Days 47-48: Huron to Cleveland, Ohio

We awoke to clearer skies yesterday in Huron and were able to get a good view of the lake that we’d hiked on before we left. From Huron, we turned left onto highway 6, which took us the majority of the way into Cleveland. Road conditions were mixed. Generally, there was good shoulder or space, but at times it disappeared as we rolled through towns that progressively got bigger as we approached downtown Cleveland. Once we got closer to the city, we joined a marked route that eventually became a trail that took us to the west edge of town. From there, we took the Detroit-Superior bridge right into downtown Cleveland, where we are spending two nights. I recognized the location of our hotel immediately, as it is directly across the street from the cathedral where my friend was married a few years ago, the last (and only) time I was in Cleveland.

After we arrived yesterday, we had a busy itinerary planned, as we weren’t sure whether we’d spend one or two nights here. We walked down to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which my dad was hoping to visit for the first time. After a few hours there, we met my friend Mike who showed us some of the breweries downtown. Mike works at Great Lakes Brewing here in Cleveland, so he is very knowledgeable about the different breweries and had a lot of insight to share. After dinner, we walked back to the hall of fame for a free outdoor concert with two excellent bands. I’d noticed the tour date here in Cleveland months ago for Swearin’ and thought there was a chance that I’d be able to make it. Due to the late night, there was no blog update for yesterday.

We decided to take a rest day here after all, and spent the morning walking around Cleveland on our way out to a bike shop in Ohio City. We stopped in there to talk to the owner about routes to Pittsburgh, and he gave us some good insight about trails we can take tomorrow on our way out of town. The bike shop was called “Joy Machines,” and it looked like an excellent shop. Since we’re both carrying a lot of supplies on this trip, there isn’t anything we needed there, but I would definitely recommend the shop to anyone looking for one in Cleveland.

Tonight we plan to meet up with Mike again and he may give us a tour of the brewery where he works. Then tomorrow, we’ll be back on the road, headed southeast toward Pittsburgh, where we plan to arrive Saturday.

By the numbers:
Miles traveled: 52
Total climbing: 735 ft
Average pace: 13.1mph
Average temperature: 76F
Cornfields ridden through: 0
Surfers spotted: 3
Road closures: What felt like thousands

 A mural in Ohio city.

 Swearin’ performing in background.

 Seattle exhibit at the hall of fame.

 On the plaza.

 In Huron, with Cedar Point in the background.

Coming into west Cleveland. 

 On Lake Erie, Cleveland in the background.

 Ed on the plaza.

 At the beach in Cleveland.

Living dangerously. Note the sign.