Gambier, OH--> Columbus, OH. 52.3 Miles. 17.4 mph average.

Well, today marks our third official build day, here in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio, according to the locals, is round on the sides and HI in the middle. I’m convinced that everyone here looks like Drew Carey, making them round on the sides and wide in the middle.

Just kidding. So far our time here has been quite idyllic, and has been marked by a few surprises. They are, in no particular order:

Derrick, our compatriot who was yanked off the trip due to a seemingly intractable broken pelvis, has rejoined the group and will ride the rest of the way with us just two weeks after he fell off his bike, going 30, down a hill. We are all in awe of his tolerance for pain. I'm convinced he's just cultivated a masochistic streak from his time on UVA's crew team.

Nate got hit by a car. An hour and a half ago. But he's fine, and the 17-year-old-girl-who-cut-him-off-in-traffic's dad gave him a hundo for any bike repairs he might need. Mildly sketchy, but we're all entirely relieved that he's alive and unharmed. His bike tire's tacoed, but that's fixable. According to witnesses, his first words upon rising from the asphalt were "My arm hurts. Shit, my bike's jacked up." Or something like that.

Other than those unwelcome surprises, the last three days have been marked by some stupendous rides and luxurious accommodations, including couches and beds (gasp!), fresh fruit, cheesecake, cheapo/delicious Amish cuisine, and North Carolinian BBQ (thanks to the Rhynes!), friendly locals, the gorgeous Kenyon campus (shoutout to Emily), and an idyllic hour in a pool outside of Columbus, a few hours ago. I'm in good spirits, although a bit grumpy thanks to a crappy 95-degree ride through rush-hour traffic into Columbus, marked by Nate's lil' accident, irate drivers, dozens of stop lights, and an anonymous passenger who decided to throw a 3" chunk of metal at me from his window as he drove by. We're here at the JCC now, though, safe and cool and clean, and we're about to leave for a triple-A minor-league ballgame-- the Columbus Clippers vs. the Indianapolis Indians. Tomorrow we're building here, staying another night, and getting out of town again.







Love to all.