Two Wheels with a Charge Day 8
Cleveland to Akron: All good things must come to an end
Bands of green were moving east across western Ohio and Lake Erie when I awoke to the local weather forecast. It wasn't exactly music to a cyclist's ears - high winds and scattered thunderstorms were brewing across northern Ohio. Two rounds of storms, one in the morning and another rolling through later in the day were on their way. I fished out my rain jacket from my pannier, prepping for a day of unpredictable weather.
Greg and I headed across the street to Grumpy’s Café, a Tremont neighborhood favorite breakfast and lunch spot. There was always a line out the door and down the street when I cycled my Cleveland route on a weekend. We walked through the door 15 minutes after opening to an empty room. There would be no locals to visit with on my last breakfast of this tour.
The sky was cloudy and threatening as we headed back to the Airbnb to ready the bikes for the day. It would be a fast ride today with few stops. We will be reversing yesterday’s towpath ride hoping to beat the advancing rain. We made our final descent into the Cleveland Flats on the towpath from the neighborhood connector just a block from our overnight.
The miles passed fast, and the weather was clearing with hints of blue sky peeking through the clouds. The morning wave missed us. We pedaled past Steelyard Commons and into the Cleveland Metroparks meandering towpath.
Luck was on our side as the weekday closures at Brecksville were open. There was a worker directing traffic at Station Road. They are finishing the limestone surface on one of the two towpath options to the north. The project is nearing completion. It is unlikely that it will result in closure.
There was little traffic on the towpath, only those who braved the ominous forecast. We pedaled past the Boston Store. The clouds parted ways to a sunny sky. Yesterday's rain and the cool morning air washed everything clean, leaving the surrounding nature sparkling and the air refreshing.
Our progress came to a halt with a hiss from one of Greg’s trike front tires. Repairing a flat is a social experience when cycling with others. Everyone has a technique to make the repair easier and wants to chip in. It turns an inconvenience into a time to bond. Greg and I worked together and quickly got him back on the trail.
Passing Peninsula and Deep Lock Quarry, we were approaching one of my favorite stops on my towpath rides from my years living in the Akron area. Szalay’s Farm Market, just west of the towpath at Hunt Road, is an Akron tradition. Making good time under clear skies warranted a visit to the market.
I avoided the market on my weekend rides with their parking lots overflowing and a hoard of shoppers. Business this Monday morning was brisk but not crowded. The main attraction, sitting front and center, is a hay wagon overflowing with freshly picked sweet corn. Corn season was on in Ohio. The temple of summer harvest was bustling. The corn is truly amazing!
I resisted strapping a dozen corn on my trunk bag as we returned to the trail. It was another peaceful cycle across the boardwalk over the Beaver Marsh to Ira Road. We said goodbye to the towpath with Greg taking the lead on country roads to his home.
We headed up out of the Cuyahoga River valley with a steep ascent. I was thankful for my battery's extra push on the climb. Many rollers lay ahead of us before we pulled into Greg’s driveway shortly after noon. The day ended sunny and hot with no rain.
My husband arrived late afternoon to shuttle me home to Mount Vernon. We celebrated the end of my tour with Greg and his wife Eileen with dinner at Gasoline Alley before heading south.
Spending the past two days with Greg, on and off the bike, was a true joy. It was a trip down memory lane filled with rekindled memories, friendships, and new experiences - the perfect way to cap off a solo adventure.
It was a wonderful eight days on the bike exploring Ohio on the Ohio to Erie Trail. Thanks to everyone who joined me virtually or in person on this journey. Stay tuned for my end-of-tour reflections, including my thoughts on touring with an e-bike.
Today’s miles: 33
Tour miles: 399