First ride of the Cross Check, following a return to the cabin. The 24-Hour Challenge went pretty well, considering I didn't really do much training for the ride, and wasn't nearly as prepared as I should have been. 232 miles ridden during the first 16 hours of the event. Not too bad. I'll certainly be better trained and prepared for 2015. 

Completed a 35 mile ride with the cyclists from the Fuller Center for Housing today. Normally, I'd be riding with them daily, but it didn't work out that way this summer. (Cross country from Atlantic City, NJ, to Astoria, OR.) Next year's ride is going between southern California and Maine. 4,000 miles over ten weeks. Should be a blast. 

The group is staying on the fourth floor of a warehouse in Cleveland tonight. It's owned by a friend of one of the riders, and houses an archery club on the fourth floor. Hopefully, nobody puts an eye out. 

Arrived in Aurora, Ohio, to check in with the Fuller Center riders. Enjoyed a nice dinner provided by the host church that was putting up the group. Followed that up with a stop for a beer at a rather nice restaurant around the corner. Didn't get back until a bit later than planned, so I was limited to a few laps around the hotel parking lot. At least there was plenty of time to ensure the bike was ready for the ride tomorrow morning. 

A short recovery ride around town today. Everything still working fine, although a little stiffer than normal. I guess I should have expected that, right? 

The last shot from the 24-Hour Challenge. 232 miles done, and some time after midnight. By this time of the ride, I'd started to feel some cramping start in both thighs. My right shoulder was having trouble keeping me upright compared to my left. Felt a little lopsided when I tried doing more than a couple of laps on the night loop. On one section of last lap I rode, there was a small stretch that I even had trouble keeping the bike under control. That's the point when I decided to call it a night. A rewarding experience, that gave me a much better idea of what I need to do for next year. 232 miles. 

This one was taken near the 170 mile mark of the ride. Didn't really feel like getting out of the chair at this point, but I wound up riding a while longer. Initially, I felt guilty about the low effort for the pic, but given what I was in the middle of, I was okay with it.

Quite a collection of classic cars heading out for the first drive of a weekend of festivities around Hastings, MI, this weekend. 

All of the signs at the local schools had some sort of recognition of the event. Clearly, the town supports holding the event each year. 

Among a parking lot full of Model Ts, was this 1952 Tatra Tatraplat. Not restored, but in great shape, with the exception of the crease on the right rear fender. Good looking ride. Spending the night in Hastings, Michigan, prior to heading over to Middleville in the morning, in preparation for the National 24-Hour Challenge. If you need me over the weekend, I'll be on the bike. 

Just outside of Erie, PA. Nice motel. Rain on the way.