Saturday Rainin & Ridin

So many cycling choices in this cycling Mecca of central Ohio.  I chose to ride with Jeff S and Mark V as they marked a 60 mile portion of the Ridge Runner Rambler, starting from Granville’s Wildwood Park at 8:00am.  A previous night’s forecast of 10% chance of rain and sunny skies failed to materialize and it was a cloudy start to the ride.  We headed up to Utica for a short break and to make a long story short, ran into a farmer who was taking pigs to the Hartford fair and somehow discovered his brother helped build my house (small world story).

Out Blacksnake past the chocolate wheel and upon reaching Martinsburg road, the yellow road marking work began with Jeff and Mark taking turns applying the paint.  We stopped at Bladensburg and although my stomach ached for a stop at Butlers and a grilled cheese sandwich, we instead grabbed candy bars at the gas station.  We headed south towards Fallsburg when it began to rain, a nice steady rain at uncomfortably cool temperatures.  The rain quickly dissipated the paint so we took refuge on the front porch of the pizza place in Fallsburg, waiting for the rain to stop.  Mark V flirted with the female proprietor of the pizza shop and got her hopes up that he would revisit next Saturday, also implying dozens of cyclists would stop to eat.  It appeared to me Mark was trying to get a free meal coupon from her but she was too shrewd to fall for Mark’s idle promises.

We headed south and soon arrived at the monstrous Techniglass road, followed by Loches.  At least two climbs broke the demarcation line of 20%.  I had gotten a little ahead of the road painters and upon reaching Martinsburg Road, I was faced with an additional climb to stay on the route by going left, or an immediate and long downhill by going straight.  Soon, I was coasting off the route and into St. Louisville.  I arrived back in Granville with 67 miles and 4500’ of climbing.  No images to share with you of the ride except IT IS THAT TIME FOR A FARM REPORT!!!!!!

Yes, through careful cultivation and loading of Miracle Grow and every other plant steroid I could find, I harvested my first ear of corn.  Note the beautiful color and texture of the kernals.  This was one fine ear of corn and instead of eating it, I had it bronzed and put on a trophy.  Unfortunately, just as I was poised to pick the bountiful harvest, the racoons invaded my porch overnight and ate every stalk and corn (see below).  These must be very fat coons after gorging themselves.  Don't feel too sorry for me, I have picked many giant cucumbers and the tomatos are about to turn red too.