Yellow Springs:

There and Back Again

Date: 025-09-11/12

Somewhere around the 15-mile mark, near the Clear Creek Park Soccer Fields, a fellow biker joined me for a few miles, while waiting for his riding group to arrive. Carbon-fiber riding, fancy spandex clothes wear’n, type of biker. Offering some advice on my trip, I appreciated the conversation. Burned me with the offhand remark that he could bike to Yellow Springs and back in one day... Again, I appreciated the conversation.

The plan... stop at Cartridge Brewing (mile 35ish) for lunch. The brewery opened at 11 a.m., ahead of schedule. I passed around 10:45. Prior to this bike adventure, I have never ridden more than 50 miles in one day. Not wanting to stop a good momentum, I peddled on.  8 miles later, I arrived in Morrow. I coasted up to Fresh to Morrow, advertising fresh local ingredients! Google said they were open. The door was locked.

That's when Stan the Man approached me. STM dismounted from his bike, laying it down in the road. After explaining my current situation, I asked for recommendations. Declining an offer to go to Stan's house for lunch, he suggested the local gas station for a sandwich. After a few more minutes of conversation, I thanked Stan the Man and headed for the gas station. STM picked up his heavily taped bike and strolled off. In addition to turning down the homemade food, I also politely declined some beers!

Expecting a deli counter, I was reduced to choosing from three different pre-packaged sandwiches. After 40 miles, any food was going to hit the spot. Just the way Stan talked up the sandwiches... I was expecting more. Settling for a ham & cheese, Clif Bar, and a Coke.

"Good choice!" Stan the Man was picking up some essentials for the day. I didn't recognize Stan at first. He was now wearing a shirt. The essentials? A bottle of whiskey and two tall boys! Outside, Stan hopped into his(?) BMW and drove off. No bike in sight.

Working on my Jay and Silent Bob impression. Eating my sandwich out front. Some bicyclist shared excess water with me and offered a round of chocolate milk. I passed on the milk, but appreciated the thoughtfulness. 

Advice offered: EAT WHATEVER YOU WANT WHEN BIKING FOR HOURS! Back on the road.

It was around 3:45 in the afternoon. After traversing Xenia, it was time for a beer. Nick's was on the bike trail. The stars aligned. The patio was filled with golden-agers enjoying dinner as I headed inside to grab a pint of Oktoberfest. With the bar packed with folks starting the weekend a day and a half early, I had to squeeze in to place my order. 

"You smell nice. What are you wearing?" 

Tom's and 75 miles of biking. I"ll take my beer outside. Thanks!

The last 8 miles were rough. One of the golden-agers from Nick's may have passed me while I was crawling along. When I got into Yellow Springs, I drifted into my Airbnb, showered, and stumbled over to Ye Olde Trail Tavern. The oldest tavern in Ohio. It felt right. 

Grabbed a few snacks from Tom's Market.

Stopped by the Yellow Springs Brewery to finish out the evening. With the sun set, I headed back to my room for the night and prepared for tomorrow's ride.

Friday started off cold. With the sun just peaking over the horizon. My bones creaked as I tried to get into a rhythm. This section of the Little Miami Scenic Trail hasn't treated me well. I was struggling as I finished the ride on Thursday, and it was slow going to start Friday morning. The thought that I might not make it back home on the bike entered my mind. If I made it to Loveland or Milford, I could call for backup...

By missing the stop at Cartridge Brewing, I kind of kicked off alternative stops, not that I had set plans. It made me realize when you're burning 4,500 calories each day (estimate from Cyclemeter app), planned stops each hour for a snack/meal, and plenty of water, it needs more consideration. Looking forward to making this trip again. Now that I'm familiar with the towns and amenities available. 

I couldn't have asked for better weather, 75 degrees and sunny.