Day 7

Very cool start to the day which you would think should be a bonus, but my muscles just won't warm up despite the undulating countryside. It's overcast and just past a sign that gave the temperature as 60F ... I'll complain later. Some of the small towns are run down and a bit shabby whereas here in Clarion things are more prosperous. Like everywhere else Sunday seems to be a lazy day with not too many folk around yet ... time 08:40 distance covered this morning since camp about 10 miles. I'm about 60 miles from the Ohio border and Indian country!!


When they say the road is blocked in the USA they mean it! Route 322 was closed about 10 miles beyond Clarion but I wasn't going to take a big detour ... so I plodded through this mess for half a mile ... my bike is filthy now ... mud caked to it like concrete ... the good thing is that it's less attractive to steal! Had a catnap for an hour or so but keep on being interrupted by nice folk wondering if I'm alright. Hills should be easing off now that I'm through this Allegany part of the Appalachians. Temperature slowly warming up but it's nice cycling weather ... I'll push on to Franklin and then do the last 15-20 miles to the Ohio border. That will be a nice point to reflect on the trip .... Probably tomorrow. What surprises are waiting around every twist and turn or in my case on a long steep incline out of Franklin. There I was heading slowly uphill when this elderly man (Paul Wittreich) came running across the road shouting "Hey! Where are you going?" He and his wife Terry are long distance cyclists and it wasn'before long I was invited into their home, offered a beer, a meal, a shower, great conversation and the spare room ... Geee! This is unbelievable! Paul is a very talented artist and writer ... amongst other things and Terry, a retired teacher, is an accomplished musician and leader in the local wind orchestra This was a pleasant ending to a hard day ... 45 miles and tired. (saw a snake today ... it was a big black and grey thing ... thankfully it was dead on the road) Oh! also nibbled a few fresh corn on the cob. Raw but luscious and sweet.

Location:Clarion, PA