Day 40 Lake Erie and Cleveland Ohio

Friday July 26 was an awesome day on the Big Ride.  Awesome because the scenery was spectacular and awesome because the weather was perfect.  We started out at first light from Sandusky are rode along the south shore of Lake Erie for over 50 miles as the sun rose above the lake.  It was 57 degrees when we started and warmed up to a comfortable 74 as the high for the day.  We rode through the big city of Cleveland, through the downtown area and along the waterfront ( past the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - I did not stop so I will have to go back again).  Fortunately I was riding with Jeff Sloan who was familiar with the Cleveland area and surrounding suburbs and he lead us out to Burton where we are camped for the night.  The total distance was 92.4 miles. 

Lake Erie

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Downtown Cleveland

Sandusky Ohio and Rest Day #7

Wednesday July 24 was a 87.6 mile ride from Napoleon to Sandusky Ohio.   The temps never got out of the 60's during the entire ride.  We started the ride wearing jackets and kept them on until we reached the first check point in Bowling Green.  Most everyone checked out the local bike shop (Cycle Werks) to get needed items and last minute repairs. And most everyone headed to the local coffee shop for coffee and donuts.  The roads were extremely flat and we passed many farms on the trip to Sandusky.  We did run into a steady headwind on the last 20 miles.  We arrived in Sandusky in time for me to get laundry done and my bicycle cleaned before  dinner.  That way I had plenty of time to enjoy the rest day at the Cedar Point amusement park.  What a way to shock the body by getting to the park first thing in the morning and riding the biggest coasters they have ( Millennium,  Maverick, Mean Streak, Gemini ( Dragster was having some mechanical issues)).  I did get a few hours of rest after I visited the park, hopefully enough so I will be ready for our next 6 day push through the Appalachians and into Gettysburg. 

Cedar Point Amusement Park

Into the Buckeye State

Tuesday July 23 was an 'easy' day on the Big Ride.  We rode from Kendallville Indiana to Napoleon Ohio, 70 miles.  The terrain was slightly rolling to completely flat.  The temps were below average again ( in the 70's) and we had the benefit of a steady tailwind.  We ( Tom, Jeff and I) covered the distance in less than 4 hours.  We rode into Ohio after 26 miles.  We arrived in Napoleon with plenty of time to rest and eat.  We are camping tonight at the Henry County Fairgrounds.  Tomorrow we have a 90 mile ride into Sandusky Ohio followed by a rest day.

Century Riding in Indiana

Monday July 22 was our 36th day on the Big Ride and our 7th century ride.  We rode 109.9 miles from Valparaiso to Kendallville Indiana.  We were fortunate to have cool and cloudy weather for most of the ride.  Temps were in the 70's.  The terrain was flat which translated to fast riding.  The Q sheet ( daily riding instructions) was 2 and 1/2 pages long, the longest we have had so far.  Following directions was really important to avoid getting bonus miles.  6 of us rode together today to double check ourselves on the directions and to keep the tempo high.  Thanks to the Kendallville Parks Department for providing an excellent dinner and breakfast for tomorrow. Tonight we are camping at Bixler Lake Park.  We have shifted over to the Eastern Time Zone so we will most likely feel the loss of the hour when we wake up tomorrow at the crack of dawn for our 70 mile ride into Ohio!

Pace line in Indiana

The Cross Roads of America

On Sunday July 21 we rode into the Cross Roads of America, the state of Indiana.  The 84 mile ride took us from Coal City Illinois to Valparaiso Indiana.  And if literally felt like we were in the cross roads of America.  The traffic was light when we started out at 5:30 am and gradually increased throughout the morning.  By the time we reached the roads of Indiana (after 48 miles)  traffic was constant.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised being so close to Chicago.  Many of the roads in Indiana were rough and required constant vigilance to navigate and keep out of the traffic.  The highlight of the entire ride was watching the sunrise.  At least tonight we are in the peace and quiet and air conditioning of the Valparaiso University dorm.  We will need our sleep tonight for tomorrow is a 110 mile ride.  I cannot think of a better thing to be doing on a furlough day!!

Rolling Through Illinois

Saturday July 20 on the Big Ride Across America was a beautiful 106 mile ride through the flat farmlands of Illinois.  We started in Garden Prairie and ended in Coal City ( it got that name from the coal mining quarries that were active in the early 1900's).  The weather was absolutely perfect as the thunder storms that rolled through the area on Friday night brought cooler temps, less humidity and a slight wind from the north.  It was actually cool enough to wear a jacket when we started out at 6 am.  We crisscrossed corn and soy fields most of the day.   We ( Tom, Jeff and I)  had lunch at Subway in what city in Illinois we have no idea.  Tonight we are being serenaded by cicadas as we camp at the Coal City Area Club.  Tomorrow is Indiana, our 9th state!

 

Hot and Humid Illinois

On Friday July 19, after a relaxing rest in Madison Wisconsin, we rode 93.9 miles to Garden Prairie Illinois.  It was very hot and humid all day long, but especially during the last 20 miles of the ride.  The wind was blowing steadily from the southwest so for the most part we had good tailwinds, however we were zigzagging most of the day so it was an occasional tailwind, then side wind and sometimes a headwind.  I rode most of the day with Tom and Jeff and we finished in just under 7 hours.  Tonight we are camping at the Holiday Acres campground.  We are hoping that the forecast for severe weather, thunder, lightning, hail,  actually happens so it cools things down for tonight and tomorrow.  Tomorrow is a 106 mile day...