Just the stats: 116 miles, 16.2 MPH average, flat to rolling hills. Cumulative 2,570 miles. No flats today, eight in total. Sunny, 68 to 87 degrees, 89 % humidity - beautiful day . Similar scenery to yesterday...farmland, corn, and woodland. More rolling terrain.
We crossed our ninth state border into Ohio early this morning. We saw low rolling hills with lots of small farms and acreages. The lay of the land is quite curvy and so are the roads, so this makes the riding interesting. We are in Amish country now (actually we have been for several days). I haven't spotted any of the black horse drawn buggies yet, some of the other riders have though.
The day started out cloudy and humid, later in the day the sun came out for a few hours then it got cloudy again. It was humid all day long. It was a nice riding day. The 104 mile ride took me 116 miles because I took a wrong turn! Not a good thing to do on a long riding day.
I made the wrong turn around 9:30 am. After discovering my mistake, regrouping and backtracking, I wasted an hour. I was the last rider to get to the first SAG (rest stop) at mile 42 - 54 miles on my bike!! They were looking for me, the other riders were long gone.
I had to finish the ride alone. Luck would have it, a local raider - Ron came upon me. He was riding with his daughter and son-in-law on an early morning fathers day ride. Ron and I struck up a conversation and rode together for about ten miles. He even invited me to his fathers day dinner, I was tempted but I had to press on. I took this picture of Ron right after I asked him if he was really my guardian angel. It sure picked up my spirits because I was frustrated with that mis-direction I took. Thanks Ron and happy fathers day.
Further down the road - still alone but doing fine, I came by this little Methodist church. It was one o'clock and outside the church bells (really a PA system) were playing hymns. I stopped and listened to How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace and In the Garden. I had my own little church service right there, my singing was a joyful noise, out of tune but no one there to hear me.After that, I had no problem finishing the last 30 miles.
5 comments:
Happy fathers day! Glad you had a good day.It might be because of the way the Amish live but they haven't quite discovered the problem of high cholesterol. It's probably what makes their pastries and baked goods so great. Their ice cream is the closest thing I've found to the U of Md dairy. As my gran would say; try it you'll like it.
happy fathers day uncle tom :)
xoxo erin
Those songs usually motivate me, too! I love the newer, contemporary music....but nothing's quite like the good 'ol hymns to get your faith up and moving! I'm glad it helped you. Keep on singing your way home...
Tom,
I guess I messed up with my previous comment so I'll try again. It is amazing how God refreshes us. He sends us unknown friends and gives us music to lift our spirits. I think it will take you several months to come down from this mountain.
Thank goodness for music. I know the old hymns inspired you and reminded you of some very important people in your life: Pappy, Grammy, Nanny, Aunt Belva, Marty, and Nina. Bea came to mind, too. I'm sure they're part of your heavenly cheering section. Aren't we blessed to have had them in our lives?!
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