(Click on yellow envelope to the left to send me an e-mail.)
Two days left before the launch of the Ohio Odyssey. Over the past 6 months I've made many, many checklists and so now is the time for final checking. I've come to the realization that I will NOT finish all the research and journalistic preparation that I had intended - but I do believe I'll have all the necessary tools to complete this mission.
What about my bike? you ask. Being a moderately experienced bike rider, I have a moderately priced bicycle. For several years I rode a Cannondale 400 road bike, which I liked a lot. Then, two years ago, I bought a Schwinn Super Sport. While not a conventional road bike, it has a couple of things I have grown to value. First of all, it has a more upright seating position. After having had back problems years ago, I needed a bike that didn't force me to bend all the way over.
The other thing I like about it is the "granny gear," a triple chain ring. For non-bike riders, this gives me an extra set of gears for climbing hills. Being 51 years old and mostly a recreational bike rider, I needed a bike that allowed me to climb more easily than the Cannondale.
Last week I took the Schwinn to Eddy's in Montrose, where they did a total tuneup. If it breaks down in the next 20 days, I'll know whom to blame.
My colleague, Dennis Gordon, by the way, has a super-custom, top-of-the-line everything bike - appropriate for a guy who has done a lot of riding. Given the probability that we will experience some kind of difficulty over 1,200 miles of riding, Denny will be the one to provide the expert mechanical know-how.
For the record, I belong to the Akron Bike Club and Denny belongs to the Orrville Cycling Club.
So, the bikes are well-oiled and ready to go. Now we are about 38 hours to launch. Come along for the ride.
5:57:45 PM 
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