Decided last night that a new rear tire is mandatory so I waited until 10 am for the nearby shop to open. They had a very limited supply but one that would work, so I was in business without going off route. You know I like that.
They delay also allowed me to watch a couple of morning showers go by without getting wet. The front that has been on my rear for days has now taken residence on top. I have been watching the weather RADAR trying to pick the best departure time or determine if I should take today as a rest day.
The morning has been relaxing but the downside, of course, is that it’s now approaching 12pm and I haven’t been on the bike today. As I finish lunch/breakfast the clouds are breaking and it’s time to go.
The route for today was selected, again, because it appeared to be small untraveled roads. I couldn’t be more wrong. Small shoulder lots of traffic. I definitely miss Kansas. As I passed Lebanon route 42 traffic load calmed markedly and the shoulder widened. The rest of the ride was more calm.
As I rode over an overpass a couple of miles south of Xenia I saw a bike path below. I stopped and asked Alice what she knew about it but she wasn’t talking. When I got to Xenia I found the path and the fact that I could have been riding on it for a large portion of the day, Bummer. But I also found it goes to the next town on tomorrows agenda, so that’s a plus.
Today was short and tough for me. I never warmed up (muscles) and even the little climbs were tough. I also had a 10 + MPH wind behind me that should have elevated my average, but it never happened. I don’t know if it was just an off day or a more chronic issue with the pace I’ve been maintaining.
So 50 miles to Xenia and I was sitting by 5pm.
bike trip, bike tour, cross-country, camp, bike, travel, transcontinental, Raleigh