What is Routine?
If you've followed the Facebook posts, you know there has been some crazy weather. You know there's been issues with the "other season" in the north known as construction season. You may have also picked up on mechanical issues. And, some know we pulled into the last rest day and found no motel rooms. Such as it is on a tour. This group has stepped up, laughed at the adversity and "carried on." It has been amazing!
Today (Saturday) we are resting in Cleveland. Yesterday's (Friday) ride into Cleveland began in Huron, where we had our first glimpse of Lake Erie. It's hard for someone from the Midwest to grasp the magnitude of the Great Lakes, just like it's difficult for those from urban areas to grasp the magnitude of the rural Midwest and the vastness of the West. You look out over Lake Erie and there's water as far as you can see. The communities between Huron and Cleveland, and probably all those along the Lakes, embrace the opportunities the lakes provide. Fishing is very popular and the livelihood of some. There are gorgeous homes along the shore. And, there are the small mom and pop hotels/motels and resort areas that (hopefully) provide a way of life for the owner families that are there. The area between Huron and Cleveland is so populated, there is rarely a clear view of the Lake. Just one property/building after another. Riding was challenging yesterday.
We are officially into week 4 now. The last rest day was scheduled for Logansport, Indiana. When the lead group arrived there last Saturday, there was "confusion" regarding hotel rooms so alternate plans were made, bikes were loaded and all shuttled to Monticello (20 miles). In the end, this was a great alternative. A group went back to Logansport on the rest day to see the Cass County Dentzel Carousel, one of the last carousels with hand carved animals.
Since the alternate rest day location was west instead of east (toward our destination), it meant loading and shuttling back to Logansport on Monday to get back on route.
Monday's route went to Huntington, Indiana (home of former Vice President Dan Quayle until his election to the US House of Representatives). Roads continued to be very quiet. We saw our first farming activity on this day, pretty amazing (and sad) given we were into week 3 of the ride.
We also saw our first rolling hills on this day, the kind that are close enough and steep enough that you can use the momentum from the last hill to get up the next hill. A little bit more work on this day, and just a little preview, I think, of what is to come as we get further east.
The route also included a few miles on the Nickle Plate Bike Trail. Even though roads are quiet, the riders enjoy the variety of a good bike trail. It's nice to be able relax a bit while rolling through the miles.
The next day we crossed into our sixth state, Ohio. The states seem to be rolling by now. There were a few sprinkles when we left Huntington that morning, but nothing serious developed. There were several dog encounters during the day, but no one injured. We had a visit from the local newspaper person in Monroeville, Ohio wanting information and a photo for the newspaper. This was the day we found the Maumee River bridge gone in Defiance. A new bridge is under construction, but this left no safe alternate route to the hotel. The tour van was contacted and all bikes and riders loaded for a shuttle for the final 5 miles of the day.
The route from Defiance to Bowling Green is a dream route. The pavement is smooth and scenery along the Maumee River is amazing. There happened to be a little tail wind that day, so the day would have been perfect had it not been for the 2 tornadoes late in the day after arriving in Bowling Green. Fortunately, all riders were in and safe, and the community suffered no damage. Just another day on tour....
The next morning was foggy and misty. We expected conditions to improve through the day, but this group is strong and was finished riding before the sun appeared. There was a Tim Horton's in Bowling Green, so the riders enjoyed a few sweet treats at the first SAG. The ride chef made cold brew coffee flavored with maple syrup to go along with the donuts.
The riders were on the North Coast Inland Bike Trail for about 7 miles. The second SAG was set up at the exit point of the trail, and it was there we met a couple of local folks who stopped to see what was going on and to visit. One was a retired firefighter and had ridden cross-country himself. We shared stories and photos before we went our separate ways.
We will pack up and move onto Geneva-on-the-Lake on Sunday. It will, hopefully, be a quiet, easy exit from Cleveland on a Sunday morning. And, we'll hope the past two riding days have finally put us into a "routine."
We ride into Canada on Wednesday and cross back into the US at Niagara Falls where we will have the next rest day on Thursday.
Today (Saturday) we are resting in Cleveland. Yesterday's (Friday) ride into Cleveland began in Huron, where we had our first glimpse of Lake Erie. It's hard for someone from the Midwest to grasp the magnitude of the Great Lakes, just like it's difficult for those from urban areas to grasp the magnitude of the rural Midwest and the vastness of the West. You look out over Lake Erie and there's water as far as you can see. The communities between Huron and Cleveland, and probably all those along the Lakes, embrace the opportunities the lakes provide. Fishing is very popular and the livelihood of some. There are gorgeous homes along the shore. And, there are the small mom and pop hotels/motels and resort areas that (hopefully) provide a way of life for the owner families that are there. The area between Huron and Cleveland is so populated, there is rarely a clear view of the Lake. Just one property/building after another. Riding was challenging yesterday.
We are officially into week 4 now. The last rest day was scheduled for Logansport, Indiana. When the lead group arrived there last Saturday, there was "confusion" regarding hotel rooms so alternate plans were made, bikes were loaded and all shuttled to Monticello (20 miles). In the end, this was a great alternative. A group went back to Logansport on the rest day to see the Cass County Dentzel Carousel, one of the last carousels with hand carved animals.
Since the alternate rest day location was west instead of east (toward our destination), it meant loading and shuttling back to Logansport on Monday to get back on route.
Monday's route went to Huntington, Indiana (home of former Vice President Dan Quayle until his election to the US House of Representatives). Roads continued to be very quiet. We saw our first farming activity on this day, pretty amazing (and sad) given we were into week 3 of the ride.
We also saw our first rolling hills on this day, the kind that are close enough and steep enough that you can use the momentum from the last hill to get up the next hill. A little bit more work on this day, and just a little preview, I think, of what is to come as we get further east.
The route also included a few miles on the Nickle Plate Bike Trail. Even though roads are quiet, the riders enjoy the variety of a good bike trail. It's nice to be able relax a bit while rolling through the miles.
The next day we crossed into our sixth state, Ohio. The states seem to be rolling by now. There were a few sprinkles when we left Huntington that morning, but nothing serious developed. There were several dog encounters during the day, but no one injured. We had a visit from the local newspaper person in Monroeville, Ohio wanting information and a photo for the newspaper. This was the day we found the Maumee River bridge gone in Defiance. A new bridge is under construction, but this left no safe alternate route to the hotel. The tour van was contacted and all bikes and riders loaded for a shuttle for the final 5 miles of the day.
The route from Defiance to Bowling Green is a dream route. The pavement is smooth and scenery along the Maumee River is amazing. There happened to be a little tail wind that day, so the day would have been perfect had it not been for the 2 tornadoes late in the day after arriving in Bowling Green. Fortunately, all riders were in and safe, and the community suffered no damage. Just another day on tour....
The next morning was foggy and misty. We expected conditions to improve through the day, but this group is strong and was finished riding before the sun appeared. There was a Tim Horton's in Bowling Green, so the riders enjoyed a few sweet treats at the first SAG. The ride chef made cold brew coffee flavored with maple syrup to go along with the donuts.
 |
| First SAG of the day |
 |
| Is this heaven? |
 |
| Part of the group walking to a Huron Lighthouse after the ride |
We will pack up and move onto Geneva-on-the-Lake on Sunday. It will, hopefully, be a quiet, easy exit from Cleveland on a Sunday morning. And, we'll hope the past two riding days have finally put us into a "routine."
We ride into Canada on Wednesday and cross back into the US at Niagara Falls where we will have the next rest day on Thursday.
Comments
Post a Comment