RC Trans Northern Tier Bicycle Tour

Northern Tier Day #13 June 1, 2019 Lake Erie StatePark, NY to North Kingsville, OH 83 Miles Ride Time 7:27 Tour Total 1032 Miles details at: https://cyclemeter.com/058ffe3224dd3702/Cycle-20190601-0800-20813 I had a great night’s sleep under the trees at campsite #96 in Lake Erie State Park. Last night after I got my tent set, I sat on a picnic table until well after dark editing yesterday’s report. I could hear massive freight trains and the faint murmur of the Thruway. I talked to Charlotte from the tent and fell into a deep slumber shortly thereafter. Rain was in the forecast so I had specifically set up my tent under large trees and put all of my rain gear and essentials in the two fly covered ‘porch’ spaces I have to either side of my tent. I left my rear panniers attached to the bike, my seat cover was on, and the bike was locked to the picnic table. Come early morning I was in the middle of a dream, buying a friend a T-shirt from a trendy Brooklyn restaura...

Northern Tier Day #14 June 2, 2019 North Kingsville, OH to Cleveland, OH 81 Miles Ride Time 6:38 Tour Total 1113 Miles details at: https://cyclemeter.com/058ffe3224dd3702/Cycle-20190602-0812-21524 It was miserable, cold, and wet last night in the ghetto Kingsville campground. Several times during the night I asked myself why I was doing this trip. In the morning, I put back on my cold soggy socks, water soaked shoes, and shoe covers. I rolled up my sopping wet tent and strapped it to the top of my rear dry bag. When I pedaled away from the campground it was foggy and wet, but fortunately not raining. I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in seventh grade I had to memorize all of the Ohio counties and county seats for Mr. Bartholomew’s social studies class. All of towns and counties I’ve been riding through ring a bell. I’m from the southwest corner of Ohio and this is the northeast, yet I feel a slight sense of the familiarity. At minimum, I’m accustomed to the license...

Northern Tier Day #15 June 3, 2019 Cleveland, OH to Fremont, OH 81 Miles Ride Time 6:19 Tour Total 1196 Miles details at: https://cyclemeter.com/058ffe3224dd3702/Cycle-20190603-0935-24600 I slept great last night at the Travelodge in the Lakewood section of Cleveland. I had a king-sized bed, and my curtains were completely drawn shut. I couldn’t believe that it was 8:30am when I woke up. I had such a deep sleep, and awoke completely re-charged. All of my clothing was clean and dry, and my electronics were fully charged. I went to the breakfast room and had a waffle on a styrofoam plate, cornflakes in a styrofoam bowl, and used flimsy plastic cutlery to eat everything. I miss Vermont where all my meals were on ceramic plates along with metal cutlery. I began the day’s ride through the Lakewood section of West Cleveland. There were beautiful homes with nice lawns and big trees. I rolled through Lakewood on Lake Road. It was a gorgeous day, crystal clear, sunny, and cool in the...

Northern Tier Day #16 June 4, 2019 Fremont, OH to Napoleon, OH 69 Miles Ride Time 5:52 Tour Total 1266 Miles details at:  https://cyclemeter.com/058ffe3224dd3702/Cycle-20190604-0802-80321 I slept really great last night at the Double A Motel in Fremont. My body was sore and tired when I woke up this morning. I packed up all my things and got back on the North Coast Inland Trail. The trail ended as soon as I crossed the Sandusky River. On the west end of town the houses were much bigger, with nice lawns and large trees. Fremont is the home of Rutherford B. Hayes, who served as President of the United States from 1877 to 1881. On the way out of town I passed numerous shuttered factories and mills. I was soon back out in the cornfields on a two-lane highway with very little traffic. I was joined by two hawks gliding through the air overhead. The small county roads smelled like manure. I got barked at by a big white dog that didn’t chase me. I was then chased by a b...

Northern Tier Day #17 June 5, 2019 Napoleon, OH to Monroeville, IN 67 Miles Ride Time 6:16 Tour Total 1338 Miles details at: https://cyclemeter.com/058ffe3224dd3702/Cycle-20190605-0837-32102 I had a few too many Mango Blue Moon Ales last night at Eddie J‘s talking with the proprietor Doug. It was a lovely evening. I sat outside across from the monstrous Napoleon courthouse and my server realized that I was a cyclist. She told me that her boss was a cross-country cyclist enthusiast. He came out and we talked for probably two hours. Actually, he did most of the talking. I learned that he was a Warm Showers host and unfortunately his name didn’t appear when I searched for Napoleon. He told me there was a legit campground in town. That said, there was a brutal downpour early this morning with thunder and lightning. It was a good thing that I didn’t camp. I got a good night’s sleep in my king-sized bed at the $60 Knights Inn. My body was sore and in pain. My injuries from ye...