Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Washington D.C... by bicycle

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David earned MASSIVE brownie points by taking our stuff and the dogs, so that Age could bicycle

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The last DB Group card game for Age
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Age and David have a theory that MI is a black hole, and is almost impossible to escape unless you build up enough acceleration. It took us four years to get out. Age was afraid at the end that she wouldn't be able to bike fast enough to actually escape.

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Gerry and Tim saw age off

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Gerry even biked halfway through MI with her!

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Age and her bicycle got a free upgrade to a room with a jacuzzi in Toledo
Missing: A picture of Age being chased through Toledo by a pack of toothless guys on spider-bikes yelling, "hey mama, you want somma this!" For obvious reasons she did not stop to get a picture. The jacuzzi was very much appreciated after that ordeal.


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Passing under the Ohio Turnpike the first time.
Missing: A picture of the entire family of the jacuzzi-upgrade-woman (aunts, uncles, grandparents, tons of kids) gathered in front of a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere - with a big banner that read: "Go Adriane" to watch the weirdo biker.

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All the interesting things between Toledo and Cleveland: Soy beans, trains and corn.

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Passing under the Ohio Turnpike again.

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The first change of scene, about fourty miles west of Cleveland.

The "I'm going to give up and quit" Bad Day


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The yarn store was closed
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Age got a bad flat
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The bridge was out, and age had to go 20miles out of her way to get over the river.

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At least the lake was pretty - but age was still going to quit at this point

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Until she met Marty biking down the road, who took her home to Eddie, who fed her, gave her a warm shower and a soft bed. Thank you! I would have stopped in Cleveland if it hadn't been for you two!

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The next day dawned bright and much more cheerful. There was more than corn to look at.

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In fact, age rolled through a dog show!

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And the terrain changed from boring flat to rolling hills.

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Passing under the Ohio Turnpike again.

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A plethora of bridges

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Passing under the Ohio Turnpike yet again.

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And again. Does everyone recognize this well known junction? Almost to PA!

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It was a "break day", so only 50miles.

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So age toured the log cabin in Columbiana

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Then went to an Art Fair in the Woods!

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The fudge made her VERY happy

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Most nights she camped, and worked on a pair of socks
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All night long

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A day later...PA!

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Grabbing some food and shade at a roadside fruit stand

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As Age entered Coraopolis, Tom drove up beside her and asked where she was riding to. He took her home to meet his parents, got his bike, and guided her from Coraopolis to Pittsburgh!

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REI. They can tell you everything. Unfortunately, they told Age that the trail she expected to take from Pittsburgh to D.C. did not reach Pittsburgh yet, and the road was impassible by bicycle.

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So Age spent the night at Erica's apartment (Erica was unfortunately out of town, and a willing neighbor let age in).
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And then Bob from REI gave Age and her bicycle a lift from Pittsburgh to the start of the trail to D.C.

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The trail was an old railroad.

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Populated along the entire length by retired locals who would bike a few miles with age and tell her all the local history.

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Camping

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Age LOVED this sign! Over two-thirds of the way done!

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This is where age met the Men's National Kayaking team.

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The Eastern Continental Divide - it's all "downhill" from here!

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Tons of retired locals to keep age company
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For the scary tunnels - that go on for long, dark miles. The flash only made it this bright. You more or less navigated by sound. If you could hear your draft on the tunnel wall, you were too far to the side.

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Entering Maryland!

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To the nasty, bumpy, smelly C&O Canal Towpath
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See that green - it's slime.

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The old lock houses along the canal
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And some really scary tunnels. The path was the width of your shoulders, with a sheer drop to the canal.

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And then Hurricane Fay hit.

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And the path flooded. And age barely went faster than a turtle...

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Home to her hubby.