JULY 16 COUNTRY ROADS TO WOOSTER

Our 9th and final "century" of the trip is now "in the record book." But believe me, NO records were set on this 104 mile ride from Marysville to Wooster, OH. There was way too much climbing for that. We were still climbing at the 98 mile marker; a total of 3780 feet of elevation gain was recorded on this "sweet little route." Five or six of the hills were very tough. Even with full speed momentum carried into the climb, it took all you had to get to the top. At some points it reminded us of those awful "rollers" in Missouri.

Road to Wooster, OH

Despite the hills, the ride was special. The roads were great, the scenery and the small towns of Ohio provided an abundance of interesting things to look at. It was a postcard georgeous day in the countryside. We rode on quiet backroads and country lanes and had plenty of opportunity to talk. In my case, Tom (IA) gave me an education on farming and crops.

Barn outside of Wooster

At the final SAG stop at the 75 mile mark a pizza shop provided a convenient lunch spot for many. Some even took time to watch Lance perform on TV in the Tour de France. Tom, Jerry (WA) and I went on to the small farming town of Hayesville where we had lunch - and homemade pie - at the cafe. The farmers don't quite know what to make of us. They probably wonder how we can take so much time off to BICYCLE ACROSS AMERICA.

Stools at the Cafe in Hayesville

Jerry and Tom in Hayesville

Sadly, during the course of the day, we learned that one of our teammates, Dale, had been hit by a car and injured in the town of Delaware. He was side-swiped by a car and thrown from the bike, suffering a broken collar bone. The car NEVER EVEN STOPPED! He is taped up and feeling better this evening. Another rider was injured in a fall yesterday and was unable to ride today. We continue to be extremely careful and safety conscious.

My cousin Betsy visited me this evening from Mansfield, OH. She attended route rap, met many of the gang and observed the biker "feeding frenzy" at the Country Kitchen buffet dinner.

This area of Ohio is home to many Amish people. We see them in towns and on the farms. Many tourists come here to visit Amish country. Smuckers and Frito-Lay have plants in the Wooster area ("Gateway to Amish Country").

Tomorrow we back off a bit from the back to back century pace...we ONLY have a 92 mile ride to Austintown.

         - Bill

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