Final Thoughts 2 (Sep 15)

Here's my last entry for this ride: a picture of Randy, the great guy who gave me a ride to the Cleveland airport, and my own thoughts on do's and don'ts for a ride like this.

I made a poor choice in reconditioning my 20+ year old bike for this ride. For far less money than I spent to recondition and ship my bike to Seattle I could have purchased a bike on line and had it shipped to Seattle. Also, don't use a bike with 27" wheels. You may find yourself having to stop at an antique shop instead of a bike shop if you need rims, tires or tubes.

Make sure you have a very, very comfortable saddle (if such a thing exists). When you're on a bike for 8 to 10 hours a day nothing seems to be on your mind more than your own rear end.

Consider a bike computer with an altimeter if you plan to cycle in the mountains. For long climbs it's good for your mental outlook to see some numbers changing on your computer. When your odometer appears stuck your altimeter will be constantly changing numbers and giving you at least the impression that you're actually getting somewhere.

The Adventure Cycling Association maps are great. They provide lots of accurate info on everything a touring cyclist needs to know. When I left the ACA route about half way across because I was looking for a more direct route home, I gave up the comfort of knowing what was up ahead.

Bring an electronic gadget to give you position information, maps and access to the Internet. Cell coverage isn't great everywhere. But you sure have useful information available when you can get service.

Carrying a full load of camping gear isn't the only way to do a long bike ride. There's nothing wrong with using a lighter road bike with a car chaser (either camping or staying at hotels), or just hoping from hotel to hotel with a light road bike and a credit card.

I suppose I was "stealth" camping, but it didn't seem all that difficult or unethical. I didn't cross any fences or camp in anyone's yard, but I didn't have much problem finding a spot whenever I needed one. I also never left a scrap of anything behind when I left a camping spot.

I was in fairly good shape beforehand, but I didn't do a lot of exotic training before setting off on this ride. I don't think it hurt me. I was mildly concerned that my legs wouldn't hold up after crossing the first pass in Washington state, but the next day things seemed fine. Depending upon how much time you're willing to spend on the bike, an average of 80 miles a day is very reasonable and 100+ mile days aren't all that difficult either.

Whether you're going east or west, don't count on the wind helping you. I only recall 2 days when I had a good following wind and 3 or4 when I was riding into a good breeze. The rest of the time there either wasn't any wind or it was off to one side or the other. Riding into a stiff breeze for a even a day can be very depressing, so be mentally prepared for it.

Bring an iPod. Occasionally the ride gets boring.

Test ride your bike fully loaded well before you start your big ride. Besides getting a good idea of how a fully loaded bike feels, you get a chance to evaluate your racks and loading arrangement and fix any problems before you're out on the road alone.

Stay away from teenage girls photographing dead squirrels in the middle of the road. They're dangerous.

Bring a half a dozen spokes, at least one tube and a spare tire. Also, don't forget to bring the tools necessary to remove your cassette in case you need to replace a spoke on that side.

When you are putting a lot of hours on a bike over days and days, small adjustments on the bike can make a big difference. During the ride I corrected some odd pains in my feet, legs and knees by adjusting the saddle height and fore and aft position, and the cleat position on my shoes. I felt that I was leaning way too far forward on my handlebar, but it was too late to make any changes there.

If something doesn't seem right on the bike, it probably isn't: so check it out. The same goes for odd noises.

I was hoping for at least one, really clear moonlit night to do some night riding, but it never happened. If you are going to ride at night you need to be able to see the exceptionally well. One trip through a monster pothole and you're cooked.

Stop fairly often just to get off the bike and stretch a bit. It's amazing how much better you can feel even after a short break.

Eat lots of donuts and ice cream and drink lots of Dr. Pepper. That stuff's good for you!

Over and Out

Joe

Sent from my iPad

Final Thoughts (Sep 15)

Turn Out the Lights-The Party's Over: Cleveland, Ohio (Sep 8)

After looking at the weather channel flooding reports for Pennsylvania in my hotel room this morning, I decided there wasn't any way I could safely or sensibly get around or through Pennsylvania, or New York for that matter, and make it to Connecticut on a bike. For one of the few times in my life I decided to take the cautious and smart approach and end the trip. So I headed for the closest Post Office, stripped the bike of everything I wanted to keep and shipped all of that stuff back home. I then jumped back on the bike and headed for the airport in Cleveland, about 25 to 30 miles away. My luck changed right after that and a couple of very, very good things happened.

As I was riding back along Rt 303 to Cleveland, I passed by the Hinckley Coffee & Donut shop and of course I decided to stop in for some donuts and coffee. A good move on my part. When I walked in Brandy, the owner, and Randy were tending the counter. While eating my donuts and drinking some of Brandy's terrific pumpkin coffee, I asked Randy about bus service to Cleveland. In the course of giving me directions to the bus station he suddenly offered to give me a ride himself. I was stunned he would do something like that for me, and in the situation I was in I couldn't turn down such a generous offer. The only thing I could offer in return was my bike, which I did. Randy accepted the bike, which I hope he can either use, trade or give to a friend, and off we went to the airport (after I stocked up on some more coffee and donuts for the road). I've got some pictures of Randy with the bike in front of the coffee shop that I'll post as soon as my electronic stuff arrives home from the Post Office. Thanks again Randy and Brandy for all of the kindness, coffee and donuts. You're both great people I won't forget.

My next stroke of luck happened at the airport. The best the Frontier airline ticket agent could find on any airline was a flight tomorrow for $500+, but I was able to book one on my magic iPad leaving at 8:30pm today for $230. Then, on top of that when I went to check in the US Airways agent was able to get me on a flight leaving almost immediately that arrives in Hartford at 6:30pm. (I'm posting this from a layover stop in Charlotte.) All in all a pretty lucky day, even though it was disappointing not to be able to finish the trip.

So that's it: the best I could do was 2792 miles, 87 ice cream cones, 143 donuts and 52 Dr. Peppers on a bike from Snohomish, Washington to Hudson, Ohio. If you're expecting me to say that I'll go back and finish this trip sometime in the future: sorry, I won't. At this point for me it's now "been there, done that." I'll post the pictures of Randy and the bike, and a few lessons learned (for anyone thinking of a bike tour) next week when my stuff arrives home.

Over and Out

Joe

Sent from my iPad

Wet in Ohio (Sep 7)

Rain last night. My tent didn't leak from the top, but water seemed to seep in from the floor. My sleeping bag and the tent were a little water logged when I loaded them on the bike. I finished Rt 20 about 20 miles east of Norwalk where I picked up Rt 303 and took it all the way to Hudson, OH. I went through some very interesting towns on 303. The road surface was good and the traffic fairly light most of the time. I passed about 20 miles south of Cleveland, the same north of Akron and right through Brunswick. It was wet most of the day but the winds were substantially lower than yesterday, which is a good tradeoff for me. Wasted 12 miles when I got 6 miles away from a Dunkin Donuts in Brunswick before realizing that I left my iPod recharging there and had to go back and get it. My hip feels ok, better on the bike than walking. Stayed in a hotel tonight to dry some of my stuff out. I should be out of Ohio tomorrow. Still not sure how to get across Pennsylvania, especially with all of the flooding.

Miles today: 94
Trip miles: 2792
Google miles direct to Salem: 570

Joe

Sent from my iPad

From the first week (L to R: Tom, Dean, Steve and Sam)

Tons of Fun in Ohio (Sep 6)

Late start out of the hotel today. I never leave hotels early. Headed over to the Post Office and shipped home my rear panniers and some other stuff I didn't need. Cut the load by 8-10 pounds and probably lost a little wind drag. After that the day went down hill in a hurry. No kicks on Rt6 today. I saw on the weather channel that the winds over the next few days would be 15-25mph out of the NE and I guess they meant it. As soon as I got back on the road the winds were strong and steady almost right in my face, and it stayed that way all day. Plus Rt6 suddenly turned real popular with the big trucks, both ways. With a very narrow shoulder that got a little tricky. I took 6 to Fremont and then Rt20 east to Bellevue. 20 looks to be a little better as far as the shoulder and traffic go. I may be on Rt 20 for a good part of tomorrow as well.

About 6:30 this evening I noticed two teenage girls ahead in the road. As I approached I could see one was taking a picture on her phone of a dead squirrel. Just as I was about to pass they jumped up and ran, knocking me off my bike as I tried to avoid them. I came down hard on my left hip, but the bike survived ok except for a broken mirror. The girl taking the picture just about freaked out and it took me a minute to calm her down. Too bad, she could have taken a good shot of me and the dead squirrel splashed all over the road. There's a good lesson there: stay away from teenage girls taking pictures of dead squirrels in the middle of the road. The day wasn't a total loss though, I did get another dozen donuts in.

More fun tomorrow. Besides the wind it's supposed to rain. On days like this I avoid looking at my bike computer, the ugly numbers are depressing. I was surprised to do as well as I did, but it took a lot of hours to do it.

Miles today: 78
Total miles: 2698
Google miles direct to Salem: 644

Sent from my iPad

Bye Bye Hoosiers, Hello Buckeyes (Sep 5)

Still getting my kicks on Route 6. Cycled pretty much east across Indiana and moved into Ohio just before 2:30. Ended up in Napoleon, OH. and checked into a hotel. I should stay on Rt 6 for at least half of tomorrow before finding some alternate routes to take me just south of Cleveland. Looks like I'll be riding into a lot of rain over the next week as those storm systems move up from the south. Not sure what to do about that yet. Passed a couple of guys this afternoon heading west, first cyclists I've passed in well over a week.

Miles today: 91
Trip miles: 2620

Joe

Indiana (Sep 4)

My tent stayed pretty dry last night, which was a relief. Bought a dozen donuts and coffee at the Dunkin Donuts shop at Walmart and then hit the road. I passed onto Indiana at about 10am. About 35 miles into the ride I came to Valparaiso (the other one) and then I worked up north about 10 miles and took Rt 6 east for the rest of the day. Over the stretch from St Charles to Valparaiso, 80 miles at least, I must have gone through 75 stop lights and had to stop at about 25 of them. That's basically the kind of riding it was through there. Not fun, but direct. Route 6 is much better. I'm back on a very rural road with not much traffic and it's going directly east. Very flat riding and I hope it stays this way all the way to NY or PA. Not sure yet what road comes next. My iPad battery has been running a little low and so I'm using it as little as possible. Nice weather today. Cool in the evening for a change.

By the way, I should caution anyone reading this nonsense not to try that ice cream trick I spoke of yesterday: that's just for us professionals.

Miles today: 127
Trip miles: 2529

Joe

Sent from my iPad