Bicycle Touring in Ohio : Thursday June 5

Average Speed: 11.7 mph

Max Speed: 24.2 mph

Total Riding Time: 3:55:39

Trip Mileage: 46:31

Total Mileage to Date: 684

Wake Up Time: 6:30am

Leave Time: 9:00am

 

Wrote 6:00pm...

Today was definitely an extraordinary day. I woke up to hear Cal messing around with his van and getting breakfast ready. He offered me some bacon, eggs and toast and I accepted. Packed up my tent and belongings and agreed to meet up somewhere in our travels (maybe Montana). We exchanged addresses and told me he was headed for a camp in Sandusky, Ohio. I opted to go north to Plymouth to find a bike shop. 

 

Took Route 98 north into Plymouth only to discover that the only bike shop there had closed down a year ago. I had walked into a little Americana crafts store and spoke with a woman named Sharon. We ended up speaking for at least a half hour. She then asked me if I would like to do a short interview and be photographed for the small town paper. I said why not. Ten minutes later a woman came in with a camera and notepad. It was really great. Don't know if they ever ran the story though.

 

After that I went down the street and had my usual pancakes for breakfast. I then proceeded on Route 224 west to the town of Tiffin. There I found a place called Bunky's Bike Shop on Perry Street. The guy looked like the teacher in Beavus and Butthead! He was very, very nice and took the bike into the back and at no charge lubed the gear train and trued the wheels. In addition, he gave me a bottle of White Lightning chain lubricant. I offered repeatedly to pay, but he refused. I got his card and will mail him a postcard.

 

I then went to Route 53 and stopped at a Subway sandwich shop for lunch. The girl behind the counter offered directions to a campsite that was only about three miles away as opposed to ten miles for the one I had in mind.

 

I left following her excellent directions and found the campground called Meadowbrook Park on Route 18 west in Bascom, Ohio. To my surprise they refused to charge me for a camping space. The two good looking woman said for me to take any spot. There was an older man on the telephone who I gathered was the owner and he, Richard Freeborn, motioned me to wait. When he got off the phone he said, "That's right there's no charge. Just tell us about your trip." Well, I did and we all spoke for a few minutes and then he showed me some good spots next to a sheltered area.

 

This was such a great day. The ironic thing is that in all the cases they were chance encounters. The woman in Plymouth whose store I ventured into to ask about a bike shop. The stop at Subway where the girl behind the counter mentioned the campsite that led to a free stay. Also at the info center yesterday, which led to my meeting Cal. very strange how life works. I feel more open and talkative and it's paying off in a more enjoyable trip. I feel real lucky to be alive and to accept the challenge of this bike trek.

 

Route 18 west may be the way to go into Indiana. It has less truck traffic than US Route 30 or Route 224. Can't wait to see what's in store for me tomorrow.