Picture perfect day!! Mike rode with me about 5 miles into Grove City from the KOA. He was hoping to do twice that, but there were so many turns that he didn’t want to get lost on his way back. He had to go pack up the truck and drive to the next destination. There were a lot of people out and about on this beautiful Saturday morning giving this town a great atmosphere.
Before we got going, we drove to the Eat’nPark about 4 miles from the KOA. It was right down the street from the Timber Creek Tap & Table where we ate dinner last night. I had the meat lovers egg wrap and Mike had the meat lovers omelette. Yes, we are definitely burning through some protein.
Today’s route criss-crossed I-80 several times. I went through Barkeyville and Clintonville, where I captured this picture of the very small town center. A lady was pushing a stroller up the driveway to the right in that picture. She came up and asked me how far I was going to ride today. I said only 52 today but I’ve come from Michigan and I’m going to New Jersey. She said she was having enough trouble pushing the stroller up the driveway, let alone riding all that way. She was funny!
I had a blast coming down out of the mountains to this bridge over the Allegheny River. The town on the other side is Emlenton. There is a boat launch just to the right of the bridge where a lot of kayaks and other boats were just entering the water, it looked like a lot of fun. I should have taken a break and jumped in.
Leaving Emlenton to the right in this picture, I had to climb for at least a mile at about an 8% incline. I didn’t think it was ever going to end. I picked a gear that I could pedal and just crawled my way to the top.
On the way to Knox, I saw hundreds of motorcycles on the road. It was a great day and the perfect road for me to ride on, so I suppose it was perfect for those bikers as well. Once in Knox, I stopped at the Pizza Shop for a ham and cheese sandwich. Yeah, I know, when was the last time I went anywhere near a pizza place and didn’t have pizza? Yup, never!
Hope you enjoy the video. It’s about 4 1/2 minutes long. There are a couple of clips showing me going pretty fast down the hills. What you don’t see is how slow I go up the hills.
I buried the headline all the way down here — coming up from the Clarion River, I took a dirt road for about 4 miles. The first mile was up a 12% incline and then the last 3 were between 8% and 12% with a few breaks going down or level. That was a tough finish for a 52.87 mile ride. The total ascent for the day was 3967 feet. That’s the most I’ve ever done in one day.
We’re staying in Clarion, PA for the night at the Holiday Inn. BIG upgrade from the cabin we were in yesterday. I’m pretty whooped. The plush bed is a welcome site!
Started to highlight your route in the Road Atlas. You were so right; picture perfect. The video is so clear. Thanks DH & be safe. I thinking of you each day! Jim C
Today was the first real deviation from the original map I posted. I was supposed to head South to Butler, PA, but stayed to the North instead. Should make for an easier ride tomorrow. Well, at least a short one I hope. The routes so far have been really good. Not a lot of traffic and most everyone gives me space on the side. Thanks for the well wishes!
My old stomping grounds. That’s the part of PA I’m from. The hills will get worse from there. That was the easy part. Right now I’m visiting my son in York, PA.
It’s a beautiful area Steve. Thanks for the encouragement – ha! I’ll be in Punxsutawney tonight. Hopefully just one day.
What a beautiful day and some great scenery to take in! Keep pedaling!
YES! Thanks!
Great pictures — say hi to Phil in Punxsutawney!
Read my blog for Day 8. More Phil then you probably want or need 🙂