Josh's Birthday ride, 09/08/08

[jdmetzger]

Since I first began riding, I've made it a point to take a vacation day from work when my Birthday hits and go for a ride. I was foiled last year when it rained HARD all day - so I ended up spending all day chatting online. This year was extra special for me - the first Birthday ride on the GSPD, and my first long ride since re-installing my now circliped transmission (OAK rebuilt) and rebuilding/installing a few other things - fork seals, paralever pivot bushings, and Touratech hand guards.

This year I was retracing my steps from the very first Birthday ride I took a few years back. At that point I had only been riding 3 months and the 120+ mile route was very tiring for me. This year I covered 230 miles without breaking a sweat.

First, I hopped on a short section of slab to get out of town, pointing myself South and then West. West being a good choice for keeping the early morning sun out of my eyes. It was around 8:40am as I rolled through Sidecut Metropark, just south of Toledo. I was keeping my speed in check and right away I saw why that was a good decision. Apparently these woodland creatures wanted to wish me a Happy Brithday:

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I have been down this route enough to know that deer are plentiful. I wasn't in a hurry, so I kept my eyes peeled and kept riding. I saw one more 100 yards down the road (scared off by my horn) and after that I was deer-free.

Riding west I got into the small town of Waterville, where I crossed to the other side of the Maumee river and followed route 65's rolling hills and gentle curves through the trees, West. Northwestern Ohio is a pretty flat place thanks to Glaciers, so routes along rivers tend to be the most exciting places to ride. Normally this road is FULL of people riding on the weekends (some far too fast and others far too loud) but today it was pretty quiet. Another BMW passed me heading the other way shortly before I rolled into Grand Rapids, OH. This is what I would consider a "typical" small Ohio town - main street, rows of buildings, lots of flags, and then farmland.

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I quickly cleared Grand Rapids and continued following the river west/south along Route 65 (becoming 110) towards Napoleon. This is some good riding for around here, and not a car in sight.

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Soon enough I approached Napoleon, OH - I could smell this place from a little ways off. I wonder if this is full of soup?

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Continued...

[jdmetzger]

Normally when I (and probably 95% of all other riders in the area) get to Napoleon the trick is to turn right, cross the river, and follow Route 424 into Defiance, OH. Today I was being a bit adventurous and continuing on the same side of the river. At first it was an uninspiring ride down a residential street, but soon the houses disappeared behind me as the narrow road became a bit curvy (sadly with a bit of gravel here and there). Still, I pressed ahead until having to figure out a slight detour - apparently the land the road is on was purchased and is now "private". No worries - the new route was actually a bit more interesting and curvy, although more gravel kept me from really taking it through the tight turns at speed. I passed a few small, old cemeteries while meandering along this road that sits on a high spot along the side of the river - the water was well below me much of the time.

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I finally found the bridge I was looking for, again crossed the river onto Route 424, and headed on towards Defiance. Years ago I worked in Defiance doing IT work for General Motors. The Defiance, Ohio foundry is one of their oldest (if not THE oldest) in the country. I was miles away and I still picked up the distinct smell of "foundry". Not all together good, but not horrible. Off to the left Independence Dam State Park popped up and I steered in. This is a rather small dam that was built to serve shipping many, many years ago. There is an abandonded lock and you can still walk along the old towpath as it heads back the direction I came. There are more locks back towards Grand Rapids, and they still have a site where you can ride in an old riverboat pulled by mules and pass through a lock.

Obviously there is no shipping up this way anymore, but the dam remains, making a nice location for birds to try to catch a meal:

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The bike waiting for me:

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Finally done stretching and taking photos, I headed back out, crossing the river one last time as I head back east towards Bowling Green, Ohio. I picked my route by looking at google maps - mostly I was on "County Road J". It started out small (barely one lane) and eventually became a "normal" two lane country road, stretching ahead for miles through the corn and soybean fields. Almost to my next turn I hit a detour (construction) and defied the sign by heading north instead of south. This was mostly OK to start with. A short time later the roads got bad as I hit an intersection full of gravel. I made one turn, then another, and as I accelerated away the back of the bike decided to do some dancing on the road. It turns out there was a strip of fine gravel and sand right into the middle of the road. That will wake you up. The next 10 miles were over chip-sealed roads that were not much fun to ride on. Like all bad things, this eventually passed as I got to Route 105 (Scotch Ridge Road) which runs mostly North along the Portage River through Pemberville and into Woodville, OH. This is another popular road among local riders, and I had my fun following it's twists and turns. It's amazing a heavy GSPD full of gas can be so nimble. I was smiling the whole way...

Continued...

[jdmetzger]

Upon reaching Woodville, OH, I crossed the river (again) and took "River Road South), still following the Portage River. This road was narrower and less improved than the last, but I still enjoyed it's twists and turns. From there I hit Elmore, OH, then Oak Harbor, OH where I picked up Route 163 heading East/North. I finally reached Port Clinton, OH, where the road follows right along the edge of Lake Erie. Port Clinton is a happening place in the summer, but less so this time of year (especially on a Monday) as it gets cooler. The sun was still shining bright and I began to get hungry as I approached Marblehead, OH. Aside from having an enjoyable roads that twists and turns around the peninsula that Marblehead is on, there is a Lighthouse and a park where I liked to stop when I come out this way. First though, I had my priorities: food!

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Netty's has several locations in Toledo, and fortunately one out here near Marblehead. I wouldn't say it's gourmet, but still not bad. I grabbed some dogs and fries and rode out to the lighthouse. I found a nice spot on a large boulder along the shoreline, sat on my riding jacket (hey, that back pad makes a nice butt pad!) and ate my meal listening to the water lap onto and under the rocks along the shoreline.

GS resting in the shade:

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Some geese hanging out at the waters edge (they're starting to congregate and head South already):

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And then the Marblehead Lighthouse (I rode down a bit of sidewalk to get a good shot with the bike. It's worth nothing the museum closes after Labor Day - they might not like it in their prime season):

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A nice couple came along and offered to take my photo. They were from Montana and apparently have a son or daughter with a BMW motorcycle. I'm not looking bad for 30, eh? :D

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Then a visitor decided to hang out on the tank of my GSPD for a minute or two while I talked to another couple (his brother had a 60's BMW - lots of BMW riders families out today!):

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Then I snapped a rather hazy photo of Cedar Point Amusement Park off in the distance before heading out:

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[Holly]

Super way to celebrate your birthday, Josh. Obviously a happy one. I wish you many more.

Holly

[jdmetzger]

This next bit was new to me - I happened to find out there is an island nearby (Johnson's Island) that once hosted a Union POW camp for captured Confederate Soldiers. All of the building are long gone, but there is still a graveyard for the soldiers who died here (they had one of the lowest mortality rates of any Union prison, actually). There are about 300 people buried on the island. To get to the island you have to pay a toll to drive on the causeway. Unfortunately the gate machine was not taking my money, but a resident showed up, entered their access code, and I got free access. Cool! :clap

Off to the Confederate cemetery.

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Full sized (BIG) here. (http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/rides/090808/IMG_1052L.JPG)

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Full sized here. (http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/rides/090808/IMG_1073L.JPG)

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List of the known buried here:

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Full size. (http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/rides/090808/IMG_1055L.JPG)

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Full size. (http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/rides/090808/IMG_1065L.JPG)

Information on the old POW camp:

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Full size. (http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/rides/090808/IMG_1056L.JPG)

Statue:

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Full size. (http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/rides/090808/IMG_1057L.JPG)

Gate/statue:

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More info:

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Full size. (http://www.jdmetzger.com/img/rides/090808/IMG_1063L.JPG)

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Little guy just hanging out:

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[jdmetzger]

From Johnsons Island, I headed back towards Toledo. First I had the pleasure of riding the rest of the way off of the peninsula, down some very curvy sections (one where I have previously dragged some hard bits - I took it easier today!).

I picked up Route 2 and followed it along - past Camp Perry, past Davis-Besse Nuclear Facility (the plant giving me the power to write this report, in fact. Also, the plant that nearly had a severe accident a few years ago). Into Oregon, OH. From here, I picked up a rather nasty road that runs by a coal power plant and a large oil refinery. It looks AND smells nice. Actually, I was just testing out my GS by running it down some rough roads and making a high-speed crossing over a grouping of 4-5 rough train tracks. Everything made it out OK. :)

From there, I passed Tony Packo's and then stopped for a few photos:

LARGE tower on a now defunct power plant (actually, I'm not sure when the plant was last used):

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The Glass City Veterans Memorial Skyway (I-280):

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Shot of the bike from across the River looking into downtown Toledo:

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From here I crossed the Maumee River (last time!) and made at stop at the "Mud Hens" store for a new hat. While packing up I noticed my reflection in the window across the street. How perfect - I can "reflect" on my Birthday and the 30 years I've had so far. :p

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Shortly after I made it back home - where my dog and some "Happy Birthday" MOA forum messages were waiting for me. :) I also managed to beat a bit of rain that has fallen since my return, so that's extra nice.

Thanks for riding along!

[BubbaZanetti]

looks like you had fun josh!

just talking with my brother, he says its rainy and low 50s in chicago, looks like you got out just in time!

[terham]

Great report Josh. That's a good tradition for your birthday. As I sat at work this year on my birthday I thought how much I'd rather be out riding, or at least doing something else. Next year I think I'll do the same.

[gardner17756]

Happy belated birthday. The history lesson was an enjoyable read.

[Visian]

josh - thanks, this was a great ride/read.

happy birthday, too.

ian

[bobs98]

Very nice Josh. Excellent report! Glad you had a nice ride.

Looking forward to seeing you in the Catskills!