Day 37: Rolling into O-H-I-O

Greendale Indiana to Newark, Ohio – Cousin Jenni’s House

The hotel had the best breakfast spread I’ve seen. I originally planned to leave right at 6:00 am, but stayed an extra half hour to load up on eggs, pork gravy, bagels, yogurt, muffins, fruit and cereal! I crossed into Ohio early in the day, and not long after that, the “Ohio filous remix” came on my Spotify. Synchronicity. I got onto my first Ohio bike path at 40 miles. The path runs along the Miami River. While riding along it, I saw another bald eagle! This one was catching something on the river, and I went down for a closer look. So cool. After getting back on the road, I was riding along when my eye caught a crooked, short, gnarly nail. I tried to avoid it, but I was too late. It caught on my front tire, and got carried up into my brakes where it lodged itself, rubbing against my tire as I came to a stop. The sound was terrible, and I was certain I would be doing another tire change. Incredibly, I pulled the nail free, and it was all good. It didn’t even puncture the tube!

10% grades no longer look steep to me. They are just average hills now. It doesn’t mean they aren’t tough, but I’m glad to leave the 20% grades behind me. I got on the Little Miami Scenic Trail at mile 73. This is the first section of Bike Route 1 that I hit – “The Ohio to Erie Trail.” It’s nice riding on a dedicated bike path, free from cars and traffic. I’ll be riding this path for the rest of the day.

I finished the first “Game of Thrones” audio book today, and was cruising along when I met, Dave, another biker. He was almost done with his ride, and we talked on the trail for a bit. When I told him I was headed towards Columbus he got worried. Apparently, crime has recently been high in the city, especially in the borough the path goes through. He was glad when I told him I was being picked up by family just before the city. We exchanged a few more stories, and then he was off. All of a sudden, he slowed down, and said to meet him at his red truck at the parking lot in Xenia. When I got there he stocked me up with cold water, Gatorade, bananas, apricots, watermelon, cantaloupe, fruit snacks, granola bars, string cheese, and chocolate covered raisins. He even pumped up my tires for me. So generous. Thanks so much Dave! I continued on The Ohio to Erie Trail, and talked to another biker, John. John was helping out with the Pan-Ohio Race. It was currently in day 3, and traveling in the other direction from me.

I got to the town of London where I met up with my Dad’s cousin Jenni, and her family: Her husband José, and kids, Nando and Evie. I will be staying with them for tonight and tomorrow. It’s so nice to be with family and take a much needed rest day! They offered me plenty of snacks, and of course, I wolfed them down right away. We caught up for a bit, and Nando and Evie put on a great puppet show for me! Later, we went out for (huge) burgers in Granville. After dinner, we got ice cream from Whit’s. Such a good day. VIEW PHOTOS

Distance: 105.36 (2973.84 total miles)
Time: 8:28:50
Ascent: 2723
Descent: 2123

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