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Across Ohio Bicycle Adventure |
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XOBA 2008 by Dan Sheridan |
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Wednesday, 70 miles (plus extra 31 miles to make 101), Delaware to Ashland
This was scheduled to be a 70 mile day, but we had an option for a century ride (100 mile day) by adding extra miles in the scenic hills near Butler. I decided that I'd try the century route if I was feeling good when we reached the turnoff, at about mile 44. I started the day riding with Lucy Lehner for a few miles, before speeding up to my "century pace". As we rode along a country road, we came upon a farm yard with roosters tethered to large blue plastic drums. The yard was noisy, with frequent "cock-a-doodle-doo" sounds. I've had a cochlear implant for three years, but have never heard roosters, so I enjoyed the new sound. As several of us took pictures, one cyclist was startled by a shock from the electric fence.
After stopping for juice or snack breaks in Sparta and Fredericktown, I rode with Marlene Welch for several miles until the turnoff for the century route. The century route alternated between very challenging hills and rolling streamside terrain. The route went to the edge of Bellville, so I stopped for lunch at a small cafe/antique shop next to the Richland B&O Trail. From there, the route continued on the bicycle trail for two miles before returning to the hills for about 15 miles. Eventually we rejoined the regular route, which I assumed would be gently rolling. I was wrong, as we encountered several more large hills and many smaller ones.
Near Mifflin, Ohio it cooled off and began to rain, so I donned my rain gear and rode on in the refreshing shower. I soon stopped at a convenience store, where I chatted with Karen Pitzer from Cincinnati. Karen was doing her first bicycle tour and I admired her determination to make it to Lake Erie. After a few more hills, I arrived in Ashland with 98 miles, so I went back down the road a bit to make 101 miles.
Our home for the evening was a nicely air-conditioned section of the gym floor in Ashland University's student center. My legs were sore from climbing hills, so I decided that after dinner I would treat myself to a 20 minute massage from Amy Collins, the massage therapist who traveled with our ride. Many riders went to a local restaurant which served "all you can eat spaghetti" every Wednesday evening. The restaurant was overwhelmed by the hungry cyclists, and I wanted to get my massage before bedtime, so I went across the street to a sub shop and bought my dinner there. After the massage, I was so relaxed that it was hard to walk back to my sleeping bag. |
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A beautiful hillside road near Bellville, Ohio. |
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Cock-a-doodle-doo! |
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Contact Dan through the Heart of Ohio Tailwinds web site. |