe Wertz of Georgia said, "Tuesday we had a 60-mile ride similar to this one, and it got up into the 90s and we had a headwind for the last 20 miles. That was rough.

The bikers average about 50 miles every single day. This leg, though, from Rome to Canajoharie, is the longest at 63 miles. And what's at the end? A giant hill. Just because of that, the village is making sure all of the bikers will have a welcome to remember.

Canajoharie Palatine Chamber President Dolores Jacksland said, "They come every year, but this is the most cyclists we've ever had."

Jim Gallo runs a bed and breakfast, Inn at Palatine Bridge, across the bridge.

"I have four bikers staying with me," he said.

More may drop in. Five days in, everyone is already looking forward to the same thing.

Wertz said, "I look forward to sleeping in a bed on Sunday night."

Whetten said, "For one thing, it will be nice to sleep in a bed."

But Ray Whetten will only be there for a couple of nights. His reason for taking this trip...practice. In ten days, the retired GE worker is starting all over again, this time in Iowa with his son.