(Lucky) Day Thirteen: The Wheel Ahead

I didn't see the route today.
Nope. Not much of it. I even passed by a beautiful garden, without knowing, and thus didn't stop to smell the roses.

Why?

I was focused on the wheel ahead of me. No, seriously. For most of today's 64.3 miles I focused solely on the back wheel of the person in front of me. I was with a very fast group today, a group that I knew from the beginning would be a challenge to keep up with. I accepted the challenge readily, consciously choosing to not be that guy that slows the whole group down.

And I wasn't. You see, the way to get faster on a bike is to focus on the wheel of the person in front of you. Simply stay determined to keep up with that wheel at all costs. You will block everything else out, zone in on your goal, and push yourself farther than you thought you could. Better yet, at the end of the day you will be a very tired but noticeably faster cyclist.

So thank you Meg, Casey, Caiti and Stephen for pushing me above and beyond my limit and helping prove to myself that I can go faster and further.

But I did get to see the lunch stop, and what a beautiful spot it was along a river in Ohio:



There was a bountiful of food, an ample amount of time to rest, and a lovely spot to sit and watch the water. I'm liking Ohio more and more every mile.

Settling in Sandusky, Ohio we didn't realize that it was bike week--that is motorcycle week--and that all festivities were taking place two blocks down from our host, the First Congregational Church. So, in 4K fashion, we put on the best biker outfits we could and headed out to check out the food, music, and motorcycles.

Bike Week in Sandusky, OH. The band Midnight Special is covering some classic rock songs.

Personally, it's not my scene, but it's a new experience with good people and another memory from the road. If this keeps up I'm going to have enough stories for a lifetime.

Ride On,

James
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Today's ride was dedicated to Doug, the ice cream store owner from yesterday, his cancer stricken brother, and all cancer patients that have given up hope. We're riding so you can find more hope than you ever though possible--I know I already have only 13 days in. Cycle. Inspire. Unite.