Day 53 - Three border crossings
Day 53 - Conneaut, OH to Corry, PA - 69 miles - 2982 feet of elevation gain
We left a little later this morning because of the rain that was promising to pass through and to give everyone a little extra sleep. The first 20 miles looked threatening but the hope was that we were out ahead of the rain. We crossed into PA around mile 4 on our way north to Erie. At our first water stop we stopped at a gas station so we could use the restroom. While there the store closed because their registers went down. While we were trying to figure out what layers to put on and grab some snacks, it started to rain. It was the oddest thing, I was over near the grass eating cherries when I looked to the left and watched big drops hitting a large puddle. Then suddenly the rain moved the 20ft to envelop us. A few jumped in the trailer and others ran under the gas pump covering. I grabbed some layers from the van and jumped in the trailer to get ready.
As we looked at the radar, the rain wasn’t moving anywhere fast. Apparently I was deemed the decision maker for when we would begin riding. All bundled up in waterproof gear, I stepped out of the trailer and said “Let’s go!” Immediately after these words left my mouth, the sky opened up and dumped more rain. The guys under the awning were like “no!” So I went and grabbed my bike and came around the trailer and again yelled “Let’s go!” And again, the sky opened up with more rain. The group yelled back “Stop saying that! It’s bringing more rain!” So four of us said “See ya, we are rolling!” It wasn’t long later that the others followed. The rain and wind were crazy! We entered the outskirts of Erie with sidewalks and curbs, which served as water collection points. I was trying to steer around these pools, but as the rain increased and my glasses filled with water droplets, it became harder to see. It also didn’t help that my sunglasses only darkened what was getting even darker on its own. So we are rolling along and I completely miss a big puddle and the entire group of boys goes cruising through it. The noises that came out of their mouths as they entered the 4-5 inches of water made me laugh.
The rain eventually subsided and we began peeling layers off. It was getting later in the day and all of us were getting hungry. About 5 miles from lunch we had to change a flat and then got moving again. When we got to the lunch stop at a park, the sun was shining and we could eat without getting wet.
Another fun point of today, besides the rain and entering our home Commonwealth of PA, was that we got to add an extra state to our list. In a reroute we added New York to the list. Besides the rain, it was a beautiful ride day. PA smelled familiar with the wafting molecules of manure in the air. Our ride days are coming to an end so fast, so we will enjoy all that PA has to offer. Although we hope the rain is over! Not too many pictures because of the drips!
