Bike Jamboree in Xenia, Ohio

Xenia, Ohio was our next destination where we were met up with our friend, Bob Fox, and several of his cycling buddies (Charlie, Glenne, Lisa and Jane) from the Williamsburg area.  

Xenia -- halfway between Columbus and Cincinnati

Xenia is a small town with an enormous cycling network.  It has over 330 miles of paved bike trails running North-South, East-West and all directions in between...even as far as Cincinnati and Dayton.  It was a fun four days of riding with the Williamsburg gang  but it was very, very hot!  

Lance and I got to experience a first -- we never ever imagined we'd be camping out on the fairgrounds especially behind the livestock barn!  At least we're holding true to our goal which is to discover America from all angles.

MerSea 2 camped out behind the Livestock building at the Xenia Fairgrounds

The first day of the bike jamboree included a 20 mile evening ride to Cedarville for dinner.  The temperature was ideal as we pedaled past farm after farm.  The next day was a 42 miler to the Dayton riverfront and beyond.  We rode to Wegerzyn Gardens which is a gem of a botanical garden in downtown Dayton.  On the third day it had gotten so hot that we were afraid to leave Fin in the RV for fear that there might be a brown out and he’d be locked in the hot RV without air conditioning.  

Cycling past an old grain elevator on the way to Corwin

 So Fin climbed into his rolling chariot and Stephanie pulled him the full 32-mile ride to/from Corwin.  What a great workout lugging 100 lbs -- best of all it meant enjoying Young's ice cream guilt free!

Enjoying some of the freshest ice cream at Young's Dairy

Lance was a good sport for not only being willing to come along on the bike jamboree but being willing to ride each of the 4 days.  Now that his legs are tuned, he'll be ready to ride when we get back to the Northern Neck.  

Onward to Geneva, Illinois to visit with old friends, Donelle and Alan, and their kids Henry and Kathryn.