Yay Ohio! We rode 100 miles from Cameron, WV to Marietta, OH (cute town) a few days ago and stayed in Marietta for 2 nights before rolling out to McArthur and now Hillsboro. I am obsessed with being back in the midwest...I just love the landscape and the people so much. It feels like home again and I keep getting nostalgic -- I see familiar/regional grocery stores, banks, ice cream shops, newspapers (Bike and Build got a shoutout in the Dispatch yesterday), roads, signs, rivers, and even friends (I ran into Kate Lainhart and Matt Schep in Athens)! I rode by myself for about 40 miles yesterday and decided that my life in Ohio is definitely not over. I may not return in the near future but I would absolutely love the chance to at some point.
The roads have gone from mountains to flat, and the 70 mile days don't take us nearly as long as they once did. I continue to ride with Roshie, Kristi, Erin M., and Becca and we do nothing short of have a hilarious time. Today was our first day riding in the rain, which was pretty cold, and flat tires certainly don't help, but we still manage new and exciting adventures with every mile. I love it.
I also love how I have absolutely NO idea what day it is, and I never need to look at my watch, my to do list, check my blackberry, etc etc. It is the best thing ever to wake up in the morning and be like, "All I need to do today is bike 75 miles." If I'm tired, I get off my bike. If I'm hungry, I get a snack. No big deal.
Tonight we're in Hillsboro and tomorrow's our last stop in Ohio, in Cincinnati. We really are in the midwest now -- the generosity is amazing, i.e. Kroger donated tons of breakfast food for us, there is talk of a Graeter's party tomorrow, drivers beep encouragement and cheer us on rather than the angrier honks we experienced in the northeast states....awesome. So fantastic.
I feel like there was tons more I wanted to mention and now that I have finally gotten access to a computer I can't remember everything. I've been kind of bad about being on the internet but don't forget I have my cell phone with me! And OMG. I need to give a shoutout to my wonderful friends who have sent me incredible mail! My parents and aunt have been great sending random energy food and of course tabloids, and NELL AND JULIA the cookies and muffins (and the postcards) are way delish. Ricky thanks so much for the birthday present package and this week's postcard, also a thanks to my secret admirer who keeps sending me things from somewhere in Maryland...they never fail to make me laugh and I wish I knew who you were so I could thank you personally (Dan I'm still not totally convinced it's not you). And Katie -- your letter was awesome too :)
So I guess that's it. I'm going to join everyone else watching Rent now (Hi Laura, I miss you...you said we were golden!). We always sing the lyrics when we ride and tonight Becca bought the DVD so we can watch it on the ridic widescreen at the Hillsboro Methodist Church. w00t.
1 comment:
Kaley: Good to talk w/ you today as you were having marshmellow fluff for lunch. Hope the Friday rain in Ohio did not dampen (bad pun) your spirits! Sounds like the rain couldn't do that!! Hope you got the box at the Hillsboro mail drop. Hey, the Prov to Seattle riders passed through Gambier and Columbus Thursday and Friday. One of their riders got hit by a 17-year old girl in residential neighborhood of Columbus, because she wanted to turn her car into her driveway at home! And the Northern route gave a nice shoutout to Silver Bay (they called it a RESORT!!) before going on to Indian Lake, NY and then Niagra Falls. All the best to everyone in your group. I know you can get to 50 mph, so be safe! Love, DAD
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