Ohio ups and downs

Monday, September 29 Greenfield - Lancaster

Off to a good early start, the roads were wonderful, the day’s journey was only 52 miles, and by 11:00 we were on target to arrive at day’s end by 2:00.  Imagine our disappointment to learn that the road ahead was closed for construction.  The detour route (Ohio Hwy 188) only added 2 miles, but it proved to be 23 miles of ugly hills.  Oh and did we mention - heavy truck traffic.  Oh, and no shoulder. (About 4 miles into the detour Diane began to swear like an old salt every time she approached a new hill – but always went for it and persevered.)   In the end, WE DID IT, arriving at the Shaw’s Inn, where we had a very tasty repast in an elegant atmosphere, served by attentive wait staff.  Tomorrow we hit the run again, and as always, under the possible self-delusion of a fast care-free ride.  

The day was off to fast early morning run.

 

Diane stops to "cowboy up" by pulling off her long sleeve shirt.

 

In the early part of the ride we only stop to "off load" more unneeded stuff. (Diane mails hone another 2.5 lbs. To be fair, Rob's crippled derailleur was part of the package.)

 

The only redeeming quality of the afternoon was the emerging Ohio Fall colors.

 

 Technical Section

 

On occasion we like to provide readers our opinions on what goes into successful bicycle touring. Sometimes this takes the form of equipment choices, riding technique and other times simple tricks that increase your chances for an easy quick ride.  Today we are sharing one of those tricks.

 

Here Diane demonstrates the Snot Rocket which is accomplished by inhaling, placing your index against one side of your nose, pressing one nostril closed and explosively blowing air through the other nostril - expelling mucus in stream and thus allowing you to breathe easily and placing more oxygen at your disposal, allowing you ride quicker.  (Diane has mastered the snot rocket while pedaling at speed, but your camera man found it difficult to capture it in a photo.)