Two Wheels with a Charge Day 2
Xenia to Columbus: Friends, a flat tire, and a good finish with laughs
Today was shaping up to be a promising weather day as I pedaled out of Xenia. The forecast was mid 80s with overcast skies and no wind. I would not miss the blazing sun and Florida summer temperatures of yesterday. The Prairie Grass Trail’s heavy shade and cool morning made the ride to Cedarville enjoyable.
 I skipped breakfast at the hotel choosing to meetup with my cycling pal Al in Cedarville. We had arranged breakfast and a morning of cycling. Beans and Cream, a small town coffee shop, has one of best breakfasts on the trail. We spent a good bit of time talking about cycling over eggs and toast. We cycled off to London on a caffeine high. Al would turn back for home in London.
It’s a nice change to cycle with another person on a solo tour. I love having quiet cycling time to myself, but it's a welcome diversion to share the time and miles with laughs and talk. The 22 miles passed fast arriving at London by 10:00 am.  We said our xgood byes. I pedaled on to meetup with Jody Dzuranin, the executive director of the Ohio to Erie Trail.
The flat farmland miles of the Roberts Pass and Camp Chase Trails passed fast. Jody was waiting at Battelle Darby Creek trailhead to cycle into Columbus with me. Trail talk made the miles pass fast. We stopped for a selfie  at the I-270 Camp Chase bridge. Heading east the pop and hiss dreaded by cyclists brought our fast ride to an abrupt stop.
Flat as pancake rear tire! Unfortunately there was no spare inner tube in her seat bag. My fatty E-bike tube was enormous compared to her skinny road bike tube. Â Her tire patch kit had lost its patching ability and was of no help. We fought valiantly with no reward to make the patch stick. I knew it was futile since the leak was at the base of the tube stem. To llighten the atmosphere I took several selfies reflecting the mixed moods.
Fortunately, we were a mile from Wahlberg RV. Chris Hadocy, the vice president of the Ohio to Erie Trail was in his office at the dealership and came to our rescue. I cycled to the dealership while Chris Uber’d Jody to join me for cold water at the dealership. Chris shuttled Jody to her car parked near my hotel downtown. I cycled the final 7 1/2 miles with no issues being in familiar territory.. Jody an I enjoyed dinner with laughs.
Every tour has to some sort of misstep or problem. The thing I'll probably remember the most about this tour is the time at that I-270 bridge and battling the flat. Chris was the knight in shining armor that saved the day.
There’s an interesting twist to this story. In 2018 I was cycling the Ohio to Erie Trail’s annual ride. The remnants of a hurricane flooded the Alum Creek Trail. The ride cyclists were shuttled to Westerville. Jody was the shuttle driver for my friends Carrie and Matt and me.
Tomorrow I’m off to my home town of Mount Vernon. The remnants of a hurricane is passing through the area tonight. I am hoping that the Alum Creek Trail is not flooded. I do know an excellent shuttle driver though!
Today’s miles: 62
Tour miles: 133
Thanks for sharing your ride with me yesterday! And be cautious on the Alum Creek bridges. They can be very slippery when wet! Safe travels my friend!!!