Day 38: Wooster to Niles, OH

Our 93-mile ride from Wooster to Niles started today with the temperature at 67F, clear skies, and high humidity. We had a significant amount of climbing (4300 feet) with the bulk of it coming within the first 34 miles before the first SAG stop.  So although the skies were friendly and we didn't need rain wear, we were still wet anyway from sweat within the first 2-3 hours.

Typical rural Ohio road today -- though many during the first 34 miles were up and down.

Once we were beyond the early rolling hills, the riding was relatively easy and stressless.  One might think this was a point when we would want to "put the hammer down" and push the pace.  But we didn't.  Instead, we simply rode like kids do -- for the sheer enjoyment and feelings of freedom that riding a bike engenders.

We haven't seen many hay fields (alfalfa, generally with grass) until today.

Nice looking horses in this area.

A common site -- CrossRoads van support along the route.

 Semi-residential roads are becoming more common as we move eastward.

There has been lots of folk art using dead tree trunks, but this face in a living tree
was unusual.  I was hoping to see the homeowner outside to note if there was a resemblance.

At Mile 77 we entered the Mill Creek Bikeway, part of an Ohio master rails-to-trails project providing a 110-mile paved recreational path extending from Lake Erie to the Ohio River.  Again, this 7.8 mile section of today's route elicited relaxed, carefree riding.

Riding is easy on the Mill Creek Bikeway

(Michael and Tim are riders ahead of me)

So it was a long ride, a sweaty-wetty ride, and a child-like carefree ride. And even with the early hills and a couple near the end, it was not a particularly hard ride itself.  But that was because we didn't make it one. We have one more day of long riding tomorrow (89 miles to Erie) before our final rest day.

CrossRoads Day 38 Google Earth image and Elevation Profile
Wooster to Niles OH