Hi everyone and welcome to Day 8 of the 2022 I4K ride! Today was another shorter day at only 43 miles but yet again filled with many a rolling hill. This was in many ways a very similar day to Day 7, including the rural Pennsylvania views. Small towns, run-down buildings, and many logging businesses along the route.
The morning was distinguished by a mystical-looking fog covering the nearby hills which reminded me of some kind of a fairytale setting. I am almost (only almost) convinced now that waking up early might be worth it sometimes.
Zona, Marie, and Mercedes pedaling the morning away
First rest stop of the day
First rest stop, continued
Right before our longest climb of the day we were treated to a very nice view from a bridge. The river was of a fairly questionable color which did not stop me from wishing I could submerge myself into it to combat the heat and sweat of this day.
Our unfortunate biking victim of the day was Sam, she fell off her bike in the very beginning of the day :( Thankfully, she is OK and as full of energy as ever, but she did end up spending the rest of the ride in the van along the van driver Matt H.
We got to Grove City early at about 2 PM and thanks to our shower/food donation callers got to have refreshing (aka cold but nevertheless highly appreciated) showers at a local YMCA.
Taking over the YMCA bike rack to dry our biking attire
After the showers, we once again ventured into the town seeking lunch. Lunch choices ranged from Subway sandwiches to Japanese restaurant and pizza today. While eating our food outside a local coffeeshop we experienced a curious encounter. An older gentleman sat at the table next to Jessica and started talking about… something? He told us he had robbed a bank before and a whole lot of other outlandish stories. Truly, you can meet all kinds of people biking across the country.
And on that weird note, the exciting events of the day ended.
-Valerie