It is October 8th, temp in Ohio has been in the 80s. Tonight I am just short of Wheeling, WVA, at 9:13 PM it is 74 degrees. Today I rode Mohican, back at the van the temp was 84 degrees.
Sat I drove back highways thru NW corner of Ohio: flat and almost all the land had man crops on it. Area was once under Lake Erie which accumulated all this wonderful stuff to grow plants. Man felled the trees, drove the indigenous people away, and planted crops for only 1 species: man. Rain off and on again, mostly off the further south I got. Flat straight roads. Stopped at former family’s aluminum foundry. A fire in the old part of the building drove the final nail into the demise of a local manufacturing employer. As I neared Mansfield, driving my former commute, the land started to become rolly causing the roads to become curvy. Past Mansfield to Lucas, where I grew up,
the roads became a challenge for my van. I used to have a VW Scirocco back when I worked at the foundry, them were fun times. Today it was hang on and square the corners.
From Lucas to Loudinville the roads just got turnier. Drove to Mohican SP to camp, paid, almost to capacity XG. People burning wood and sitting around watching the flames. Scored a campsite just short of the Clear Fork River. I walked a bit of the start of the trail to learn of rain damage. Trail was dry. Lots of crunch from the acorns. Tomorrow will be a ride day.
Back in shorts and short sleeve shirt. It is not right to be this hot at this time of year.
Got after it early today as I had a full day planned. French Toast cooked on griddle. Cup of cold brewed coffee and a shit and I was off to the races. I drove over to the bike trail parking lot. I made the one rig in the lot.Shorts and thin jersey and an almost full hydration bladder. Foggy which made the air heavier. Ride starts out with a climb. Rooty, more than Cable. Leaves had a dose of cold to turn some trees, most were still green. Too early for colors.
A marker with accumulated mileage on it keeps the mind active doing the subtraction to learn how many more miles to go, last one reported 23 miles although my Garmin short changed me. Above is what riding in these forests is like: no viewsheds. Tree kind changes.
Trail crosses the Clear Fork river on a restored covered bridge.
The trail had the most roots before mile 8. Just rooty.
I have ridden this trail maybe 10 times on my odyssey. At Thanksgiving the first year I rode over snow, first tracks. Today I elevated my heart rate past the red zone with no feedback. Prolly because of long lay off. Still the Edge recorded 21.5 miles climbing 2556 pedaling 3 hrs 17 mins mostly non stop. First big elevation gain since South Dakota. encountered 2 bow hunters and that was it. Big hump, I am beaten.
I rinsed my body then put on street clothes which immediately sweated out.
Walgreens locations need to be planned out to obtain my medicine. Found one in Coshoton on the way to Muskingum University, my Alma mater. The state highway upped its game for twisty and punchy ups and downs. Hang on. Quite hilly. Some land had been strip mined and reclaimed. I parked on the city street, old US 40, since bypassed by I 70 south of town. I walked up the main drive on to campus. Strange: no students. Made a walking loop remembering my time here 47 years ago. I walked a sidewalk across the street from where I lived in a second floor 1 bedroom apartment with 2 other guys. Building appears maintained and occupied.
I continued east on I 70 to Barkcamp state camp ground. Camped here, fewer people.
Tomorrow is on into PA to Laurel Highlands ride.
Too early for fall colors. Temps are forecasted lower as the week ages. 42 degrees on Friday, but I will be further south.