June 8-- Hot Time in the City (Defiance to Bowling Green, Ohio)

Another scorching day on the bike, but it was a short day--only  48 miles--so we had plenty of time to go slowly and enjoy the ride and surroundings. 

Today's ride took us down a towpath that was part of the canal system through out Ohio.  The canal followed the Maumee River; the canal was on oneside of the towpath, and the Maumee Rivier was on the other. We just couldn't figure out why they would need a canal when the river was wide, deep and with a good current.  Why not just use the river instead of having mules pull the canal boats?  As we puzzled over this, we stopped an older gentleman walking down the towpath and posed that question to him.  He looked at us as if we were half-baked (and we were, literally, in that heat!) and realizing we were serious in our query,  he answered.....
"Once the boats get down the river, how are they going to get back up? That's what them canals are for--gettin back up here"  Things that make you go "hmmm'....enough so, that I decided to look it up.

In a nutshell, in 1825, building the canals provided the quickest and cheapest way to get farming goods to the Ohio River and to market.  Prior to the canals, the only available method of transport was with horse drawn wagons on washed out, unreliable roads. Compared to that, the canals were a godsend and played an important role in the economical development of Ohio. They were used successfully until the railroads entered the picture in 1855, and pretty much made the system obsolete; at that time, it was more profitable to sell the water from the canals to businesses and industry than to actually transport goods.

From Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ohio_Canal.jpg

I don't really know why one was built beside a viable river; perhaps the river was too unreliable, or too hard to navigate.  It did, however, provide a constant water source to this portion of the canal system.  Other canals relied on man-made lakes, such as St Mary's, Indian and Buckeye lakes, to keep them full during dry spells.  You can read more about the Ohio canal system here: http://www.ohiodnr.com/water/canals/canlhist/tabid/3285/Default.aspx

It was a pretty ride, and provided shade as well as a nice change from riding on roads.

As we popped out on to the road from the trail, our cue sheet said, turn left and go over the bridge; once again we stood there in discussion about which way to go....the bridge was clearly to the right!  Do we go right and go over the bridge, or left as the cue sheet instructs?  After a few minutes discussion, I noticed that to our left, the direction we were instructed to go, there was also a bridge.... how could we have not seen that....and better yet, we knew the river was to our right and the canal was to our left, both requiring a bridge to cross; how could we have not realized that when we had just been sandwiched between them for the last 8 miles?  Things that make you go 'hmmmm'.  Clearly, we were out to lunch, so that is exactly where we went!

Less than two miles away was the delightful little town of Grand Rapids, Ohio, population 1000.  It is situated right on the canal, and the Maumee River and surprisingly had a very nice restaurant, LaRoe's. The interior had just been redone because an elderly man had driven through the front and into a good portion of it in 2010

Bumper from the car that crashed into the front portion of LaRoe's

In repairing and renovating from the damage, a local artist did extensive faux and trompe l'oeil paintings on the walls and mirrors--even the bathroom and patio!  It was very cool--an elegant and unexpected find!

I don't think that Carol realizes the waiter isn't going to share his wine.

I had a wonderful BLT sandwich, though I was quite tempted to order a fried balogna sandwich, which I think is the official state sandwich.  The only time I have ever seen this sandwich on a menu has been in Ohio.

The rest of the ride was uneventful--well, almost.  We managed to miss another turn, and pedaled about 5 miles before catching the mistake.  Looking to my left, I saw a sign for 65 North and noticed on the cue sheet that we would be travelling on 65 South eventually. I suggested that we turn right on it instead of backtracking in a headwind to catch the missed right turn.  Everyone looked left at the sign I was pointing to, 65 North, and one person said, "But the cue sheets says to go on 65 South", to which I replied, "then we'll just go in the opposite direction.....which will be south."  Things that make you go 'hmm'.


We arrived in Bowling Green without further ado, and as the town's bank thermometer registered 108 degrees, we stopped at the local bike shop and supported the economy.  All in all, a very enjoyable day.

Patio at LaRoe's overlooking both the canal and the river

Happy locals in Grand Rapids, Ohio

Maumee River dam

Lea Adams speeding down the towpath

Campbell's Soup factory, Napoleon, Ohio

Sad house....what stories could it tell?

Lunch break.....notice the fancy lock.

Crash

Blogger site keeps crashing, so no blog tonight.....sorry!

Shuffle Off the Buffulo in Searing Heat.......

Lordy, lordy..it was another hot day.  My thermometer read 100 degrees on my bike.  Though the weatherman might say something different, that is what was the temperature on the bicycle today; we get the heat from above and the radiant heat from the road.  Add that to 78% humidity, and it was a warm one.  I lathered on the sunscreen every 15 miles, but it just dripped off of me like white rain.  I am more than pink, but not quite red tonight....medium rare, I guess you could say.   I kept moving so the wind would at least provide some evaporative cooling.  Today's ride was 84 miles; we were treated with a nice tailwind and were able to start riding at 6:45am to beat the hot afternoon sun.  So all was good.

Early in the ride, we came across a buffalo farm, and all the mothers and calves were in the front pasture. (What do you call a female buffalo?)  The calves were young, yet playful; the mothers were not happy with our voyeurism, pawing the ground, snorting, huffing AND growling at us.  Who knew that they growled!!

Baby buffalo nursing...scary eyes on Mom.  There is sunscreen on my lens, so it looks hazy.

While pedaling through the small towns of Indiana, Lea Adams and I stopped at the Post Office in the small, but busy, town of Yoder.  My mail has not been getting delivered in Texas, so I needed to sign some papers to get it going again.  Lea needed a stamp to mail a post card to Australia; the post card was 50 cents, the postage was 98.  (Things that make you go 'hmmmm')  Hopefully, Jeremy, the nice postal worker got it straightened out for me  He was quite friendly and accommodating--a refreshing change from those in Dallas!! 

Lea Adams and Jeremy, Yoder, IN.  I finally got Lea to pose with a fellow postal person--Lea works for the postal system in Australia.

Lea and her bike in Yoder.

The day just got hotter and hotter.  Sag stops were short--just long enough to put on more sunscreen, and get ice and water.  Everyone wanted to get in as quickly as possible; it was too hot to dally!  I rode most of the day with Lea.

Cruising a long with Lea Adams.  We fell way behind because of our stop at the post office.

I'll let you guess from the picture below what I am doing and why.....(FYI--Lea thought the sun was getting to me....a bit daffy)

Give up???......O...H....I...O......     We crossed into Ohio today.  I grew up in northern Ohio in a small community near Akron, then lived in Columbus for a long time.  It is strange to be back, and feels a bit like coming home....similar to eating comfort food....warm and fuzzy.

My saddle sore issue from last year's Southern Tier has raised it's ugly head again, but not as severely.  I am treating it with warm compresses tonight and antibiotic ointment.  Tomorrow is a short ride of about 50 miles, then I am the SAG driver, so hopefully the problem will be limited.


Well, another evening has whizzed by and I need to retire.  I pop up a few more pictures, then say good night to y'all!

And lastly, a happy birthday to my daughter, Jennifer!!

My bike and Bev Park's lean against each other at a SAG stop

 

 

I know someone named Boo!

Cooled off here with an iced tea~~boy, did it taste good!

Everyone trying to squeeze into a little bit of shade

The Dan Quayle Center in Huntington, IN (Did I spell that correctly)

Indiana Nice, cont.

So off we went, my bike on top, to the next SAG stop and waited for the riders to come in.  Karen Cooper rolled in and said she had a surprise for me. She was riding a long and as she pedaled past a yard,  'this old guy on a mower without a shirt, jumped off his riding mower and came running and yelling across the yard. He was going so fast, I thought he was going to have a heart attack."  Stopping, the man asked Karen if she was with the group riding to Maine.  When Karen confirmed that she was, he pulled out a baggie, and said that the woman with broken bike had left it behind.  His wife had called the police to try and get it to me!  In it was my driver's license, credit card, money and ipod.   I never even knew I had dropped it!  Not only did this couple share their shade, hospitality and puppy with me, but went to great lengths to return my lost items!!  Indiana nice!!

At the last and final SAG stop, Rita and I pulled into the driveway of a honey farm to wait for the final riders to come through.  I walked up to the barn to get permission, and was greeted by two elderly dogs, who were quite determined to protect the property.  They alerted the owner, Cindy, who graciously gave us permission.  I chatted with her for awhile, and she took me into her shop, which was filled with honey and honey products.  The business is quite fascinating.  They have over 3000 hives, that they 'rent' out all over the country to pollinate fruit trees.  Currently, they have hives pollinating in Michigan, Georgia and California.  A by-product of the pollination is honey....lots of it!  In addition to selling the honey, Cindy makes all sorts of organic, honey-derived products.  Her cute little shop contained all sorts of wonderful smelling, handmade soaps, candles, and other honey-based beauty products. Cindy gave me soap for each person on the tour!  I have to say, that after a long hot day on the bike, that her peppermint soap was both soothing and refreshing!    Thank you, Cindy!! (Majenica Creek Honey Farm ) Indiana nice!

Cindy of Majenica Creek Honey Farm

These are called queen cells.  All bees are start life as drones, but some larvae are moved to larger honeycombs, or cells.  These larvae are feed a special diet and have room to grow into the larger queen in these oversized cells.  This apparently occurs in nature but is done more frequently in captivity by humans to produce more hives.  Cindy's 21 yr old daughter cultivates the queens.  Maybe if I got a bigger house and had special food I would become a queen....sorta like Kate Middleton.

 I got a wonderful message from her on my blog inviting the Womantours riders to stop by anytime for 'some honey sweetened tea' and to use her new bathrooms. (Her ca 1880 home, which she and her husband had spent years restoring, burned down in December.  They are living in the barn until the new house is done.  It was a heartbreaking loss.)  Like I said, Indiana nice!  Thanks again, Cindy!
 

Once I arrived at the hotel, (a flea bitten....literally....Super 8), our guide, Denise, said she would take me and Sara to a bike shop in Ft Wayne to get out bikes fixed.  Yay!!  I thought I wouldn't be riding for a few days due to the broken spoke!  After a 45 min ride, we got there, and were attended to immediately.  It was a very busy bike shop, Summit City.  A nice young man, Aaron, waited on me; as luck would have it, he was a custom wheel builder.  I knew my wheel was in good hands.  Another young man worked on Sara's bike, which need a new wheel and derailleur.  We browsed around the store for about 45 minutes, when Aaron brought out my wheel...better than new!  And at no charge!!  We spent some time talking; Aaron is an engineering graduate of Purdue University and is applying to Yale grad school.  We talked about the tour for awhile and bikes, when he said, "Wait right here--I'll be right back."  He returned with 3 jars of a chamois cream he formulated just for women.  (He originally made it for his girlfriend, saying girls just weren't designed to sit on bikes)  It's made of all natural, organic products; I used it today, and it is wonderful.  Thank you, Aaron--Indiana Nice!!

Aaron, a Purdue University grad, with Denise Purdue, whose great-great uncle founded the school

So, three times today, folks in Indiana were nice....more than nice; they were fantastic!  Thank you!

Indiana Nice

 I've had quite a day.  Afew blogs back, I talked about the 'best laid plans of mice and men", and the value in being flexible to unexpected events.  Today was such a day.

Being blonde, blue-eyed and with freckles, it is no stretch to say that I don't do well in the heat and sun.  Last Saturday was brutal, with the heat index reaching well above 100 degrees.  When we started to ride at 7:30 AM,  the temperature was already reading 85 degrees, so in an attempt to beat the worst of the heat, I pedaled with urgency, averaging around 20 mph for the first 30 miles.  The heat won out though, and by noon I was experiencing the onset of heat exhaustion, and had to quit at the 70 mile mark, falling 26 miles short of the end.

Since my effort to get in before the afternoon sun and heat failed so miserable on Saturday, I chose a different tactic today, as it was supposed to go from  "warm, to sticky, then muggy" (according to the local Indiana weather report).  Today I rode at a more leisurely pace, enjoying the company of the other women.  The faster pace wasn't effective in beating the heat, so maybe a slower pace would be.  It was certain to be more pleasurable since I had someone to talk to as I rode!  The morning went by quickly, with a nice easy pace.  Around mile 47 (out of 70), we stopped at a stop sign; I heard a rather odd 'snap' come from some where on my bike.  I looked for the source, but couldn't find it, and decided I must have just run over something the ricocheted off my bike.  We continued on, and as I was half way down a wonderful descent, I heard a loud sound, reminiscent of the sound of childhood-- of playing cards fastened to the fork of the bike so they make a flipping sound on the spokes.  That's not a good sound.  I was able to stop without incident, knowing that sound was because I had a broken spoke.  My ride for the day was over....   I pushed my bike to a nearby home, and asked the owner, and elderly, shirtless man, if I could sit in the shade of his front porch while I waited for the SAG vehicle to pick me up.  "Of course', he said.  So I sat down in a plastic chair next to his ashtray....obviously his smoking spot....pulled out the baggie I keep my driver's license, credit card, money and my cell phone in so I could call Bob and get his advice.  I had barely said 'hello' when the gentleman emerged, still shirtless, from the house, followed by his wife, who had no teeth and was carrying a Papillon puppy.  My goodness they were proud of the little fellow, who they named Pappy.  They had had him for two weeks, and they glowed as they talked about him.  Of course, I jumped up to admire and cuddle him, and we all sat on the porch, as I waited for the SAG to come.  He was telling me all about Pappy, she was smoking a long brown cigarette (guess it was her smoking spot), and Pappy was chewing on my bike glove.  (Good thing it is padded he had sharp teeth).  They could not have been kinder, offering me food and water, and listening in amazement as I told them about my ride and the other women doing it.  Soon Rita came, and after taking their picture and thanking them, we were on our way.

Indiana Nice....with baby Pappy

....my room mate tonight, Lea Adams, from Australia, has gone to bed, so I must sign off for now.... there is more, ALOT more to this story so....stay tuned....

Lea is zonked out...

TO BE CONTINUED.......

A Very Sag Story, Indeed

My humblest apologies for the days of non-blogging....I have gotten a few 'where's your blog' from some of my followers and I'm so sorry....here's why, but I warn you, it is a very sag story and occurred over about 12 hours. 

After my last blog, and my failing energy, I woke the following morning to find my back in spasm, and was barely able to get out of bed.  As such, I called my  friend, Karen, and offered to trade SAG driver days with her.  (She had really wanted to ride that morning with a friend from last year's ride, Kathy Kirby, who was visiting.) 

Southern Tier 2010 riders,, Rita Rowe, Mary  Drennan, Kathy Kirby, Karen Cooper, and me

Since I was in no condition to ride, Karen may as well be able, too. Right?  So, with the switch made, I checked off the riders  as they departed in the early morning light.  The weather looked promising, though we were still riding into the stiff headwind that has plagued us continuously on this tour.

So, let's take time out right now, and talk about being a SAG driver. There are four SAG drivers on this tour, and we take turns driving, or 'being on duty'. I thought long and hard before I signed up for the job.  It requires giving up a fair amount of free time to be in service of the other tour members.  The latter part of that statement appealed to me--being in service; I enjoy being able to support the others in reaching their goals.  We are also given a substantial discount on the cost of our tour- that too was appealing. (I am already eyeing a new bike with the money I am saving)

SAG, to most, means Support And Gear.  On this tour, the SAG is responsible for the riders and the SAG vehicle.  While the riders are on the road, the SAG makes sure they are all accounted for by checking each rider in and out of the rest stops.  At the rest stops, aka SAG stops, we provide food and water as well as sunscreen, toilet paper for the Green Room and emotional support.  Everyone is happy to see the SAG!   Enroute, we help with flat tires, and give the cyclist a ride if they encounter any mechanical or physical issues.  In short, when the riders are on the road, we do everything possible to ensure their safety and comfort, short of riding the bike for them.

There are duties, however, that aren't as obvious; after each day, the SAG driver has to service the vehicle, which is called BoPeep.  This involves cleaning it out, throwing away trash, restocking the food and water, topping off the ice, removing gear bags and getting gas.  Still, the day is not done....we also do the clean up detail after dinner.  This is my least favorite part.  I like being in support of the riders, but I hate doing the dishes.  So, in short, the day a SAG person is on duty can be very long.

So, with that long explanation, you now know what I do when I am on SAG duty.  Having traded with Karen, I was responsible for the riders during the 87 mile ride on Thursday. It turned out to be a 3-H day....hot, humid and headwind. After 40 miles or so,  many of the riders chose to ride in with the van and trailer, but a determined few rode the entire route.  On long, difficult days like this one, the riders tend to get very spread out.  This can be for a variety of reasons--how fast one rides, how often one stops to take pictures or use the bathroom, how long one stays at the SAG stop, or if one stops at a restaurant for lunch.  Today was no exception.  At times. there were several hours between the riders....some way in front, (called the front runners) and some way in back.  I also had a few stray off the course, and had to hunt them down.  (Hence, the name of the car, BoPeep....has lost her sheep...)  So the day was long...it started at 7:30 and I didn't come in until the last riders were in, which was around 5:30 or 6....then I still had to service BoPeep, and do the dishes after dinner.....   My SAG day, on this particular day, didn't end until around 8:00............ a long day, but it was worth it to see Bev, Ramsey and Hille complete the ride in its entirety.   (I still don't like doing the dishes)

So that is my SAG story, and I'm sticking to it.

Scenery during my day as SAG---somewhere in Eastern Illinois.....

Like this car, I didn't know if I was coming or going today as I ran up and down the roads looking for riders

Huge tornado siren......with so much distance between farms, I wonder how effective it is

Windmills for as far as the eye can see.  If there is a tornado, do the windmills spin so fast that they make a lot of electricity?  Things that make you go 'hmmmm'.

Just a cool picture. 

Historic gas station in Odell, Ill on Rt 66....

There was sky was very overcast, which created a lot of glare in the pictures.  Very hot.....

Even the cows were hot, and decided to cool off.

Lack of Activity

When I don't blog, that is usually a good indication that I am tired....or too busy....but mostly tired.  I was puzzled today at my lack of energy.  Yes, I rode 80 miles yesterday, but it was an easy 80 mles.  Today, I was 'boinking'  by the 50 mile mark.  Yes, there was a constant headwind, but that shouldn't account for being sooooooooo tired.  Spinning is spinning despite the wind....sometimes you go fast, sometimes you go slow with the same amount of effort.  (It's just a drag to expend the same amount of effort and not go as far in the same amount of time).  So what was the difference?   Well.....this is where some of us went after a fantastic, and quick ride yesterday.....

Has the longest bar in Illinois, dating back to 1898.  It is one of the last remaining, and original Pabst Blue Ribbon bars

Me, Donna, Bev and Mary, each enjoying a different brew on tap.  Of course, I had a Shiner Bock

Blurred picture of all the handles at the bar.....this was taken BEFORE I had anything.

Is it possible to avoid a DUI this way?

Original 1898 mahogany bar, with original Pabst Blue Ribbon signage.

An original brass spitoon--it's now a tip jar

's

Original tile flooring, origianl tin ceiling, and wall paper from the 1920

Yea, we're still at it.....(we only had two)

So now my little secret is out.  We missed lunch by 15 minutes and had to settle for popcorn and beer.  The bar was quite lovely; "Imported from Belgium, this bar was built by Pabst Blue Ribbon in 1898. John P. Brady was the original owner; his initials are still etched in the front door glass. The Mahogany mirrored bar spans fifty feet, with hand carved figurines at each end. It is also accented with the original brass fixtures. Detailed carved lion heads are throughout the building. Along the wall are small buzzers topped with tiny eagles that were used to summon a waiter to the customers. While overhead is an embossed tin ceiling. Stained-glass and leaded windows enhance the 19th century atmosphere. The brass footed pedestal tables are still here, as is the teller cage where men would cash their paychecks, and then come in for a drink. The brass spittoons are now used as tip jars behind the bar. Years ago when women were not allowed in the taverns, the men would have to take their lady friends upstairs to drink. Their drinks were then sent up to them via the dumbwaiter, which still works today."  

Now, getting back to my poor performance today....so yesterday was 80 miles on a very light breakfast, followed by a liquid lunch, then a light dinner of a brat and coleslaw.  This morning, I had yogurt and a 1/3 cup of scrambled eggs with a flour tortilla.  Breakfast was skimpy--the hotel lady didn't restock any of the food, and we came in after a road crew had eaten.... most things were gone.   Looking at the quality and quantity of the food I ate......well, there's my answer.  So if anyone is wondering, what one eats definitely affects performance.

Of course, when one rides through a windmill farm, one has to pause and go 'hmmmm'....perhaps mother nature also had a hand in the fatigue.  There is, after all, a reason all those windmills are out there.

This was taken from a great distance.  I liked the contrast of how old farming meets new farming.....

What would have been my first clue that it would be windy here?  Things that make you go 'hmmm'

I rode alone today, and saw no one from our tour for hours.  I spent so much time in my drops, (that's the part of the handlebar that curls under), that my back really began to complain (I have a bulging disk).  About noon, after several hours of steady riding, I decided to break for lunch and settled under a big maple tree to eat my peanut butter sandwich. I laid back on the velvety lawn to stretch my back, and enjoyed looking up into the tree and sky.  It took my back to my childhood; how wonderful to slow down, and just enjoy the moment.  So, let's take a minute and play a childhood game....as I was looking up into the branches, I saw something....."I spy something brown..."  Do you see it?

Can you find it....

At first I thought it was a hornet's nest

But looking from a different angle, I saw it was a bird's nest; from the looks of it, the inhabitants got knocked out.  Su Snyder can probably tell me what bird built this.

Also bringing back childhood memories was this playground toy; not many of these are around anymore.  Too much liability, I guess; funny, even though we did get thrown off and sick, I don't remember anyone getting seriously injured.  I still get a little nauseous thinking about these....

A merry-go-round!!  When was the last time you saw one of these?

This picture is for my children and anyone else of that generation that had a Cozy Coupe...that wonderful orange and yellow Fred Flinstone car.....here in farm country, they come in a little different style

A Cozy Coupe Pickup Truck!!  Things that make you go 'hmmmm' or good marketing?

Finally--just a feel good picture.  These two are best friends, according to their owner.

This was a 'bucket' calf....anyone know what a bucket calf is?

Gotta run....dinner draws near and I still need to update the Toilet page