Defiance but not defiant

I am still amazed of the heart of the people in the heart of the US. Regardless of walk of life, folks have come up to us asking what they can do for us. What do we need? How can I help? Last night Rich, the city park board president,  took time from overseeing the needs of the Harvest Festival to get us settled and offered a ride to the library so we could get some copying made. A gal just attending the festival wanted to know if she could get us anything. Folks offered us food. Earlier today, Linda, seeing us riding near her farm as a thunder storm approached, turned around in her car and led us to her home to sit out the storm. Then later in the town of Defiance, Riley kept the bike store open longer than closing to help us replace an aging rear tire. 

We awoke this morning kind of early in the community pavilion. The thunderstorm first woke me at 4am. The rain pitter pattered until 6. We got all loaded up and pedaled a few blocks to the Blueberry Pancake House by 7:30. Thanks Warren and Rich  for the recommendation. What a huge and delicious breakfast and for a bargain!  Definitely a highlight of Monroeville. 

Within four miles we were on the Indiana Ohio line. The corn in Ohio is ever so slightly shorter than in Indiana where the tall corn grows. (OK, if you’re not a fan of Lyle Lovett, Google his song list). 

Soon we were riding through Payne, without any.  Indeed today was one of our easiest efforts. Still feeling full from the pancake house, we thought we could get to Paulding for a nature break.  Junction would be our next break. We soon met Linda and Jean who sheltered us for an hour, giving us the rest stop we needed, thanks to the lightening. 

The skies clearing, we pedaled on along the Auglaize River towards Defiance, original site of Fort Defiance. Linda said there was a bike shop opened only till 1. So it was a time trial effort to make it in time. 

Uptown Cycles was still open. They don’t have many tubeless tire requests so it was good we carried the extra tire and sealant. Riley was more than willing to take some added time to get a rear tire replaced. After 2000 miles, Rhonda’s rear tire needed to be retired 😂. I even got to show Riley a new hack to seat the bead on tubeless tires using an air compressor and needle nose nozzle. Soon we were out the door and at the street taco shop recommended by Riley. Thanks. Excellent grub. 

We are now nestled away at our motel. Tomorrow we head to Bowling Green for a couple nights and needed rest day. We should have brought some BSU swag.