Day 40: Rest Day in Erie, PA

Really not too much to report. Out to an Italian dinner last night with some of the other riders. Raining this morning and chilly, in the 50's. Hung out at the hotel and did all the obligatory stuff: laundry, cleaned the bike, even took a nap. Walked around the Lake Erie waterfront a little but the main part of town is up a big hill...nope.
Heading out tomorrow for Hamburg, NY. It is supposed to be a pretty ride along Lake Erie. I hope the weather cooperates.

Day 39: Niles, OH to Erie, PA

So today was the seventh and last day of this segment. Everyone is tired, legs are sore, and we still had another 90 today before the rest day in Erie. I think we are incredulous that we will have basically done four centuries in four days. It was actually a fairly uneventful day...and not too much climbing. We crossed into Pennsylvania but we could only take a picture from a distance, as there was road construction. The second SAG was at the White Turkey Root Beer Stand, which is a local institution since the 50's. It was pretty cool and we chatted with the owner. Unfortunately, because of a power outage there was no ice cream and some people really wanted the house specialty, which is a root beer float..so that was too bad.
After the rain yesterday, which was apparently a cool front, temps this morning were mid fifties...winter for this Arizona girl! I had on a base layer, jersey, light jacket and arm warmers...which never came off all day. When we arrived in Erie, we still only hit 66 degrees. Our Hotel for the off day is very nice, sits right on Lake Erie and has Starbucks coffee!
Last seven days: 604 miles and 15,994 feet of climbing. Last four days: 388.4 miles. Two of those days had 7403 feet of the climbing. These legs need a REST!! BUT, I made it.
Forgot to mention that yesterday 4 people ahead of me went down on a wet, double RR crossing. No one hurt, just scrapes and bruises. I didn't see it, but I am thinking they must have been too close to each other..just sayin'.

Day 38: Wooster, OH to Niles, OH or, Can I really go 90+ miles again today?

I haven't written the blog for several days and there is a reason for that. It is called T-I-R-E-D.
After we left the rest day in Champaign, IL we had 3 days of moderate distances (81, 61, 73) and very little climbing.. hey, life was good! The fourth day out we had a long century day to Marysville, OH (105) but not too much climbing (only2277) and no headwinds. Then all the fun started. The fifth day was essential another century (98.5) but with 3717 of climbing. OK, now the legs are talking to me. Still, things were not too bad. Now the sixth day out. Essentially another century (94) and 3690 of climbing. Legs are screaming...what the &@#¥&@!!! To add insult to injury, at the first SAG we had a light drizzle and I thought, well...I COULD get my rain jacket off the truck. BUT, no. It was so hot and humid, I thought I would just sweat underneath the jacket....this was a bad decision. About 3 or 4 miles past the SAG....torrents of rain. No thunder or lightning, but that was the only good part. I did have a shower cap in my saddle bag so I put that on under my helmet which kept my head warm and dry. I think it poured for about an hour and a half, then it started to clear up but we had a cool, more north, wind....now we are freezing. Just the way we like it????....So now you think, the worst is over.
BUT, no. I dropped my chain on a right hand turn with an immediate uphill....almost fell over because of the grade, managed to unclip and stop but found that the chain was REALLY jammed...not just a little, either. Peter and I wrestled with it for a awhile, finally decided to call for SAG support, and by the time they came and we got it fixed, we lost maybe an hour, and still had over thirty miles to go. By the time we got to the hotel, still half wet, dirty from wrestling with the chain and DOG TIRED, I thought to myself...no way can I ride ANOTHER 90 tomorrow...
BUT, I stretched, did the jacuzzi, iced the knee, took a naproxen, ate yet another HUGE meal and promptly fell asleep at some ridiculously early hour.
One interesting note, we ride in a bike way today for about 8 miles...my only boring picture is of the bike way, but the picture of Peter was taken near the end of this day...still smiling, unbelievably.

Day 37: The Road to Wooster, OH

It poured rain overnight but skies were clear this morning as we headed off into the 90% humidity. Before long we were once again soaked just as if someone had dumped a bucket of water over our heads. It was moderately hilly but we hear from the staff that the last part of the ride has some really steep climbs. Just the way we like it!
At the first SAG, Janel (one of the staff) had "Buckeyes" for us... She lives in Ohio and of course is a huge Ohio State Fan... Her husband came yesterday and brought these treats for us. They are made to look like the buckeye nut (which are poisonous) and they are kind of like eating a big round Reese's cup...chocolate outside and peanut butter stuff in the inside. The pictures are of Janel in her Buckeye hat.
We did hit a nasty patch of road construction today. No top coat just the rough part before they pave. One of the worst bits of road we have been on. If anything on your bike wasn't loose, it is now. Forget
your joints..
Second SAG, then we hit the steep hills. Some pretty good ones...12-14% but not too long. Short and steep. We went through a lot of Amish country today, too. A couple of Amish children saw us stopped by the side of the road and asked some questions about where we were going, etc.
I think we looked like aliens to them.
Tonight in Wooster we had one of the best meals of the trip at a locally owned place called Broken Rocks Cafe. Excellent! Magnum Bars from the gas station after dinner... Just as we were crossing back to the hotel a rainstorm blew in... Apparently this is our Karma right now and it is pretty good!
Today: 98.5 miles, 3712 of climbing.

Day 36: Richmond, IN to Marysville, OH

Today was the first of four long days before we have the rest day in Erie. It was extremely muggy this morning when we started out, but we had nice country roads and no wind. We crossed the Ohio State line within a few miles of the hotel, did the obligatory sand offering and moved on pretty quickly as we knew it was going to be a long day. Before long we started picking up a tailwind (yeah!) and made pretty good time to the first SAG. We are all soaked through by that time (from sweating due to the humidity.) Yuck.
It ended up being a pretty uneventful day except for a few people who had mechanical issues with their bikes. I think the miles day after day are starting to take a toll on the bikes. Final tally today: 105.3 miles.
The tailwind actually picked up and we had a great last 30 miles. We even saw a Starbucks on the way into town and Peter, Damian and I had iced coffees...!
Tomorrow we have around 97 miles or so, but some hefty climbing in the second half of the ride on the way to Wooster, Ohio. I think having the new gear will be a big help.
Jim C. says we are traveling in a "weather bubble"....no rain on us today, although it is all around. Let's hope our bubble doesn't burst!

This sculpture was in a front yard out in the country...carved out of a dead tree apparently.

Day 35: Indianapolis, IN to Richmond, IN

Last night my friends John and Betsy MacLennan came from Valparaiso, IN to have dinner and spend the night in Indy. They hit a lot of heavy rain on the way down, but made it safely and we went out to a great dinner at a place called "Late Harvest"... delicious! Not a chain restaurant or hotel food...!!!
Betsy also got some fresh picked strawberries for the SAG today and they were fantastic! They waved us off this morning before they headed home..thank you Betsy and John. It was really special to have you here.
The trip to Richmond today was pretty uneventful...the most notable event being large swarms of gnats that we rode through and they stuck to us...hair, legs, ears..we even ate some....you get the idea. Yuck...that combined with the humidity had everyone wishing for a shower by the first SAG.
The next few days look daunting...tomorrow 104, then 97, 91 and 89 before we hit Erie, PA for a rest day.

Day 34: Crawfordville, IN to Indianapolis, IN OR, BIG MO #2

Maybe the Internet not working last night was an omen...today was a series of mishaps all of which turned out ok....first off we had a car come a little too close on a country road...an angry woman inside flipping us off etc.....nobody even in the oncoming lane. Really?  A few days ago we had a trucker harass us...I think there are some angry people out there. yikes.
Second, a man on a platform mower blew grass and rocks our way...not on purpose as he did stop but a little too late. I took a rock to my left sunglasses lens and it chipped it. ARRGH! My new Oakleys!
I am just happy I was wearing them or I could have had a serious eye injury.
Third, hit the first SAG and upon preparing to depart...flat. Rear, what else? So, big slice in my tire that I put on in Santa Fe after the blowout in California. Totally ruined the tire.
So now, I have Big MO tractor tire #2 on there, and I think we will be friends until the end of the trip.
Where I go, he goes. Drag or no...sigh. I long for my racing tires at home waiting in the cupboard.
One piece of good luck...Peter and I stopped at a Starbucks (really!!!) and had iced coffees and sandwiches, and just as we were finishing, we heard thunder and looked out to see big black stuff coming. Thankfully, we were only about .5 mile from the hotel ( since it was a relatively short day today, only 60 miles) and just as we pulled into the lobby the skies opened up. We took note that it was pretty steamy today...Midwest summer in full force.
Tonight my friends John and Betsy MacLennan are coming from northwest Indiana (Valparaiso) to see me and have dinner...so excited to see them.
Today's picture: quintessential Indiana

Day 33: Champaign, IL to Crawforsdville, IN

The internet wasn't working at the hotel last night in Crawfordsville, so this posting is a day late. Yesterday was " decorate your helmet day", so on the day off in Champaign we all got our creative juices flowing and it was pretty fun. We laughed a lot....I rode as far as the first SAG with my decor which was a Fourth of July type theme. It doesn't show up all that well in the pictures...I had an American flag on each side, a flashing light red star headband, and a red, white and blue bow on top. I felt quite jaunty. Although, I did keep the flags on til the end of the ride.
We crossed the Indiana State line, sprinkled sand and took pictures, and I felt quite at home in my old adopted state. The corn goes from horizon to horizon and is a luscious green from all the rain. We crossed the Wabash, which, just as most of the other rivers we have passed, was over its banks and into the adjacent feels and low woodlands. It was over 80 miles today, so all were heading off to their rooms after dinner....at only 7:30! Sleep is becoming the desired state. :-)

Day 32: Rest Day in Champaign, IL

Today it was just nice to sleep a little later. I ate TWO breakfasts and chased it down with a green machine smoothie and a Hershey bar at about 10a.m.!  ( I continued to eat my way through the rest of the day, too)
I was able to get my bike from the bike shop after lunch since Mark (one of the other riders who lives nearby) and his wife Beth had their car. Hopefully the 12-30 will be enough gear and I also got a new chain. Tomorrow we cross the Indiana state line.
I am posting a few random pictures that have been passed around. Thanks everyone for all your comments and support...unbelievably, two weeks from Friday we ride into Boston.

Day 31: Springfield, IL to Champaign, IL

We had 87 miles today but the last 30 or so felt really long...in the last 7 days we have gone about 620 miles...I haven't checked that against the Garmin but it is pretty close. Everyone was anxious to get to Champaign for the rest day tomorrow as fatigue seems to have settled on the whole group at this point. Mary Jo, who joined us in Albuquerque is leaving us now, and her husband drove from Cincinnati to pick her up. He brought about 20 pints of ice cream that is a special local ice cream from their area, and it was fantastic! He had it set up in the lobby when we all started  arriving...it really hit the spot.  I had 2 helpings of mocha chocolate chip...outstanding!  Unfortunately, Mary Jo took a fall yesterday. Hit a patch of gravel and went down. Some road rash, a fair sized hematoma on her right hip, and cracked her helmet. She couldn't finish yesterday but rode today the whole 87. What a trooper.
We have two sectional riders joining us from here to Boston, but we haven't seen them yet. I assume they will arrive tomorrow.
I am giving myself a flunking grade on pictures the last couple of days, BUT, tonight's lone picture is pretty impressive...it was taken by a staff member of the rollers we rode this week. Also, I am going to try and post some of the pictures that have been circulating among the riders and staff on the off day tomorrow.