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.