Men's Fall Trip 2016 Ohio

[the Ferret]

Day 3 of riding we decided to ride the Pink loop. This would be out furthest west loop of the trip and circled around Athens, Logan and Nelsonville Ohio. This route was a lot more "sweepery" than yesterdays ride and we considered all the roads we rode on this day fun. According to my notes 550 was great, 56 Very good, and 681 great. 212 miles today and a very good day of riding.

It was my pick for dinner and I chose Pizza Hut which was just ok. They accidently gave mine and Brian's pizza (we split a medium pepperoni and sausage) to someone at the drive thru window and had to make us another, but then they gave it to us for no charge so that was good lol

Day 4 of riding we swung back east and ran the green loop. The Green loop included a visit to the giant Muskie Bucket, a gargantuan pieceof earth digging equipment. The machine that powered this bucket was a football field and a half long.

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each rider was given a tank bag route sheet which let everyone stay involved looking for turn offs, although only 2 were missed all week and not by much. Here's the green route sheet

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again nothing but great roads, some really great with 2 exceptions which I will get into later. we continued on into McConnelsville where Jnor joined us for lunch at the Blue Bell diner in the town square. A 50's style diner.

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After a"diner style" lunch Jnor led us on part of our loop before splitting off and heading back to his family issues. We continued on 555 Ohio's infamous Triple Nickle. We really didn't enjoy the section of 555 we road today, it was too technical with many blind rises that you weren't sure which direction they went until you crested and were able to see the other side. The upper part of 555 literally wore us out to the point that Randy was losing focus. I was searching for a place for us to rest, because we were all hot and tired, but there wasn't any place, just more vicious curves. Finally I spotted a church with a little bit of shade in front and I whipped in there. I think we took the longest break all week at this spot trying to recoup.

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after 45 minutes and all the water we had brought with us gone. We mounted back up and took 676, a great road back to the hotel. 183 miles miles today. Everyone commented on how this was the shortest day, but seemed like the longest.

According to my notes 821, 145, 260 and 78 were all good. 676 and 669 were great. 376 and 555 sucked. 376 due to surface condition, the curves were fine if you could avoid the patches and potholes, 555 because of previous mentined tediousness of the ride and the spooky blind rises.

Ii think it was Randy that picked Applebees for dinner tonight.