Perrysburg Send Off - amazing!

Today we rode 87 miles from Perrysburg to Oberlin, Ohio. We climbed 965 feet. 

We had a nice crowd at the hotel in Perrysburg this morning to watch our 22 Pushup Challenge and send us off, including the mayor, the chamber of commerce, the visitors bureau, and local TV and print news. The police department escorted us for 11 miles, a new record, and delivered us safely into farm country. Along the way the escort caused some backup in traffic moving the opposite direction. We expected some irritation from drivers heading to work, but instead got lots of honks, waves, and cheers. Uplifting stuff. We had lovely flat roads and moderate winds, so made good time. We rode early on the North Coast Inland Trail (www.loraincountymetroparks.com/north-coast-inland-trail), until our route took us onto a four-lane highway that thankfully had a very wide shoulder. The highway section served as a reminder of how much we dislike traffic and gnarly road surfaces. Towards the end of the ride we got back on the North Coast Inland Trail and powered into the quaint little town of Oberlin, home of Oberlin College and Yeobie the Squirrel.  (Go ahead, Google it.) Unload the truck, check in, hot shower, get dinner, go to bed.

We had three new riders today, and they all finished the 87 miles. Impressive stuff. When asked how he felt, one rider answered, "My butt hurts." Welcome to the ride. We told him he'd probably feel better in about ten days.

Eight days left.

Tomorrow we will ride from Oberlin to Canton, Ohio. We will cycle 65 miles and climb 2,642 feet. 

Totals to Date

Miles: 2,733

Elevation Gain: 82,587

Flat Tires: 45

States crossed: 8

Centuries: 7

Dog bites: 1