IN 2 OH

I'm Sorry dear reader.  I've been twenty types of tired this week (and one fresh set of vittoria tyres).  And along with trying to write right after a few compliments for some of my writing, added onto a brief self imposed digital detox, I've fallen well behind.  So I'll attempt to update the journey since Indiana in note form.  Add in a few incongruous pictures, and summarise with some thoughts and meanderings from a week or so cycling.  Feel free to leave now if that's not your cup of tea.  Lovely, lets begin...

Columbus, IN to Cincinnati

• Leaving Columbus
• Shit breakfast
• nice late start
• mis-calculated distances
• architectural tour
• churches on a Sunday morning (with singing)
• Then some rain
• riding in the rain
• humid
• heat
• coffee
• rain
• Cherry Pie (better than that sweet cream pie stuff the other day)
• Fresh Tyres thanks to Vittoria

Riding in the rain was for a while sweet relief from the searing heat of the previous day.  And generally we were lucky just to encounter a few showers which passed by the time jackets were on again




The ride into Cincinnati had a few directional issues, as can now be expected in any city, and we weren't in the best part of town. But did get to go out for an Indian, which was very nice indeed.

My song for Cincinnati was The King of Rock 'n' Roll by Prefab Sprout, as Cincinnati has the same amount of syllables as Albuquerque.





Annoying earworm of the day due to the nature of this feeling of endlessly rolling on:


So that was yesterday, this is today, and I must keep rolling on.

Cincinnati to Xenia

Over dinner (A very nice Indian, which possibly made me miss home more, but was worth it) we discussed the possibility of starting the day with a trip into the city and out, or just find the trail and get to Xenia.  At the time I was against an unnecessary navigation into Cincinnati.  I've called myself an urban researcher for twitter purposes, and think that fits well into how I see myself at the moment - along with adventure cyclist.  But even though I know the name of a city doesn't mean that I need to see it in more depth, if it means another 20 miles!




We were outside the hotel for a press call at 8.  Full Rapha!  There was some to-ing and fro-ing but we didn't leave til 9-ish and were led out by Jim, a city engineer who gave us a bit of a tour round town.

Apart from some of the stunning buildings and a few lovely parks, i was massively hit by the degree of dereliction and gentrification so close together, but they seemed to be two separate entities.  Cycling down one block you could see the change,pushing the have-nots further away from desirable gentrified neighbourhood.  This is purely on the hoof observation, and it's clear that there is some sort of attempt to pull a once very prosperous city back up to the A game.  But just sits uncomfortably with some of the deprivation that seemed to be on show.

• Musical fountains (Queen)
• Dodgy streets
• The Mayor
• Crashing a press call
• Hot hot socks
• Cycling through Cincinnati
• Views of Kentucky
• Mariemont Village
• Trails & sunshine
• Little MIami Scenic Trail

Xenia to Columbus, OH

• Sheeting down with rain
• Peter on the radio
• Shopping expedition
• Catching up the group
• 30 miles atg average 19m.p.h.
• Various interesting wildlife, chipmunks, birds of different colours.  A gopher I think.
• Humid
• riding into London and meeting the gang at McDonalds.
• Jumped in the van to get to the park in Columbus and help with Lunch.  
• Rode through Alton also, not sure if it's named after the Alton in Hants or Alton in Alton Towers, but another town named after home.
• Tom and I put on a bit of a barbie with lots of veg and steak and proper place mats.  Very fancy.
• Last bit into Columbus in the van was pretty un-pretty.  More sprawl and drive throughs and wide wide highways full of cars.  Human scale schuman scale!

Took the time to walk around a bit, can't find the centre.
OK it was the end of business time, but every street seemed packed with cars with one person in.  On top of the endless sprawl on the way in wasn't too encouraging.  Had a beer or two in the bar at the hotel (what a treat.  Then out for dinner round the corner and I snuck off for a late night haircut with James.

Columbus OH to Zanesville

Leaving out the other side of the city was through lovely leafy suburbs, quite different to the drive in before the BBQ.  Another glaring symbol of the disparity between one side of town and another.
Licking county, which we passed through, however at our rest stop I chose a milkshake over an ice cream so there was more sucking than licking. Ahem.
There was some pretty knarley highway for a while.  But then we got onto some nice country roads and were able to just chill and enjoy the ride a little more.
Got into Zanesville checked out the information centre, checked into the motel - Econo lodge - which I always hear in movie trailer guy voice.
The advance party headed off for lunch and took in views of the Y bridge we came into town over.
Personal admin: laundry and bike maintenance.

Zanesville to Steubenville

Putting the Ben in Steubenville since 4.30pm
Long day riding, leaving at 7 am in bright sunshine.
We climbed the most we have since Powder River pass we were informed at our meeting this afternoon, this is not net gain however.
I loved it, the sun may have been very hot and there was quite a lot of heavy traffic.  But having the constant ups and downs is probably my favourite thing about bike rides, as in a proper bike ride, there are many things I love about bikes, and riding bikes, but if you're going out oin a bike for the sake of a bike ride the work of the ascent and pay-off of the descent is what makes the whole thing so fun for me. ANd views.  These hills mean we're actually getting vies again.  Sure there's a possibility there were some good ones heading out of Le Crosse, but there was too much cloud and mostly since Wyoming it's been too flat or overcast to have proper views... long views across hills and trees and everything.



Which brings me to one of the themes of my thought over the last few days. It's the repeat of conflicts.  I'm really getting excited about getting home.  After so long on the road to get back to London, see family and friends.  To be able to get back out and ride the downs.  To see the sea and find out what I've missed out on, and captivate people with my tales of the ride and slideshow (in case they've neglected to check in here on the odd occasion, shame on them).  But I'm also really worried about getting home. Back to the slog.  Seriously needing to get that job.  Schlepping around selling myself off for an entry level job in an industry I now more by the day that I'm so geared up for.  The hours of re-submitting C.V.s and applications for nothing.  The loss of this weird dysfunctional family.  As much as each of them (yes sorry, you know we all are at some time or another) can be, it'll be so strange not to have this rolling road show every day.  Not having the day planned out in one way or another.



Riding across america has become my normality.  I've become very off hand when people ask about the journey now.  I'm a little perplexed when people show such interest and almost admiration for our crazy journey, whenever we stop for coffee, particularly in a  small town high street, rather than a diner or something, everyone says how amazing the journey is .  'Home' seems very distant and abstract.  I like to think I've adapted well to this lifestyle, but how well will I back to Herne Hill?

But before that there is more work to do.  There is increasing interest in our findings around the research side of the trip.  And I'm more invigorated in every city we reach.  Maybe when I get back to London I'll be able to see that with new eyes too.

So yet again, stop worrying about things that wont happen, enjoy the ride, make comprehensive notes and don't forget to have some fun!  Pittsburgh here we come...

Lafayette to Indianapolis and Columbus, IN

Another corking day, packed with surprises and pleasures and rammed to the gills with activities

• Sun
• Hot sun
• riding
• resting
• coffee
• chats
• stamps
• postcards
• more sun
• peaceful rural roads
• chats and chilling
• general route confusion (standard)
• resting
• Colfax
• Coffee
• ridingLebanon
• recommendations & local knowledge
• local reporter
• amazing hospitality
• pretty girls
• distractions and food
• cycling
• suncream
• sensible
• sidewalks
• highways
• trails into Indianapolis
• runners
• property

• A city, 
• a motel 
• in the centre
• on a friday

Left the motel early, and pretty soon after a little highway negotiation we were cycling down blissful country roads.




Yet again there were so many incidental things during the day that may or may not warrant commentary.  But they were mostly superseded by a very busy evening in Indianapolis.  We had a couple of nice stop offs in Colfax and Lebanon.  Lebanon was a particularly good one, where we were greeted by the lady from over the road who brought out some postcards of the town and called the local reporter.  We were given some tips on where to go in Indy.  I popped over to get a soda and was very tempted to just stay in Lebanon for at least the rest of the day.  Our little venture seemed to have become the talk of the town.




Nic & Sarah went off to take a more 'direct route' to speed into Indianapolis, while the 7 of the remaining team rode on along the busy highway to join the Monon trail into town.  A brilliant rails to trails project that links up the northern limits of town to the city centre.  Has been a catalyst to other improvements too not least of which is the cultural trail that goes around the centre of the city.



The level of detailing and quality of surfaces, almost all the way around is probably the most comprehensive active transportation project we've seen on this trip, and probably the most impressive I've seen anywhere.  Excellent signage, detailed surface work, incorporation of drainage in the planting.  All very impressive.




I had to claim that Indianapolis is my new favourite city when Jamison led us to the Indy Bike hub, which was right next to the Market.  The bike hub is a pretty comprehensive  well, bike hub.  There's ample parking, showers, lockers, a YMCA gym, a bike shop and mechanics.  A few of the P2P riders had various mechanical and cosmetic issues to attend to for their steeds which were well addressed.  I know that in the 6 or so months since I bought my new Surly (which actually almost exactly coincides with the amount of time I've been a non smoker... neat) it's done a little over 5,000 miles what with pre P2P training, and the whole riding across America thing.  I attempted to change the chain back in Three Forks but it was already too late so I'm just running the chain set into the ground now, and am pretty hesitant to take it to a mechanic, like a man with a mysterious lump on his balls may avoid seeing the doctor.  You just know that if you take it in to get sorted out it's gonna cost more than you can afford and take a good chunk out of your available time.




After a beer in the Market, which reminded me of an American, more sanitised, bigger version of Brixton Market.  Jamison took me on a mini tour of the Cultural Trail.  Very glad I did so, and also that I took some notes for future reference.  Yet again I am bowled over at the hospitality and enthusiasm of our hosts.  I am all to aware that many of the people we meet are firmly in the pro-bike camp and all my discussions the last seven weeks revolve in some way about bikes, but as the journey continues I see my view of how the research is shaping up being better defined.  There are trends and patterns, across all the energetic successes that we are seeing.




I have spoken before about the unfortunate nature of our trip that we only get a fleeting taste of any one place at a time.  It is such a shame to glance through cities like Milwaukee and Indianapolis  cities which I must admit hadn't registered too much in terms of the research side of this trip, and not much outside the wider cultural reference points (e.g. Happy Days, The Indy 500).  But these 'smaller' cities along with the main break points have all thrown up some really interesting points of focus for how modern cities in  a changing world are incorporating cycling into a wider agenda, and the reasons why.




Anyway, more on the cycling research at an appropriate time.  As I am sure you, lovely reader, after trawling through all this dirge want to know all about how I went out and ate a massive burger and had the rest of the team pay for it.  No? OK then, just ask me when you see me.

Like I say  It was a shame to skip through Indy so quickly.  Beyond the interesting bike stuff it seemed a lively city, and as the state capital it would have been great to have been able to hang about a bit more to actually take in some of the cultural features on the cultural trail!

But we're off, and another day in the saddle, to Columbus IN.

I wont go into too much detail.

• It was hot
• it still is
• very hot
• that burger didn't sit too well
• nice pace though
• some lovely shaded rolling hills and scenic roads
• relaxed mood and an early arrival
• Lots of riders out oin a Saturday morning as well
• clearly a thriving bike 'scene' but how many use those swish machines (or an alternative) for anything other than bombing down the lovely Indiana roads on a weekend?

Too late for a haircut now, best try and get some dinner.






oh and I feel a little bad for the lovely people of Indiana that before I arrived basically this was all I knew about the state.  But I know a little more now :)

Indiana and on

We had a late start for a tour of the Farnsworth House.  I opted out of the trip, and not to perpetuate the planner verses architect antipathy that likes to be put about, i didn't really need to sit in a car for four hours to see a one bedroom house now do I? I mean, I can just look at the pictures right :). I had the intention of a ride back into town and to make the most of my last few hours in the city.  However the opportunity of a relaxing morning packing and organising my copious notes and pictures became too much of a lure.




It's a new chapter in the P2P Story now.  Change of personell all round.  Mike, Rob & Bron have left for now to make their respective ways back to blighty and join us again there when the time comes.  Peter is back in London for business, Heinz has had to break off for a week or so also, Antonia and Simon have joined from London with fresh legs.  It's probably pretty evident from this, this and this that I had a pretty good break in Chicago.




The first day out was short in terms of riding.  Mostly on trails which were a little inconsistent in places.  Travelling through a variety of neighbourhoods, but nothing too fancy like.  Encountered some road works and bridge outages to adjust the route a little.  Grant says I was being an apologist for  my new best mate (well i'd like to think so any way with the idea of angling for a job and settling in Chicago for a time) by pointing out that the appalling state of the bike lanes and incomplete routes at time were actually probably outside of the jurisdiction of city transport issues and lie with state or other counties.  So I haven't checked the political boundaries, but it was an interesting point raised in our discussions about plans for the city that the Mayors policies in Chicago are based on those who live in the city, therefore vote for the mayor.  If you don't then you don't deserve so much of a say.  If you wanna vote no, then move yourself back into the city and stop commuting in by car (or however you do). I like that kind of attitude, but I guess it is helpful to have a very powerful position in terms of decision making and enactment as Mayor of Chicago.




Armed with maps provided at the meeting with the ATA we carried on our journey:

• More incomplete routes.
• some hairy highways.
• negotiating some "down at heel" suburbs of South Chicago.
• bridge out.
• diversions.
• parks.
• Trails.
• Inauspicious state boundaries.
• Hello Indiana.
• Normal route faffing.
• A little taunting from a pubescent driver "use the sidewalk dummies".
• Nice trails
• Coming into the motel with the air heavy with storm brewing
• The storm arriving just after I've washed for supper

Next day out from Merrillville to Lafayette, IN.  Started with fear of a storm, but quickly dissipated.  For a very long day it was very relaxing really.  And very fast.  just shy of ahundred and ten miles in just shy of 6 and a half hours.  Back on the highways again.  Riding single file in the morning had that weird "I'm surrounded by people but strangely lonely" feeling again for the first time in a few weeks.  But then after a stop (with ice cream sundae) it looked sure not to rain, I put the old boom box back on and had some tunes to lift the mood.  A variety, but this may have been the tops.



Do disco riding down the road with a big stupid smile :)  We had a blissful stop off for lunch by a lake that looked more like a river.  But there you go.  I could have stayed at the bar up the road all day.  But there was still a fair distance to ride.




I must admit at this time it's another occasion of all the insightful witty things I had to say about the day and wider trip escaping me.   After a successful day I retire to bed and hope to be able to enjoy tomorrow as much as today.  Crossed into EST now, less than 3 weeks from New York and 5 Hours from London!



Don't forget to enjoy the ride!