Day 25 - Pennsylvania

They're backkkkk! The hills are here. It's amazing how quickly they've come back. It's not as I imagined they'd return. I anticipated a gradual increase, a slow acclimation to climbing. But it's more of a here were are! As they jump around the corner and yell surprise. A nice change from corn fields and flatness. The best part is the winding downhills! Imagine a 30 mph downhill with sharp curves around corn fields and rock walls. It's majestic.

I stopped at a gas station this morning about 30 miles out of Sugar Creek. Two Amish men approached me as they had seen me the day before in Walnut Creek. We talked for about 10 minutes about my ride and where they were headed. They are working in construction and had hired a younger non Amish man to drive them. One of the men also had his kids with him. I'm not sure what they do all day while he works. They couldn't have been more than 4 and 6 years old.

The ride today is a bit grueling. I'm climbing so much that my wrist is getting wrenched on. Normally I have time to rest it by dropping into my aerobars, but I can't say I didn't expect this. I made sure to take full account of all potential problems, and this was one of them.

I rode 115 miles today. About half way through the day today I had to ride one handed. My wrist is just getting to the point where it can't take the strain anymore. I'm staying in Monaca, PA, for the evening. I'm a little worried about camping here. I've ridden through some of the worst ghetto's I've ever seen, notably East Liverpool, Ohio. I think I may have even spoke with a verifiable pimp. I decided not to talk with him about women's rights.

As I approached Monaca today a dark looming thunderstorm system was rolling in. I've decided to stay in a hotel, as I'm also questioning my fate for the rest of this ride. I'm getting some outside pressure to not risk further injury to my wrist. I can't say that I don't agree. Having already faced potential surgery on it, I really don't want to risk having a bone graph, which will happen if I've broken the bone off.

The hotel I'm staying at has nicely given me a discounted rate! In addition they upgraded my room to a jacuzzi suite! Sweet! Now it's time for some bubbly relaxation.