Win some lose some. Last trip through here on the 2018 Ride to DTI I gambled on my routing ability to better Adventure Cycling’s USBR 51 which we had mostly followed till now. My route was shorter, flatter, and had fewer turns. It also went on more major roads. That year we did it on a Sunday and all went well. This year was on a Monday and not so good.
I awoke at 5:30 to a totally shut left eye from yesterday’s wasp sting. Complicating things even more, my glasses had fallen to the floor between the bed and nightstand where, with my diminished vision they could not be located. After getting ice for a cold compress my eye opened enough to see and I did locate the glasses. After that my eye situation gradually improved and was no more issue.
Breakfast was surprisingly good considering the motel’s cost. Tom was not feeling well so volunteered to take my and Jimmy’s sag.
Our exit on the main road through Coshocton went generally well despite a block of road resurfacing that had us on the sidewalk for a block. The road names and numbers changed several times over the next 18 miles. The first hurdle was at mile 3 when when had a severe climb that almost had me walking. Luckily traffic was light so we did not hamper anyone much. There was moderate traffic with minimal shoulder the whole way but never a real bother. At mile 18 we joined a major road that had more and much faster traffic but also more shoulder.
At mile 31 we turned off to Uhrichsville where lunch was planned. Being a Monday, many restaurants were closed so we had to backtrack into the city for food. For some reason Ride With GPS would not allow a more direct route. It was an interesting ride though what was obviously a once more prosperous city. Wonderfully restored old homes mixed with the abandoned.
Planned lunch was at Papa Johns Pizza but Jimmy spotted a more appealing Mexican place across the street. The cool overcast day remained overcast but had warmed enough for us to eat outside.
Tom joined us and was obviously not feeling well. We discussed him getting medical care. A call to his Urologist got a promise to return the call someday. I suggested an urgent care and Jimmy located one in Cadiz (Trinity Express Clinic), our cycling destination for the day. Ross did take him, he is receiving treatment, and hopefully better tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Jimmy led Bob and I out of Uhrichsville, first on city streets, then a series of rural roads, and finally onto US 250. What a difference 3 years and a day of the week make. We had a minimal shoulder the entire 17 miles but also constant traffic, mostly large trucks doing 70 mph. We’d passed a sand and gravel lot while on US 36 and I suspect much of the dump truck traffic was from there. The drivers did a good job avoiding us but holding your line on the shoulder for that long was exhausting. The end was up another steep climb, not as bad as the one at ride’s start, but with 55 strenuous miles already on my legs, I had to walk the final 20 yards. Bob and Jimmy made it fine. Ross and Tom met us at the end pickup point at Cadiz McDonald’s. They had just completed their clinic and pharmacy visits.
Exhausted cyclists and satisfied driver went by van to the Weirton Comfort Inn. After showers and settling in we had an excellent supper at a nearby Italian restaurant. A light rain came and went during our meal. Tomorrow we celebrate the end of hills and vehicular traffic by joining the Panhandle and then the Montour trail.
Bruce
Comments by Tom
My sleep night in Coshocton was difficult. I was waking every hour. I decided to cancel riding the day and take everyone's SAG.
At lunch, everyone commented that I look badly, worse than normal,. Unanimously, they suggested that I should attend a local medical clinic and Jimmy found Trinity Express Clinic in the nearby Cadix.
Bruce reminded me about the significant medical problems that I had in our 2018 Ride to DTI. I did; and, I was having the same ailment.
Ross drove me to Trinity Health Express and within an hour the nurses had confirmed I had Dysuria bacteria infection. I convinced the Amber Voytecek, NP to give a prescription of LevoFloxacin (FYI: my current urologist refused to give it to me). Ross then drove me 20 miles away to Kroger Pharmacy in Wintersville.
I greatly appreciate everyone's help in this matter. I would not have gone to the medical clinic without their motivation.
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