July 12 - Biking Moma: Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania

Today the lead bikists (Al and Will) put in a hefty 88 miles, so Al wearily cast his eye around asking for a volunteer to write today's journal. Since I only did around 54 or so, I acquiesced. Dear Reader, please note that my entries are less researched and factual than those of my husband, so what I can give is more or less a biking mama's point of view.

This morning, we decided to start the day differently than before. We sent Shaine off on the tandem with Al at the day's beginning (7:40 AM). I stayed behind to help Cody do the final packing up and morning chores (dumping and refilling the RV tanks). Boldly, I managed to dump both "black" and "grey" water tanks without a wayward splash. Not bad for my first time. Annie continued to sleep as we pulled out of the loveliest park of the trip so far. The main reason I decided to postpone biking is because Annie has been out of sorts for the past several days. It could be any number of things; sleep deprivation, a growth spurt, a developmental stage, homesickness, lack of same-age playmates, the fact that she is so dependent on the rest of us big people. Maybe she is just spoiled rotten. In any case, I thought I'd try some intense morning mothering today.

My ploy seemed to have worked! By 10:00 AM, Annie had been read to, played with, fed, and hugged a lot and was quite ready for Shaine's wonderful big sistering. The bikers had cruised along the last of Lake Erie and entered Pennsylvania when I took my place on the back of the tandem. WAIT A SEC!! Pennsylvania again??!! That means hills, nice, large ones. So we went up a lot of hills but we always got to go screaming down them again. Twenty-three miles later, we met the rig and put an eager-to-ride Annie on back. Will took off at his own rapid pace, leaving the cruisers to go up and down more hills. Mid-way into the ride, Al pulled over and Annie stated, "Our bike doesn't feel right to us, mom." Well, I guess our flat tire karma isn't over yet. Annie and I had a nice break while Al wrestled with the tire. At least, there are plenty of shade trees around. I hope we don't have any flats in the Badlands!

Sixteen tiring miles after picking Annie up, we met the rig again. Fortuitously, across the street was a Radio Shack and a chance to get Annie's Tamagotchi working after at least a week's wait. Annie happy, I'm feeling biking zest and want to continue but don't want to risk another mood slump in my youngest. Annie assures me she doesn't need me, and Cody all but pushes me out the rig. Off we go!

More hills, not so smooth asphalt, and eventually, city congestion as we approach a mid-sized town. Freeway riding is something we have assiduously avoided until today. By now, I feel like the fun is over and I just want to go home (defined as "back in the rig with all healthy and present.") Then I descend into "mother worry." Cody and the girls were supposed to find a Wal-Mart (or equivalent---apologies to our anti-Wal-Mart friends--we have succumbed out of need) to pick up some necessities and meet us at some end-destination road junction. I think, "Skip it! Just get to the meeting spot safely! Don't drive yourself crazy on a shopping mission!" I mean, when the biking is marginal from fatique or bad roads, worry occurs. Here we are several thousand miles from home, biking on a freeway shoulder, and my beloved children are driving a 24 foot rig in a city looking for a Wal-Mart. Can Cody handle the responsibility? Will Shaine watch out for Annie in the store? (from cody: Find out next time, on bikrutz journal of the day, same time, same place) (See, Dear Reader, I told you my entries are different than Al's.)

We approach the meeting place. There as expected (I had my doubts, Al felt confident), the rig was parked at the designated junction in front of a Quik Mart. Relief...both from ending the biking and from knowing all was well. Amazing enough, Cody indeed had purchased the necessary supplies. The girls were quite happy and content. My maternal heart swelled substantially as I reflected on how well Cody is handling navigating the rig. I am constantly being reassured that he is growing up well.

I prepared dinner tonight. Sloppy Joes, warmed up new potatoes, leftover salad preceded by chips and salsa, followed by French Vanilla ice-cream and strawberries. Compliments flowed from every hungry mouth in between ravenous bites. One of the side-benefits of biking hard is the calorie payback. And the chef can hardly do no wrong, as long as there is enough on the table!

Tonight, our home is on a grassy parking lot, with none of the space, privacy, or breathtaking beauty of last night's stay. From the girl's vantage, however, this is a great place because right across the street and within clear view is a giant roller-coaster in a small amusement park. As I write, every four minutes, forty-three seconds, and 0.22 (timed by Shaine's new Wal-Mart sports watch), I can hear the rattling of tracks and the screams of coaster riders. Incentive enough for the girls to do a major RV clean-up to earn the privilege of a two hour long, $5.00 apiece, trip to the park with Al in tow. But now, the family is back, the fireflies and mosquitos are out, and it's time to end the day. We have another long road ahead tomorrow.

Miles: Will, 88; Al (Tandem & single), 88; Shaine (Tandem), 25; Ann (Tandem), 15; Cheryl (Tandem and single) 63.

Total miles: 676

**Next Day's Journal**

-Cheryl Bikrutz