Day 49: Cleveland to Columbiana, Ohio

Yesterday evening, we joined Mike and his wife, Tania, for Mass at the cathedral, then Mike took us on a tour of Great Lakes Brewing, where he works. It was a great evening catching up with an old friend and getting some great information context about Cleveland and the brewery.

This morning, we awoke to some light fog in the area, but were able to skirt our way through downtown to catch the towpath trail that carried us out of the heart of Cleveland, and connected us to another trail which took us to Kent and then into the countryside. Considering what a large, industrial city Cleveland is (/was), it was an impressively quietly route out of the city. The trail took us into the Cuyahoga National Park where we rode along the towpath for about 20 miles out of the city. Aside from a few detours because of construction, it was a very well maintained and pleasant trail.

After Kent (which is the home of Kent State, the university my dad mistook for Bowling Green), we continued southeast and found ourselves back on mostly rural roads, skirting around Akron and Youngstown into the small town where we are staying tonight. It ended up being a long mileage day, and after a rest day, it felt especially tough to get back on the bike for so many miles. However, we are seasoned riders, now with seven full weeks of touring together under our belts. And, the end is in sight, so we pushed on, despite some very poor pavement and lack of services near the end of our route.

In Columbiana, we are staying adjacent the “Old Dutch Shopping Center,” which appears to have some businesses which I assume were or may still be supplied by Amish in the community. We did not see any Amish folks out today, but saw the carriage cautionary signs on our way into town. We ate at Das Dutch House and had a very hearty family-style meal, including some delicious pie. We were both very stuffed after dinner, bust still managed to find our way into town to try out the local brewery and reminisce about the trip so far. Today is our last night touring with just the two of us, as tomorrow we will ride into Pittsburgh where my mom will join us for the weekend, and Alex will join for our last week of riding.

Today I was reflecting on happy memories as it marks the 5th anniversary of my marriage. I learned in Cleveland that it is also the 49th anniversary of the very first Ramones show in New York in 1970.

By the numbers:
Miles traveled: 86
Total climbing: 2438 ft.
Average pace: 13 mph
Average temperature: 74F
Slices of Dutch pie consumed: 2
Starting elevation: 600 ft
Ending elevation: 1200 ft
References to Harvey Firestone in this town spotted: 4

At the brewery in town.

 Where we joined the towpath near downtown Cleveland.

 Brandywine falls, on our way out of Cleveland.

 The towpath in the National Park.

 At Great Lakes with Mike and Tania (Ed behind the camera).

Das Dutch Haus, where we ate dinner.

At the historical log cabin in Columbiana. 

Entering the national park just outside of Cleveland.