Cycling The Globe

Distance: 44.6 km
Ride time: 2:23:27
Average: 18.7 km/h
Max speed: 45.7 km/h
Total: 40492 km

It had been a busy week on the bike coming through the D.C. area and I was somewhat in need of a break. I did have a short distance to cover from West Chester to Philadelphia today, but not before enjoying a nice morning with Mike and his family.

After a healthy breakfast we went into town to visit a bike mechanic. I have been using the same set of tires since I left San Salvador more than two months and 4000 km ago! With all the weight I put on my wheels the bike mechanic was very surprised the tires were still holding up. The new set of tires we put on must be my 10th or 11th set. Thanks for the help Mike!

After finishing at the bike shop we went into a supermarket. “You need some of these” said Mike as he gave me a big box full of nut and chocolate bars. I will be a few kg heavier as I leave Mike’s place…

We also had time to make a short stop at the local air museum before it was time to hit the road again.

Thanks for such a wonderful welcome Mike. I would love to come back and spend some more time in West Chester another time.

There are several different ideas and theories about where the South end and Yankee territory begins. Washington D.C. is probably right on the border, and yesterday I crossed the Mason-Dixon line into Pennsylvania. I’m now in the north, which was also how it felt as I passed a neighborhood of old Victorian houses coming into Philadelphia.

I met Steve in Dayton, OH back in May, and now we were going to catch up at his place in Philadelphia. Steve lives in a cool suburb north of downtown. After a hard but beautiful final climb to get to his place, I had a quick shower, and we went over to the local pizza restaurant/brewery for dinner. Great times!

Tomorrow we will check out Philadelphia!