Day 42. June 5. Tuesday. Celina to Van Wert (with the help of a farmer).

I should have stayed in bed this morning. Walked out and the wind was blowing just as hard as yesterday. But I had back road directions so was feeling like it couldn’t be as bad as yesterday.

I still had an occasional truck but a fairly decent shoulder, but, oh my gosh, that wind. I came to a stop sign and before I could get unclipped, the wind blew me over. Fell right on my bad knee on the pavement. My first road rash this trip but all else is ok. A fellow saw it happen but didn’t stop immediately. He came back as I was putting myself together to see if I was ok. I said, ” Yeah, a little road rash and my feelings are hurt.” At the time, my knee really did hurt but I was pretty sure it was ok, and, it was, once the initial pain calmed down. Dang it. Really freaked me out.

So I’m riding along and really struggling to keep my bike on the shoulder and stopping for any truck that comes along but I’m just not feeling safe. Then it starts to rain. That was about 8 o’clock. Now the road is wet and slippery, I have what I consider to be less than sufficient control of my bike, esp when a truck comes by, and I freaked out. I stopped at a farm where I noticed a pick up in the yard and talked to two farmers, pleading my case about needing a ride to Van Wert. They were more than happy to help me since they couldn’t work in the field. Was I ever grateful.

The shoulder disappeared the last 8 or so miles into town so I would have been riding in the lane with the traffic. Have you ever seen the spray a semi sends up when the road is really wet? No way I could have avoided any of it. And it rained steadily all the way to town and has continued to do so clear past one o’clock. The last hour has even been a long thunderstorm. So glad I got off the road.

I had the farmer drop me off at McDonald’s just so I could sit where it was dry. Even took a snooze. So boring with nothing to do. I finally went into town and found the library and looked for a bike route for tomorrow. Printed off detailed instructions and will avoid rte 127. Just too many dang trucks. I had hoped to ride this afternoon once the rain moved out (was supposed to be gone by 2). Yeah, right. But I have 46 miles to the next town and knew I couldn’t do that this afternoon so I got a motel, am still watching it pour down rain and listening to the thunder. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny so I’ll get out early and pedal like crazy. Today just wasn’t meant to be a riding day.

I keep telling myself this trip is supposed to be fun and I shouldn’t force myself to ride in unsafe conditions, but, boy the conscience does a number on me sometimes. Why do I feel so guilty? (Rhetorical question)

14.3 miles today. 1588.6 total

Author: bikeral2000

Retired musician, now gardener and cyclist. View all posts by bikeral2000