Day 36

Rossford, OH to Oberlin, OH

• Miles: 86 mi

• Elevation Gain: 1,190 ft

Greetings from Oberlin! Today was a good day — not much excitement, but plenty of small moments that made it special.

The ride was 86 miles from Rossford to Oberlin, OH with just over 1,100 feet of climbing. Because the distance was a little shorter, we didn’t roll out until 8:45am, which made for a more relaxed morning (at least by our standards!).

One highlight came at our second rest stop in Clyde, OH, where we found a wonderful coffee shop. Taking a few minutes to sit with a good cup of coffee gave the day an easygoing, almost cozy feel. Later, we enjoyed stretches of beautiful bike paths on the way into Oberlin.

We’re staying at The Hotel at Oberlin, right on the campus of Oberlin College, which is known for its world-class music program. After a quick shower, I headed straight to Main Street Laundromat — no frills (think cinder blocks, concrete floors, and missing ceiling tiles), but it did the job. With fresh laundry in hand, I’ll be set until our next and final rest day.

Dinner was catered by the hotel and served in a conference room — delicious and such a treat after a long day in the saddle. Spirits are good with the group overall, though we can feel the cumulative fatigue setting in as we edge closer to the finish. Hard to believe how close we are now!

All in all, it was a solid day — steady miles, good coffee, clean laundry, and a great group to share it with. The fatigue is real, but so is the joy of being here.

And one more thing: thank you for all the notes of support. Reading your messages is a true highlight of my day and helps keep me going mile after mile. 💗