Seasonal cycling

Well here's a post for those who requested more photos.

Cycling in the fall is great, assuming you’re not getting snowed on too much. There are (or were) colorful leaves and Halloween decorations everywhere – including some scary campaign signs. Then there are the pumpkins, apples, cider…

If you’re ever in Winchester, Indiana, stop by and get some organic produce from Charles Rich. Or order seeds from him online at Rich Farm Garden Supply. I think he loves what he does.

Ohio’s got some great bike paths that used to be railways. Now they’re populated by cyclists, joggers, deer, and hunters. Really, I’d never seen folks with guns or fresh vennison on a bike path before.

From Ohio I did a little back-tracking to Chicago to experience various forms of public transportation. Here I am at the Art Institute getting culturized. Note the bike bag. I think my favorite part of Chicago was riding the el. We chased the marathoners all over town on the el…

I don’t have any good picts of Dave running, ‘cause he’s just too fast. Here he is afterwards with one of our go-Dave signs.

Marathon watchers are a rowdy bunch, and Dave’s extended family was no exception. I only managed to catch his mom and sister (Gretchen and Louise) in this photo.

Back on the road, pedaling on my personal transportation device. Hey, I must be in Pennsylvania! Go Lions!

Action shot. It’s a bit blustery these days. Riding around Lake Erie was actually quite pretty. I’m intrigued with the vineyards. Or maybe I just liked the smell of the grapes.

The welcoming committee! It was so sweet of Mary to come out and welcome me to my home town. I was trying to sneak in unnoticed, but at least I snuck in before the rain.

So I’ve been staying in warm homes with warm folks for the past couple of weeks. I did not manage to get photos of everyone, but I am no less grateful to those whose photos are not here. In Ohio I got to stay with all kinds of great folks. Laurie, Justin and Ana hosted me in Greenville. I got a little extra culture since Ana’s from Brazil.

Larry and Jane, photo by Emma. It was fun meeting the Griffins (also Calvin, briefly) in Columbus and I was glad I was able to fit into a hole in their very busy schedule.

Jeanne and Brye. I stayed with my friend Gretchen’s parents Jeanne and Steve in beautiful Gambier, and I even got to see Jeanne tap dance!










My friend Katie’s cousin Paul not only let me crash at his place in Akron but also gave me some cycling advice and a clean chain. Super!









I can’t say thanks enough to Cousins Barb and George. They’re fun people, and they very generously drove me to and from Cleveland to catch my bus to Chicago in the dark and rain and snow.





My cousin Andrea was a fabulous Chicago tour guide, and I got to meet her extended, furry family – not including her horse this time around. I also had a great time meeting Dave’s extended family. Since I didn’t get to Wisconsin on this trip, they brought Wisconsin to me. Many thanks to Doug for the couch and for driving me to the train station early in the morning.

Back in Ohio, I enjoyed scientific and philosophical discussions with hosts Allison and Tom in Austinburg.

On my one night in PA, I also enjoyed meeting my uncle’s cousins Greg and Ellen in Erie, shown here with just one of the many roosters that also inhabit their beautiful home. I also had great thai food and found a some extra connections with Phyllis and Jay in Fredonia, NY.

I’m spending the weekend with my parents, hiding from the rain, snow and wind. I’ve only gone about 4705 miles so far, and I’m much too stubborn to stop now. The forecast is for sun on Monday!

Questions

I think I've been a fair distance now (4477 miles according to my calculations) and met quite a number of people. Despite the varied topography, geography and demography, I always get asked the same questions, pretty much in the same order. Ready?

• Where are you going?
• Really? On that thing? Where did you start?
• Not by yourself?
• What does your mother think?
• How many miles do you ride a day?

For the record, although I know she does the requisite amount of worrying, I believe my mother is in full support of my adventure. (Right Mom?) Some folks are kind enough to go on to ask if I need anything. And usually I get to ask them about where they live and what they do too, though I haven't yet asked what their mothers have to say about it...

Well, I'm staying with family in Ohio at the moment and I'll be taking a vacation from my bike trip this weekend. I'm taking the bus to Chicago to watch the marathon and to cheer on my friend Dave (who rode with me from Boulder to Pueblo). Stay tuned for more on my recent adventures and many thanks to all the great folks I've been able to meet and stay with.

Whoosh

Well, the eastern states are flying by.



Missouri: just wanted to show you that I'm still riding. That was back when it was warm. Ah, warm.












I thought the Live Bait vending machine was, ummm, unappetizing.





My mom's childhood friend Judy and her son Chad. Wonderful folks, great beer! If you're ever in Cabool, MO, make sure you go to the Little Yeoman brewery.







Got my kicks on Rt 66! This is the pedestrian/bike bridge from St. Louis across the Mississippi. I spent an extra day in St. Louis with friendly folks - Castor (the cat, see photos from Boulder) and his person, Than. See Than's photos of our trip to the crazy little air and space museum with our Italian tourguide, Fabrizio.






Illinois: the Land of Lincoln, and current home of...









Katie. Sorry I didn't get a better shot of her amazing glasswork and other fantastical projects.








Indiana: a little blustery, a little snowy (much more bluster than snow). Spent yesterday riding on the back roads. Saw lots of farm equipment out doing whatever it is they do - threshers and thrashers, grinders and gnashers, squishers and scratchers...





The Morencys of Muncie! Fine hosts Roger, Nancy, Julie, Daniel and Megan. They gave me the tour of Ball State, named after the Ball jar folks.






4132 miles and the wind is blowing me eastward. Some days I barely have to pedal...

Guess what Toto...

We're sure as heck not in Kansas anymore. Greenness, trees, hills, shifting...! Missouri's exactly as the guide said: 'like one long, self-propelled rollercoaster ride.'

So what about Kansas? It had some hills too, though they were of a much lower frequency variety. Kansas has subtle beauty, the kind you might not appreciate going 80 mph down the interstate. I liked the color of the fields in the early mornings and late afternoons, the sound of the song birds, and the smell of the warm grasses. As advertised, the people were big hearted (Thanks again to the Chambers at the Golden Belt bike shop in Great Bend!) and proud to be citizens of their state. The slogan on the map was 'Kansas: as big as you think' but I think a better motto would be 'Kansas: love it or leave it.'

Speaking of leaving... Missouri's great, but I don't know if I can take much more of this heat. 90 degrees! I'm thinking of an excursion through the middle of Illinois and Indiana and northern Ohio. Anyone have people there? Thanks.

3393 miles and rollllercoastering along...