Author: Paul Kramer

90 miles, 1434 feet climbed

We were predicted to have mild tailwinds today and we mostly did. They helped knock down the heat and humidity to a degree. We delayed our start by an hour to make sure that we didn’t arrive at the second SAG before it opened (photo explanation below).

Continue reading “Day 40: Niles, OH to Erie, PA”

94 miles, 3678 feet climbed

Today was another long day. The winds were not particularly strong but they were mostly crosswinds. Unlike yesterday, the many climbs and descents were spread throughout the day. Near the end, we turned north toward our hotel on a very nice bike path for 8 miles or so. The last couple of miles, though, were on some very poorly patched local streets.

Continue reading “Day 39: Wooster to Niles, OH”

98 miles, 3845 feet climbed

Yesterday I suggested we were just outside the heat wave zone and would be again today. I was wrong about that. The heat index in Wooster as I arrived was at least in the 90’s. Still while moving on the bike, it wasn’t too uncomfortable. Nothing specific to note except that the landscape’s transition from arid to lush is complete.

Continue reading “Day 38: Marysville to Wooster, OH”

105 miles, 1864 feet climbed

Another day with the threat of rain. It did come for me and a few others in the last mile, only because we stopped in downtown Marysville at Whit’s Frozen Custard. Only two SAGs today despite the length. The first was at 42 miles, perhaps to allow Gregg, who served as staff for the first part of our tour, to provide donuts and cookies memorializing our route closer to where he lives. I rode those 42 miles pretty much straight through. And the route was on quiet country roads, a treat.

Continue reading “Day 37: Richmond, IN to Marysville, OH”

73 miles, 1270 feet climbed

We weren’t expecting rain today and I dressed accordingly. Except for some drizzle getting out of Indianapolis, that worked out pretty well. It took quite a while to get out of town, though, as we were caught by many of the stoplights along our way.

Continue reading “Day 36: Indianapolis to Richmond, IN”

56 miles, 627 feet climbed

No pictures from the main part of the route today as I was trying to get to the hotel in advance of potential rains which, as so often happens, did not come. It was a day of more frequent towns, a lot of industry and broken roads to show for it on the edge of Indianapolis, two detours, and a surprise.

Continue reading “Day 35: Crawfordsville to Indianapolis, IN”

81 miles, 1371 feet climbed

After a day off–one more to go in Erie, PA–we’re off again. We started going south from the hotel, then across Champaign and Urbana, passing through the University of Illinois campus. At Peyton’s fire station a group of his colleagues, more than I expect were on duty at the time, were by the side of the road waiting to greet and razz him. Then it was on to the countryside.

Continue reading “Day 34: Champaign, IL to Crawfordsville, IN”

88 miles, 719 feet climbed

Feeling a little better today, I rode. The winds were quartering headwinds, but not gale force. More highways, a few backroads, in other words, the same. If I sound a little burned out, well perhaps I am. One tanker truck driver blew his horn continuously for at least 10 seconds as he passed me. I don’t know if he was upset at me, hugging the side of the road with no shoulder, or the cars ahead of him who reasonably adjusted their speeds to safely pass. He displayed the same respect for Dana, about a quarter-mile ahead of me at that point.

Continue reading “Day 32: Springfield to Champaign, IL”

I gave myself another day off today. What happened to my ride or die attitude that sometimes had me riding when my feet were slipping under standing water as I peadled or fighting 30 mph headwinds? It has died. Today’s rationale, I woke up congested with a mild cough, the route was 106 miles long, and rain, possibly thunderstorms, was predicted for part of the day. I chose not to risk making things worse. I rode in the van, wearing a mask to protect Fran, one of our SAG drivers and around the others at the two SAGs.

Continue reading “Day31: Quincy to Springfield, IL”

77 miles, 2359 feet climbed

Today we crossed the Mississippi River. No photos today because one of the two bridges spanning the river, which would normally handle our eastbound traffic was closed for construction. We rode on the other span, which put us off of our route. Further complicating things was a traffic accident in the middle of the span, starting to clear when I arrived. Just as I was pulling my camera from my jersey pocket, the police let us ride through, ahead of the backed up traffic heading our way. By the time we rejoined our route, we were several blocks from the river.

Continue reading “Day 30: Kirksville, MO to Quincy, IL”