Days 53-54: Break time; 3K time; radio time; and pie porn!

Day 53
Destination: Wooster, Ohio
Monday’s mileage: 67. Total: 3,017

The boys of Bucyrus. Some “emergencies” are more significant than others, but those guys got the save of the day as far as I was concerned.

After two and a half states of pretty flat riding, I rediscovered hill country here in eastern Ohio. But what was most notable about Monday was that I crossed the 3,000-mile threshold. That means we’re close. Real close. More about that in a second.

I had a great early ride, in spite of the continual headwinds I’ve been facing, but I had a “nature call” as I eased my way through the quaint little town of Bucyrus. Just as that was happening, I came upon a firehouse. Because my brother’s a firefighter and because I know firefighters are the best people in the world, I pulled up.

“Um, I’m riding my bike across the country,” I said. “But I’m having a little bathroom emergency. Can you help me out.”

I added that my brother is a firefighter … but even before I finished that sentence, they showed me the way to the closest bathroom. That emergency averted, I visited with the fellows for the better part of a half hour before I said goodbye. Of course, because I sometimes just want to hang out without whipping out a camera and notebook, I didn’t capture the moment.

After I left  Bucyrus, I texted Melody and told her of my great discovery. “Did you shoot video?” she texted back.

“Um, no.”

“Did you take a picture?” she wondered.

“Uh, no,” I admitted. “I was just hanging out, talking to the guys. I didn’t think about it until I was leaving.” Hopeless. I’m hopeless. You can ask Melody.

Luckily, when she started off that morning, she decided to go fix my mistake. She headed to the firehouse in Bucyrus and did what I should have done. And one of the things she learned in her conversation with those same firefighters: Bucyrus is the bratwurst capital of the world. Who knew?

The stop in Mansfield (3,000 miles!) was filled with good cheer, good food, and lovely people.

A short while later, I was pedaling for Mansfield where I would meet Melody for lunch. Unbeknownst to me, Melody had arrived early, made a sign heralding my 3,000th mile, and when I walked into the Coney Island Inn restaurant, the place erupted in cheers. A nice guy stopped to chat and he even picked up our check. Man, people are nice. I gave him my card and asked him to stay in touch. If he’s reading this, please send me a note and give me your contact info. I at least need to say a proper thanks!! (You can watch a video from that moment right here.)

We topped off the day with ice cream at the Mifflin Dairy Bar and that was about it. It seemed like a pretty uneventful day until I started writing.

Day 54
Destination: Dover, Ohio
Tuesday’s mileage: 50. Total: 3,067

We had a blast during our little radio spot at WJER in Dover, Ohio.

We had one thing on the docket for today: To get to Dover and spend a little time chatting with the WJER morning show host, Anita, and the station’s newswoman, Jennifer.

It was a 50 mile ride through some truly daunting hills, some with a 10-12 percent grade. But I did what I had to do — and arrived just in time to squeeze in a few minutes before the noon news and a few minutes after.

We took off for a quick lunch at Dee’s restaurant, a local institution it turns out. And you know what that means? Pie is what that means. Pie made by Dee her own self. Yup, it happened again.

As my friend Dave Braunger warned me earlier this summer: “When you finish this ride, you have to stop eating.”

It’s going to be hard. I’ve become somewhat addicted to the pie-infused lunch stop. But I guess, once I get back, I’ll have to hit the gym and avoid pies. Damn it! Why is life so cruel?

But for now … mmmmmmm, pie!

All that was left after the lunch rush was cherry pie. That’ll do.

 

Advertisement