Today's Ride
The Stats
93 miles
4,154 ft. climbed
Miles Completed: 2,751
Miles to Go: 645
States Visited: 10 of 15 (though we cross into PA tomorrow!)
Total Climbed: 86,426 ft.
Highlight: Visit from Biker Bob
Challenges: Crosswinds, traffic (in parts), late-day rain, and lead legs, given the double centuries over the last 2 day!
The Ride
Once again it was a cool (below 50) and windy morning. The wind was more or less favorable, but at times we had really strong cross-winds, almost capable of blowing us down! Many rollers, some topping out at 12-13%, and felt like we were racing the rain -- with varying degrees of success -- throughout the day, hence fewer than usual pics! (Thanks to some of the other tour riders for sharing their photos -- especially those on the bike path in the sun, evidence that they were way ahead of me!)
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| Bike path bridge |
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| Bike path tunnel -- it was raining by the time I got there! |
Speaking of which, today was one of the more challenging rides for me. Probably not helped by my partaking in so many "food" groups last night, my legs had "nothing," likely fatigued from the two previous days' centuries. It's not that I didn't think I would get it done -- but my energy and therefore speed was very low.
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| Mooooooooo! |
As for the ride, it was still primarily farmland, with many horses (particularly beautiful ones, likely competitive), cows, some sheep, and chickens. There were moments of some very pungent smells (different from but not that much more pleasant than back in Dalhart TX!) from the dairy farms, and others that were more familiar foliage scents (like honeysuckle). The eastern birds continued to appear (blue jays, cardinals, and robin redbreasts), though I still noted a number of red-winged blackbirds. Some cows kindly mugged for the camera without running away!
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| The dairy farm cows looked different than the cows we saw being fattened for slaughter. |
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| Entering the town of Canal-Fulton, which looked cute and historic, but too early for anything to be open. |
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| Bike path in the sun (so not my photo!) |
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| Vineyards in Ohio -- go figure! |
Biker Bob
Today's highlight was meeting Biker Bob in person at the second SAG. To explain, last year when the America by Bicycle trip was in limbo, there was a Facebook group of similarly situated cross country bikers trying to determine the fate of the trip -- go or no go. Bob Meadows (aka Biker Bob) was part of that group. When the trip was finally cancelled for good, he proudly completed his cross country trip last summer, with the SAG support of his children. He had previously biked from Virginia to South Dakota in various stretches, so only had the Oregon to South Dakota bit to complete his personal goal of have traversed the US by bike. We since had communicated regarding alternate plans and became Facebook and Strava friends, so he knew of my Crossroads trip this year. As he lives within 30 miles of our route today, he reached out yesterday to see if I wanted to connect. I welcomed the opportunity to ride with him for a bit today, especially since it was a particularly challenging part of the ride for me. So thank you, Bob, for escorting me to the bike path which greeted me with a traffic free, downhill, downwind, and rainstorm-soaked ride -- given the latter, the former was all I could handle!
Soundtrack of the Day
Not sure there's much I can say, other than I may have ruined Sweet Caroline for everyone! You'll just have to see and hear for yourself.
Warning that this Route Rap Rapper performance may not be suitable for all audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.
Lyrics:
Da, da, da… da, da, da, da… da, da, da…da, da da, da…
da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da….
Where it began, way back in California
Who'd have believed we've come this far?
Then it began, think it was Arizona,
Smearing it on now -- jar by jar
da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da….
Where it began, way back in California
Who'd have believed we've come this far?
Then it began, think it was Arizona,
Smearing it on now -- jar by jar
Numb…saddle sores…Chafing thighs…A&D, Butt But-ter
My Sweet Vagine, bum, bum, bum
Bike seats never felt that good [no good, no good no good!]
I've been inclined, To believe they never would, oh, oh, oh…
My Sweet Vagine, bum, bum, bum
Bike seats never felt that good [no good, no good no good!]
I've been inclined, To believe they never would, oh, oh, oh…
Now when I ride, and it don't seem so painful, I fill it up with Vag-i-sil
And when I hurt, hurtin' runs off my shoulders, how can I hurt with Vag-i-sil?
And when I hurt, hurtin' runs off my shoulders, how can I hurt with Vag-i-sil?
Sore, Saddle sores, Chafing things, A&D, Butt But-ter!
My sweet vagine, I've know I've been hurting you.
It will be fine, when this bike trip's finally through, oh, oh, oh
My sweet vagine, I've know I've been hurting you.
It will be fine, when this bike trip's finally through, oh, oh, oh
Employee of the Day
At breakfast this morning at the Best Western in Wooster, the breakfast manager Alicia (or maybe Alyssa? I didn't write it down -- my apologies!) was so dedicated to making sure everything was "perfect" for us. Funny thing, she had been told she'd be hosting a group bikers, and imagined us as motorcycle riders, not road bike riders! So she wanted to make sure she had plenty of food! I wonder which group would actually eat more??
Nonetheless, she was rapidly restocking all the ingredients, and I loved that there were "treats" available we hadn't seen at any other hotel (like PopTarts). She also made sure I had bottled water and ice for my water bottles. So thank you!
Hotel Shoutout
We arrived a bit soggy and muddy at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Niles (actually Warren), Ohio. For the first time, we weren't allowed to bring our bikes to the room (having nothing to do with the weather), but needed to leave them in a conference room which we were assured would be locked down. Much to my surprise and delight, there was a cooler full of cold beer waiting for us. I later found out this was complements of Rick from the hotel, who I hugged with glee! After dinner there were cookies, coffee, and even ice cream sandwiches available to us (for free). The hotel even had a really nice outdoor patio area and fountain -- sadly, the weather wasn't conducive to using the space, but overall it had one of the best common area spaces, indoor and out, that we've seen so far.
PS to Yesterday's Post
This evening, as I was scrolling through my emails, I saw that Rod, who I met last night at the bar, generously donated to my ride. Once again, the kindness and generosity of strangers has been inspiring throughout this trip. I was happy enough for his warm hospitality. The donation was proverbial icing on the cake. So thank you so much, Rod!
We still have another nearly 90 miles to go before we reach our rest day destination in Erie. Hotel there looks really nice (objectively speaking, not just by comparison) -- sadly the weather, no so much so! Maybe it will change. Either way, I will rest -- and eat and drink and do laundry! For now, I'm toast, so it's to bed!
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