Posts Tagged ‘Dayton’

Richmond….err ah Eaton?

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

Ahh computer time, a lovely way to get a bunch of things done. or to try and get things done. Eggs and Cucumber for breakfast, a bunch of planning and a ride back to Dayton followed by 2 hours of talking with Bill and Jenn. I love these two, they are amazing people and I am always so happy to have their aquaintance. But a late start on biking (2 pm). It was back roads the whole way, all by beautiful houses. A sparkling day until I met a ditch. I was crusing aong hugging the shoulder when I slipped off onto the gravel, something that has happened a 100 times before. What hasn’t happened 100 times before was my bike continuing into the ditch and my body taking a chance on flying. It seems I can make it 5 feet, uninjured. But there I was. I didn’t think it was that bad until I went for my bike. and the front wheel. bent at a 30 degree angle sideways. The shit had hit the fan(so to speak). There I was on a country road in the middle of nowhere, and have I forgot to mention. I think I did. I overdrew my bank account to come on this tour (-139.16 yay overdraft fees). no money and no ride. This is where the adventure begins. two women stop in vans asking if i need help, turns out they know some similar people andfigure out how to get me someplace that might be of help. Walmart is their answer. I decided if I can get a new rim that I can make it to the show. time passes, we ger to the walmart, they dont sell rims.  THey have things to do, so they leave me there. I call Bill and ask if he can come from Dayton(20 miles) to pick me up. he thinks the car will make it. As I am waiting there a man walks by and stares at me. Stops. walks back. he asks my story, I tell him and he instructs me to put my bike in the back of his truck. I comply. His name is Jeremy, a youth pastor from Eaton, OH and has taken it upon himself to help me out. He offers that  can have his rim if it fits my tire. it doesn’t. So he takes me to a guy. we try his. it doesn’t. A three bears syndrome is occuring. another man, no luck. SO he kindly brings me back to his home, feeds me, houses me and is more generous than anyone could ever be. We spent most of the night driving around talking, meeting members of the town and I his family ending with passing out on a soft plush couch.

Dayton, OH

Saturday, July 11th, 2009
Eric made quite the sweet breakfast. Eggs with spinach, and home fries, it was glorious. we talked a bit more and I headed out. The original plan was to take the shortest path to Richmond, but an old high school classmate of mine, Amy Sturzenbecker responded to my ‘need a place to stay in columbus’ post on facebook and offered her couch in dayton. I gladly accepted. so 10 miles more of biking for a great place to sta and a chance to see some old friends? what a trade! It was a quick ride of 40 miles. I finished Jerome K. Jerome’s ‘Stageland’, his worst book yet(at least that I have read…well listened to).  It was all just flat cornfields and nice driving all the way in. Running a bit late though I didnt arrive until 8 pm. My goal was to see my friends Jenn and Bill. Knowing they both worked on 5th street, I headed right down and sure enough found them at the Trolley, a wonderful bar in the Oregon district. Jenn was surprised, but not too. I have the knack of showing up unexpected in dayton just to say hi. Amy came to pick me up, it was surprisingly not awkward. We loaded my bike into her car and drove the 15 miles south to her place. A few blocks away they introduced me to the ‘Bad Juan’ a lovely margarita produced by a small chain of resturants in Dayton. 6.50(and all of my money) later, I was pretty drunk and we headed back. What a couch I tell you.