Mark's Fall Challenge--Riding Through Cujo Country

Dawn in Wellston, OH, a place far, far away from the roads we usually ride. I was here for "Mark's Fall Challenge" an event that kept alive the tradition of COP's "Columbus Fall Challenge" although it is a one day rather than a two day event.  Distance options were 80 and 100 miles.  Still mending a calf injury I chose the 80 mile option.  I know how my calf feels at the 80 mile distance and don't want to know what it would feel like at 100 miles.  Let's pick up the story.....

....at mile 2 where my fellow 80 milers, Janet and Brent, are waiting for the 100 milers to emerge from a 5 mile loop where we would rejoin them for approximately 55 miles of the 100 mile route prior to breaking ranks permanently.  After a few minutes, here they came....

....led by who some are now calling "The Iron Lady".  I kind of like that name but she might think it disparaging so I'll stick with Flyin Tuna.  Same with Andrew on the right wearing a winter jacket.  I kind of like the name "Lizard" referencing the cold blooded nature of the reptile but there too, I don't want to have to explain the meaning behind the name all the time so I'll stick with "Andrew".  Soon, one of many highlights to the route appears.....

....a junkyard, the contents of which have crept to the edge of the road.  The owner must be waiting for commodity prices to skyrocket before selling the aluminum, copper, etc...  The image does not do justice to the length of the yard and no, no fence to block the view.  Really kind of cool to ride through a tunnel of junk.

Ben in the middle, recently rode across the US with Brent, Eric and Andrew in front.  We regrouped several times as today's pace was "Conversational B" given the 11 participants.

There was a whole lotta of this going on, riding while glancing to the right or left to see....

.....far reaching views.  While there were many highlights to the trip, probably my favorite was a stop at....

....Four Mile Bakery.  Wow!!!!!  I consumed a hot dog but passed on the doughnuts which were fresh and warm.  People kept walking by with boxes of doughnuts and I reached my breaking point.  I loudly stated, "Every time someone walks by with a box of doughnuts I wish they would think to offer me one." Just then, a woman spun around, opened a box and offered me a glazed doughnut.  I pretended to have been kidding but with some minor cajoling, I tore a piece and she then offered the remainder to Ben.  Meantime......

.....a cat appeared and Brent demonstrated his tender side, as did we all so the cat received plenty of scratching.  In the background, Cindy appears and after I told her of the doughnut acquisition scheme, she did everything but call me a liar.  I had to rely on several eyewitness accounts to convince her I did not have to buy the doughnut I was at the time eating.  We got back on our bikes and continued.....

....through "Cujo Country".  The per capita dog population must set some kind of record in this county.  They were every where or heard every where but fortunately, Mark has ridden the roads many times, sprayed the dogs many times so now they just bark and watch rather than chase, usually.

More variety in what we saw.

And more idyllic country scenery.  In addition to the views, there was plenty of climbing and at the top of one climb, Andrew or Frank Seebode caught.....

...outside Chris Horner, the only other cyclist who is still smiling at the top of every climb.  The rest of us have a look of anguish on our faces.  So, I finished with 80 miles and 4700' of climbing while the 100 milers finished with 6900' of climbing.  Big thanks to Andrew and Frank for providing some of the images used in this report.

         

Mark's Fall Challenge is a road bicycle tour of southern Ohio beginning and ending in Wellston, Ohio. MFC will begin at 8 am on October 7th from Mark's house at 2118 Finley Chapel Road in Wellston. This will be a scenic road bike tour that will travel through Jackson and Gallia Counties this year. The scenery is great and the road conditions are good overall. As with any bike tour you do need to watch out for potholes and bumps in the road in certain places so be careful. The distance is 100 or 80 miles. The route is hilly with around 5700 feet of elevation gain. There are also places to cut off miles and hills as well. Both the 80 and 100 routes are marked. There will be places to purchase food and drinks along the way. This is a free event, however donations will be accepted to cover the cost of SAG provided by the Wellston Church of the Nazarene. You are welcome to bring food and drinks for the SAG to carry which will meet us at designated points. At one point in Gallia County there is a natural spring where you can fill up your bottles with ice cold spring water.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/25671387
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/25537929

Be aware that by participating you assume all liability for your own well being. This tour is not OFFICIALLY sponsored by any organization or individual. We are just a group of riders who enjoy riding and realize we are responsible for our own safety.
Probably there will be an option out of New Albany and once I learn of it I will post it here.