Today’s Date: July 9, 2024

Today’s Start Point: Sparta, Kentucky

Today’s End Point: Milford, Ohio

Today’s Miles: 69.44 Miles

Cumulative Miles: 3,639.08 Miles

After a nice dinner last night in Warsaw, Kentucky, about seven miles from Sparta, where we stayed, Paul and I drove the first 30 miles of today’s course. The reason we did this is that I would not be using any of the route designed by Adventure Cycling, but navigating purely on directions provided by Google Maps. If I used Adventure Cycling’s route to Milford, Ohio, the route would be 157 miles. If I used the route provided by Google Maps, the route would be 65 miles, but with more traffic and hills. At this point, it was a difference of one or two days to get there, and with Paul still pulling domestique duties and carrying my bags, the shorter route made sense.

Our reconnaissance showed a hilly route with blind curves and some steep climbs. If there was any traffic it was going to be difficult because there was no shoulder and no place to pull off. We decided that Paul would follow behind if traffic allowed, and if not, go ahead and provide food and drink.

We left at 6:00 am and the first five miles were a steep descent with a good shoulder. I then turned onto an old road in good shape that ran parallel to the train tracks. It went straight up for a quarter mile and then rolled up and down. There was no traffic which was good since it was not even two cars wide.

The area was very foggy but as soon as the sun rose the mist started to burn off. Since the road was so twisty and narrow, no trucks were allow on it. I took the empty road for about eight miles-so far so good.

We next turned onto Highway 16 which would take us 25 miles to right outside Covington, Kentucky, the city across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. It was a roller coaster, but the good part was that the descents and ascents were so close together the momentum of the descent would propel me almost to the top of the next climb.

Along this stretch I had one encounter with a dog, his upper lip pulled back in a snarl. I kept yelling at him to go home but he held his ground. I decided to change tactics and told him he was a good boy, and with that he went back to his house. As with most things, different tactics for different situations.

Traffic was getting heavy and the drivers are very kind, refusing to cross a double yellow line. Although this is commendable, even after I would wave them on they would not pass, causing me to have to pull off the road and stop. I should not be complaining (although obviously I am) because they are just trying to make sure I am safe.

The landscape we went through were primarily well-manicured horse farms. Although hilly from a cycling sense, it was very pretty with the trees creating a canopy over the road a good deal of the time.

As we got closer to Covington, Route 16 became a four lane highway but with a bike lane (hallelueya). This section was flat and fast and we entered Covington quickly.

Once we entered the actual city of Covington, we went through what looked to be some struggling areas of the city that eventually transitioned into a historic district, filled with restored homes and beautiful city gardens.

The route took us to the riverfront with a nice view of Cincinnati across the Ohio River. My route would lead me across a bike/pedestrian path across a suspension bridge across the Ohio River while Paul would drive over. We decided to meet at a park that was next to Great American Ball Park, where the Cincinnati Reds play.

Once we met up, we determined that I would take a bike path that ran along the river and then cut inland for 10 miles to Milford, Ohio, our final destination. Paul was going to go ahead and see if he could find me up ahead (which proved to be unsuccessful).

I took off down the path and met Chris, Tim and Richard, three Cincinnati cyclists. They took me under their wing and guided me through the glorious bike path, telling me where to go and where to get off the trail in Milford. They also told me about the bike path that went from Milford to Cleveland, which I would be taking to Columbus. We rode together for about 20 or 30 minutes, and it was great to chat and ride as opposed to grinding the pedals alone. Chris has already sent me a comment on my blog and I want to thank her and Tim and Richard for letting me tag along.

With the group’s guidance, I found my way to Milford, got off the trail, and promptly got lost. Google routed me through a retirement village and I took a few wrong turns.

Eventually, I found my way and made it to the hotel. When I got there Paul informed me that the hotel’s systems were down due to the Microsoft global issue. The staff was working furiously to make things right, but they were reduced to working manually. Soon, alls well that end well and we got our rooms and went to lunch.

The restaurant was in Milford and was featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”. It was a great lunch, but even better was the aforementioned two hour massage that Paul had arranged for me. I have to admit it was glorious and decadent, just what I needed. I felt like jello when it was done, but he eliminated a great deal of soreness in this old body. Thank you Dominick for the best massage ever.

As I said yesterday, Paul is the best. Over the past two days I have not had to do anything but ride. While I was getting a massage, Paul went to the Post Office and mailed back to my house all of the camping gear (I mean really, who am I fooling), shopped for groceries and replaced my reading glasses. He also spent another day trailing me in the car and making sure I had what I needed. I am trying to figure out his daily rate for the rest of the trip.

At night, another great dinner and an Old Fashioned. It was another very good day. After the last four big mileage days, tomorrow should be relatively modest. It should take me two days to get to Columbus, Ohio, all on a paved bike path.