I love central Ohio Riding

I took the day off today to get some personal errands completed. But that did leave me with a little time to go for a short ride. Temperatures in the mid 70's made it just about perfect. So I took off with very few plans in mind. I grabbed the camera with hopes of catching a few pictures that would be of interest. What I captured is typical central Ohio.

Central Ohio rides can be a wonderful experience. There are highways like Rt 70 and Rt 71 cross the state in 4 lane divided ribbons. But for those a little more willing to take some time and see what the state has to offer, you will be rewarded with everything from straight long flat roads like US Route 40 (http://www.route40.net) that crosses the continent, to small gravel roads, to thrills of cresting a hill and encountering a set of blind curves starting with a 90 degree left followed by a 270 degree right switchback. Central Ohio brings together the best twisty roads of West Virginia with the long droning roads of Iowa with corn fields on both sides of the road. All this in a 60 mile ride. And along the roadside, you will find remnants of our history, running back through the 1900’s, 1800’s and occasionally 1700's. Some of these artifacts are exciting and have remained vital, others are derelicts representing a lifestyle that has gone by the wayside.

Just a few miles from my home are covered bridges and this Steel Truss bridge built in 1914 and is heavily used still today. It is nestled in the middle of nowhere, spanning a creek that, unless it has just rained, could be driven through by most of today's cars.

Small towns dot the roadside, often not large enough for a traffic light. Many have a church, a bar, and a general store. Some have old buildings still in use for town meetings and business, while other buildings have gone into disrepair and abandonment.

And throughout the countryside, you will find places to celebrate The Lord. Some churches tend to be hundreds of years old, stone monuments to large congregations and history. Others a small buildings, not much more than a shell of a building whose utiletarian style serves a preacher and a small congregation who is devote believers. And others are more like chapels, beautiful buildings with stained glass windows and towers that overlook the local farmland and small communities which they serve. All are beautiful in their own way.

All of these pictures were taken on a 60 mile ride just west of Columbus. I started going south on Rte 38, down to Rte 40. Then west until I hit route 56 where I headed north to Route 4 which took me back home.

With all the beauty, there are risks. Over the weekend, a bee flew into my helmet and stung me on the chin. Dang that hurt, but I was on the road and couldn't do anything but suffer through the sting. It is Tuesday, and that sting is still red and sore!!!

Weekend Ride

Spent a wonder weekend away from everything! It was hot (over 90 degrees) and sunny, and of course I was riding in near-full gear. Got to the hotel, got to a room, and found a nice cozy place for Kermit to spend out of the sun and rain (if it happened). Walked across the parking lot to a grocery store, grabbed some snacks and a 12 pack. Guess I was dehydrated a little as all but 3 bottles were gone by the time I fell asleep!


Saturday, morning, got up and rode over for breakfast at Cracker Barrel. A great national chain that guarantees good food at a decent price. I was riding with the face shield up so I could plenty of ventilation in that mile or so ride. A bug found his way into my helmet, hit me in the face, and fell down onto my chin. I figured it was a fly, and could feel it stumbling around on my chin. At that point, I found out what it really was - a BEE!!!! The darn thing stung me on my chin! It was painful, but nothing I could do as I was on a multi-lane road with planty of traffic. Sure enough, it swelled up and hurt Saturday, and by Sunday simply was itching.

After breakfast, and at least some of the pain subsiding, I took off for Grand Lake St. Mary's. It was about a 70 mile ride, and the sun beating down on me the whole time. Got a little lost, but the GPS saved me, pointing me down the right path. Got to the lake, changed clothes into a pair of short jeans, and jumped into the cool, algae laden lake. I layed around in the lake for a couple hours, along with all the campers and locals. "Sunscreen? We don't need no stinking sunscreen!" Yup - you guessed it. Sunburned shoulders!

Got back to the hotel, about 7 or 8 hours after leaving. Tired, hot, sweaty, and hungry. Got some chineese, went back to the hotel, and then ate. Then, of course, I went to watch the Browns "play" football - play, cause the sure as heck were not taking it seriously!

I only rode about 150 miles Saturday. And between Friday night and Sunday, it was another 150 miles. Not much, but my rear still hurt! I have not been riding much this year. It felt great to be on the bike again, even if it was hotter than hades.

Risky Weather pattern

The weather can be very dangerous in central ohio. You never know when the weatherman will make his mark on the news.

Kilo's Australian Adventure - Melbourne

For the final location in Australia, I received local recommendations. The Royal Botanical Garden in Melbourne won out. It was Friday afternoon after I finished all my work and meetings in the office, and took a taxi back to the hotel. It was a cool day in the low 50's and had light rain. I took Kilo's final bit of ashes with me for a walk past Flinders Street Station and along the Yarra River.
It was quite a walk, with the cool and damp weather. There were runners and bicyclists out for their daily exercise. And more than a few rugby games as well. After walking past some other gardens, I finally found the entrance for the Royal Botanical Garden. Once you walked past the gates, it felt like a quiet refuge from the hustle of the city. I walked around the ponds, had an espresso, and finally found a nice quiet and beautiful location. I spread Kilo's ashes with some final well wishes.

Kilo's Australian adventure - Sydney

This weekend, Kilo and I made the trip to Sydney Australia. We took a walk along the Circular Quay on Sunday morning. The day is beautiful, with the sun shining and a few billowy clouds as a backdrop. Far less somber than the Central Ohio location. So we stopped and watched a young street performer do her act. I knew Kilo would be smiling, and probably snickering, as she did her contortionist's positions.



We walked further down the pier where we had a great perspective of the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House. Such a beautify building, what a wonderful view. A sight that is equated to Australia, and to Sydney.



I found a picturesque location across the bay for Kilo, a place where he could easily reach the water. I looked around to ensure there were no police to be seen (I was warned by the receptionist at the hotel "it was illegal to spread ashes, so just don't get caught"), and scattered Kilo's ashes into the Pacific Ocean where he will be able to watch the comings and goings in one of the most scenic areas in the world. The first picture below is where I spread his ashes, over the edge where the man is standing. The second is a picture showing the outcropping of the location, and the Opera House.



One last trip for Kilo and I to make. At the end of the week, I travel to Melbourne. We will find one final location there for Kilo.

Susie, I am sure Kilo is smiling at all the places that he has gone over the last week. You and the brothers and sisters of VROC are doing a wonderful thing, fulfilling a man's last wish.

Kilo

"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." - Genesis 3:19

I received some of Kilo's ashes today. My intent was to set up a ride, but frankly the gravity and onus overwhelmed me, and I just had to free some of his ashes tonight. My apologies to Kickstand for being unable to wait. I rode up to Delaware, walked to the top of the damn, said a little prayer for his peace and for those he left behind, including his wife, Babe-In-The-Wind, and 28,000 VROC brethren, and untold numbers of people he touched in his life.

With a smile, and half-a-tear, I let the wind take his ashes back to where they came. His soul, spirit, essence, or what-ever-you-may-believe is free from the bindings of this world. I pray he is watching and smiling as brothers and sisters are letting his ashes fly all over the world.

A couple of pics of his new Home in Ohio:

A clean bike and fridge

The last time my bike got a wash - a REAL wash - was before the Spring Rally in Angola. There was a layer of dust, bug carcases, mud, and even some tar/rubber stuff stuck to my muffler. So today, I opted to take a few hours and strip the bike of all the leather, nascille, saddlebags, seats, etc and give it a good, deep wash from stem to stern.

Then after the wash, I pulled it back into the garage and gave it some wax for both the paint and the chrome. Not a perfect job, but it took over 3 hours of pleasurable, detailed, mind numbing, tedious effort that has resulted in a much better looking bike - and a better attitude.

What's with the fridge in the title of this entry? I also cleaned out all of the remaining Canadian beer ! ! ! Side effect of the near-90 degree temperatures. ;-)

Somber thoughts remain

Kilo had a last request, to have his ashes spread wide and far. His wife wanted to do this, and reached out to the 27,000 members of VROC for help. Immediately, dozens and dozens of people lined up to help. All across the US and Canada, small portions of Kilo's ashes will be freed to the wind, water, and nature in general. But it is not stopping there. Small packets will be shipped around the world; Trinidad, Japan, Europe, New Zealand. Personally, I offered to spread some of his ashes in Ohio, and also in Australia when I travel there next week.

I am amazed at how quickly dozens and dozens of people stepped up to help Kilo's wife to fulfill his last wishes, surrounding the world. Some have set up a memorial ride to distribute the ashes, others are doing it quietly. A fund was set up to take donations to help out with the mailing and funeral costs.

And even more amazing - I have seen this happen over and over, when someone is in need, in pain, or just running into a rough patch. Most times, it is simple words of comfort and prayers. Sometimes it is volunteering of time or talent, and occasionally money.

Many times, these people have never met. They just know each other through the Internet. Myself, I have only met 30-40 out of the thousands. Next year, one of the largest rallies is being held in Kentucky and I have committed to attend with the hopes of meeting over 100 people I speak to over the net almost nightly.

So my thoughts have been somber as of late. Revisiting what is important to me, to my life. I took a short ride this evening to be alone with my thoughts. There are some back roads out of town that I take sometimes, going into Columbus. About half way is a statue, pretty much in the middle of nowhere. I stopped there tonight, sat for a little bit. The statue is in memory of the men lost during the bloodiest war America has ever seen - The Civil War. You can click on the images below and get a larger image.



So tonight, rambling thoughts as I sort through the pain and the joys of life. As always, making decisions that seem to be the right ones. A friend of mine was contemplating what success really meant. Inline with my thoughts over the last few days, I quoted my favorite Greek philosopher, Anonymous [grin]:

"You have achieved success if you have lived well, laughed often and loved much."

On the passing of Kilo and ChuckB

I have been neglecting Kermit since Angola. A few minor rides, but nothing significant. I took a week's vacation last week, and met up with a few of the VROC members from Canada. I found out that two of our early members lost their lives in accidents, one of which was precipitated by a heart attack. There is a lot of somber talk, of memories, of services for the lost friends. We all take a chance when we ride, some more than others. We take chances when we get out of bed too. It is a sliding scale of grey.

A VROC member posted something that is worth sharing with all that read this blog...enjoy, have a tear, or a smile.

Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other
That we are still
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way you always used
Put no difference into your tone
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed
At the little jokes we always enjoyed together
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was
Let it be spoken without effect
Without the ghost of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolute unbroken continuity
What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you for an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner
All is well.
Nothing is past; nothing is lost
One brief moment and all will be as it was before
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!

Canon Henry Scott-Holland, 1847-1918, Canon of St Paul's Cathedral

2008 Angola Rally

Lugnut and Barbara - what great hosts they are! Food, ice, booze, coffee, chairs, campfire, grassy area for tents...what more could you want?!? I spent about 500 miles on the bike, and had a great time getting there. I was a day late, but made it. People flowed in and out all day Friday and Saturday, and then all left Sunday morning. Met some new people, and hooked up with some old friends. This is what riding and rallies are all about for me!

I spoke with some of the local residence of Walden Woods who wanted to know what happened Friday night. They came over to the our gathering at around 10:30, but we had all gone to bed! :-)

Click on the pictures if you want to see a larger version!



The beer does amazing things to your vision...Ahhh...the colors...


And there were multiple kinds of animals there!



It was really hot riding back. I stopped in New Haven, outside of Fort Wayne. It was a nice park just across from a golf course, and I had it all to myself. I sat in the pavilion for 20 mins, drinking a bottle of water and had a cigar that I had been saving for just such an occasion.

I refuse to ride without my protective gear. It was so hot and humid that I pulled my t-shirt off and road with just my textile jacket. And for those who cringed, it is machine washable!

About an hour later, I made one more stop at a local dairy queen type place, and grabbed a large diet pepsi. Took my jacket off and put shirt back on and sat outside while I drank the soda and rehydrated. Met a truck driver on his way to South Dakota.

Back on the road with just the jacket on again, and about 17 miles from home I hit storms and even a bit of hail. If nothing else, it cooled things down!

All in all, it was a good ride and a rally.