Managed to bicycle about 75 miles today. Conditions were perfect, wind was at my back, not too hot or too cold, and it was just a beautiful day for a great ride. Traffic was reasonable, back roads were beautiful, and I even passed an ADM plant today.

Started out in New London, Ohio, and finished up and Findlay, Ohio. Could've gone another 25 miles easily but I would've ended up in the middle of nowhere. Storm is on its way and did not want to get caught in the open. I would've loved to have done a century, felt great when I quit and could've kept going.  Should not be long before I'm in Indiana. Once I hit Monroeville, Indiana, I will be on the Northern Tier and the maps will be much easier to follow. Google bicycle maps leave a lot to be desired! Finally just said to heck with it and kept going west. Great day for biking. I'll see how this storm affects things tomorrow.

Confession time

I will not name names so as to protect the innocent. But this is the story:  on this trip I have approached churches on two occasions to see if I could pitch my tent on their lawn when a storm was coming my way. On both occasions my request was declined. Two days ago while traveling across Ohio I encountered a severe storm. Strong winds, very cold, and heavy rain were my companions. To say that I was miserable does not even begin to capture my feelings. I looked at one of the apps on my phone that shows campgrounds in the area. I was pleased to see that 20 miles away from where I was, while the storm was hitting its peak, there was a campground.  I called them, told the proprietor that I was frozen to the quick, and asked if they could put me up for the night.  He readily agreed recognizing that I was in trouble. But in the course of the conversation the proprietor brought to my attention "we are an alternative lifestyle campground."  I had no idea what he was talking about.  Short of drawing a picture for me, he pointed out that they practiced a gay lifestyle.  I asked if it would be a problem if I stayed there in light of the fact that I was straight.  The proprietor said no problem at all, we understand your situation and will be glad to assist you in anyway we can. They were extremely hospitable, friendly, and made me feel at home.  Now let's consider, I had two churches turn me down and an "alternative lifestyle campground" accept me with open arms. I believe there may be a biblical message here. I have pondered this for the last 70 miles as I've considered these turns of events.  For me, this experience has enlightened and opened my awareness to kindness in its many forms.  To the folks at the alternative lifestyle campground, you know who you are, and you have my sincere thanks. The lessons garnered from this experience will remain with me and I hope guide me to make good decisions when it comes to kindness and hospitality in the future.

New London, OH

Yesterday was a tough bicycling day. The wind blew straight out of the west, there was heavy rain, and a fair amount of traffic.  Places to stay were few and far between.  I found a campground with rustic cabins, a little bit of heat, and a few amenities. It's early in the season so finding such facilities is a bit difficult.  I feel myself getting stronger each day; my legs feel like iron now, my knees still give me a little bit of a problem but it is manageable.  Biggest challenge that I've seen so far is that when it is raining like crazy, the wind is roaring, and there is nowhere or anyone around, one is simply on his own and dependent upon his own wits.  Looks like more rain today and it is still pretty cold. Still drying out from yesterday. May have a rest day today; still deciding.

Home Sweet Home for tonight

You never know who you'll meet

I do believe the most fun experiences related to traveling by bicycle has to do with the people you meet. Case in point, Jenny Etain and her Turkish boyfriend were a couple that I met in a coffee shop in Ohio. They had returned from three years in Turkey and were home visiting Jenny's family.  They overheard me asking for directions for a bicycle safe route, intervened, and offered the use of their computer to investigate options.  Soft-spoken, very gracious, and very approachable, I immediately took to them.  In the course of our conversation I asked what they did. Jenny responded "I'm a belly dancer."  "No way!"  Yes, that was indeed the case and she's an artist. Jenny showed me some of the films of her dancing, and needless to say she's very graceful, very pretty, and very talented.  It was a pleasure meeting you both. I wish you safe travels, great dancing, and the love of the world.

Lt. Carr

I met Mr. Carr who had been a lieutenant with the fourth division in Vietnam one year before I arrived in country.  He served in the same areas where I served, therefore fed the mosquitoes and every other insect known to man that ultimately fed on me a year later.  Perhaps our only accomplishment was we kept the insect species vibrant, healthy, and perpetuating into the future.

Into Ohio

What great people! Doug and Terry went way out of their way to make certain that I was fed, kept warm, and enjoyed my stay in their lovely home.  Their two daughters are not only pretty but witty and very good bike riders.  Doug posted a great video that covered their ride through the Chesapeake and Ohio towpath as well as the Allegheny. It was so fun to watch!  I really enjoyed my stay here, and it was so nice that in the morning Doug rode with me to assure that I got off safely.  Traffic has been a bit of a challenge here in Ohio.  Today I hope to hit smaller roads, confront less traffic, and be able to relax as I did on the bicycle trails.  Doug and Terry, thank you for a great time at your place. I may have just been hungry but I do believe that was the best spaghetti that I ever ate!

The Kempthorne Family
My Warm Showers hosts in Homeworth, OH

Home sweet home for the night--Doug's "office"

Someone, without naming who, bought my breakfast because it was always their desire to ride across the United States. I guess the waitress told them about my trip and they bought my breakfast as they were leaving. I had no opportunity to thank my mysterious benefactor.  I in turn paid for another breakfast without telling them who it was.

April 22, 2014

In Weirton, West Virginia, I met my first "road angels." What was really nice about this was that I did not seek them out, but they sought me out recognizing that I was in need of help.  Well experienced in travel, they can see when a fellow traveler is experiencing problems.  Unfortunately, Weirton, West Virginia, while very beautiful, is not bicycle friendly.  From the standpoint of roads, there is no shoulder and those present are in disrepair, signage is minimal, and the traffic heavy.  I left from Weirton rather late, and I attempted to travel from Weirton to E. Liverpool on Hwy 2.  It simply wasn't safe.  Don and Sharon Green intervened, welcomed me into their home and their lives, give me a place to stay for the night, and then helped me plan a course through the rough spots.  They have agreed to convey me to East Liverpool (a distance of some 10 to 15 miles) and from there I will resume my ride.  What fun people - and kindred spirits. They're incredibly well-traveled, resourceful, and possess a strong business spirit. Don is a hyperkinetic free spirit loaded with ideas, has a number of inventions (some of which are laying around the house), and is in the process of building an airplane in their basement.  Sharon has done a little bit of everything from teaching to being a booking agent for a number of well-known groups, and a partner in the business that they run out of their home.  They have decided to sell out, buy a boat, and sail around the world.  They see this as a great escape, a way to refresh their creativity.  Totally fun folks!

The Montour to the Panhandle Trail, PA

Definitely do not drink the water in McDonald, Pennsylvania!

No room at the inn

 

 

 

 

Well, through all of these miles I finally encountered my first lack of hospitality.  Asked if I could pitch my tent on their lawn and was turned down.   Let's make sure we never do that at Grace United Methodist Church.

(Five miles down the trail, someone from the church called my cell phone and they had changed their mind, but it was too late for me.  This might help the next cyclist who comes along.)

Pittsburgh, PA, & Montour Trail

The rejuvenation is incredible up river but down river as you get closer to Pittsburgh, you see a lot of the residual factories where steel and coal were processed.  The impact on the landscape is striking. This said, Pittsburgh is a beautiful city.  This was my first visit ever, and I found the people to be friendly and very helpful.   I've traveled far enough now that when folks ask where I started from, they are shocked when I say "Washington DC."  All dirt trails from Washington DC to Cumberland and then Cumberland to Pittsburgh certainly presented challenges.  Certainly Washington DC to Cumberland was the most challenging with very bumpy, rocky, rutted trails.  If you plan to take this trip, plan on no more than 20 to 25 miles per day.  Plan to camp at remote campsites, where you will need water, food, and the appropriate gear.  Some sites do have handpumps, but there is a very strong iodine smell in the water.  This said, this was a trip of a lifetime!

Well, I have now done the Chesapeake & Ohio Towpath, the Great Allegheny Passage, and now I plan to do the Montour and Panhandle Trails to reach Raccoon Creek Campground.  This is a distance of about 40 miles, uncharted routes, and I will be flying by the seat of my pants.  Looks to be a nice day, a good day for a ride!

 

So far everything has been uphill. I know there's got to be downhill somewhere along this trail.