Last weekend, the forecast and schedules were aligning to allow The Ride 2016. Dylan was waffling on whether he wanted to go and has been having some issues with his knees. I decided if I kept trying to work around everyone, the ride would be ridden by no one. Zachary was game, so I decided if we could work out all the details, we would go with or without Dylan.
I checked with my in-laws and they could keep the younger kids for the weekend, if Dylan went. I checked the availability of our overnight accommodations, and a reservation was made. Food, purchased for the earlier cancelled trip, was in waiting. Everything was a go... except one big wrinkle: I can't leave a vehicle at the trailhead and Jen always drops us off and picks us up, but her school schedule did not permit this. I debated putting out a facebook plea for a driver to use my car to taxi us, but I hated to bother folks on the weekend. What to do? What to do?
And, then I had a brainstorm! "Dylan, where did you say your track coach lives? Ahh... that is the same town as the trailhead!" I contacted Dylan's track coach to ask if he lived close enough to the trailhead to feasibly road-ride to the trail, and, if so, might we park in his driveway overnight to access the ride? He quickly messaged back with an enthusiastic: Yes! and Yes! So, it was on!
The day before, Dylan decided he would sit this one out, for a mix of reasons. While disappointed, I was still glad I got to share it with Zachary... his second of these trips, my fourth.
Packed up and ready to pedal north
We got a later-than-planned start, so lunch was just about 7 miles up the trail. This lunchtime photo is one of my favorite from this trip...
Oddly, we found these new-in-package costume clip-on earrings on our lunch picnic table
Posing at the county line rock
Traditionally, I usually grab a father/son photo while breaking on the Rock Creek trestle
I deliberately didn't geocache, but we accidentally stumbled onto two... without a pen for signing the logs!
This 43 mile section of asphalt ribbon is a gem to northeast Ohio!
Riding my new Trek FX 7.3 that I indulged myself this spring... it's a great ride!
We've crossed this road numerous times and I've wondered what it looked like from below
We finished riding about 6:00 and set up camp
Then, another few miles pedaling into town for the traditional Taco Bell feast!
Nightfall brought a nearly full moon, comfortable temps, and a light breeze... a perfect night for tenting. We laid on our sleeping bags and read books by headlamp until nearly 11:00 (usually we go to bed with the sun on this trip). We then turned out the lights and talked a bit before drifting off. I really enjoyed Zachary's company on this trip. He's a great kid with a pretty level-headed approach to life. Morning broke with the same very refreshing temps and light breezes. We read and talked a bit more, and packed up very leisurely... getting back on the trail near noon... much later than prior years.
Heading 43 miles toward home
We stopped for lunch, again just a few miles into our Sunday ride. While sitting in this pavilion at one of the parking areas along the trail, an older couple pulled in and parked. They got out of their Buick and walked toward the trail, the man walking a dog. She (his lady, not his dog) was not happy about much of anything and was nagging at him as they walked. As they walked past us (as if we were not there), she said in a very sour tone, "Couldn't you have taken a shower? Today IS our anniversary!" He said little and, sadly seemed to enjoy the company of his dog more than his bride. To us and another gentleman resting in the pavilion, they were quite entertaining. As they finished their walk and drove away in their Buick, we said, "Happy Anniversary!"
View from a trestle
We rode past this cornfield and I couldn't resist a "corny" Field of Dreams-ish photo shoot
I wish I would have gotten their picture, but Zachary and I also had to laugh by what seemed a slightly rare happening on the trail. The trail goes through sections of Ohio's Amish country. While this is quaint, it also makes for plenty of instances of swerving around piles of horse turds. I have researched trail rules for both counties and horses are not permitted on the trail in one county. In the other, they are permitted on the edge and only on the asphalt when absolutely necessary, but no horse drawn vehicles. Evidently, Amish folks don't really care about the rules, because we usually pass multiple pony carts during this ride, and the horse turd evidence suggests that this is a regular Sunday activity. Perhaps ponies do not count as horses? Anyway, we were at a rest stop and a pony cart loaded down with young Amish passed by. I politely reminded them that horses and horse-drawn vehicles are not permitted on the trail... to which they gave me a very snarky "whatever!", much like some teenagers I know! (They looked to be teenage or young adult with some younger siblings and one female was puffing a cigarette). I wasn't fond of the attitude I got from them, and we were riding the same direction. After our break, our riding speed naturally caused us to catch and pass them. As I buzzed by them, I said, "Buy a bike!" To which, the one fine young Amishman said, "You're the only @$$hole who's ever said anything!" I found this amusing (while Zachary was between amused and shocked). I yelled back over my shoulder, "Read the signs, you God-fearing Amish!", and pedaled away... hoping I wouldn't soon get a flat! It's not everyday you get called a derogatory name by a member of Ohio's quaint Amish community... but, then again, I suspect Amish life is not always quite as quaint as it is stereotyped to be.
This trailside bench was donated by Bella & Bubba, but it has always been known to us as "Bubba's bench"
We feel like we are in the home stretch when we stop to rest at Bubba's bench
Our gear trailers work great for this trip
Another photo shoot... Zachary was a pretty good sport
Zachary, thanks for The Ride 2016! You're my favorite Zachary in the whole world and I loved spending this time with you! Maybe 2017?
