Hello everyone,

This was our third day in a row of 90 plus miles and I was really feeling the affects of the prior two days. I think I had a mild infection and felt the same light headedness that I felt earlier in the ride. Early on Howard and I made a decision to stay back and ride with Sabine who said she was having a bad day as well. We also had a headwind and it was pretty cool when we left Wooster in the morning and stayed that way until we got close to Niles.

Early in the ride, we stopped for coffee in a small town and there were quite a few other riders there. Lou decided to wait and ride with us, so we had a foursome. Our first SAG was at mile 34 near a church cemetery. The pastor had come out to open the church so we could use the rest rooms. This is so common on our rides that folks go out of their way to help us in so many little ways. I’d not that Ohio is a really pretty state but we do run into a few rude drivers there. I don’t think it is as much an indication about the state but more so the fact that we are riding in more populated areas and the folks are in a bigger hurry to get places they don’t really want to be.

On this day we also go through Berlin Ohio and there is a cool lake on both sides of the road. always makes me want to stop and spend a few days there. The second SAG was at mile 63. At mile 77 we get on a bike path for about 8 miles and it is a real pleasant experience. Everyone loves the respite from the highway and its traffic. Most of the road are pretty good but often with little shoulder. One the bike path there was a little bike shop and someone left a message for Howard “What kept you?’. Usually we are up front but we rode slower today and took our time at some of the stops.

Ultimately, we got into Niles fairly late and I think the extra time on the bike versus riding faster coupled with a mild cold caused my legs to be so sore that could hardly walk. When you get off the plan a little, it becomes harder to ride the miles. Saddle sores are getting worse and I was thinking of seriously considering the SAG wagon the next day if I don’t see improvement.

Many thanks for reading

~Chuck