Good and Lousy All At The Same Time

Bottom to top ~ Mary, Beverly, and Holly

June 7

Mt. Vernon to Oberlin

0 Miles (Holly and Mary rode 68)

Total Miles to Date ~ Same as yesterday :-]

Woke up feeling unwell - nauseous, as if I was coming down with the flu (but not). When I went down to breakfast and just the sight of food made me ill, I made the decision to SAG. I think it was a good decision and a lousy decision all at the same time. Good because what's the point of being out on the road and feeling unwell? Lousy because SAGing means one is off the bike and in the van. Such a difference for many reasons. Still the "good" outweighed  the "lousy", it was the right choice, and I am feeling better now. So, while Michelle went shopping I slept, after taking a couple of Tylenol, and then we got on the road. More than likely all of this was because of yesterday's heat. A couple of the women did not feel well last night (ah, but they rode today). I am sure I hydrated and ate enough, but who can figure the human body's reaction to different situations? 

The roads were typical country - narrow and, for the most part, filled with potholes, rough spots, and gravel. We went through amish areas where there were wagon ruts in the road. Most of the day was climbing - and most of the women rode all of the miles. Some, including Mary and Holly, sagged a few miles in the middle in order to end the day on their bikes. In fact, Holly and Mary met a couple from the local Visitors' Bureau that took them into town via a bike path (adding 4-miles to the day). 

We are in Oberlin for a rest day. Cute college town, founded in 1833, with a lot of history. Tonight a speaker is coming by to tell us some of the history of the Underground Railway in Oberlin. Holly and Mary met a nice couple while they were on the home stretch and got a lot of information about places to see and where we can go for food and snacks.

I will post some photos later. I may not have ridden, but I still need a shower. 

Thanks for dropping by. TWJ  

110 In The Shade

6:00 Shadow

June 6

Dublin to Mt. Vernon, OH

61 Miles (out of 75)

Total Miles To Date ~ 1,353

OK, not really that hot - but it felt that way. Because of the length of the day - 75 miles - and the heat and humidity, we were out of the motel around 6:30. The winds were favorable, but not friendly and I struggled most of the day. Perhaps it was not the elements alone, but perhaps my body has chosen today for a mini-break down. We came upon Bo-Peep for the third time at 61-miles where Mary and I threw in the proverbial towel - bringing Holly along for the ride (something she does not like to do - quit). 

Church at 61-miles

Near mile 35 we heard what sounded like a BB gun shot. It was my rear tire - which even sent some "shrapnel" at my legs. A rear tire! We hate flats, and we ESPECIALLY hate flats on rear tires. There was a large hole in the tire with pieces of tread coming out of it. The tube had a puncture that was not worth repairing, and I tossed it when we got to our motel. 

A step back in time right now. While pumping my tires at our motel in Eutaw, I broke the stem on the rear tube. After everything was put back together on the rim, I could not get the wheel back on the bike. Marilyn! She knows everything about bikes (see my flat on the Mississippi River Ride). I asked her to coach me through the process - and she did. First, and most important, turn the bike upside down. Turns out that makes it easier getting the chain back on the cassette. Another "Marilyn" is that when she fixed my flat on the 2007 ride, she used a product from Park, an adhesive backed boot, that is not easy to find. In one of the many bike shops we visited on this ride I found a package. What a blessing! Total time to change the flat - 20-minutes according to Holly. Thanks again, Marilyn. You may not be here in body, but in spirit you continue to help me along the way.

Leslie catching a rest before continuing on

We are in Mt. Vernon - and have yet to see anything outside of our room. We are hot and beat. Ah, tomorrow - only 84-miles to Oberlin and our last rest day of this adventure. We arrive in Canada one week from today.

Thanks for visiting. Talk to you soon. TWJ and Holly :-]

What A Difference A Day Makes

June 5

Xenia to Dublin, OH

69 Miles

Total Miles to Date ~ 1,292

Clear blue sky streaked by a few wisps of white. The promise of hot and humid temps that did not come to fruition before we finished the day. So different than yesterday's beginning.

Today’s start was late - breakfast not until 7:30 (eggs and oatmeal and all the rest) with snacks and lunch stuff being put out at 7:15. We three were the first ones out and stayed up there most of the day. There was a museum 6 miles from Xenia that opened at 9:00 and many of the women were going to stop there. Our plan was to beat the heat and enjoy the cooler temps of the early part of the day. We met up with BoPeep near mile 20 and never saw her again. Mary dropped off at mile 37 to wait for the van and SAG in to the hotel. I think she would have enjoyed the rest of the day - I know it - but she was anticipating heat that would have made the riding much more difficult than it turned out to be.

We had a wonderful southerly breeze that pushed us along most of the morning. Our terrain as mostly flat with some rollers and a few minimal climbs. Around 45 or 50 miles, after failing to find a town to stop in, we chose a shady spot on some freshly mown grass - directly along the road - sat down and had a relaxing lunch of PBJ, water, and whatever else we could find in our packs. By early afternoon (we arrived in Dublin at 2:00) the winds had shifted more westerly and pushed at us, trying to hold us back as we rode along. Looking from our motel window I can see that the breeze has picked up and may be making the riding that much more difficult for any of the women still on the road. I’m happy we are here. 

FLORA AND FAUNA UPDATE:

Yesterday it was squirrels. One brave soul jumped right at my bike and miraculously did not take me down or end up as squirrel stew. 

Today a weasel carrying a dead mouse in its mouth (dinner for the kids?) ran directly in front of Holly while we were on a Rail Trail.

Rabbits.

A few dogs that required whistle therapy.

Beautiful flowers and different trees than in the south.

Flooded fields of corn and soybeans - we hope the will dry out enough to be saved. It was sad to see all of the damage from the storms.

High water and fast running rivers and creeks. 

Horses - many with foals.

Many types of cattle.

A doe in one of the many fields of newly planted corn.

Not much longer and we will be at the end of our adventure. Seems difficult to believe we have pushed ourselves along for so many miles under our own power - one revolution at a time. When I go home it will be time for me to get back to work on a project that began as a casual remark - "Perhaps I will write a book about it." ~ "It" being my 1998 cross country bicycle journey. I promised myself more than ten years ago and I know I have the talent. These are two very good reasons to get back to writing. Even if I am never published, I want to complete yet another journey - putting words and thoughts to paper and telling myself, "This is good."

Thanks for coming along on the ride. Talk to you tomorrow. Judi :-]

June 4 Photos ~ Headed to Xenia

Why, you may ask, did we choose to SAG?

Bonnie and me at Al's Diner in South Lebanon

Holly and Michelle in background

Tree and debris in the road          

Holly, Me, and Mary on the Rail Trail  

Kathy and Company coming through a

downed tree just after we had passed by

High Water at our SAG stop

Tornadoes and Floods and Hail - Oh, my!

Will add photos and total mileage from Dublin. We didn't have Internet in our room so I am sitting on the floor in front of the elevators. J :-]

June 4

Milford to Xenia, OH

35 Miles (out of 55)

Total Miles to Date ~ 1,223

Somehow, we got a late start (forgot to fill my water bottles - "Two days wasn't enough time?" was Holly's comment, needed to use the WC just one more time, and just moving slowly for a change). Georgia decided to SAG. We walked out to the parking lot of our motel and heard thunder and lightening. Next! Put our bikes up on the van 'cause we are not riding in this weather. There had been tornado warnings and watches, flood warnings and watches, hail warnings, and just general bad weather abounded. Most of the women were out on the road already. As our bikes were being put up top - Michelle and Laurie soaked to the skin in minutes - Sue and Frankie returned. This was not a day to ride. Much too dangerous. So, in the van we went - two guides and five riders. 

By the time we got to the SAG stop at mile 20 Laurie had received a number of calls from different groups of riders who had found shelter in various locations, or had not yet found the entrance to the Rail Trail. We picked Lois up at the SAG stop and all of us were taken to Al's Diner in South Lebanon. Meanwhile, my cousin, Bonnie, had planned to ride with us, and she and I were playing telephone tag about what to do about riding, so she came to the diner as well. The van went back to Milford to pick up the rest of the group. Laurie and Michelle decided to take all of us off the road - much too dangerous. An hour later back they came - without riders and bikes. The weather had cleared (it cleared in South Lebanon too) and we were OK to go for the last 35-miles - all on a Rail Trail.

Last night's storms had done a lot of damage. There were trees down and a lot of debris across the path, the Little Miami River was over flowing its banks in places, and fields of newly planted corn (and other crops) were flooded and most likely lost. All in all, it was a great adventure - climbing over, under, and through downed trees, serpentining around debris, and being together on the road - always the best part of the day.

We had just left the trail and were finally in town - less than one mile from the hotel - when I felt a flat and at the same time Mary told me I had a flat. The three of us walked to the hotel. Better to change it in the comfort of my motel room than out on the street. If it had to happen, better in town than out on the trail. Changed the flat - remembering a number of Marilyn’s lessons - and we cleaned our bikes - removing large piles of dirt and debris from every surface and nook. Those bikes were REALLY dirty. Dinner was delicious - Michelle is cooking now. We ate inside the hotel because a storm was on the horizon and coming through at a fast clip. Breakfast will be late tomorrow because there is a museum down the road that does not open until 9:00. Even though the day is only 69-miles we wanted to be on the road by 6:30 because it is going to be in the upper 80s and humid. Guess that won’t be happening.

LOST AND FOUND:

Tossed old gloves with nearly “see-through” palm/Bought hot pink gloves - when did they get so expensive?
Tossed red/white/blue Giro helmet with a small hole in the back and numerous small cracks/Bought white Bell helmet - no cracks, no sweat, all padding present.
After carrying it nearly the entire ride, finally tossed my mini-pump that really never worked and should have been tossed after last year’s ride when I realized it was a piece of junk.

Thanks for dropping by. Talk to you from Dublin. Judi :-]

People We Meet Along The Way

Another Border Crossed ~ Into a New State

June 2

Maysville, KY to Milford, OH

69 Miles

Total Miles to Date ~ 1,188

Holly, Thomas, and Mary

It is never about the destination, but always about the journey. During our first two weeks on the road we were not riding any sort of ride we would have chosen. Yes, there were some beautiful roads, but that was not enough, and the roads were not so beautiful most of the time. The missing element - people. Today we found that missing element at mile 25.2 in Wahlsburg, Ohio. We met Thomas "High Pockets" Turner. What a joy! 92-years young, handshake of a 35-year old, face of a 45-year old, still driving, memory better than mine, and a smile that could melt butter. Considering we had just left a part of the country where Rosemary Clooney and George Clooney are hometown heroes, where we rode on Clooney Highway - in honor of Rosemary Clooney (she grew up in Maysville) - meeting Thomas was much more exciting. He is a part of history, part of the history this ride is about. Thomas's wife was born in Ripley, OH - directly across the river from Maysville. Ripley was an extremely important part of the Underground Railroad, called Freedom's Landing. I hope you will take the time to check out the town's site. There is a lot of information on Rankin House and Parker House, two very important sites. This morning we had the opportunity to say "hello" and "good-bye" to Marilyn. We had finished breakfast when Jennifer told us that Marilyn was accepting visitors. She looked great - those pain meds are a blessing. Michelle used Bo-Peep to take her to the Cincinnati Airport for an afternoon flight. Our SAG for the day was the van, with Georgia and Patty at the helm. 

Georgia Marking The Roads

Here's A Woman Who Stops Traffic

We crossed the Ohio River by foot - no bicycles allowed on the narrow roadway. Walking is always a good opportunity for photos - and we took advantage of that opportunity. We are in Ohio - my home state, Mary's home state. There is a feeling of excitement knowing I am in Ohio - even though I am only "passing through". 

Most of the day was flat to rolling with a couple of significant climbs in the early morning - and two moderate climbs that took us to our motel at day's end. Dogs were problematic - our whistles made quick work of them. We had one chocolate lab that followed us for quite a while. Mary yelled out, "On your left" and I got confused, thinking she was coming up on my left. What she had actually said was, "It's on your left" (the dog). Eventually she tired of the run and went home (the dog, not Mary). We stopped in Williamsburg for pseudo-blizzards (delicious!) and moved on - only 27 miles from here.

We made a couple of stops in Milford - a bike shop and CVS. This morning I had noticed a number of small cracks in my helmet and decided to get a new one. Not so easy for me to make a decision that quickly. However, I did and got one at the shop in Milford - and what a cute little town it is. Then it was time. We were tired and wanted out of our gear and into a comfortable room with air conditioning. Three miles and two climbs later we arrived, and after crossing a busy intersection just off an Interstate junction, we were home - Holiday Inn Express in Milford. 

Dinner was across the road at a very good Mexican restaurant - "Table for 30, please." We said "hello" to five new riders and "good-bye" to Patty, our cook/guide. She will be headed home to Utah and her husband early tomorrow morning. Laurie returns tomorrow to resume her duties as guide and Michelle begins as cook/guide.

Will send loads of photos and a bit about our day in Cincinnati another time. Thanks for dropping by. TWJ :-]

Serpentine! Serpentine!

The Kentucky Countryside

June 1

Dry Ridge to Maysville, TN

50 Miles

Total Miles to Date ~ 1,119

Does anybody out there remember a movie with Peter Falk where he played a dentist and was drawn into something illegal with his daughter's future father-in-law? While they were being shot at in some Central American country the FFIL told him "serpentine, serpentine" while they were being shot at. Why am I bringing this up and what does it have to do with a bicycle ride? I'll explain. Today's ride was a series of climbs and downhills. Many of the climbs were long and difficult or short and difficult. Either way, the best method to get up these climbs (Holly just taught me about this earlier in the tour) is to serpentine up the hill. It has something to do with the angle of the road rather than going at it straight on. Physics? I don't know. What I do know is this - it works and it helps. My climbing continues to improve. All of that being said, and with great (some frightening) downhills, I threw in the towel at 50 miles on this 75-mile day. The sun was out, we had been on the road for 6 hours, and my legs screamed "No more!". 

SAG stop at mile 40

We had not been in the van very long when, at mile 60.5, we saw one of our riders walking up the hill in front of us. Another of the riders had taken a sharp turn at a high speed and lost control of her bicycle, was unconscious, and rescue was on the way. During our dinner hour the injured rider came back from the hospital. She has a fractured pelvis, a number of bruises, possible shoulder issues, and is generally miserable - but alive. Tomorrow she will head for home and a full recovery. This could have been so much worse. Her helmet broke in at least five places - saving her life for sure. We are so thankful that she is alive, and well enough to have told the nurses at the hospital that they could NOT cut off her expensive cycling shorts in order to remove them. This is one feisty woman and we will miss her presence on the road and in the group. Today, as she passed by, she constantly told me how well I was doing - and I always answered "At least I'm still upright". 

Maysville is a very cute riverfront town that is on the route some of the riverboats that ply the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. There are numerous places to stop and see things pertinent to the Underground Railroad. We had lunch at a small cafe that serves wonderful food and the owner told us that the sites in this town, and nearby Washington, are manned by volunteers and not opened all the time, making it very difficult to see what we are in search of. Now that the Adventure Cycling route is a reality, perhaps that will change.

We had dinner in the parking lot next to beautiful murals that were painted on the flood gates. Tomorrow is another long day with some early climbs followed by flatter and rolling terrain. 

We leave Kentucky tomorrow and cross the Ohio River on this beautiful bridge. One of the locals told me that it was a prototype for the Golden Gate Bridge. I've got to check that out - it doesn't sound legit. 

Thanks for visiting. Talk to you from Cincinnati. Judi and Holly