WOOSTER, OH TO NILES, OH

Wooster, OH to Niles, OH
96.74 miles in 6 hrs 15 min
15 June 2010

One of the worst days riding I have ever had on tour. The country was beautiful here in noeth east Ohio, BUT the roads were the worst I have ever had to ride any distance on. In addition the terrible portions were unpredictable. Crossroads has change this route 4 time, but the roads deteriorate so quickly there are many, many patches that would be better or being gravel than supposedly paved. I was worried about injury not only to myself, but the bike. We felt like we knew what the European pros go through on the cobbles. So rough you could not eat on the bike.


That said, Rick, the mechanic, (and a great rider) rode with Jim H and I and did a great job of guiding us as best as possible. On to better things.


Time to talk about the SAGS (support and gear) Crossroads provides. It starts with great transportation equipment. That is two vans and a truck. The truck carries all the bags (and can get to the hotel ahead of the riders and get the bags in the room before the rides get there), and the vans support the riders with bumps (rides) if needed, plus snacks, bars, gels, water and gateraide. There are a great variety of all of the above, plus they get fresh fruit, cakes, and good snacks from the grocery store every day.. In the last three days we have had carrot cake, pineapple dipped in chocolate, apples dipped in carmel, strawberries, etc. You get the idea. Really nice when added to the bars and gels. Gels are small packs of high energy stuff that you can shoot in your mouth in about 5 sec and contain about 100 cal. These are to be eaten while riding as are the bars.

Our truck with Zack (the best truck driver and bag handler ever)

He is holding my bike, also great and alot better than me

Our two support vans. Wait till you see as SAG stop
as we call it. Uaually two SAGs on rides longer than 80 miles

Oh, boy! Fresh grapes, small donuts, carrots with dip,

bannas and various bars at this SAG

Now you see the whole SAG set up.
Coolers with gateraide and water, and between them

more bars and jels.

We are definitely spoiled.