Todays Distance: 102 miles
Cycling time: 7 hrs 07 mins
Average Speed: 14.3 mph
Today’s cumulative ascent: 4170 ft
Average Heart rate: 114 bpm
Distance so far: 3144 miles
Ascent so far: 101,117 ft.
Centuries so far: 11
Punctures so far: 7
Today’s Profile:
Distance so far: 3144 miles
Ascent so far: 101,117 ft.
Centuries so far: 11
Punctures so far: 7
Today’s Profile:
Today’s Route:
Dedication: To day is for the children of Providence like Ritimai, Brisila, and Shalam who will benefit from the effort put into this cycle.Another century today on roads that seemed friendlier as far as hills were concerned but surface was deplorable in places. And we passed an important ‘milestone’ in terms of climbing.
Today I used the same procedure as yesterday – cycle the first 10 miles at my own pace in order to warm up and then pick up the pace for the rest. Directly out of Wooster there were a few stiff hills and plenty passed me by. I didn’t mind nor did I try to stay in contact.
Just before I left Wooster I passed the Wayne County Veterans Memorial in the local cemetery.
At the 8 mile mark I met up with a few friendly horses in a field by a farmyard. They seemed to like being photographed and gave me a bit of advice.
Listen here you! Look at me between the two eyes and understand this. Keep up the pedalling and those children in Providence will be the better for it. They deserve the best there is, and that’s straight from the horse’s mouth.
While I was there a number of cyclists passed by, eager to put miles behind them. The sun was still only a little above the horizon and facing directly into our eyes as usual.
You see those other cyclists tearing off down the road? Don’t worry. You’ll catch up to them in no time at all. Just hang in there, man.
Yesterday I stated that there was no hope of getting the smell of burning turf around Ohio. Maybe, I was being a bit too rash. This morning I spot this sign for Peat Moss. If there’s Peat Moss, there’s peat. I didn’t smell smoke but the odds shorten. Every day new experiences and surprises.
Crossing railroads can be dangerous for a number of reasons. On these country roads they stick above the level of the road and the timber and can be the cause of a puncture or a damaged rim. Their location are all indicated on the daily cue-sheet. At times the railroads cross the road at an acute angle and there is always the danger of jamming the wheel down beside the track. It happened to three riders one day at the same crossing and one cracked his helmet. No other serious injuries. Only solution is to manoeuvre to cross them at right angles. Haven’t seen any of the 100 carriage long trains recently.
Passing through canal Fulton on one of the Ohio and Erie canals there were signs that there was a celebration or a festival in the offing. The main street was cordoned off, stalls set up for the day and the usual lorry for a bandstand. I was told that they were in the middle of a three day Olde Canal Days Festival, an annual affair. There would be music and vendors on the streets; fireworks at 10 pm and of course Miss Olde Canal Days Queen.
Further up the town the locals had their seats and rugs out to book their spots for the Grande Parade that would commence at 11 am. It was still before 9 am and waiting was not an option.
Today I passed by Stoll Farms an enormous dairying operation. Here they milk 3000 cows and in all there are about 5000 animals between milkers, dry, heifers and calves. A lot of the workforce is Mexican and feed was being delivered by the truckload as I passed by on Coal Bank Road. Also further on I passed a large area devoted to market gardening alone – mighty fields of red lettuce on my right hand side.
Gary and I teamed up again at the first SAG stop after 40 miles and set off at a good pace now that I was warmed up. On the level we were usually hitting 20 mph and down to 13 mph on the inclines. Passed by gravel pits, airports and lakes. The route seemed flatter than yesterday although my Garmin recorded almost 100 feet more climbing today. None of yesterday’s rolling hills. Today it was all more gradual.
We are moving in a north-east direction these days and todays wind was helpful for the most part. Coming into Niles we moved onto a bike path for 4 miles. We had it to ourselves with no traffic of any type and only the cross-roads to contend with. These are so relaxing. We haven’t been on one since leaving Grand Junction in Colorado. Near the end of this path Gary and I parted as I was on a mission.
Today’s scheduled ride was 93 miles; we had a detour near canton that brought the figure to 95 miles. Still feeling fresh I went for the century. Pity not to do it when it was so close. So I went to the end of the trail and a bit of a circle and by the time I reached the hotel I had 102 up on the clock. That is my 11th century on this trip.
Another fact that figured today was that we have pushed over the 100,000 feet climbed since we left San Francisco. It’s incredible!
Another enjoyable day in the saddle. A very satisfying day and all joints are back to normal. Only one other place could compare - to be in the Gaelic Grounds tomorrow for the Munster Final. Ah well!
Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.
NB: I feel very much at home as I write this. It’s pouring rain outside and lashing against the window. Hope it’s all gone by morning.
Today I used the same procedure as yesterday – cycle the first 10 miles at my own pace in order to warm up and then pick up the pace for the rest. Directly out of Wooster there were a few stiff hills and plenty passed me by. I didn’t mind nor did I try to stay in contact.Just before I left Wooster I passed the Wayne County Veterans Memorial in the local cemetery.
At the 8 mile mark I met up with a few friendly horses in a field by a farmyard. They seemed to like being photographed and gave me a bit of advice.Listen here you! Look at me between the two eyes and understand this. Keep up the pedalling and those children in Providence will be the better for it. They deserve the best there is, and that’s straight from the horse’s mouth.While I was there a number of cyclists passed by, eager to put miles behind them. The sun was still only a little above the horizon and facing directly into our eyes as usual.You see those other cyclists tearing off down the road? Don’t worry. You’ll catch up to them in no time at all. Just hang in there, man.Yesterday I stated that there was no hope of getting the smell of burning turf around Ohio. Maybe, I was being a bit too rash. This morning I spot this sign for Peat Moss. If there’s Peat Moss, there’s peat. I didn’t smell smoke but the odds shorten. Every day new experiences and surprises.Crossing railroads can be dangerous for a number of reasons. On these country roads they stick above the level of the road and the timber and can be the cause of a puncture or a damaged rim. Their location are all indicated on the daily cue-sheet. At times the railroads cross the road at an acute angle and there is always the danger of jamming the wheel down beside the track. It happened to three riders one day at the same crossing and one cracked his helmet. No other serious injuries. Only solution is to manoeuvre to cross them at right angles. Haven’t seen any of the 100 carriage long trains recently.Passing through canal Fulton on one of the Ohio and Erie canals there were signs that there was a celebration or a festival in the offing. The main street was cordoned off, stalls set up for the day and the usual lorry for a bandstand. I was told that they were in the middle of a three day Olde Canal Days Festival, an annual affair. There would be music and vendors on the streets; fireworks at 10 pm and of course Miss Olde Canal Days Queen. Further up the town the locals had their seats and rugs out to book their spots for the Grande Parade that would commence at 11 am. It was still before 9 am and waiting was not an option.Today I passed by Stoll Farms an enormous dairying operation. Here they milk 3000 cows and in all there are about 5000 animals between milkers, dry, heifers and calves. A lot of the workforce is Mexican and feed was being delivered by the truckload as I passed by on Coal Bank Road. Also further on I passed a large area devoted to market gardening alone – mighty fields of red lettuce on my right hand side. Gary and I teamed up again at the first SAG stop after 40 miles and set off at a good pace now that I was warmed up. On the level we were usually hitting 20 mph and down to 13 mph on the inclines. Passed by gravel pits, airports and lakes. The route seemed flatter than yesterday although my Garmin recorded almost 100 feet more climbing today. None of yesterday’s rolling hills. Today it was all more gradual. We are moving in a north-east direction these days and todays wind was helpful for the most part. Coming into Niles we moved onto a bike path for 4 miles. We had it to ourselves with no traffic of any type and only the cross-roads to contend with. These are so relaxing. We haven’t been on one since leaving Grand Junction in Colorado. Near the end of this path Gary and I parted as I was on a mission. Today’s scheduled ride was 93 miles; we had a detour near canton that brought the figure to 95 miles. Still feeling fresh I went for the century. Pity not to do it when it was so close. So I went to the end of the trail and a bit of a circle and by the time I reached the hotel I had 102 up on the clock. That is my 11th century on this trip.Another fact that figured today was that we have pushed over the 100,000 feet climbed since we left San Francisco. It’s incredible!
Another enjoyable day in the saddle. A very satisfying day and all joints are back to normal. Only one other place could compare - to be in the Gaelic Grounds tomorrow for the Munster Final. Ah well!
Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.
NB: I feel very much at home as I write this. It’s pouring rain outside and lashing against the window. Hope it’s all gone by morning.
Thanks to all for your messages of encouragement. Keep them coming to keep me going for the final stage.
Eddie: Heart-rate is up but so also is speed. Took it easy for June but stretching the legs now without overdoing it.
Jaap: Never been to Haarlem. But thanks for the input.
Eddie: Heart-rate is up but so also is speed. Took it easy for June but stretching the legs now without overdoing it.
Jaap: Never been to Haarlem. But thanks for the input.
So after loading at 7 am, I moved out onto Route 36 and faced into the rising sun, our usual position. The first mile out of Marysville was very busy with not much of a hard shoulder. Needed to keep your wits about you. Soon enough I was alone and moving along at a leisurely 13 mph or so. I didn’t even watch the speed; it was my knee that dictated how I rode. Looking at maps of Marysville I noticed a Dublin 17 miles south of the town. Now, that was too much of a detour (17 miles there and back). I did check it out and it was named after the capital by one of its founders, John Shields of Dublin, Ireland. Its grater city area has a population of 55,000 and boasts of its Irish links in its literature with plenty of green and shamrocks. Eric Clapton has a house there and golf is a major activity as Dublin is a stop on golf’s PGA Tour.
The early miles were flat enough with plenty of family farms again. Some of the roads could have been anywhere in Ireland (except for the sunshine). 
It was lovely to get the smell of freshly mown hay into the lungs while the air was still cool as I cycled along. The other smell I love to get on a cycle is the smell of the smoke from a turf fire. Not much chance of getting that here. But, never say never.
Often as I cycle along I think of my own mother and father (gone to their reward 15 and 30 years ago) and wonder what they think of their son cycling across the USA. Possibly would say he is a bit crazy or probably smile and say ‘Well, fair play to you’. Was never an option for them in their day. It was on my mother's bike that I did my first ‘long-distance’ cycling – out to pick strawberries in Kelly’s of Brittas on Bree Hill
Navigation consisted of two pages today again. At one stage I was faced with a dilemma – ROAD CLOSED, BRIDGE OUT. Nothing had been mentioned regarding this at Route Rap last night. Should I go on and chance getting a bike across or go for a detour. I chose the former and was pleased to see that only portion of the bridge had collapsed into the river. No danger for a bike to go across. If I had taken a detour, I could be out there still. By this stage the knee was fully operational and I was moving along at a good speed. Had passed out some of those who passed me out earlier.
First SAG was at a closed-up store at mile 33 and there Gary and I joined up for the rest of the trip as yesterday. Our expectations for the day are the same and our paces compliment each other. Gary is stronger on the sharp hills but I reclaim it on the level. We moved along sharing the front position taking the brunt of the air resistance. Any wind that was there today was in our favour.
Just before the town of Butler I passed another landmark – 3000 miles covered since San Francisco and still going strong, thank God. Despite reminding myself many times this morning to borrow chalk from the SAG wagon I arrived at the spot after 61 miles today empty-handed. Nothing for it but improvise, so we used stones and sand from a driveway nearby to indicate the spot. 3000 done and 1000 more to do over the next 13 days. I have 10 centuries done so far which accounts for 1000+ miles. No more centuries scheduled but some in the high 90’s that might be converted.
Two activities I spotted today that were a little unexpected. Just at the far side of Butler I spotted a signpost for a ski-area. Didn’t expect that in Ohio. But Clear Fork is a ski and snowboarding resort with 9 slopes at a max altitude of 2400 feet just 4 miles off our route. After a lapse of many days pumping jacks appeared in the fields again with the attendant oil tanks. They weren’t as big or as active as those further west but again I didn’t expect them.
Something else that I thought we had left well behind in Missouri and Western Illinois came back to haunt us with vengeance…rolling hills. We had a few baby ones around half way and the big baddies nearer the end. Some of them read as much as16 degrees gradient. Most of them were in double figures. Nothing for it but to grind away slowly and expect another one at the far side. To put rolling hills into context; it's like cycling up Kilfeacle Hill and down the far side and then do it again and again and again.
Heat was no problem today as long as we were moving. But on the hills when movement was slower the heat just added to the task. Even the cattle were forced to take to the water to keep cool. Two water bottles just about kept us going between the SAG stops. In the motel lobby afterwards all agreed that this century was so different and more difficult than yesterday…over 4000 feet in climbing with 103 miles in distance.
We arrived at our motel here in Wooster at 3 pm as the heat was at its highest. A tub of Ben and Jerry’s from the gas station across the road really hit the spot.
Today’s Route:
Within three miles of leaving the motel the Ohio stateline appeared ahead. The road was narrow but everyone as they approached had to have a photo. This is our ninth state of this trans-continental adventure. It is the 7th most populous state and often referred to as the Buckeye State after the buckeye tree. Stangely enough the state motto is ‘With God all things are possible’. It was that same excerpt from St Matthew’s Gospel that I came across in a Christian Bookshop in Shillong in 1999 that confirmed to me to actually bring Abbey students there. Is ait an mac an saol.(Life is strange) it will take us three days to cross this state.
Todays route for the most part is a designated bicycle route - Cardinal Trail Bicycle Route. It was so pleasant and quiet till we actually came within 2 miles of Marysville. Plenty of trees offering some shadow. Smaller farmyards than before showing some early morning activity with the associated smells. Felt homely.
The timber frame dwelling houses surrounded by the barns and corn silo and all so tidy and well presented.
Today’s route was quite fragmented with many turns and often it meant cycling zig-zag through corn fields. The corn is quite developed here in comparison to further west but still showing no sign of a cob. 
Plenty of moisture in the ground and in places the remains of recent deluges were visible. Today I came across a number of good sized rivers that were crystal clear and so inviting in the heat – that’s a change from the silt-laden ones we’ve been seeing since Missouri. 
Still plenty of soya but at an early stage. Possible to confuse it with strawberry plants at this stage. 
With the south west breeze we got the full benefit of this spraying operation as we passed by.
Read as: 6.1 miles after the previous point, when the computer reads 103.1 miles, turn left into Maple Street at the STOP sign. Continue for 0.4 of a mile till the computer reads 103.5 miles and then turn right onto Fifth Street at the T-junction. After 1.5 miles on this street and when the computer reads 105 miles go straight through onto Hanna Road at the traffic lights.
At the first SAG stop (41.2 miles) Gary decided to come with me for the rest of the trip and we moved along at a fine steady pace for the next 64 miles. 
The second SAG was at a cemetery again. I noticed 5 graves of Russell’s just inside the railing. The day was really heating up at this stage and the only way to combat it was to keep moving i.e create your own air-conditioning. I had consumed two bottles of water between the SAGs.
Gary and I arrived at the motel at 3 pm and really appreciated the fruit salads the staff had waiting for us. We had completed the 106 miles in just under 7 hours cycling. Not a bad day’s work.
