Today's ride was almost all flat. I was SO glad! We had a only two big climbs on our route, but we (Kathy, Jennifer, and I) got lost in Stonelick, and asked a local guy for directions. Big Mistake!! The way he told us to go took us down the worst hill of the day, then when we realized that it was in the wrong direction, we had to CLIMB BACK UP IT!! We made it to Milford, though, for our first night in Ohio. Little Bo Peep had to take Marilyn to the airport, so we didn't have a SAG stop every 20 like we usually do. The van and trailer served as a SAG at twenty miles, then we were on our own. It was not a problem today, there were stores along the way. I am glad to be at the Holiday Inn Express, showered and cool, and ready to begin our rest day. We're going out to a Mexican restaurant for dinner tonight--a nice change from "Cafe Trailer" and parking lot seating. Patty, our chef, is leaving the tour tomorrow. She signed on for the first three weeks, and is being replaced now by a tour guide/chef, Michelle. I'll miss Patty's great meals, but I have heard good things about Michelle's cooking from some of the ladies who have been on other WomanTours where Michelle was the chef.
We all said good-by to Marilyn this morning. She was in quite a bit of pain, but is really a tough lady, and insisted on flying alone to her home in W. Bloomfield, MI. She is the third one to leave the tour since Mobile. I can't remember if I told you that the founder of WT started with us, riding a recumbant, but developed knee problems and went home the first week. Then, Christine (you've seen her in some of my early photos), abandoned the tour and went home in Louisville. Tomorrow we add five new riders who signed up for just the last two weeks, so now we are back where we started, plus one. I will enjoy having some new faces join us. Getting to know these ladies has been a pleasure.
The view from my hotel room last night in Maysfield, KY, was the bridge in the photo above. I snapped the picture from out my window. This morning was the last time we'll cross the Ohio River, and today was my first look at the state of Ohio. I've heard it is flatter than Kentucky. I HOPE SO!
Today - 69.7 miles
