Day 10 - Takeaways from our first leg

We are having a great time resting in Pittsburgh. It’s actually been more activity than rest; we went shopping for groceries, got massages, hit the hot tub, played ringo (both of us hooked the ring after a hundred attempts or so), and are now enjoying dinner at the Pittsburgh Bagins’. Here are some takeaways from our first 10 days on the road:

Charlie

• I thought people were exaggerating with how kind strangers could be on a long term bike tour, but it’s really true. In just this first leg we’ve had 3 or 4 people go out of their way to initiate conversation with us and then give us tips for our ride.

• Squeaky bike brakes are the poor man’s obnoxious motorcycle revving

• The grass is always greener on another riding surface; when it’s flat it’s too boring, when it’s hilly you’re exhausted, when it’s a trail it’s too slow, the roads are too crowded. It’s best to just enjoy the ride.

• Steep hills are superior to gradual hills. It’s best to blast up the hill, get ’em over with fast

• Camping is harder than it seems. Did you know it gets dark at night? And really cold. Even inside of the tent...

Maddie

• Downhills are not as fun when you know there’s an uphill coming afterward.

• Music and sunlight are incredibly positive forces: Singing “Mystery Lady” by Masego and Don Toliver has been nothing but a joy with our amazing pitches.

• That “Stoplight Rush”: After riding for miles with nothing but farmland and speeding cars by your side, a stoplight may be the best feeling I could imagine. They reassure me that civilization exists and can provide a much needed break.

• Gradual hills are superior to steep hills: Keep those legs fresher.

• Camping is easier than it seems: Set up your tent, hop in your sleeping bag, and go to sleep.

As you can see there are some differences in opinions here. ”And that’s why we make such a great team together,” says Maddie.

Heading off to Wheeling tomorrow. Columbus, Dayton, and Indianapolis on the horizon. Midwest, here we come.