DAY 42 of 54: JULY 12: WOOSTER (OH) TO NILES (OH)

Time Zone : Eastern (GMT -5)
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:

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.

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.