I’m Going To Die in the Desert

Just to be clear, the title of this post is supposed to be read with a humorous tone. I wanted to get that out of the way before anyone started thinking there was going to be some gloomy tone to come. Perish the thought (pun intended).

My morning began with trying to determine where I would be heading and where I would be staying. Once I decided on the former, the latter was unexpectedly solved. The question of heading was answered by choosing Defiance, Ohio as my target for the day. The accommodation question was answered by my host Bob who offered to contact his sister, Sue, who happens to live in Defiance. Shortly thereafter my accommodation plans were set. To say that Bob and Colleen were generous hosts would be a gross understatement.

After showing Bob the route that Google was proposing for the 90 km ride to Defiance, he was quick to say that he wouldn’t go that way. Instead, he proposed a much simpler (and more enjoyable) route. A route that required about five turns (as opposed to, well … Google’s route of a LOT more than five turns). For some reason, Google wanted me to be zigzagging all over the place … and I can only guess as to how many gravel roads that would’ve included. Conversely, Bob’s route was a VERY cycle-friendly route. Minimal traffic and good shoulders. I don’t know what Google was thinking. Does anyone?

Oh, and one last thing about Bob and Colleen … they have a Miata so clearly they are good people (not that there was any doubt)!

My ride along Bob’s route was mostly effortless. There was a bit of a wind but nothing that hindered my progress significantly. The road was lacking any sort of big climbs or descents so my average speed was pretty good – although, for the same reason my maximum speed was pretty limited. Things were going so well that I ended up going about 50 km before I stopped for lunch at a nice shaded area with a picnic table. Seriously, picnic tables are truly luxurious on a bike tour.

After my lunch/shade stop, I resumed my ride towards Defiance. I don’t know if was my full stomach (or, at least appeased anyway), or maybe my newly hydrated body (at least partially), or maybe just the beautiful sunny day in which I was riding but I couldn’t help but think life is pretty great. Here I was on a well-maintained road, with minimal traffic, a wide shoulder, a manageable wind, and all the essentials I really needed (plus a few luxury items mixed in) loaded on my bike. There’s a lot to be said for keeping things simple.

Other than life being good, the other thing I couldn’t help but notice was the arrival of summer temperatures. I don’t know how hot today ACTUALLY was but there was definitely a notable increase in temperature on this day. The thing is, often when you’re riding you don’t really notice the heat because of the constant breeze that comes with a moving bike. However, when you STOP for whatever reason, well … that’s when your body really lets you know what you’re dealing with. And today I was dealing with very sweaty stops. VERY.

According to my cycling computer, the temperature at one point was 36.4°C (97.5°F). In all honesty, I don’t really know how accurate that was. I suspected, not overly. Later in the day, when the bike was in the shade it was reading 28.5°C (83.3°F). That seemed somewhat more plausible. Either way, it was a hot ride. And no, I’m certainly not complaining about the heat. Having spent the past 8.5 months chilled, some warmth was long overdue. That said, I started to imagine what cycling in the desert in July (or August) would be like before quickly realizing that I’m likely going to find out first hand! I couldn’t help but laugh. Moments later the title of this post was born. (Yes, still read with a humorous tone.)

Anyway, I arrived in Defiance without incident (sweaty but that’s hardly an incident) and, not surprisingly, Sue was very welcoming and generous. There was an excellent dinner and lots of conversation before everyone called it a night … I think the sun may have taken a bit of a toll on me as I was pooped by the end of the evening. Or maybe I’m just getting old!

Side note: While I did a decent job of staying fed and hydrated today, I didn’t do quite so well with the application of sunscreen. Sigh. It’s always something! But hey, it’s only Day Six … I’m still getting back into the swing of things.

Today’s totals:
Distance: 89.90 km
Ride time: 3:42:56
Average speed: 24.19 km/h
Maximum speed: 38.70 km/h