Day Forty-three

It may be Sunday be it's time to get the hay harvested.

But not for the Amish who hold Sunday services at home.

Nancy and Larry enjoying their floats while Adella acts-up (again).

Hey Michelle are you happy?

OH YEAH!

Just in case you missed the state line sign.

Having fun with George at the end of the ride.

How did they know we were coming?

Would you like to swing on a star?

Carry moonbeams home in a jar?

Okay we arrived in Pennsylvania which is on the east coast so that means we’re done right? This is our only stop in PA so we’re going to make the best of it by spending two nights here in Erie. They used to stay downtown but had a lot of problems with the hotel so we’ve moved to a Days Inn out in the hinterlands but it’s comfortable so the trade-off is good.

Very cool ride today and we got to pedal all the way through the city when we arrived. I think it was West 6^th Street where we saw some magnificent old well-maintained houses on the approach to downtown. The actual downtown has seen better days and it was particularly messy today because they’re just starting to clean-up from a biker weekend (not our kind of bikes) and it looks like they had a real good time last night. Riding out to the east side of the city is what gave us the century mileage today AND some unexpected climbs in the last couple miles. The urban riding was a welcome change and I think it’s a great way to end a ride.

Although we were in Youngstown last night we never saw the city and this morning we were on rural roads within a couple miles of leaving the hotel. Super quiet early Sunday morning roads with zero traffic and I was very happy to ride behind Wade and Tony to the first SAG at 33 miles. Unlike yesterday I felt the pace was perfect for a little helpful drafting but still time to enjoy the scenery. We can tell Fran is feeling better today because he was complaining about the “fast “ pace (despite the fact that he always steps it up when he’s pulling).

I left the SAG with Adella but she was just moseying along so I rode alone for about 35 miles including a phenomenal straight, flat 23 mile stretch past quiet farms and homes. It just seemed right to wave to the few people I saw and everyone waved back. A great stretch of road like nothing we have back home.

We were promised two great diversions on the route today. The first one was Tarsitano Winery and, from the website, it sounds like a dream with artisan wines and home made cooking. It is in the middle of nowhere with a beautiful overlook on 17 acres of grapes and I had planned to stop and have a leisurely lunch but it was too early so I just enjoyed the scenery and thought about returning someday with my wife. We rode past a number of vineyards. I never really thought of Ohio or Pennsylvania as “wine country”.

Our second diversion was really my kind of place. The second SAG was at the White Turkey Drive-in which features Richardson Root Beer, soft serve, and the typical seasonal stand menu. There aren’t many places like this left in America. Lots of take out or you can sit at stools at the outdoor counter or in back in a well manicured picnic area. The place is immaculate and the high school girls work like a well-oiled machine. Of course everyone got a root beer float to fortify the final 30+ miles. George and I rode home together and he’s great company.

I know I’m sounding like a broken record but, really, one of the best days ever. Even had a gentle tailwind at the end helping to push us along.

We will enjoy sleeping without an alarm tonight and have no specific plans for tomorrow so you might not hear from me until after Tuesday’s ride to Hamburg, NY.

Today’s ratings: (the higher the better or easier)

Scenery: 6

Road conditions: 7

Grunt factor: 8