Biking Across the U.S (hopefully)
Lisbon - Bratenahl 89
Sally got me all situated out the door with a pannier full of homemade cookies, and even biked a couple miles up the trail the see me off. Reminds of Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) quote... "When I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say "look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping". The people are the best part of this trip. After the last couple climbs to get past the Appalachian hills (Ohio foothills?) I got on state route 14, which had a huge shoulder and took me straight to the trail to Cleveland. When biking a ton of miles in semi rural areas I learned quickly that this whole world is one big bathroom. Side of an old barn... bathroom. Weird turn off that may lead to a farmhouse... bathroom. Middle of a flat road with no cars... definitely a bathroom. Only exceptions are places of worship and graveyards. Random port o potties or side restrooms... not a bathroom, they usually smell and are gross. I got onto the towpath and hike/bike trail leading into Cleveland, which though beautiful in parts (went through Cuyahoga Valley Nat. Park) was a little confusing. At one point I took the wrong trail and cut back on a highway thinking it would lead to the path I needed. While crossing a 300ish foot bridge spanning the valley I looked down and saw this small paved trail running along a river... the path that was supposed to 'link up' with the road I was on. Multiple swear words were said. After getting situated I rode this awesome old canal trail most of the way into the outskirts of Cleveland, then through rougher south Cleveland, and ended at the BEAUTIFUL lakeside house of the sister of our family friends. Again, it's the people who make this trip.
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AuthorHey I'm Alex Soper, a dude living in Durham, NC. Shoot me an email if you want [email protected] ArchivesCategories |