Thunder Storm!!

At the moment, we are sitting in our tent. A tumultuous thunder storm brewing over us. We are in Marseille, Illinois.  I can barely even hear my own thoughts as the rain is beating against our tent, lighting providing very temporary light. I must say, modern technology is quite impressive that  I can be connected to the world while sitting in a tent. Today, we had a late start. In the morning our amazing host, roger, fixed us a hearty breakfast of pancakes while we waited for the local bike shops to open. HOLY COW!! Zeus decided to send a bolt close by. Our hearts are pumping and I may have said a bad word. I think I should Stop writing. Update in the morning  

Falling Apart: Not us, The Bike

Is this day 7? Or day 8? They are all starting to blend together. While the landscape and town names change, the routine does not. Wake up, change into cycling clothes, apply a generous amount of Chamois Butter to nether regions, load up bike and ride.  Routine on this ride has also consisted of staying with friends, family and strangers, along with a warm and much needed shower every night. Setting off today was hard because we had to leave the comfortable and kind atmosphere of Andrew’s grandmother’s place in Crumstown Indiana. Here we were not only treated to a roof and a shower, but also food, fellowship and more food. However, we needed to press on.  We loaded our bikes into Merlin’s truck and he took us to our start point a few miles away. Now, I love Indiana, its flat, the people are nice, and the weather is not too hot or too cold, but there is one dreadful flaw, the roads. It seems to me as if when deciding on funding for road improvements, appropriations were only made for everything but the shoulder. For 20 miles or so, we rode by pot holes which more closely resembled glacial crevasses than aged asphalt.

                Our first goal of the day was a little town called Chesterton. Here begun a bike trail that would take us closer to Chicago. Lunch consisted of chocolate milk and PB-J sandwiches, unfortunately, no random strangers were handing out money at the sight of our simple meal.  Unlike the trails in Maryland and Pennsylvania, these trails were gloriously paved. Not needing to worry about traffic, and protected by trees and forest from the wind, made this ride quite pleasant. At one point, another man on a bike was behind and once again the questions were coming. It funny to be used to the astonishment people show when we tell them of our destination, WOW! Really?! Are you Crazy! Holy EXPLETIVE! And so on.  Getting off the trail, we entered the suburbs outside of Chicago. Here dodging traffic, and attempting to make progress toward our host home, I began to feel something going wrong with my pedals. Every time my left foot would make a revolution, it would skip and wobble. I stopped and found that the bolt holding my crank arm was loose. Easy fix! Just tighten it! once tightened we went on our way, dodging more traffic. About a mile later, it happened again, and again, and again. Soon I could only manage 500 feet without having to tighten it. Obviously, something was dreadfully wrong.  However, our host home was only 6 miles away! ( quite close considering an 80 mile day), I made up my mind I would take it slow, but try and make it. With sun beating down, traffic  getting more and more aggressive in their fight to make it home, I pedaled my crippled. For a mental picture, of how I biked, picture Forrest Gump with braces, riding a bicycle. However, such a thing could not last long, peddling on a bike path; my crank gave up its ghost and fell off. Thus, my riding for the day was ended so close to our goal. Luckily, our host was gracious enough to come and pick me up with bike. Once again, warm showers.org provided us with roof, fellowship and yes, as warm shower. Tomorrow should be an interesting day. Need to find a bike shop and hope my problem is a quick fix.  Anyways, until next time. Adieu.

Gas station blessings: Fort Wayne to Grovertown IN

Once again, we have been blessed in more ways than one. First, our route was north west on the same day the wind was coming from the south east, thus a much appreciated tail wind. This boost allowed us to make good time toward our destination. Riding on route 30 is beneficial because of its wide shoulders but because of the heavy truck traffic, semi-tire threads litter the shoulder waiting to pierce the tires of unsuspecting cyclists. About a hour in, Andrew got a flat. By this time we have become quite skilled at changing and patching tubes. Our second breakfast consisted of Subway while also charging our cellphones. Pressing on, we decided to have quick and simple lunch of Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Needing bread, we pulled over at a marathon gas station and bought a loaf and a half gallon of ice cold milk. Finding a shady spot beneath a tree, we began to construct and eat our sandwiches. At this time, a Black Acura pulled up. Its occupant, a man in his late 20's or early 30's, stepped out and asked if he could smoke beside us. "Sure" we said, hoping he would at least smoke downwind. Soon, the man was asking questions about our ride, "Where you going?" "Serious?!", the usual reaction we are becoming accustomed to.When the conversation settled, Andrew and I began to pack up our bikes. The man came up to us, wallet in hand, and handed a wad of cash to Andrew. Now, this is one of the few times in my life when I really don't know how to act. Its not very often I encounter a person handing out handfuls of money. Than mentioned that he wished he could have done such a trip at our ages but now he works to much. he said, money is not a problem for me anymore so you guys can use this better. As he left, I noticed my front tire had a flat. Another truck tire thread. However, the events which just had transpired left me joyful to change it. While patching the tire, a man walks up holding a full sized bike pump, mentioning that it might be easier fill up the tire instead of using our small portable pumps. Another friendly blessing. We made our final leg of the journey to Grovertown, where Andrews grandfather met us with his truck to take us their house for the night. A warm shower and large meal of Spaghetti later, we are resting and relaxing, ready for another ride tomorrow.

Bluffton to Fort Wayne: Hello Indiana

"Indiana Wants Me"

Waking up in your own bed, in your own house, is perhaps one of best starts to long day of riding. After our restful day off which included minor bike maintenance, a quick sushi date complete with window shopping, and lots of eating, we packed up and attempted to leave. The way the ride started should have proved to a bad omen for how the ride will turn out. While filling the tire to an adequate pressure, a rip formed around the base of the tube nozzle, making it effectively useless. This was flat number one. Once fixed and on the rode, we were glad to have mild and steady tail wind. Unencumbered by our panniers ( because Jackie was going to SAG for us until Van Wert, we managed a blazing speeds topping 20 miles per hour. ( trust me, its a blazing speed to tour cyclists). Between Bluffton and Van Wert, we managed to have 4 flats. These ranged from getting pieces of truck tire threads stuck through the tube, to random pinch punctures, to faulty tire patches. Jackie, who I was texting my frustrations to reminded us to think of such happenings as mandatory rest stops. Always the optimist she is. Finally in Van Wert, we sat down to copious amounts of pizza and salad. Wearing cycling clothing in public always gets a funky stair from the "normal" people around.
    Van Wert was where we said good by to Jackie and were reunited with our packs. Now, 30 pounds heavier, we set out to Fort Wayne via route 30. Between Van Wert and Fort Wayne, we managed yet again another 2 or so flats, causing much consternation to our spirits and dampening whatever elation the tail wind had given us. By this time, we had contacted a host willing to take us in when we arrived in Fort Wayne. The site "warmshowers.org", a community particularly gear toured cycle touring will prove quiet useful on this trip. Anyway, the issues surrounding Andrews cursed tire had driven us to the point where a new one must be purchased. Providence has a funny way manifesting itself through frustration. Our search for a new tire in Fort Wayne led us to a bike shop. Pulling it up, it was busy, and by busy, I mean abnormally bustling. People riding in on road bikes, hybrids, mountain bikes, kayaks laid out on the lawn, Lycra and jersey clad people huddling in groups chatting about bikes.Parking our bikes, it was not long until someone noticed our packs and asked where we are going. Once our trip was explained, we asked about the excitement happening around us. From what they told us, it was the national bike to work day after party. It was a perfect situation of being at the right place at the right time. A table full of good and filling food and drink table open to all biker in area. Although the fellowship with others in our hobby was short lived, our hosts informed us that supper was cooking. We arrived at our host home after racing through the city. We were greated by neighbors Julie and Michelle alogn with a amazing meal of tacos ( fish, chicken, chorizo, and beans, and toppings). That is our day thus far, we are currently cleaned up and resting, ready for a long day tomorrow to South Bend and or Goshen.! Here are some pics of today and some previous days.

First flat even before we started

Crossing into Indiana

Right Place

Right Time

Leaving Pennsylvania a few days ago

Our first real "touring" meal, half gallon of chocolate milk, PB and J sandwiches and three sour cream donuts each

Day 6 and Rest Day

View Larger Map

Sitting here at home in Bluffton, resting our tired legs and aching bodies, it is such a relief to be done with yesterday. From getting on the bike in the early morning, to 11 hours later when we reached Findlay we had strong headwinds with gusts up to 30 miles per hour. A person who even moderately cycles will understand that wind, not mountains is the bane of all cyclists. Wind can either be a friend at your back or a foe at your front. headwinds are an invisible enemy, pushing you back to where you came, creating deafening white noise that drown out even your thoughts. As we limped along at tortoise speeds, I began to loath the cars which passed us with such easy, the people sitting comfortable in their plush seats, air conditioned, blissfully unaware of the ease at which they cut through the wind. Breakfast consisted of a gas station sandwich and chocolate milk, a meal only appetizing at that hour when on a bicycle. By noon, not only was the strong wind still with out, but also, the sun broke through the clouds to provide a little extra glaze on our already sun burned skin. Being so close to home, my lovely wife was able to meet us toward the end of our goal in Findlay, OH. I had asked for her to bring a gallon of cold water. However, when she parked beside us, she discovered that water spigot on pitcher had opened creating a large soggy puddle on the car floor and leaving little to add to our bottles. Regardless, we pressed on to finally, aided by not having our packs and encouraged by knowing today was a rest day, a short break on a long ride. Andrew borrowed our car to see his significant other in rosedale and I sat on the couch, with cold beer, lovely wife and ordered a large pizza. Today, is a good day. Unfortunately, the weather conditions today make it very tempting to ride more, but I will force myself to rest. hopefully they will keep until tomorrow. Today is for resting and fixing our bikes for the leg out to Iowa.

Hartville to Greenwich

We pulled out of hartville this morning after good nights rest and good breakfast compliments of my good friend Brian. It took a few miles to get used to the oddly crisp air, but the last few climbs warmed us up quickly. We could tell that we were leaving the mountainous and hilly region of Ohio behind. Unlike the days pervious, the wind was gracious enough to at least be at our side, coming from the south. We have not been lucky enough to have a strong tailwind. Anyways, during a pitstop, I saw that were were going to pass through a town called Wadsworth. I remembered that a friend lived there. A few texts and calls later, Andrew, Amy and I were enjoying some much needed subway. So far this trip has consisted of not only biking but also alot of fellowship between friends and family. Since we started, we had always had a place to stay and a hot shower, leaving our camping equipment alone until today. We were a bit nervous about having to find a place to pitch a tent. We made up our minds to make it to at least Willard Ohio and hopefully find a church lawn. The ride there was on highway 242, its long and straight and not much of anything but farmland. About 15 miles from Willard, I got tired of the monotony and decided to replace the pair of headphone I left in my parents van with a cheap pair from dollar general.  As we were in the parking lot, waiting to roll out, a lady began to ask us questions about what we are doing? Where are you going? West Coast. For a cause? No, just for fun. How far do you bike each day? 70 miles. We have been getting used to people asking these questions, so we know the drill. However, when she asked where are we staying? Willard, OH. A look of great worry came over her face. She instantly said that she had a large yard where we could pitch our tent and even had supper cooking. Although we did not meet our mileage goals, a free meal and hassle free lodging was too good to pass up. We began to set our stuff up in her yard when her husband came out to start a camp fire and say hi. , This man, was extremely friendly and jolly. Once our tent was up, we sat around the table and ate a great meal of bean and ham stew and corn bread and honey. The hospitality was amazing, it felt like we knew these people for years, like old friend. After this, I took a much needed and appreciated shower. Coming down the stairs into the living room, I was a little shocked to see a police officer sitting on the couch eating cake. Apparently, they are friends with all the cops in town. It was interesting talking about small town crime and issues. Anyways, I'm sitting by the campfire at the moment. its just enough to keep me warm while I type, but I must sleep for a 80 miles ride tomorrow. I will up load pictures when I have a faster connection.

The lovely couple who hosted us

Day 5

Leaving the outskirts of Pittsburgh, which sits between high mountains was our steepest climb. Dodging trucks and car, we made our way away from the river and toward Ohio. Here was our first challenge. A large yellow sign greeted us with a warning about the extreme grades. Climbing up proved quite taxing within the first 30 seconds with our legs feeling on fire and lungs about to burst from exertion, we pressed forward. Well, maybe I should say Andrew pressed forward, my gear decided to malfunction and essentially ruin my prospects of conquering the mountain. This did not prove to be our greatest challenge today. Going along a strong headwind began to develop. This, along with the cold temperatures and steep rolling climbs, created a difficult experience. We ended the day at former reach teammates house and great dinner. I’m too tired to keep typing. Pictures will come later.