80: what a bear does, shart realtors, "nature's preserve," no bicycles, barge tie-up?, storage in garlic

July 17, 2025

Hiram to Valley View

The amount of urine I smell on bike paths is surprising.... 5 minutes at a time here and there. But I guess, as the saying goes, "Does a bear shit in the woods?" Yes, and I guess they also urinate there. Of course, something else could be producing the ammonia smell.

Then, onto trafficked roads. From a distance, the font makes this sign look like "SHART REALTORS" instead of "SMART REALTORS."

You can see the Cuyahoga Valley ahead, where I'll be dropping down to.

but brief, and barely enough to wet the roads

There sure were a lot of very young trees for this to be called "Nature's Preserve."

for the last third of today's ride I was on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail

...but it's "No Bicycles on the Horse Path to the Right." ..... I hope. It got me every time.

I saw these at regular distances along the way and wondered what they're for... to tie up the barges on the towpath? Or a bench? It seems unlikely, but maybe?

The Oxbow Farm & Market is my destination for tonight. After I rolled up, Beth stopped working on their tractor and strolled over in her work clothes to introduce herself. She and her wife, Kyla, rent the farm from the Cuyahoga National Park and produce organic seasonal vegetables, flowers, seedlings, and herbs, as well raise Icelandic sheep for wool and meat. They also have pasture-raised broiler chickens, and Thanksgiving turkeys, and sell items from local artists (crafts and pottery), bread, and maple syrup from Pioneer Ridge Tree Farm, which is DeeAnn's and Jim's brand.

Even though DeeAnn offered to pick me up ("it's only about a twenty minute drive on the expressway") I thought I'd camp. However, after the rain stopped the day progressed from warm to hot... and worse, the mosquitoes started showing up, hungry for another meal, so I changed my mind. The main reason, though, is that I just didn't sleep very well last night and need a good night's sleep.

the barn where I stowed my bike for the night - it's actually in there now, on the left behind the garlic

Andy actually picked me up, and I learned that the town of Mantua pronounces it "MANway," so now you're in the know as well.

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Today's ride: 31 miles (50 km)
Total: 2,028 miles (3,264 km)

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