Today got off to a good start, with clear skies and a muggy seventy-something degrees when I pushed off at 6:15 am. Since Cynthiana didn't have any restaurants open at that hour, I started the day with a Clif bar and four full water bottles and started riding north. Twenty miles later, I reached Falmouth and its Twisted Spoon Diner.
After a good hearty breakfast bowl, I refilled the bottles and headed out again. It was about 8:30 and already hot. I put in another 20 miles before pulling in for a Gatorade and water break. I was making decent time and feeling good on the bike, despite the fact that I was sweating so much, my shoes were getting soaked from the inside!
As I pedaled towards the Ohio River in Newport, KY, I met another cyclist who rode with me for several blocks. We had a good conversation about being car-free, since he is as well, and before he turned off on his way, he gave me directions to the Purple People Mover Bridge, which connects the Kentucky Aquarium on one side of the River with Pete Rose Way on the other side. As if you couldn't guess, Pete Rose Way leads to the Reds' stadium. As I was crossing the bridge, the formerly sunny skies started to darken and a cool breeze picked up.
Normally, some cloud cover and a cool breeze on a hot day would be welcome, but one look at the sky, and I knew a thuderstorm was on its way. Pretty soon, I started seeing flashes of lightning and hearing thunder in the distance, in the direction I had to go...
Since everything was still off in the distance, I decided to ride on at least until the rain started. When I started getting hit with giant drops of rain and noticed that the lightning was getting closer, I decided it was time to find shelter. Lucky for me, I was in the city, so it wasn't long before I passed a Mexican Bar and Grill. The crew at Tostado's was happy to let me bring the bike inside and brought me towels so I could clean off the bike (and myself), and water to quench my thirst. When I suggested I might like lunch, a menu materialized quickly, along with an order of chips and salsa. I sat out the worst of the storm watching Sports Center and eating a tasty meal.
When it looked like the lightning was done, I headed back out into a light rain. I had about 20 miles left to ride, and it was now after 1:30. The temperature had dropped, so I decided to use my rain jacket to help keep me warm. At this point in the day, after the sweat and the rain, there was little hope of me being dry until after a hot shower.
I took a little tour of southeast Cincinnati, passing by Lunken Airport on my way to the Little Miami Scenic Trail, a paved, tree-lined rail to trail conversion. I rode that trail all the way into Loveland. Unfortunately, while on the trail, my bike computer decided to malfunction, and my spedometer and odometer quit working. I know I rode more than 76 miles today, but the exact mileage is going to remain a mystery.
I pulled up to Martha and Gary's house just before 4:00 pm. Gary promptly toured me through the finished basement to show me where I could take a shower. After I little cleaning up by me, Martha, Gary and I spent a few hours catching up and enjoying a great chicken casserole dinner. We even had dessert, strawberry shortcake.
Tomorrow, I'm heading back to the Little Miami Scenic Trail. I'll take that to Springfield, OH, then pick up the Simon Kenton Trail to Urbana. Wednesday, I'll be on US 68 from Urbana to North Baltimore, where I'll be staying with a Warmshowers.org host.
I still think I'm on track to arrive in Detroit Friday night, but we'll see what the weather has in store for me....
(If you were hoping for pictures today, you must have missed the early heat and the afternoon rains. Therefore, you had a less unpleasant experience of the weather.)
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