Canton? Bet we can.

Thursday, October 2 – Bolivar to Warren

Having changed our route the day before we now had to go north towards Canton, Oh. The morning was marked by bad roads—very steep hills, fog, and high density traffic (with trucks thrown in the mix for good measure). This didn’t keep Diane from screaming down one of the hills at 40 mph trying to crest the next slope.  But to no avail.  Both she and Rob stepped off the bikes to walk to the top.  

Coming into Canton, we missed our turn off and biked through the middle of the Marathon Oil refinery.  There is a kind of ironic protest in cycling through a refinery.  But “big oil” won out when Rob’s front tire picked up a chard of glass and went flat a half-mile down the road.  He quickly repaired the tire using an old patch kit with a new tube of old glue (this would haunt him later in the day). 

We continued our ugly journey through Canton, and came to a stop light.  Rob looked to the right, saw it was the central bus transfer station, and an outbound bus to Alliance (which was on our route to Warren) was soon to depart.  The bus ride was about 20 miles.  By the time we got to Alliance, the tire had lost its air because the new old glue didn’t adhere.   This time, Rob used a new tube and stowed the “repaired” tube for a later “redo.”

The 30 mile ride from Alliance to Warren was composed of fast roads with heavy traffic and semi-rough country back roads with little traffic.  Sort of a reality that characterizes our ride through Ohio.  Once in Warren we headed for the Best Western, where we had reservations, but just short of the motel we came upon a bike store, Thumm’s Bike and Clock Shop.  It had been in operation since 1909, and was being operated by one of the original owner’s descendant and his wife.  They were a fun couple and true cycling enthusiasts.  They even gave Rob a never-used Suntour AG rear derailleur, and Rob bought a new tire repair kit and replaced his dysfunctional tire gauge.   

The Best Western proved to be a great choice.  Downtown, across from the courthouse square, lovely setting.  Dinner at a local favorite, The Sunrise Inn, was only so-so, but met the need for protein and carbs. Tomorrow we are looking forward to long quick ride to Lake Erie on a rails-to-trails path.

Road surface makes a big difference in the quality of the ride.  You can ride faster, climb quicker and you simply smile more when riding a smooth road.  Below are two examples of two "just ok" roads and an example of great country road.

 

No sure why but we always take a picture of our first flat on a tour.  Go figure.

 

And I am still trying to get that one photo of my bike which embodies the tour. I am pretty sure this not it.