Day 6 Tour des Trees

Today was our final true ride of the tour. Mohican State Park to Columbus, where it all began. 78 miles and 2500 feet of climbing. Most of that climbing was getting out of the state park area, steep, steep hills. It then smoothed out to gently rolling hills after about 25 miles.
It was the hottest day of the ride, hitting 85 when the sun was out but no complaining. We have had terrific temperatures even when it was raining.
One of our riders in our pack today had a bee enter behind his glasses, started buzzing around and ultimately stung him just below the eyeball. Fortunately he was not allergic but it did freak him out. Just think about cycling 20 miles per hour and having a bee in between your sunglasses and your eye. He kept his composure and all was good.
My stomach was still upset today but so much better than yesterday. I was once again alive. Little things can really throw you off on a multi-day ride.
We had an awards program tonight and the TDT MVP was my riding buddy Sam from Vermeer. Couldn't happen to a better man. He sure helped me when I was struggling and he's the same guy who rode with me up Haleakala. Well deserved recognition for someone who really cares about others.
Tomorrow we do the "Champs Elysees ride in" to the ISA climbing competition in Columbus. It's like when the Tour de France riders ride into Paris on the Champs, except we will be riding into Columbus on a bike trail. Similar. Still cool, still fun and it will be a great way to bid farewell to another TDT. Thanks for reading and thank you for your support.

Our tour director Paul frantically marking the last segment of our trail through a cemetery to our hotel.What other tour director runs through a cemetery with spray paint and signs!

Team Bartlett Riders. Rode the last segment together. Outstanding. 

Our route today. 

The 4 leaf clover I carried in my jersey from Peter Becker. Worked. Mostly :)

Sagged. Day 5 of the Tour des Trees

Sagged. When you can't complete the task and have to be driven to the final destination. I woke up this morning with serious stomach pains from the night before. Didn't eat properly? Something lurking in the meal I had last night? Not sure but I knew right away something wasn't right. As we rode I hoped the feeling would go away but it did not. It was a tough day of riding with lots of ups and downs but really nothing crazy. My stomach, however, didn't understand that. So after 67 miles and 4000' of climbing I "ended the ride" on the Garmin computer and was done for the day. I suffered for 4 and 1/2 hours and that was enough. Still not quite right and hope the stomach is better for tomorrow.

The ride went from Kent back to the Mohican State Park, 100 miles. Our first stop was to see the "Signal Tree." A huge bur oak that is believed to be over 300 years old and was used to signal/mark the way for people making their way through this valley. Big tree, cool history.

The best part of the day was riding through Amish country again. We encountered many more horses and buggies. Even a mini horse and buggy! We said that was the mini cooper/smart car version of the buggies. We stopped at an Amish market (dark in side) for water. While there we were eyed by women coming into the store. I realized spandex is likely not acceptable for men to be wearing, hanging around at the market. I'm sure we were pleasantly frowned upon.

Saw many free-range chicken farms. The chickens looked very happy running around outside in the sunshine. It occurred to me that is why Amish chickens taste so good. They have a great live and only one bad day.

Lunch was at Weaver Leather. They provide many slings, saddles, etc for the tree care industry as well as even more horse stuff for the Amish community.

67 miles was not the goal today, but sometimes you have to step back to go forward. Regroup, ride to Columbus tomorrow, Friday. Day 6 of the Tour des Trees. Should be a much better ride.

Amish buggy 

Vermeer Olympics. Canada v USA. It is one reason so many want to move to Canada. 

More shocks of wheat. 

Signal Tree 

The Signal Tree. Big bur oak.

116 Miles 8+ miles in the saddle.

Wow a long, long day. We launched from the hotel at 7:30 and arrived back at 5:30. Yes, 10 hours. Somewhat crazy. We had a great tree dedication for Richard Abbott. A hero of mine. A leader of our tree care industry. Huge turnout from ACRT. We walked 20 miles down a trail to the place where the tree, a blackgum, was to be dedicated. A few great remarks and our blessing of the tree. 20 mile walk back out to our bikes. OK, maybe it was just a mile. Then back to biking. Our next stop was at the awesome Arborwear company. Owned and founded by the great Bill Weber. He has designed clothes for arborist. Amazing. Check his store out at www.arborwear.com  Great food, planted a tree and used the restroom. Bill and his team is amazing. Chagrin Falls.

My morning was really, really tough. My legs said no. I had lead in them. They would not move. Sam from Vermeer saved me. 10mph. Then I came alive. Sometimes the body says no but you have to tell it who is boss. So we rode on.

After Arborwear we rode into Cleveland. Down Shaker Heights BLVD.  Do you know Gearldo Rivera lives there? Yes, met him at a lunch stop one day. Said hello, nice guy. Remember when he had the live show about Capone's vault and opened it with zero inside? I should have reminded him about that. He's on Fox now. There you go.

We made our way to Cleveland. I'm a fan. I love this town. It is making a come back. Forget Lebron, he's move on. The downtown is vibrant. 100 years ago, Cleveland was the wealthiest city in the world. Google it. Today, making it happen. We rode through Rockefeller Park, a Bartlett client. Along the lakefront. Through the mud, see pic. Took a photo at the Rock Hall. Cool. Rock on people. Long live rock. OK.

On to Public Square. Bartlett client. Thanks Eric B!. Great lunch at the Old Stone Church. Cleveland rocks.

Afternoon ride was tough. You hit 100 and go...OK, have 16 miles yet to go. We rode through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Amazing. We had 20 of us pulling a peloton through the park. A train!

Ice cream at 101 mile. Then 15 miles on a bike trail and we are home!

We have seen some maimed animals. 3-legged dog attacks us. 1 legged-Coopers hawk. Today....a 3 -footed deer. What is going on in Ohio??

Saddle sores. Google it. Yes. Painful. Must manage them. All good.

Thursday. Day 5. Could be toughest yet. Back to the big climbs as we head back to Mohican. 20% incline climbs. OK to walk bike. For some. It will be the last tough ride. Do it.

Bridge in the Cuyahoga National Park. Yes, its a National Park!

My poor ride. Muddied up.

Some TDT peeps taking over the laundry room on my floor. 

I think it is a code. Or drying their stuff. Not sure. 

I did the the Paris-Robuaix  ride instead. Just some mud. 

Long Live Rock. Photo op at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

Rider down! After 100 miles we wait for another rider. Sam.