Bicycling Coast to Coast

Stats:   Today's miles:  74.5  miles Today's feet of elevation gain:   1,181 feet Total miles traveled:   2,822.6  miles Total feet climbed:   74,945 feet Miles and States quickly clicking off. One of the themes over the last week has been the focus on riding and with it the miles I’ve clicked off and the number of states that I’ve put in the rear view mirror. A combination of factors have contributed: relatively flat terrain, good weather (decent temps, limited head winds, good roads (low traffic, good surfaces). Another factor may be the building sense of reaching the end of the journey. On the ride from Monroeville to Bowling Green the remaining trip mileage dropped below 1000 miles!!! Up next. The goal tomorrow is Erie PA (84mi) and the following day to be in NY. I don’t want to jinx myself, but when I planned the route for the segments after Monroeville it is possible to reach Portland ME on Sept 29 assuming that riding conditions (hills, road/tra...

  Stats:   Today's miles:  68.3  miles Today's feet of elevation gain:   614 feet Total miles traveled:   2,748.1  miles Total feet climbed:   73,764 feet

  Stats:   Today's miles:  88.4  miles Today's feet of elevation gain:   837 feet Total miles traveled:   2,679.8  miles Total feet climbed:   73,150 feet Another State down - 4 days of riding to cross Indiana. On to Ohio!

  Stats:   Today's miles:  66.0  miles Today's feet of elevation gain:   1,102 feet Total miles traveled:   2,591.4  miles Total feet climbed:   72 ,313 feet A big thanks to the Monroeville community!! They have a great community building with restrooms, showers and laundry that they open up to cyclists at no charge. They’ve been doing this for 20+ years. Its interesting to read back though the guest logs of riders who have stayed there . Monroeville Community Center A creepy gathering at Salamonie Dam (zoom in)

  Stats:   Today's miles:  89.5  miles Today's feet of elevation gain:  1,417 feet Total miles traveled:   2,525.4  miles Total feet climbed:   71 ,211 feet Finally after two days of rain in Rensselaer, I was able to take off. Even the ride from Rensselaer to Wabash was in mist and drizzle most of the day.

Weather Delay Stats:   Today's miles:  0 . 0  miles Today's feet of elevation gain:   0 feet Total miles traveled:   2,435.9  miles Total feet climbed:   69,794 feet Goodbye Illinois! Another state off the list! I’m sitting in Rensselaer waiting-out a widespread weather system. I’ve been lucky to only have had 3 weather days so far in the trip. So, its a chance to summarize my ride from western Iowa through Illinois. When I was collecting some thoughts to describe this section of the ride, my first inclination was just to limit the description to ‘nearly endless corn and bean fields’, which would be accurate. But in thinking about it, there are aspects of the heartland that deserve greater appreciation. True, its not the scenic mountain vista, the clear blue lake, or the ocean dunes. But after riding through hundreds of thousand acres of cropland I’ve come to appreciate the millions of bushels of grain produced and the bounty of the heartland. It’s a l...