Bike ride pics

Pie in the face

Ramada Inn Xenia, Xenia Ohio

Day 5, Final Day

I slept in until 5:45 today!  Boy was that nice!  I had a lot to do though, but figured I could get it all done before breakfast started at 6:30.  WRONG...  lol I had clothes to figure out inside and out and I had to get my blue hair done.  Phew.  None the least by the time was all said and done and I got breakfast and more people were signing my shirt. It was almost 8 am...  So I ventured out and once again managed to go off track once more.. boy I sure have gotten lost a lot this last trip... I was making phenomenal time though once I got on track, I was riding between 13-15 miles and hour which sure in the heck was beating the 9mph I was going for day upon days.  I am sure the flatness of the trail and the fact my husband took all my luggage except my emergency bags was even better.  So it was going great.  When I hit south Lebanon I was going to text my husband, but this guy rides up next to me and says hey aren't you the girl who was in holmes county with the flat tire... I started laughing.. He was one of the guys that helped me.  That was so nice.  He said boy I was worried about you and wondered if you were going to make it all the way here.  Him and his friend rode with me for about a good 15-20 minutes gave me a fist bump we each snapped pictures while riding and then he headed off.  Shortly after that, everything started closing in on me, I couldn't see straight my whole body started getting that tingly pass out feeling and it was just not good, I called my husband to let him know It was not good.  He told me to rest, but I couldn't I had already tried that and almost fainted... it was terrible and it was like no one was around and I thought this is it, I have pushed myself to hard and been through way to many extremes out here and this is how I am going to die, in the middle of a trail?  I mean it was bad.  I managed to make it to a town and I sat, and threw water on myself, my body started shaking, I then though maybe my sugar was low from riding and not really eating or drinking, but I couldn't.. my stomach was acting up and my body just didn't want that kidn of stuff.  None the least I pulled through it some how, sucked it up and prayed that I could finish this ride, for me, the school, and Ray... I really struggled, but I just slowed my pace way down.. it all worked out.  I got lost a few more times after I got off in newton, and I took the Wooster pike, bit scary when I forgot my helmet with my husband...  lol  but none the least I finished about 70 miles by 3 pm and we headed home... So not much excitement today except for the fact I finished... So glad to finally go home and not have to wake up and pedal... lol 

Day 4

Physically, mentally, and emotionally fatigued, I awoke way to early.  I was deathly ill when I woke up, I spent a few minutes over the porcelain pott dry heaving, and shaking like a leaf.  I ran some hot water and soaked in the tub for about 10 minutes or so.  It was horrible, I was pretty concerned about venturing out for these next 72 miles.  My muscles were sore, but not as sore as the day before as the hot tub last night sure helped. 

I got on the road at about 6:45am, I knew I had to start early because there was a 50% chance of rain and I surely wanted to get a good head start on that.   I called my husband to let him know I was venturing on my own today, and then headed out.  The navigation went pretty well, there was a few mishaps with turns but nothing as serious as the previous days.  I was about 15 miles into my ride when it started really raining hard.  I crossed under a few bridges and was still going to try and make some more, when it started thundering and lightening.. then that was it.  NO way was I riding anymore.  So I chilled under a bridge with another man who was homeless.  I called my husband to let him know I was stuck for now and wasn't going to be riding anymore until it cleared up.  Of course my husband became frantic because I didn't have an exact location and knowing I was solo he was scared.  So he of course called the cops who of course made me try and explain my location.  So eventually the cops made me wait for someone to show up, so I sat there and waited and the homeless man started talking to me and we talked about my bike ride and why I was doing it.  He was hungry and proceeding to tell me how he would take a shower under the bridge in the water that was coming out.  and so forth.  I reached in my bag and gave him  some of my supplies, I gave him my camp stove, some fuel, some matches, some hot chocolate packets and freeze dried food and my mess kit.  He was so thrilled.. I wanted to get his picture but the cops came.  So I had to deal with the officer.  We talked for a long time, and he told me that IF I was his wife no way would he let me continue this venture on my own.  He looked at my map and tried to explain to me how horrible some of the areas I was going to have to go through and that I was a pretty girl who should not be alone in those parts of town.  HE offered for me to come back to the station and to wait until my husband could come pick me up, but also told me he wasn't' trying to persuade me out of my dream of finishing this either.  Ultimately, he told me to think about it and that the offer was there if I wanted it.  He told me the directions to my next streets, which if I would of kept going I would of been way off base, so glad the rain stopped me when it did.    I sat under the bridge for a little while longer and then decided to suck it up and go.  So I headed back out in the rain.  Of course as I started to ride I couldn't figure out what street to turn on and low and behold here comes the Officer Bowers to my rescue once again.  How nice.  he got me back on track and I ventured out.  It was funny though because I was riding from bridge to bridge trying to catch a little break from the rain.  However the one bridge I was under had no protection, because every time a car drove by all this water would come flying all over me.  I was like really?  By that point I was freezing and decided to suck it up and ride.. I found a gas station around the corner and stopped in there for some snacks since I didn't have any food now and some hot chocolate to warm up... mmm that was good.  I had another car ask me where I was heading and what I was doing with all this luggage on my bike so I explained and they were in awe.  Then as I was sitting outside drinking my hot chocolate another gentleman comes up and asks me the same thing.. I tell him and he says oh I am from Cleveland and then proceeds to tell me just as the cop did that I needed to get out of this side of town, it was no place for a pretty girl like me.. very dangerous.  So I threw the rest of my hot chocolate out and pedaled on in the rain. I figured I didn't need to be told anymore, this was obviously a bad place to be in.  The rain let up, but it still sprinkled, and I continued my venture on and on and on with more cornfields. I never knew until this ride how much of a farming place Ohio is!...   Nothing really exciting happened until I got to Alkire road, some how some where I was so deep in thought that I missed my turn and it was so bad that I was 5 miles off... which meant 5 miles back that meant TEN WHOLE miles of wasted energy carrying 50plus pounds ... on my bike.  I couldn't believe it, but I had no one to blame but myself for being so wrapped up in my deep concentration.  Just as I was almost to my original point, it started to rain again, a light drizzle, and I seen some rail road tracks.  So Just like in a car I always drive over them on an angle, well I tried that on my bike.  They were wooden tracks, and lets just say the rain made them very slippery and as I was going over them my wheel slipped and I went flying in the air and landed on my hand and my rear extremely hard.  I was in shock for a minute and then I hurried up and turn around to see a car coming straight for me, I stand up in pain, and grab my bike and try to move out of the way.  I thought for sure the car would stop to ask me if I was okay, but nope they could of cared less.   Sad. I hopped back on my bike and continued my journey.  It rained on and off for most of the day.  I took shelter when I could.  I met up with my husband and son and they stayed at the Ramada with me in Xenia.  I really loved it there they were all so excited about my trip.  They signed my shirt, threw pie in my face, and the guy who threw the pie in my face even donated to the cause.  It was so much fun. my husband was such a big help, went out got me a milk shake, took my bike to wash all the grid and mud out of it from riding in the rain, and just helped keep me motivated to do the last day. . I was extremely tired though, I fell asleep around 11... earliest night yet!  Oh yeah I did manage a nap for an hour to!  All in all, today was okay for as bad as it started out.

Day 3 loss of words

I had a wonderful.sleep at the Harmony Hill bed and Breakfast. It was so pleasant and highly recommended a nice healthy breakfastt....mmmm I had peanut butter on 12 grain bread and a huge bowl of freshly cut up fruit and some coffee.  Today was a late start but we only had 36 to do so it wasn't to bad.  Didn't have.much to say to Jason its just one of those days where I'm tired annoyed by simple things and just want peace and quiet.. me.time!   The ride had some inclines not as bad as yesterday though. So that I am greatful for because I need a break. Got into westerville aat about 2 Kish weeny straight to McDonald's and got food. A grilled chicken ceasar salad hold the meat and a double cheeseburger and Carmel frappe.  Mmm food was great I needed it almost passed out from not eating.   Now of course I my herd is acting up but when you are to the point if fainting u pick the first place you see.  Well I am not sure at this point how much task we are going to accomplish being the amount of miles we are doing each day. But I am going to try very very hard... going to have to penalize myself if I faiil.  Well all in all today was ok except for the fact I am sore tired and just want to be by myself...sometimes you just need personal space and peace and quiet. To regroup your train of thought. Got that and I feel so much better.. well I will try to blog more tomorrow.  

Day 2 the engine that almost couldnt

I don't know where in the world to begin with this day except to say this out off all bike rides including last years big rude had to be the worst experience mentally, emotionally, and physically. 

When that alarm went off at 5 I sure didn't want to get up because five hours of sleep just doesn't cut it at all. Especially when you are taxing yourself to extremes.  We got ready and were just about to walk outside when Jim said to me on the phone it isn't raining? I opened the door and sure as heck it was.   So out came tithe rain gear and swapping out shoes 20 minutes later we were checking out of the Perry inn. So grateful for them sponsoring us for a night.   Took a picture and then down the street to McDonald's for a nice fattening Hardy meal since we heard how horrible the stretch was in-between places.   (Pure understatement) we collected a signature at mcdonaaldz ate and then were off or so we thought untiil we were lost in massillon for a good half hour or better trying to figure out where the trail was...nothing new there same as yesterday we finally find the trail an d head out it was ok except for the rain and then it hit the trail turned back to gravel along with mud and that my friends was horrid and my street tires are absolutely not made for that.   sThen after we make it to Dalton the real problems started hills after hills after hills I could not believe it.  Not only was it raiining cats and dogs we were doing. Nothing but climbing hills. 2 hours and two minutes simething geels terribly wrong with my bike its pulling to one side...:so i adjusted my bags look down and low and behold can you guess my front tire is flat.. first official tire to ever go flat on a long trip.   So i got the tire off and had nothing but issues.  By the grace of God some group of cyclist stopeed.changed my tire trued it.up and left. Wanted to get a picture but it was still pouring down rain but thank you to those four men because otherwise we would still be there.  So an hours lost but that ok really pack.my bike and on our way time for.more hills.    Aaaaaagh. Would it ever end.... then the.Gps gets us lost for the second time it was pouring lightening thundering no where to go no where to hide you with nature as one..
I was not feeling it at this point...
We stopped and found a house and Jason went and knocked on their door to get directions... it was only a few more miles up the street. Once we got to then end of the street we stopped there was a little community park and we took shelter there from the rain and cooked our freeze dried breakfast food changed clothes at we had been riding in the rain for three hours.   Soak and wet shivering.   After we regrouped and charged our phones we headed on out to the Holmes county trail.  That was nice and wide and a lot of Amish travel trhough there. Then we get to killbuck and the trouble started again we went way Wayout of our way and stopped at at another random strangers house to get help yep we had to turn around.  I was not happy... once we got into downtown in killbuck we found a grocery store and picked up some stuff then outside a lady was telling us exactly how to get to the trail but said we were a good 18 miles from it.   Oh no!  She told us how bad millersburg rd was and we kind of just blew it off because we had done hills all day.  Little did I know that she wasn't kidding...it was insane.  I literally broke down and cried on and off for about 10 miles. The hills were so steep and I was physically fatigued.. Jason was getting pretty tired himself.   Words cannot describe this.   This was the hardest bike ride I ever ever had done.  Maybe if it wasn't so many miles in a day we would of been ok..but it to me was horriffic.   I literally thought I was going to just quit right there.   I was so angry like can we catch a break.   None the least when we got to Mohican valley trail we couldn't take if because it was being worked on so had to take 62 all the way in....more inclines and hills.  Once we got to the kokosing trail life was great pretty flat we were going much faster.  Smooth ride all the way in... well last 15 miles were.   We stopped into town before We went to harmony hill Jason was sick from not eating.   When I got off my bike at Wendy's and waalked in I literally almost fainted everything was closing in and Blury.  Things were spinning...I only managed to eat a small chili and felt like I was going to vomit.  Jason ran to bathroom while being in line and was dry heaving.  Nothing came up because he had no food in his stomach.   This is very hard.   But as I always say you can do anything you want if you put your mind to do it.   Even when you wanna give up you find true strength to pull through and keep fighting.  You must believe in yousrself.  I must go now.  I have a long day ahead of me.  Sorry for typos doing this from phone.

1st day way to hot part 1

5am came way to early after going to bed after 11 then woken up at 1 am with about 30 different text from your sister sharing a newspaper article.  Lol then back to sleep tossing and turning from sirens constantly.  Lol gotta love cleveland. We left at 6am to beat true heat but instead we were lost for an hour and a half. Yep that's right between maps and the stupid GPS taking us in circles and giving wrong directions we were not happy.  Then its been nothing but issues since we got lost at rock side tthen the trail splits so many ways and it gets confusing so you constantly have to turn around.  Wish we would of ridden some of this trip first.  We have only stopped a few times and that was to buy ice glory our water back packs its just blustering outside.  We have had trail detours as well which led us up this crazy steep slope.  I thought last year was crazy this day has got it heart by far.  Just yo hard with all our stuff on gravel with this heat.  And mind you its very fine gravel not big chunckks of rock and it just slows you down... not to mention climbb climb climb...blah.  well taking a break for lunch we have almost been fifty miles and 10 of those have been out of our way.  But here to hoping the next thirty are better.  I will try and write more later.