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Across Ohio Bicycle Adventure |
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XOBA 2008 by Dan Sheridan |
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Saturday, Oberlin to Sandusky, 34 miles (+ 6 miles to Lake Erie & back)
On our last day, I again rode with Tom. We started early, enjoying a beautiful morning. We noticed that the corn was doing better in this section of the state, sometimes towering three or four feet over our heads. We waded several feet into the corn fields a few times to carefully "inspect the corn", returning with empty bladders.
We stopped at a gas station for juice, where the clerk took an outdoor cigarette break as she remarked that she used to be able to ride a bicycle a long way, but for some reason could no longer do so.
We arrived at the fairgrounds just as the luggage truck pulled in with our belongings. Tom stayed to help unload the truck, but urged me to continue on to Lake Erie to complete the journey across Ohio. I rode into Sandusky, following the waterfront for a few blocks until I found a park where I could dip my wheel into Lake Erie. I could see Cedar Point amusement park across the water. Riding back to the fairgrounds, I arrived at the same time as my friends Lucy, Reuben, and Rosa. We spent a few minutes saying farewell to our friends, new and old, before heading home.
I started the journey intending to sleep in my tent most nights, but ended up sleeping on a gym floor each night. It was easier to spread my gear on a gym floor than it was to set up a tent, and sleeping on the gym floor made it easy to start early and ride in the cooler part of the day. The downside was that many gyms stayed hot long after the outside air had cooled.
I appreciate the hard work that Walt and his staff and volunteers put into the ride. It must be an enormous challenge to organize a trip for 289 cyclists, and then shepherd them across Ohio. I'm glad that they did.
It was gratifying to see how the riders looked out for each other. As I fixed my flat tire on Sunday, almost every rider who passed me asked if I needed help. Nearly all of the motorists that we encountered were friendly and courteous.
I greatly enjoyed the journey. It was rewarding to challenge myself physically, while simultaneously exploring new terrain and learning much about Ohio history. It was fun to spend time relaxing with old friends, while also meeting new friends and hearing their stories. |
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Dipping my tire into Lake Erie. |
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Underground railroad marker beside Lake Erie. |
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Contact Dan through the Heart of Ohio Tailwinds web site. |