Day 3

October 6, 2021:

After yesterday’s big push to get into and then out of Dayton, I decided to take it easy today. Overnight, the big blister on my right thumb had opened, despite my efforts at first to get it to heal with a bandaid. This necessitated I wait for the bicycle shop in Beavercreek to open in order to purchase new gloves.

After waking, I promptly got up to use the restroom at Beavercreek station, taking my computer, gopro, and external hard drive with me. After taking care of business, I edited, exported, and uploaded footage from my first two days of cycling. This process took a bit longer than I had anticipated, in part due to the slow wifi, so I got done doing that at around 1 pm. After the videos were both on youtube, I packed away my electronics as well as my tent and other gear.

I cycled up the road to Creekside Cyclery, the shop I had waited on to open. I leaned my bike on a column and walked in. It was a small shop. I asked if they had bicycle gloves, hoping I hadn’t wasted my time that morning. A gentleman directed me to a rack on the far wall. I wanted a closed-finger glove that would cover my thumb – both so the blister would heal more quickly and so my hands would stay warm in winter. I found that even the XL sizes were a bit tight, but seeing as that was the largest size he had, it’s what I went with. The gentleman introduced himself as Mike and took a look outside at my bike. I told him about my plans. Inside, he let me test out the gloves before purchasing them and gave me a generous 10% discount. He gave me his card and said that if I ran into trouble before Columbus to call, and that he would pick me up or help out however needed. He was a nice guy.

After getting the new gloves, I went across the street to the Kroger. Not sure if every Kroger is the same, but this one had the exact same internal layout as does the Kroger in Newport, KY. It made finding bread, snap peas, cherry tomatoes, cheese, and salami a lot easier. I also got a carameled apple and a pomegranate. I went back down to Beavercreek station, stopping there for a quick snack. The carameled apple was delicious.

After I was done eating, a bright-red, aerodynamic vehicle pulled up to the station. The canopy popped open, and the man inside commented that I must be going a long way. I love that my pack is the ultimate conversation starter. I get to meet so many interesting people this way. I explained that I was planning on going to Ireland after NY, and he asked what the restrictions on my doing so were. “Well, I need to have received a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of entering the country, I have to have the vaccine, … and it does help that I have a European citizenship, so I won’t need a visa.” Asking where in Europe I was from, I then clarified that I only have my German passport from birth, through Mama. He mentioned he was actually born in Germany, and only later moved here to obtain his dual US/German citizenship. I got a better look at his vehicle. It’s entirely pedal-powered, and apparently can cruise at around 20 mph. I asked if I could take a picture. “If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me for a picture, I’d have nearly paid this thing off.” “Do you want a dollar?” “No, I couldn’t possibly ask for that.” He introduced himself as Jens (pronounced Yens). Seeing my camping gear, Jens asked me if I had heard of Warm Showers. (I hadn’t.) It’s a program in which kind people allow passing cyclists to stay overnight with them, and sometimes even throw in a meal, just in exchange for hearing your stories. It sounds neat; I’ll have to check it out.

After speaking with Jens, I finally pulled out of Beavercreek station. By now it was maybe 3 or even 3:30 pm, a terribly late start to the day. I didn’t really mind though, since I had planned for this to be an easier day, and I had enjoyed speaking with both Mike at the bicycle shop and with Jens in his red superbike.

I set off for Xenia, passing lush parks and wooden fences. On the way, I passed another cyclist going the other direction, who turned around to cycle alongside me. “Hello! So where are you traveling?” As I said, my bags are the ultimate conversation starter. I repeated my story with a grin, something I suppose I’ll be doing a lot. I asked for his name. “Mike.” “Haha, you’re actually the second bicyclist named Mike I’ve met today.” Mike mentioned that his first big bike trip was back in ’75, and that he’d since gone on to cross the country three times. He asked about the gear I had with me, as well as the bike itself, wondering if it had disc brakes. I wasn’t sure what those were, and asked. One thing I knew before starting work at SNC, but that was really hammered in there was not to pretend you know something if you don’t. You’ll just look stupid later, and you’ll learn more if you admit your ignorance first. “They’re just the type of brakes cars have.” “Oh, yeah, I’ve seen those. No, my brakes use just the standard bike pads.” Mike explained that some of the touring bikes have brake discs because they’re better at controlling your speed if you’ve got a lot of mass, and therefore momentum. I haven’t had any problems with my brake pads yet, though I suspect I’ll need to have them replaced eventually. Reaching Xenia, we stopped at an intersection.

Mike got out his wallet and insisted I take a $20, practically forcing it into my hand after I initially refused to take it from him. I took a picture with him, and thanked him. It makes me happy to know there are people like him out there willing to support young ambitious cyclists like myself. He recommended I camp at London overnight, where he explained there’s a nice campground right by the trail. I wasn’t sure that I’d reach London by nightfall, but figured I may as well try. Mike turned back for Beavercreek, and I continued on my way.

I had heard that rain was forecast for the late afternoon as well as overnight, and thick gray storm clouds on the horizon soon made it apparent I was cycling right at it. The roiling clouds loomed closer every minute, giving me something to look at and think about. The storm seemed to be moving roughly perpendicular to me. After a little while, I saw big puddles on the trail, realizing rain had already fallen here. This continued for miles, with me staying just behind the storm, always cycling through wet and dripping paths, but never getting wet myself. I passed through Cedarville, Selma, and South Charleston this way.

Riding towards London, I was cognizant of the setting sun behind me, and kept my eyes peeled for a suitable camping spot. I was quite close, but wouldn’t reach London by nightfall. On the way, I saw an Eagle Scout shelter at the side of the trail. It was perfect. This wouldn’t be stealth camping, but it would be comfortable, and the roof overhead would protect me from the rain if that restarted overnight. I set up camp, then wrote my journal entry for the day, taking note of the kind strangers I had met along the way.

Later, after night had totally set, I exited the tent for a walk under a blanket of dark sky and clouds. I could see so many stars, even if most of the sky was obscured.